SL’s Christmas tree enters Guinness world records

The Christmas tree which was constructed at the Galle Face grounds last year amidst much controversy has finally made it to the Guinness records as the world’s largest artificial Christmas tree.

The Guinness World Records said the largest artificial Christmas tree measures 72.1 m (236 ft 6.58 in) tall, and was achieved by Arjuna Ranatunga Social Services (Sri Lanka), in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 24 December 2016.

Sea snakes in Nawalady

Many sea snakes have got entangled in fishing nets off Nawalady for the past few days.Due to prevailing rough seas residents are much inconvenienced and during the 2004 tsunami also a large number of sea snakes were found in the area.

The residents said the authorities should find out why large numbers of sea snakes had appeared in the area.

Sri Lankan family deported after spending 5 years in Canada

A Sri Lankan family who spent five years in Canada was deported Sunday despite appeals to Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale to issue a reprieve.

Their flight took off from Montreal’s Trudeau airport Sunday evening.

Before leaving their home in Parc-Extension, Robert Lawrence, the father of the family, said they were all very sad, but still love Canada despite their deportation.

Mumbai Indians likely to release Malinga for IPL auction

In what would have seemed an unthinkable move a few years ago, IPL side Mumbai Indians are set to release their premier fast bowler in history, Lasith Malinga, for the IPL auctions, the Indian media reported.

With the teams likely to be allowed to retain a maximum of three players, the IPL 2017 winners are unwilling to keep hold of Malinga, considering the fact that the Sri Lankan speedster has looked out of form and also faced issues regarding his fitness off late.

19 arrested following incident in Galle.

19 persons have been arrested for their connection to the tense situation that ensued in Galle last night (17).

Police media spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara stated that the curfew that was imposed in several areas of the south was lifted at 9.00am today (18).

Sri Lankan family facing deportation due to MS diagnosis

After eight years in New Zealand, a Queenstown family might be forced to move back to Sri Lanka.

The distraught family consists of mum Danesha, dad Sam and their three sons aged eight, 10 and 11. They consider New Zealand home and worry about their children if they are deported.

Wimal – Basil clash : Nomination crisis within lotus bud

Due to Wimal Weerawansa demanding the inclusion of over 800 candidates of the National Freedom Front (NFF) in the nomination list for the upcoming Local Government elections, Basil Rajapaksa, who is in charge of compiling the nomination list of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna is facing a grave crisis, according to political sources.

The number of candidates allowed to be nominated from each party is almost 8000.

Shangri-la Colombo opens

The much awaited Shangri-la Hotel in Colombo was declared open today by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

This is the 2nd Shangri-La property in Sri Lanka – joining Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, which opened in June 2016.