Magnitude 7 quake detected off Central America's Pacific Coast

A strong earthquake off the Pacific Coast of Central America shook the region on Thursday just as a hurricane barreled into the Caribbean coasts of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, but there were no immediate reports of any quake damage.

Fine for overtaking from left a mistake of Minister: Gemunu

The decision to impose a steep fine of Rs.25,000 for overtaking a vehicle from the left side was taken by the Transport Minister mistakenly during the meeting at the Finance Ministry, Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association President Gemunu Wijeratne said.

Malik asks BC to probe allegations

Minister Malik Samarawickrama, who reiterated that no funds belonging to the Mahapola Fund had been misused as claimed by the joint opposition, yesterday requested the Bribery Commission’s Director General to expedite an inquiry into the complaint filed by the JO to ascertain the facts.

System failure causes 2-1/2 hour delay at counters at BIA

The computer system of the Immigration and Emigration Department at the Bandaranaike International Airport- Katunayake had crashed this afternoon.

IPPBA to launch countrywide strike from Dec. 1

The Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) today warned it would launch a countrywide bus strike from December 1 if the government failed to rescind the proposal to impose a fine of Rs.25,000 for traffic offences.

Will carry out duties according to law: New Bribery DG

The law would be implemented according to the book at the Bribery Commission, the newly appointed Director General, President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne said today.

Army intelligence officers killed Lasantha: CID

Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickramatunge was shot dead by Army intelligence officers, CID Inspector Nishantha Silva told Mount Lavinia Magistrate Mohammad Sahabdeen today.

GMOA threatens TU action if demands ignored

Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today warned it would resort to trade union action sometime next week if its demands with regard to the budget proposals were not addressed.

Govt. wants to spend fine collection on health: Ravi

The Government expected to spend the money collected through increased traffic violation fines, on sectors such as health.

Sugathadasa track tender fixed?

The Sports Ministry has allegedly tailored the specifications of a tender to re-lay the 400 metre and 200 metre training tracks at the Sugathadasa Sports Complex in order to award the project to a pre-selected company.

SL fined for slow over-rate against WI

Sri Lanka has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate against the West Indies in the fifth match of the tri-nation series in Bulawayo on Wednesday, the ICC announced today.

Duminda invites Anura to advise agriculture ministry

Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake yesterday invited Chief Opposition Whip and Janatha Vimukthi  Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to play an active role in developing the agricultural sector by becoming an advisor to his ministry.

No subsidy or welfare facility slashed: Ravi

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said today no subsidy or other welfare facility that were increased for the people after this government came in to power was slashed or removed.

Cocaine worth Rs. 2 billion detected

Eight travelling bags packed with some 200 kilos of cocaine with an estimated value of Rs.2 billion were seized by Customs officers at the Rank Container Terminal (RCT) Yard at Orugodawatte today.

Some elements engaged in anti-Muslim campaigns: ACJU

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) said today some elements were actively engaged in continuous anti-Muslim campaigns which would induce racism and disrupt the prevailing peace and coexistence.

Man shot dead in Minuwangoda

A resident of Hinatiyana in the Minuwangoda police area is reported to have been shot dead by two gunmen who had arrived on a motorcycle this morning.

Assault on student: Suspects released

The four old boys of Dharmaraja College in Kandy, who were arrested by the police yesterday in connection with the recent assault on a student of the same school, were released on police bail today.

More want medical reports to get driving licences: NTMI Chairman

National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI) Chairman Rohana Pushpakumara said yesterday that there had been a drastic increase in the number of persons reporting to the institute to obtain the medical reports required for driving licences during the last few days.

Man arrested for slashing woman’s buttocks

A man, who used a blade to slash the buttocks of a woman (in Maharagama Town) who was six months pregnant, was arrested yesterday (23) with the assistance of people in the vicinity, Maharagama Police said. 

Deshapriya gives evidence

The Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday giving evidence in the Sil cloth case before Colombo High Court asserted that he received a complaint from an unknown person over illegal distribution of Sil cloths during the Presidential Election period.

Failed suicide attempt

A woman who had tried to jump off a railway bridge into the Kotmale reservoir yesterday had got stuck in the concrete structure of he bridge. The Talawakele Police had extricated her.

CB responds to footnotes on COPE report

The Central Bank has clarified and adequately answered the footnotes included by United National Party (UNP) MPs of the Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) in its report on the bond scam, it is learnt.

Mahapola Fund misuse-Malik rejects JO allegations

Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama, yesterday, categorically rejected the allegation by the Joint Opposition (JO) that he had misused funds belonging to the Mahapola Fund.

Cabinet sets regulations covering elephants in captivity

The Cabinet on Tuesday decided to declare a set of regulations to be adhered to for persons wanting to rear domestic elephants with regards to maintaining their health, responsibilities of their owners and caretakers, caring of baby elephants born to elephants in captivity, deploying elephants in the workplace, reproduction, using elephants in Peraheras, shooting videos and attires used on elephants.

Govt moots body for media standards

Cabinet spokesman Minister Gayantha Karunatilaka today said that the government had decided to seek a public consultation to establish an independent mechanism for media standards.

SL beat West Indies by one run

West Indian batsman Evin Lewis hit his maiden one-day international hundred but his efforts went in vain as Sri Lanka held their nerve to secure a one-run victory at Queens Sports Club today and advance to the triangular series final.

Rajitha contradicts Wijeyadasa

While rejecting Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakse's recent statement in Parliament that some 32 Sri Lankan youths had joined the IS, Cabinet spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne today said that the statement was completely incorrect and misleading.

Four old-boys arrested over assault on student

Four suspected old boys of Dharmaraja College in Kandy, have been arrested by the police today in connection with the recent assault on a student of the same school at the school gate.

Case filed against Alan Mathiniyaramaya

A personal lawsuit has been filed against Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera in Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today by four complainants on the allegation of high noise levels sustained by the residents living around the Alan Mathiniyaramaya Temple in Polhengoda where Dhammaloka is the Chief Incumbent.

Shane Warne FB video earns cricketers seatbelt fines

Former Test cricketers Shane Warne, Kevin Pietersen and Michael Slater have been fined $300 (£177) for not wearing seatbelts after Warne posted a video of them in a moving car.