Facebook experienced an outage this morning that meant users around the globe were unable to log on to the world's largest social network for 30 minutes

DNA tests obtained from the productions collected from the crime scene in Tangalle have matched with the blood samples of former Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidanapathirana, a key accused in the Khuram Sheik murder case.

The National Freedom Front (NFF) today charged the United National Party (UNP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had indirectly supported the UNHRC probe on Sri Lanka.

The Cooperative and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando had ordered the Sathosa to make provisions to immediately import 100,000 metric tons of rice to avoid a price increase of rice in the local market

The Sri Lankan Navy on Wednesday arrested as many as 47 Indian fishermen and seized 11 of their boats.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today organised a campaign in Colombo Fort to urge people to protect national harmony and not to be misled by rabble rousers who are out to cause ethnic conflict. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel  

Several Hartals were staged in Colombo, some towns in the Eastern and Northern provinces in protest over the riots that occurred in Aluthgama on Sunday

Uva Provincial Council United National Party (UNP) member Ravi Gunawardena crossed over to the government today making a special statement during the council session

Two police officers were hospitalised following an acid attack while they were on duty at the Mawanella District Court premises this morning

Ven. Watareka Vijitha  thera  who was reportedly abducted and beaten, was found from Bandaragama area this morning. He was admitted to the Panadura Hospital and was later transferred to the National Hospital for further treatments. Pictures

Chief Incumbent of the Asgiri Chapter the most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera said today he was against night races being held in Kandy.

Buddhist monks hold placards while some youth shout slogans at a protest held by the  Movement for Equal rights against the recent violence in Aluthgama and Beruwala. Pix By Pradeep Dilrusksana

Sri Lankan cricketer Kaushal Lokuarachchi and New Zealnd player Lou Vincent were banned for 18 months and three years respectively from all cricketing activities by a Bangladeshi tribunal that dealt with the allegations on match fixing

The resolution against the UNHRC probe on Sri Lanka was passed in Parliament with 144 votes in favour while ten TNA MPs voted against it.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today invited the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Takehiko Nakao to visit the Northern Province to witness the development when Mr. Nakao called on President Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colomb

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today visited Beruwala which was shaken up by violence last Sunday. He met members of the Sinhala and Muslim communities there. Pix by Presidential media

The Government today informed Parliament that five Casino business centres were being operated within the Colombo City, but declined to reveal their names citing restrictions under the Inland Revenue Act.

The Customs revenue task Force today detected a container, consisting of contraband cigarettes valued at Rs. 125 million, imported from Dubai declared as coriander.

Sugarcane farmers are seen collecting their harvest at plantations spread throughout the Moneragala District. Last year Sri Lanka produced 53,000 metric tonnes of sugar and imported sugar worth around Rs.37,000 million Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Beruwala a short while ago to meet Sinhala and Muslim communities, President's media said.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) would boycott the Parliament sessions today, party officials said

A chemical storage facility in Nawala was gutted by a fire this morning. The fire was doused by the Colombo and Kotte fire brigades. Pix by Nisal Baduge

The international community will be promptly notified of the measures adopted to ensure the safety of the residents in Southern Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the riots in Aluthgama and Beruwala, Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera said

A fire has broken out in a chemical factory in Nawala this morning, Police said the fire brigade is trying to douse the fire.

Three Indians were arrested while attempting to smuggle 175 kgs of ‘Kerala Ganja’ from India, near the sea off Kalpitiya, by the Sri Lanka Navy last night.Pictures

Sri Lankan spin king Muthiah Muralidaran has joined Australia's coaching team to help the squad prepare for its Test series against Pakistan

The Police curfew, which was imposed in the Beruwala and Aluthgama police areas on Sunday,following incidents of communal violence, will be lifted from 8 am today, Police said.

Two men aged between 45 and 50 were arrested on charges of having engaged in acts of indecency while riding on a swan boat in the Beira Lake. They were produced in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court and after being found guilty of the charges

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, while expressing his concern on the communal violence that erupted in Southern Sri Lanka, has urged the Sri Lankan Government to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of all Sri Lankans.

Forty one people have been arrested in the aftermath of the violence which prevailed at Aluthgama and Beruwala. Police said some of those arrested had violated the curfew imposed in the two troubled spots.