The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance headed for a landslide victory at the Indian General Elections. Jayalalithaa Jeyaram’s ADMK Party won the elections in Tamil Nadu but the BJP may not need ADMK assistance because

Veteran beautician Janet Balasuriya passed away this morning at the age of 79 in a private hospital in Colombo, sources said

Early counting of results in India's general election put Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Narendra Modi on course for a big victory that would hand him a clear mandate to run the country

The Bukit Aman Special Branch counter-terrorism division in Malaysia has helped thwart a planned attack on foreign consulates in India with the arrest of four suspected terrorists including a Sri lankan man who was detained at a house in Kepong at ab

An underworld figure known as ‘Sifaq’ was shot dead by an unidentified man at his house on Sri Saddharma Mawatha, Maligawatta last night.

The “Buddha Rashmi” Vesak zone organised by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening. Pix by Nisal Baduge

The Indian government has extended by five years the ban imposed on LTTE, a terror group that was behind the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and was decimated by the Sri Lanka military in 2009.

The Railway Department said about 15 trains had to be cancelled this morning since most of the engine drivers and guards had not turned up for duty today.

The economics’ students of the Sipsaura Institute in Nugegoda organised a water melon dansala for the second time today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

A fire  is reported to have broken out at a plastic-bottle manufacturing factory at Dolekanaththa in Piliyandala a short while ago. Pictures

While claiming that it was ready to provide relief to commuters if the use of prepaid cards were made compulsory, the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) said it was expecting a 6 to 7 per cent fare increase at present circumstances

The management of Ranweli Hotel in Waikala organised a rice dansala last night. Large numbers of people are seen having meals at the Dansala. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Commenting on last year’s protest by British-based Tamil groups during Sri Lanka's Champions Trophy matches at Cardiff and the Oval, former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said politics played a large part in a lot of things “on a

About thirty tourists including foreigners had to be hospitalized after being attacked by wasps when visiting Sigiriya this morning, police said. Pictures

Opposition and UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was in the US on a teaching assignment at Massachusetts Institute of Technology for more than a month returned to island early this morning.

Two people were injured when Police opened fire on a three-wheeler which had sped away defying police orders in Wadduwa on the Galle Road last night, police said. Pictures

Two boys aged six and eight were killed yesterday after they fell into a 15-feet deep water-filled pit in the Morawaka area, police said.

The Coastal Security Group (CSG) personnel conducted a programme on Wednesday in the Keezhputhupattu Sri Lankan Tamil refugee camp in Tamil Nadu to sensitise the residents to security perception.

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron issuing a Vesak message sent his best wishes to Buddhists in Britain and around the world celebrating Vesak, the sacred festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment and the passing away (Parinirvana) of th

Vesak pandals lit up most parts of the city in Colombo tonight as people celebrated the Vesak festival. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Some organisers and crew of Gangarama Vesak Zone are seen setting up ‘water lilies’ as Vesak decorations on the Beira Lake. Pix by Nisal Baduge

General Xu Qiliang-the third most powerful military figure in China is currently on a three day visit to the island leading a 25 member military delegation from China.

The food served at 67 Dansals countrywide had to be thrown away after health inspectors found that it was unhygienic and not suitable for human consumption, Public Health Inspectors’ Association Secretary Senarath Bandara said.

About 50 people were hospitalised for suspected food poisoning after having meals at alms giving at Sri Sambuddathwa Jayanthi Viharaya at Diyadawa in Deniyaya, hospital sources said

100 feet long and 50 feet wide -- designed by K. Hemapala was displayed for the 6th consecutive year along Baseline Road in Dematagoda. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Iran plans to take part in the South Asia Network of Ozone Officers meeting which is scheduled to be held from May 27-30 at the Grand Oriental Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Devotees are seen engaging in religious observance at the Kelaniya Temple to mark the Vesak Poya Day, today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Torture is a fact of life in countries across Asia, including in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and China, human rights body Amnesty International (AI) said adding action should be taken against the issue

The Army has begun the process of recruiting youth from Mullaitivu at the Mullaitivu Maritime Divisional Secretariat, the Army said.

Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Vice-Admiral Anurag G. Thapliyal has refused to be drawn into the controversy over India’s stand on Katchatheevu and said India's stand on the issue is quite clear