Team to reach Cmb today to repair boats

A team from Tamil Nadu is arriving here on Wednesday in a bid to repair and re-float the seven boats that require to be fixed before they can be taken back.

TNA and SLMC want Mullaitivu LG Elections postponed

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) yesterday requested the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Desapriya to postpone the elections to the local government bodies in the Mullaitivu district, informed sources said.

Gem of a student

The Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday directed the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to prevent a Sri Lankan student studying in Japan from leaving the country as he had allegedly cheated a gem businessman of Rs.11.4 million

More people friendly initiatives in 2012: Police

The Police Department is planning to take a number of steps this year to increase its efficiency and move closer to the public by introducing a number of people friendly initiatives under the directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K. Illangakone

Seven students from Rajarata uni suspended

Seven students of the Faculty of Medicine of the Rajarata University who had allegedly been involved in various violent activities were suspended by the Vice Chancellor of the university today

Saudi woman held over affair with Lankan

Saudi Arabia’s feared religious police arrested a divorced local woman for having an affair with a Sri Lankan man after confessing she was pregnant, a newspaper reported on Tuesday

Afghan unit to hunt abused bride's husband

A special 10-man police unit has been set up to hunt for the husband and others behind the torture of a 15-year-old Afghan bride, officials say. Sahar Gul was left starving in a basement by her new husband and his family. The case came to light last month when police rescued the teenager.

Threat to Pera student's lives discussed at meeting

The meeting which was held between the leaders of the Student Unions of the nine faculties, Deans and the Vice Chancellor had ended cordially sources say. The Unions had put forward their request to remove all conditions that harm the smooth functioning of the unions stating that their actions never put the student's lives at risk and did not bring the university into disrepute

Central Unit for Crime Analysis opens

The police opened the Central Unit for Crime Analysis today to identify trends of criminal activities, the instant prevention of crime together with advice on the necessary measures that need to be taken and the establishment of divisional units to mdonitor crime

Election for office bearers was mistake: Attanayake

The election which was held last year to elect new officer Bearers of the UNP was a mistake as it would lead to unwanted divisions in the party, General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said today

TNA ‘sincerely committed’ to talks‪

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today dismissed speculation that it was planning to withdraw from talks with the government and reiterated its commitment to continue the bilateral discussions

A/L mishap due to three data entry operators: Dullus

Preliminary Investigations have revelealed that the August GCE Advanced Level results mishap was due to three data entry operators feeding the same results to the Examination Department database Youth Affais and Skills development Minister Dulles Allahapperuma said today

Tiger stamp not official says French Embassy

Following reports published in different newspapers regarding the issuance in France of stamps bearing pictures and symbols of the LTTE, the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka wishes to inform the media and the Sri Lankan public that no such stamp is part of the official philatelist programme of France, neither on sale in the French post offices

Student Unions to meet Vice Chancellor today

The represantatives of the Student Unions of the Peradeniya University are to meet  the Vice Chancellor today. The meeting would be to request the Vice Chancellor to remove all conditions that have been laid down for the function of Student Unions by the university

Dharmadasa new Chairman of SLC

Upali Dgarmadasa has been appointed as the new Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket uncontested. Dharmadasa is the first elected chairman of the bodyin seven years,

Dharmadasa favourite in landmark SLC elections

Sri Lanka Cricket is set to hold its first election in seven years on Tuesday, after a series of interim committees controlled by the political class, and at a time when the board is in financial disarray off the field, and its team displaying patchy form on it. The election itself is a fallout of the ICC's ruling that requires all member boards to be free of political interference from 2012

SL rules out currency devaluation in 2012

Sri Lanka's central bank is not contemplating a fresh move to devalue its rupee currency this year, its Gov. Ajith Nivard Cabraal said on Monday, contrary to market speculation due to a looming balance of payment crisis

Underworld clash in Maligawatte

A tense situation prevailed at Apple-watta in Maligawatta this morning after a clash among two gangs left three people including a policeman and an underworld gangster’s brother injured, police said

External degrees are worthless says Minister S.B. Dissanayke

The Minister of Higher Education S.B. Dissanayake said that the external degrees awarded by Sri Lankan universities were worthless certificates that would not benefit its holder or the country in any manner. Addressing a gathering at the inaugural ceremony of the Open and Distant Education Centre affiliated to the Aesthetic University, he said external degrees had recognition during election campaigns when political appointment were made

A/L fiasco - Probe team’s mandate limited

The five-member committee appointed to look into the controversy surrounding the 2011 GCE A/L results will submit it report to President Mahinda Rajapaksa within the next ten days, an official said yesterday

Wanted PNB officer gives the slip

A police officer who is wanted in connection with the alleged death of a 30-year-old youth who had visited the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) office to sign the case book has left the country, police told Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday

Another suspect in Sirikotha attack granted bail

The Nugegoda Magistrate yesterday further released on bail another suspect who surrendered before court over the attack on Srikotha

Prince Kolom’s wife and sister remanded for demanding ransom

The wife and the elder sister of notorious under world gangster Prince Kolom who was killed under mysterious circumstances were remanded till January 12 for allegedly demanding ransom from a Hotel owner of Kotahena

JVP dissidents removed from politburo

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) which held its special convention on Sunday has appointed a five-member politburo with dissidents Pubudu Jayagoda, G. Kularatne and Dimuthu Attigalle being excluded from it.

Detained woman and children released

The woman, who was reported as the wife of elusive JVP rebel group leader Kumar Gunarathnam and her two children who were detained at the airport by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) were released at around 7.00pm today.

Bus runs off road and topples down precipice

A Colombo bound bus from Andana in Kahawatta ran off the road at Koskelle in Kahawatta and went down a precipice this morning, causing injuries to 30 passengers and the driver of the bus.

Trade Ministry makes history

For the first time in a decade the Building Material Corporation (BMC) earned a profit 25 times more than its highest recorded profit, Minister of Trade Johnston Fernando said.

441 arrested for DUI and speeding

A total of 441 persons were arrested for speeding and driving under the influence of liquor. A total of 159 road accidents were reported to the police. The operations were carried out between 6.00am on December 31 and 6.00am on January 1st

471 fined for speeding on Expressway

The Southern Expressway Traffic Division has fined 471 individuals mainly for exceeding the speed limit (100 kilometers per hour). A total of 51 accidents have been reported so far since the first expressway in Sri Lanka was opened on November 27.

Suspension lifted on Pera Student Unions

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