Magazine prison riots due to crackdown on drugs, Rs.7.5mn damage

25 Jan 2012

7

Prison officials said that the main cause for the riots which took place at the Magazine remand prison was due to the crackdown on drugs being smuggled into the prison through meals brought from outside

JVP dissidents say 13 Plus won’t solve national issue

25 Jan 2012

10

The Movement for People’s Struggle (MPS), a breakaway faction of the JVP, said today that the devolution of land and police powers or the implementation of the 13th Amendment plus would not resolve the national question

Indian fishermen advancing to our Eastern seas: Navy

25 Jan 2012

6

The Sri Lanka Navy said that Indian fishermen are now advancing into the Eastern seas to engage in illegal fishing activities PICTURES

A way forward

25 Jan 2012

7

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and former Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya held a press conference today at the Bodhi Ranasinghe Foundation, on the new regulations with regard the party’s policy on speaking to the media. They also discussed a way forward for the party and the country. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

No divisions among party, Karu says

25 Jan 2012

8

Former UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya said that there are no divisions among the party and that all members are with the United National Party

Platform for Freedom asked to limit protest to Fort Railway Station compound

25 Jan 2012

2

The Colombo Fort Magistrate ordered police to prevent a media group calling themselves the Platform for Freedom, from engaging in a rally in the Colombo Fort area. The order states that the protest campaign should be limited within the Fort Railway Station compound and not on the roads

Will form wide alliance to take on Govt., Sajith says

25 Jan 2012

11

Deputy Leader of the UNP Sajith Premadasa says, “We are not dissidents of the United National Party,” adding, “We will always be with and have been with the UNP.” Mr. Premadasa went on to state that they will form a wide alliance to take on the currenty government with people of all strata

We will fight to release SF: Karu

25 Jan 2012

20

“We will fight to release General Sarath Fonseka. They have taken revenge from him and he has lost everything. We will fight for his right to be free,” Karu Jayasuriya says UPDATE

Sajith and Karu to discuss a way forward

25 Jan 2012

9

The current UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and former Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya are about to hold a press conference at the Bodhi Ranasinghe Foundation, on the new regulations  with regard the party’s policy on speaking to the media

Situation still not under control

24 Jan 2012

6

The tense situation prevailing in the Magazine remand prison in Welikada is yet to be under total control. Despite the heavy presence of the military and special forces the situation within the Magazine remand prison is still tense due to heavy resistance from the inmates UPDATE

Fonseka is safe

24 Jan 2012

14

A spokesman for the Prisons Department said that former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka is safe as he is serving his term in a cell given to him in the Welikada Prison

Stringent legislations on child rape

23 Jan 2012

10

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) is to propose stringent legislations including the death sentence to grave rape and molestation on minors and consider child abuse a non-bailable offence, a senior official of the NCPA said today

Accident in Meerigama

20 Jan 2012

3

A van that skidded off the road this morning at the Napewatta Junction crashed into a wayside boulder causing serious injuries to the driver. Residents of the area gathered at the scene, evacuated the driver who was trapped in the wreckage and rushed him to Watupitiwala hospital. Pic by Pushpakumara Mallawarachchi

Will accept 25% increase

20 Jan 2012

7

A section of the CEB employees today said that they will accept the 25% pay hike offered by the government and that they will refrain from participating in the trade union action resorted to by another section of employees PICTURES

GMOA strike called off

20 Jan 2012

12

Some 1,200 doctors attached to the National Hospital called off their strike today The strike was in protest against the recent appointment of two members to the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and the

CMC in crisis as UPFA gains clout

19 Jan 2012

6

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) ran into chaos on its 147th anniversary today after the opposition UPFA gained control of the Standing Committee on Finance UPDATE

National Hospital docs to go on strike tomorrow

19 Jan 2012

5

1200 doctors at the Sri Lanka National Hospital will go on strike tomorrow January 20 8am till 8am on Saturday January 21

No fuel shortage due to U.S. oil sanctions on Iran

19 Jan 2012

8

Sri Lanka's government has assured that there will be no fuel shortage as a result of U.S. sanctions on Iran's fuel imports, a minister said on Wednesday

China offers SL help to find Silk Route wrecks

18 Jan 2012

16

Chinese authorities are seeking permission to explore Sri Lanka's coastline for possible Chinese ship wrecks from the ancient Silk Route era, an official said Wednesday

Cartoon of the day

17 Jan 2012

3