Sri Lanka on Friday released 136 Indian fishermen who were apprehended for allegedly poaching in this country's waters, a day after India conveyed its deep concern over their detention and sought their release.

Sri Lanka police took 24 Indian fishermen in custody, a day after arresting 118 fishermen belonging to the neighbouring country.

As a player, Waqar Younis had nothing but bad memories of the World Cup.

Now as a coach, he has the challenge of turning around Pakistan's talented yet unpredictable team.

Sri Lanka’s military on Wednesday offered to discharge all 50,000 deserters without taking legal action against them as part of a concession to mark the independence anniversary.

Hundreds of flood victims in Sri Lanka besieged a district office in the Eastern town of Kathankudi complaining about unfair distribution of emergency food aid, the police said Tuesday.

Sri Lanka warned on Monday that food prices could shoot up after devastating floods in the North and East of the country destroyed rice and vegetable crops.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa Friday categorically denied that the Sri Lankan Navy had shot at Indian fishermen, killing one of them, but vowed to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future. "The Navy says there was no such attack on the Indian fishermen. However I have called for a full report from the Navy about these reports," Mr Rajapaksa said.

Amid a leadership battle within Sri Lanka’s main opposition UNP, President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday said he favoured Sajith Premadasa, son of his slain predecessor Ranasinghe Premadasa, to be at the helm of the party.

More than 3,64,000 people have been affected due to floods in several parts of the country, particularly in the eastern province, the disaster management centre said.

Four Indian nationals, who were stranded mid-sea after their boat capsized in storm, have been rescued by Sri Lankan fishermen, the police said.