US extends waivers on Iran sanctions to SL

The United States granted 180-day waivers on Iran sanctions to Sri Lanka, China, India and a number of other countries on Friday in exchange for their cutting purchases of oil from Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Import tax on potatoes and onions reduced

The Special Import tax on one kilo of Potatoes and big onions has been reduced by Rs.35 with effect from midnight yesterday. The special import duty on red onions has also been reduced by Rs10, the Ministry of Finance said.

PSC report presented

The Parliamentary Select Committee report on the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was presented to Parliament by the Chairman of the PSC Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa a short while ago.

Kahawatte killings:Suspect stabbed to death

A 33-year old man, believed to be one of the suspects in the recent killing spree in Kotakethana,Ratnapura was stabbed to death last night at Opatha, Ratnapura-police said.

PSC report to Speaker today?

The Parliamentary Select Committee ((PSC) which wrapped up its inquiries into the 14 charges against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, is expected to hand over its report to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today..

More asylum seekers deported from the UK

Another twenty nine Sri Lankans who sought political asylum in Britain were deported back to the Island accompanied by British Immigration/Emigration and police officers yesterday morning.

TNA not for total withdrawal of army from N-E

In an attitude of moderation, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) told Parliament yesterday that it was wrong to assume that the party wanted the armed forces out of the North and the East.

It’s a tactical move-Govt MPs

Government Parliamentarians a short while ago termed the withdrawal of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and opposition Parliamentarians from the Parliamentary Select Committee, as a tactical move.

CJ asks Speaker to appoint impartial panel

Lawyers of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake in a letter to Speaker requested to postpone the impeachment hearing until an impartial panel is set up to probe her.

CJ explains why she walked out

Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake has walked out of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) in the face of hostile and biased conduct of the government members of the PS so as to ensure the dignity of the judiciary of Sri Lanka, a statement said.

Opposition members withdraw from PSC

Four opposition members of the Parliamentary Select Committee announced a short while ago that they withdrew from the committee and stated that they put forward four conditions before the Chairman of the PSC to further remain in the committee.

Emergency party leaders’ meeting

President Mahinda Rajapaksa summoned an emergency meeting of government party leaders this noon to discuss the modus operandi as regards the impeachment motion against chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake, the Daily Mirror learns.

VIDEO: Japan earthquake tsunami warning issued

A tsunami warning has been issued after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's eastern coast.

Fire in Pettah

A fire has broken out in several shops near the Fort Railway station, police said. Fire brigade has brought the situation under control and has almost extinguished the fire Pictures

US urges transparency and due process

The United States today urged the Sri Lankan Government and the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating the Chief Justice ensure any investigation be conducted transparently, guarantee due process, and is conducted in accordance with the rule of law

Kollonnawa UC Opp. leader dies

The opposition leader of Kollonnawa Urban council Chadrasiri Dias (68) has died this morning, Hospital sources said.

Many stranded due to railway strike

A large number of commuters have been stranded due to the ongoing island wide token strike which was launched by eleven Trade Unions last night

Lankan man executed in Abu Dhabi

A Sri Lanka man was executed on Thursday morning by firing squad in Abu Dhabi after being convicted of murdering an Emirati Engineer in Al Ain in 2002

I don’t take revenge-MR

“I am not a man who takes revenge. The law is equal to everyone irrespective of their positions. If someone commits an offense, he will get punishments”, Said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the opening Ceremony of the Weligama Resort on the Southern Expressway

Lanakn jailed for drag-race death

Sri Lankan man who killed another driver when drag racing has today been jailed for at least 18 months

Ranil fires rocket at satellite

In the backdrop of contradictory statements about the China Sat 12 Communication Satellite launched into the orbit recently, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today asked whether China was using Satellite Orbit slots allocated to Sri Lanka in this case

CJ walks out of PSC

Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake has walked out of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) proceeding a short while ago stating that she has no faith in it, sources said

Railway strike from midnight today

The Railway services countrywide will come to a standstill from midnight today as the Professional Trade Union Alliance (PTUA) that represents ten trade unions decided this afternoon to launch a token strike, Convener of the PTUA Janaka Fernando said

33 skulls unearthed in Matale

Thirty three skulls and skeletal remains have been found at the Matale hospital premises so far, police said

Ten LTTE suspects arrested by TID

Ten former LTTE cadres were taken into custody by the Terrorist Investigations Division (TID) based on intelligence reports.

Darwin asylum seekers flown interstate

About 400 asylum seekers have been released from Darwin detention centres into the community. They will be placed on bridging visas which forbid them from working, but will receive a basic welfare payment, a spokesman for the immigration department told AAP

Video: Court orders release of cobra

A cobra taken into police custody and a night club dancer who lamented the loss of her pet were reunited yesterday when a Colombo Court ordered the police to release the reptile to its rightful owner

Yapa calls for media guidelines

Chairman of the PSC probing the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice, Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa raising a privilege issue in parliament asked the speaker to formulate guidelines for the media when reporting the proceedings of the PSC

Cancellation of MR's visit not due to pressure

Despite protests by Indian groups against the planned visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Malaysia, its High Commission in Kuala Lumpur confirmed the cancellation was not due to political pressure

Committees to study Lorgat's report

The executive committee of Sri Lanka Cricket decided to appoint three committees to discuss Haroon Lorgat's report and make recommendations for its implementation