In a significant move on Friday, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to lift the ban on players contracted with the ‘rebel’ India Cricket League (ICL) to play domestic cricket. Among those who will be benefited by this decision are Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Avishka Gunawardene and Saman Jayantha.

Colombo  - The Sri Lanka Navy on Thursday destroyed a Tamil rebel boat and at least 40 guerillas were killed in a series of fierce clashes in the military's offensive to retake rebel-held areas in the north by the end of the year, military officials said.

A battle erupted between the navy and the separatist rebels off the north-western city of Nachchikudha, 380 kilometres north of Colombo, officials said.

Colombo - Sri Lanka's air force said Wednesday it bombed a hideout frequented by elusive Tamil rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in northern Sri Lanka.

The hideout, located at Vattakachchi, 310 kilometres north-east of the capital, was bombed Wednesday morning, air force spokesman Janaka Nanayakkara said.

Residents in the area confirmed the rebels considered the area a high security zone out of bounds for civilians.

The air force spokesman said heavy traffic in enemy communication was experienced immediately after the attack, but subsequently communication had died down and silence was maintained.

Colombo  - Security in Sri Lanka's capital was tightened after a bomb exploded inside a bus Tuesday minutes after it was detected and passengers got off, police said.

Despite the evacuation of the bus, four people were injured, police said. The explosion occurred in the centre of Colombo and caused extensive damage to the bus.

Police said the conductor of the state-run bus found the unattended parcel and evicted some 60 passengers before the bomb exploded.

Police spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police Ranjith Gunasekara blamed the Tamil rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the attack.

Colombo - A bomb went off inside a bus in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo Tuesday minutes after it was detected and passengers got off, police said.

Despite the evacuation of the passengers, four people were injured, police said. The explosion, which occurred in the centre of the city, caused extensive damage to the bus.

Police said the conductor of the state-run bus had found the unattended parcel and evicted some 60 passengers before the bomb exploded.

Colombo - The Sri Lankan government on Sunday condemned the series of bomb attacks in New Delhi and declared that it stands in solidarity with India in its efforts to eradicate terrorism.