SL placed 79th in global corruption perception index

In the annual Global Corruption Perception Index (CPI) just released by Transparency International (TI), Sri Lanka has scored 40 points and is placed in the 79th position among 176 countries

Lankans arrested in Scotland

Police found a total of 17 workers from The Philippines, Sri Lanka and Indonesia after they executed search warrants on premises in Annan and fishing boats in Peterhead and Silloth, Cumbria.

Opp. MPs mull quitting PSC

The four opposition members of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the charges against the Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, are seriously considering withdrawal from the process, Daily Mirror learns

Army lets Major quit to wed Lankan girlfriend

After a prolonged legal battle, the Indian Army has decided to relieve a 35-year-old Major in the Corps of Signals to enable him to marry a Sri Lankan national

Bowen defends asylum 'screening'

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen won't rule out sending back to Sri Lanka any of the 56 Tamil asylum seekers who have agreed to drop a High Court challenge against their removal from Australia.

Relax abortion laws: Docs

It was necessary to relax laws on abortion who became pregnant due to rape, incest or foetal abnormalities to ease the pain and hardship faced by them, Medical experts said yesterday

Review group on UN’s report setup

The United Nations said that a group to review the finding of the UN's actions and inactions in Sri Lanka in 2009 or known as Charles Petrie report is being set up, the Inner City Press reported.

Tow-back policy to apply to SL

A coalition government would tow boats back to Sri Lanka to help stem the flow of asylum seekers bound for Australia, immigration spokesman Scott Morrison says

AIA completes Aviva-NDB deal

Asian insurance giant, AIA Group Limited, which is listed in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange said it has closed the acquisition of Aviva NDB Insurance PLC (CTCE) as the company acquired 92.3% of the firm in a US$ 109 million deal that was announced in September, this year

Female vocalist harassed by radio station employee

An employee of a private radio station who had allegedly harassed Sri Lankan pop, R&B and Jazz singer Umaria Sinhawansa at a car park of the World Trade Centre in Colombo was ordered to appear before a Colombo Court on December 14

Fishermen’s arrest: Jaya seeks Singh’s intervention

Expressing concern over the arrest of 40 Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy early this week, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today said such harassment has become a "regular occurrence" and sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention for their release

Potato prices may decrease

The Consumer Affairs Minister Johnston Fernando said he would take steps to reduce or totally remove the Rs. 50 tax imposed on a kilo of imported potatoes due to the increase of potato prices in the market

Two children knocked down by train

Two children aged 6 and 11died on the spot  at Thalpe when they were hit by a train bound to Matara from Vavuniya this afternoon, police spokesman Prishantha Jayakody said. Pictures

Ganja boaster nabbed

Police arrested a businessman who had boasted on an FM radio channel  that he was  the ganja king pin in Ratnapura area and challenged anyone who could to arrest him.

We need to groom another leader-Mahela

Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene who is in Australia, Wednesday said that Sri Lanka should groom another captain to lead the Sri Lankan cricket team.

PM and Duminda granted leave

Parliament today approved three months leave for Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and UPFA MP Duminda Silva with effect from December 22.

Govt organised protest against CJ, says UNP

A demonstration had been organised near the parliamentary complex to protest and vilify Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake on her way to the House to appear before the Select Committee probing charges against her.

World's oldest person dies at age 116

Besse Cooper, the world's oldest person, died Tuesday. She was 116.

PSC rejects observers

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) yesterday refused permission to the Sri Lanka Bar Association or the Commonwealth to observe its proceedings when probing charges against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, informed sources said yesterday.

Police track down ‘tourist visa’ businesses

Police Headquarters yesterday said that they were continuing to track down tourists who are engaged in business activities while possessing a tourist visa.

CJ asked to appear before PSC on Thursday

Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, who appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) today was asked to appear before the PSC next Thursday at 3.00 p.m., official sources said.

Video: Duminda should take responsibility-Hirunika

Hirunika Premachandra told media outside the Chief Magistrate’s Courts today that Duminda Silva and his supporters must take responsibility if something happened to her or her supporters.

Govt. urges action against Wijeyadasa

The Government today asked Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to take action against UNP MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe for his involvement in legally challenging the parliamentary process to impeach Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

Over 20 Chinese nationals detained

All Chinese nationals detained in Sri Lanka have been freed following the release of two Chinese women on Tuesday, said sources close to the case.

Video: Govt. schools come to a standstill

Activities in most of the state-run schools island-wide have come to a standstill today due to the strike launched by the Principals and Teachers Union, General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin said

Planned railway strike postponed for Thursday

The token strike by the Professional Trade Union Alliance (PTUA) and Drivers Trade Union of the Railways that was planned for tomorrow has been postponed until Thursday, the Unions said.

Cabraal’s son appointed to Hayleys MGT Board

Chathura V. Cabraal, the son of Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal has been appointed to the Board of Hayleys MGT Knitting Mills Plc., as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 December.

Parliament road closed

The Parliament road has been closed to traffic due to a protest staged by a group of people opposite the parliament. The Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake arrived at Parliament to appear before Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) this morning

Judges claim impeachment against natural justice

Issuing a joint statement, the judicial officers including High Court Judges, District judges, Magistrates and Presidents of Labour Tribunals who gathered at the Hulftsdorp in Colombo yesterday complained that the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was a blatant violation of natural justice.

24 skeletal remains found so far from Matale

Fourteen more skulls and skeletal remains were found at the Matale hospital premises bringing to 24 the total number of remains discovered at the site by Wednesday,Police said