Non-academic uni staff to go on strike

In the wake of increased fuel prices, non-academic staff of all universities in the country have decided to go on a 48-hour strike this week to urge the government to provide higher wages and benefits.

GMOA ask for increase in transport allowance

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today urged the government to provide an increased transport allowance of Rs.33,000 due to the increased fuel prices.

Harsha challenges Nivard for public debate on IMF standby agreement

UNP National List MP Dr. Harsha De Silva challenged Central Bank Chief Nivard Cabral for a public debate on the IMF standby agreement and the economic policy decisions which the government had already taken in accordance with it.

Eleven cops produced in court

Eleven policemen were produced before the Matale Magistrate today for driving without license, insurance and vehicle registration papers.

Biyagama Village Hotel owner murdered

The owner of Biyagama Village Hotel, Bernard Jayaratne (65) was hacked to death this morning in one of his estates in Pahala Dompe in Dompe by an unidentified person who had come on a motorbike, the police said. See pix

Ponting may be considering retirement

The international career of former captain Ricky Ponting could be over after the 37-year-old was dumped from Australia's one-day squad.

Lankan dupes Kuwaiti trader

A well-known businessman has been duped by a Sri Lankan contractor, reports Al-Rai daily. The businessman filed a complaint at the Fahaheel Police Station

Tills and necklace on statue stolen from Munneswaram

The Chilaw police stated that a necklace on the statue of Goddess Amma worth one million rupees as well as money from the tills in the temple worth around Rs.100,000 had been stolen from the Munneswaram Kovil

Minister busts PMB Officer

Minister of Trade Johnston Fernando busted a Paddy Marketing Board officer stealing 25 metric tons of paddy from a Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) warehouse in Diyabeduma, Polonnaruwa

GL leaves for Geneva

Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris left for Geneva this morning for the 19th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to be held on February 27

Bread prices to increase by Rs. 5

All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association President N.K. Jayawardena said if they don’t reach an understanding with the Government by this week they will increase their prices by at least Rs. 5

Dhoni banned for SL clash

M.S. Dhoni has been suspended for the second time this tour for a slow over rate and will miss India's vital clash with Sri Lanka tomorrow

School transport services to be registered

It is compulsory for all the vans and buses in the country to be registered with the National Transport Commission the NTC chairman Roshan Gunawardana said. It has also been decided to introduce a uniform for drivers of the school vans and buses.

Mass movement to safeguard democracy: Sajith

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said several political parties would join his party soon to form a mass movement to safeguard democracy soon.

Possibility of merging Pelawatte and Sevanagala Sugar factories

The government is weighing the possibility of merging the Pelawatte and Sevanagala Sugar factories which were taken over under the Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Underutilised Assets Act which was passed in Parliament last year.

‘Non-participants won’t be penalised’

The UNP said today that no action would be taken against parliamentarians who did not participate in Friday’s protest in Colombo Fort for genuine reasons.

JJ plans to take legal action

UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardene who was hit by tear gas at the protest lead by his party at Colombo Fort last week and had a short spell in hospital claims that he has a bone to pick with the government and is planning to go on a legal path with a likely fundamental rights case.

Lankan commits suicide in Jdeideh

A twenty-eight-year-old Sri Lankan woman committed suicide in the Jdeideh area in the Metn region. An autopsy report by a medical examiner revealed that the body had not been subjected to violence.

Three TN fishermen arrested by SL police

Three Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested in Sri Lankan waters on charges of smuggling narcotics, official said today.

Credit subsidy funds to CPC: UNP

The main opposition UNP today requested the government to credit the funds allocated to provide subsidies to the fisher folk to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation so that it would help bring down fuel prices.

Airport worker arrested

Airport Customs arrested an airport electrician who attempted to take away gold worth close to Rs.7 milion and was arrested while taking the gold by hiding it in his two knee guards, the customs said

Two drown in well in Dambulla

Two persons drowned in a well situated close to the Dambulla Cricket Stadium in Pohoranwewa in Dambulla last night

15 cops injured on Friday

Fifteen policemen including three senior police officers were injured on Friday during a UNP led protest in Fort, Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said 

Indian national taken into custody

A manager of an Indian construction company and another were taken into custody by the Ingiriya police for illegally filling marshy land at Wagawatta in the Puruwadanda area. A backhoe and other equipment used by the suspect were also seized. 

Mobile phone case: Two women given suspended sentence

A fashion model and teledrama actress, and another woman were fined Rs.250 each and imposed a three-month sentence suspended for five years when they were produced in a Mount Lavinia Court on charges of having engaged in mobile-phone prostitution.

Decision on wage hike should be put forward in parliament

The Public Administration Ministry said that a decision to increase salaries following the fuel price hikes which had resulted in the rapid increase in the cost of living would be a decision that would have to be put forward in parliament.

6-year-old suffocates to death

A six-year-old child suffocated to death after getting entangled in the rope of a swing, in Hettipola

Woman sentenced to death

A woman who stood indicted with murder was found guilty and sentenced to death by Kegalle High Court Judge Menaka Wijesundera on February 14.

Land of acting Magistrate sold on a faked deed

A suspect produced in court on February 17 for allegedly selling 74 perch land belonging to an acting magistrate for Rs.10 million on a fraudulently prepared deed has been re-remanded till February 22 by the Kandy acting  additional magistrate Mahinda Liyanage

Court order taken for funeral: Police

The police have obtained a court order from the Chilaw Magistrate for the funeral of fisherman Anthony Fernando who succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday during clashes, which is to be held today