Plans to coordinate proposed highway bus service with rail

Authorities have focused attention on the possibility of coordinating the proposed luxury bus service on the Southern Highway with the train service on the Kelani Valley line.

It will be a cool Christmas

The Department of Metrology said today the cold weather conditions in the country would continue and increase in January.

Dissidents lodge complaint with ICRC

JVP dissidents complained to the ICRC about the disappearance of their two members, Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and his colleague Kugan Murugananthan, a while ago. Murugananthan’s wife and children were also present when the dissidents lodged the complaint, JVP dissident Udul Premaratne said

Private buses to go on strike

Private bus operators are to launch a strike in the Western Province from midnight today to protest against the issuing of bus permits

JVP special convention on Jan.1

The JVP confirmed today that they would hold a special convention in Tissamaharama, Hambantota on January 1, 2012

Six injured in grenade explosion

Six individuals were injured last evening in a grenade explosion near the Siththaparanthan Stream in Maniyamadu, Puliyankulam. They had been attempting to inspect the grenade when it exploded

Strong earthquakes rattle NZ's Christchurch

A series of earthquakes struck New Zealand near the city of Christchurch on Friday, causing damage and disruption in an area still recovering from a powerful quake in February

First shots fired by Bharatha’s bodyguard: CID

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Magistrate yesterday that, according to the observations and evidence, the first bullets fired during the Mulleriyawa shooting were from a weapon entrusted to slain presidential advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra’s bodyguard

SL scraps visa on arrival policy

Tourists will not be able to take advantage of Sri Lanka's lax visa laws after next month, when a rule requiring travellers to apply and pay for visas in advance comes into effect

TNA to reconsider talks with Govt.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said today it would take a decision on whether to continue talking to the government because it had rejected the TNA request for the devolution of police and land powers

New Examination Commissioner appointed

W.M.J. Pushkpakumara has been appointed as the Examinations Commissioner with effect from January 1, 2012. The cabinet made this decision due to the fact that the current commissioner Anura Edirisinghe is scheduled to retire on December 31, 2011

Suspending of Unions is first step to privatisation of education: JVP

The JVP alleged that the suspending of Students Unions of the Peradeniya University is the first step towards creating a conducive environment for the introduction of Privatisation of free education in the country

Drunk drivers beware this season: Police

The police warned drivers not to drive after consuming alcohol during the Christmas and New Year season. If found they will be dealt severely by the traffic police

Two hacked to death in Nochchiyagama

The bodies of two persons were found by villagers and police last evening in the Navakkulama-Aluthwewa area in Nochchiyagama. They had been hacked to death

16 remanded for Sirikotha incident released on bail

A Nugegoda Court today released on bail the 16 suspects including Provincial Councillors Maithri Gunaratne and Shiral Laktilleka who were remanded on charges of unlawful assembly, trespassing, and criminal intimidation and damaging the UNP headquarters at Kotte during clashes on Monday. UPDATE

If posts were exchanged clashes could have been avoided: Dayasiri

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera today charged that the clashes at Sirikotha on Monday could have been avoided had the suggestion made by some members including himself to exchange the posts of party leader and leader of opposition between current party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Deputy Leader Karu Jaysuriya was accepted

Lecturers involved in stirring up students: SB

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Manning Market to move to Peliyagoda

Cabinet has approved the relocation of Manning Market in Pettah to Peliyagoda, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukewella said

Those arrested tried to stop violence: Dayasiri

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara condemned the recent violence at Sirikotha. He says that the ones who were arrested actually tried to stop violence and says that the party should be turned in to a national force no matter who leads it

No public holiday on Dec.26

The Ministry of Public Administration says that there is no decision to declare Monday December 26, a public holiday. The Employers Federation says there is a possibility to declare December 26 a mercantile holiday

Pera students in unofficial strike

The Undergraduates of the Peradeniya University are currently abstaining from attending lectures and all other forms of academic and extra curricular activities in the university. According to source within the university the Engineering Faculty of the university has come to a complete standstill with students refusing to attend lectures

Dep. Minister in Gampaha taking bribes?

A certain deputy minister who represents the Gampaha District takes a bribe of Rs.3.5 million from anyone putting up a filling station in the district, Parliament was informed today

"Let’s deal with it in Puttlam!"

Government MP Arundika Fernando, raising a question of privilege in Parliament today, said that he was threatened by UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara on Tuesday, and therefore he feared for his life

Two arrested for asking Rs.1mn as extortion

Two suspects were arrested by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) for threatening and demanding Rs.1 million over the phone from a businessman in Borella

Canada commends LLRC report

The Canadian government has commended the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) for its final report and urged the Sri Lankan government to implement its recommendations

Final reading of budget passed

The final reading of the Budget for 2012 was passed in Parliament with  158 votes in favour and 60 against it

Developing economy important: MR

The President says the developing the nation's economy is more important than satisfying the international community

Don’t sabotage efforts to ensure security: MR

“Security camps will not be removed, don’t sabotage our efforts to ensure security,” President states in Parliament

Tamil Mirror launches Apps for iPad and Android devices

Wijeya Newspapers Ltd (WNL) in a revolutionary attempt to add a new dimension to the media industry in the digital era launched the country’s first ever breaking news Apps for iPad and Android devices in Tamil via its brand Tamil Mirror

Eligibility amended to 18 yrs

In the initial budget proposal for the vehicle loan to be granted to media personnel the eligibility was 25 years in service however, it was amended today to 18 years in service