Bilingual national anthem proposal sent to President

The National Languages and Social Integration Minister have proposed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the presidential secretariat to rewrite the ‘National Anthem’ with Sinhala and Tamil verses to be sung particularly at national events

Initial report on war is ready-Army

The Army will hand over its first report tomorrow (24) in response to observations and recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) with regards to the SL Army.

Mayor of Galle removed

The Mayor of Galle Methsiri De Silva was removed from his office, as Mayor and from his seat in the Municipal Council, by the Chief Minister of the Southern Province Shan Wijayalal Silva today

Australia beat SL by 32 runs

Australia beat Sri Lanka by 32 runs to level the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series in the fifth and final match at Hobart on Wednesday

Met Dept. warns of adverse weather

The Meteorological Department said today there was the likelihood of thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rains in the East, North Central, Uva and Central Provinces in the next 24 hours

1000 Lankan asylum seekers returned

The recent return of 13 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who voluntarily flew home to Colombo brings the total number of returned Sri Lankans to almost 1000 since August last year, the Australian High Commission said today

Tsunami warning drill

A tsunami warning drill will be held at 3.00 p.m. tomorrow in along the entire coastal belt covering 14 districts, a Disaster Management Centre spokesman said

Karaoke Wasantha granted bail

Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Karaoke Wasantha, who owns several Karaoke bars in Colombo, was arrested on charges of threatening the police and pretending to be a close relative of a prominent politician. He was later released on bail

Govt web sites hit in spate of attacks

A hacker on Tuesday breached the Web site of Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA), and also attacked and leaked the Web sites of two Sri Lankan TV channels and the Bureau of Foreign Employment over the last weekend.

Video: Media blackout for ceremonial sitting

All local and international media were prevented from entering the Supreme Court complex and not allowed to cover the ceremonial sitting to welcome Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, who was appointed to the post under controversial circumstances???

A ‘garbage tax’ too in the offing

Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said the day would not be too far away when big cities in the country would have to collect a ‘Garbage Tax’ from city dwellers because solid waste disposal would become a huge burden in the future.

Govt. braces to face riots and uprisings

In an effort to strengthen the police to counter any people’s uprising, the Government has spent Rs.17.37 million to replenish its arsenal of riot control equipment by buying a large quantity of rubber batons, helmets, gas masks and tear gas canisters, Parliament was informed.

Video: ‘Snake girl’ found unconscious

The Colpetty Night Club dancer better known as the 'Snake girl', was found unconscious with injuries in Wellampitiya this morning, Police said. ???

US Embassy disturbed by threats to civil society in SL

The US embassy in Colombo said that it ‘is disturbed by the series of threats and attacks against legal defenders, civil society organizations and activists who have spoken out on recent events.’

Customs seize Rs. 150 m worth items

Colombo Port Customs seized cigarettes, shoes, cheese and cigarette lighters valued at around Rs.150 million which had been brought down from the Middle East recently Pictures

Bharatha’s driver recants

The Attorney General today informed the Colombo Magistrate that Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra’s driver who was a prime witness in the Mulleriyawa shooting has now changed his stance stating in an affidavit that the earlier statement was made under undue ‘influence’ by various parties to the case.

Two more Jaffna uni. students released

Two out of the four Jaffna University students arrested by the Terrorist Investigations Division in the immediate aftermath of former LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran’s birthday in November last year were today released following protests by students and teachers.

Detention Bill passed

Parliament today enacted a new law that provides for detention for 48 hours of a person arrested without a warrant prior to producing him or her before a magistrate. Earlier, such a person could only be detained for 24 hours. 

Audio: Bus fare hike likely in February

Lanka Private Bus Owners Association chairman Gemunu Wijeratna said there would be an increase of 6% -8% in bus fares in February.

SLN rejects attack on Indian fishermen

Rejecting allegations that the Sri Lankan Navy had attacked some Indian fishermen, Navy spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya said Indian fishermen were known to make false allegations from time to time. The fishermen themselves later admit that the allegations were false

Who cannot do the duty by the people should leave-Sajith

UNP MP Sajith Premadasa who ceased to be a Deputy Leader of the party, today said that if there are people who hold positions and they cannot or are not willing to fulfill the tasks that are expected from them by the people, they should leave such positions.

India inks double taxation avoidance pact with SL

India and Sri Lanka have signed an agreement for avoidance of double taxation. External Affairs Ministers of the two countries signed the agreement in New Delhi on Tuesday. This was one of the three agreements signed between India and Sri Lanka.

MR donates Rs.1 m to Rizana’s family

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has donated one million rupees to Rizana’s family today at Temple Trees, a presidential media spokesman said.

Female soldier shot

A female soldier from 511 Brigade in Jaffna Achchuveli Army Camp was injured after being shot by another female soldier due to a personal dispute last night, the Police said

Exempt Veddah people from marriage tax-Veddah chief

Veddah Chief Uruwarige Wanniyale Aththo expressed his dissatisfaction over the imposition of the new marriage registration tax of Rs. 5,000 on Veddahs.

Anti-impeachment petitions put to CJ

The Attorney General yesterday made an application to refer three fundamental rights petitions to the Chief Justice and to appoint a Bench of five or more Supreme Court Judges to hear petitions challenging the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that probed the impeachment motion against former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

Forgiven or forgotten?

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials have been made to eat their words and bow down to the superiority of Sri Lanka team captain Mahela Jayawardene, as SLC’s much-publicized threat to discuss Jayawardene’s purported breach of SLC contract by communicating directly with Daily Mirror has proved to be an empty whimper and a farce.

Ceremonial sittings for new CJ amid controversy

The ceremonial sittings for the newly appointed Chief Justice Mohan Peiris will be held tomorrow, amid the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) standing by its earlier decision to boycott it.

Most non-Buddhists use Buddhist temple land-MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that most non-Buddhists were conducting their religious activities in places, which belonged to Buddhist temples or sacred lands.

Appointment of UNP Dy. Leader postponed

The appointment of UNP Deputy Leader was postponed, while senior UNPer Joseph Michael Perera was re-appointed as Assistant Leader at the party’s Working Committee meeting held at the ‘Sirikotha’ party headquarters this evening.