Ponting back as captain of Australia

Ricky Ponting will captain Australia in Friday's one-day international against Sri Lanka in Sydney after Michael Clarke was overlooked due to a hamstring injury.

Electricity bills likely to increase

Electricity bills are also likely to increase because the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is unable to absorb Saturday’s massive fuel price increase, the Power and Energy Ministry said yesterday

Sri Lanka win toss and bat against India

Sri Lanka will bat against India after winning the toss for Tuesday's one-day international at Adelaide Oval.

12 arrested for running brothel as massage parlour

Twelve women arrested on charges of having run a brothel under the guise of an Ayurvedic massage parlour at Deanston Place in Kollupitiya were remanded till February 15 by a Colombo Court today

Crisis brewing in plantation sector

A crisis is brewing in the plantation sector as well, as a result of the recent fuel price hike as some estate worker unions are threatening a token strike with others too criticising the price hike.

JVP asks Chamal to summon parliament asap

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday wrote to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa asking him to summon Parliament immediately to discuss the country’s crisis situation triggered by the unprecedented fuel price hike

Fishermen take to the streets

Thousands of fishermen working on some 20,000 boats did not go out to sea yesterday in protest over the massive fuel price increase.

Govt. has introduced mechanism to fair fuel price

Acting government spokesman, Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said the government for the first time has introduced a mechanism to pay a fair price for fuel by the affluent and a lesser amount by the low income groups

Discuss problems with regard to fuel price hike immediately, UNP asks govt.

The UNP yesterday asked the government to summon Parliament immediately to discuss problems triggered by the recent fuel price hike, MP Ravi Karunanayake said

Customs officials must serve country, not individuals: MR

The president has said that Customs Officials must serve the country, but not the individuals in their performance of duty as the Customs contributes the biggest share of state revenue

Chinese national fined Rs.100,000

A Colombo Court today imposed a fine of Rs.100,000 on a Chinese national who pleaded guilty for selling foreign liquor without a permit and possessing a stock of illegally imported cigarettes

PCs to amend Town and Country Planning Bill

Several Provincial Councils are to amend the Town and Country Planning Ordinance Amendment Bill making provisions for the Central Government to obtain the consent of the minister concerned with the local government when acquiring land under this legislation

Magistrate’s Court won’t be shifted

The Government has suspended its decision to shift the Magistrate’s Courts from its present location in Huldtsdorp and relocate it to Kolonnawa.

Health Ministry launches DDSP

The Health Ministry will launch a four-year Dengue Diseases Surveillance Project (DDSP) at a cost of Rs.169 million provided by the European Union, a spokesman of the ministry said today

US to support resolution against SL

The United States will support a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council session in March to pressure the Sri Lankan government to address alleged war crimes, a high-ranking US government official said today

Ensure voting rights to displaced persons

A polls observer today asked the Elections Commissioner in writing to take steps to ensure the voting rights of displaced people at the election to Puthukuduiruppu and Maritime Pattu Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Mullaitivu District.

Aussie govt. criticises SL war report

Australia has added its voice to international criticism of a Sri Lankan government report on the country's civil war but stopped short of joining calls for a fresh, independent inquiry.

Strike called off

Private bus operators have called off their strike after an agreement was made to increase bus fares by 20 per cent. The minimum fare will now be Rs.9, the Lanka Private Bus Owner's Association said.

Committee appointed to probe MiG 27 crash

The SLAF had appointed a committee led by Air Commodore D.L.S. Dias and comprising five Wing Commanders to investigate the reasons for the crash.

Suspected to have obstructed private buses

Four suspects out of the 29 arrested by the Narahenpita police who were produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly obstructing buses that plied in Narahenpitiya route to various destinations were remanded till tomorrow.

Railways also to strike

Following an increase in the price of fuel, railway unions today demanded the authorities for higher wages and other demands which if not received, the unions would go on strike during the New Year, the All Ceylon General Employees Union said today

Prisoner abducted

A prisoner who was taken to court from the Welikada Prison was abducted by an armed gang near the Colombo Magistrates Court, the police said

MiG 27 jet crashes

 A MiG 27 fighter jet belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force had reportedly crashed into the Hevana area belonging to the Dummalasooriya police area in the Puttlam district a short while ago. UPDATE

Strike will stop as soon as subsidy is given: Gemunu

Private bus operators today vowed to continue the strike action if they did not receive the fuel concessions that were promised to them by the government after the price of a litre of diesel rose by Rs.31 during the weekend, the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) said today.

46 arrested for attacking buses

Forty six persons were taken into custody for breaching peace and attacking private and CTB buses which did not take part in the island-wide strike, the police said

Govt. gave into IMF: Anura Kumara

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake speaking to Daily Mirror online stated that the fuel crisis was due to the governments’ strict adherence to IMF regulations.“The whole issue stems from the fact that the government has given into the pressure of the International Monetary Fund. AUDIO

Subsidy a hoax, UNP says

Charging that the fuel subsidy promised by the government to the sectors which are affected by the fuel price hike is a hoax the UNP said and requested the government to reverse the increased process to some extent for the sake of the people

People must take to the streets: Dayasiri

UNP Kurunegala District Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara speaking to Daily Mirror online urged the people to take to the streets against the government’s decision to increase fuel prices. EXCLUSIVE  (AUDIO)

Pakistan PM Yousuf Raza Gilani charged with contempt

Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani has been charged with contempt in an appearance before the country's Supreme Court

Tense situation in Chilaw due to fuel hike

A tense situation has arisen in Chilaw due to protests against the bus strike and the price hike in fuel. Around 3,000 protesters have gathered around the main road and are burning tires in protest, an eye witness said