Western, Southern PCs to be dissolved soon

The Western and Southern Provincial Councils would be dissolved within the next two or three weeks, Minister Susil Premajayantha told parliament a short while ago

Video: UNP LC won’t wait for Sajith: Hashim

The United National Party (UNP) Leadership Council would continue its activities towards strengthening the party without waiting for the arrival of Parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa to the Leadership Council, its member and spokesman Kabir Hashim said

Singer Amal says he’ll report to the police tomorrow

Popular singer Amal Perera did not report to the Kosgoda Police today though he was asked to do so in connection with the theft of the rare albino turtle, police said.

Punchinilame cleared of all charges by court

Deputy Minister Susantha Punchinilame has been cleared of all charges in the Nalanda Ellawala murder trial at Ratnapura High Court today.

Defence Ministry against discussion on training of SL personnel

As MPs from Tamil Nadu protested the government’s move to train Sri Lankan defence personnel in the country and sought a discussion in Parliament, the Defence Ministry said it had requested the Lok Sabha Secretariat to not allow a debate on the issue

UDA given 65 acres of Colombo land

In an effort to improve the productive use of lands, the Cabinet has approved a proposal to transfer some 65 acres of crown land within the Colombo City limits to the Urban Development Authority on the basis of a free grant, Daily Mirror learns

Packer's hotel project gets approval

The Gazette notification has been issued approving three hotel projects including James Packer's Crown Ltd, but without gaming or casino facilities, official sources said

Geetha eying SPC chief minister post

Bentara-Elpitiya UPFA organiser Geetha Kumarasinghe today said that she was going to contest the upcoming Southern Provincial Council (SPC) election with the sole motive of becoming its chief minister

Bigger fish may have escaped: Keheliya

Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella today declined to comment on the alleged involvement of Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne in the heroin container controversy and claimed there was the possibility of some of the bigger fish getting away

Madhumadhawa resigns on a party decision-JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said Madhumadhawa Aravinda, who represents the JHU in the Colombo Municipal Council, resigned from the CMC today on a party decision that he should contest the upcoming elections to the Western Provincial Council (WPC) from the Gampaha district

Missing turtle: Police to quiz Singer Amal Perera

Popular singer Amal Perera has been asked to appear at the Kosgoda Police station tommorow in connection with the theft of an albino turtle, Police spokespman SSP Ajith Rohana said

Grade 5 scholarship; cut off marks released

The cut off marks for the grade 5 scholarship examination were released a short while ago by the education ministry. Royal College and Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo requires the highest marks for entrance. List of Schools

Elections Chief to meet deputies on Dec.26

The Deputy Elections Commissioners and the Assistant Elections Commissioners of Elections will be called for a meeting on December 26 to obtain instructions on the 2013 electoral registers which need to be certified finalised on December 31

Video: Action plan in place to protect human rights: Ban Ki-moon

The UN has said it has prepared an action plan to prevent human rights violations in countries after learning from the final phase of the military conflict in Sri Lanka, the world body's chief has said ???

Video: Madumadhawa resigns from CMC

Popular singer Madumadhawa Aravinda, the member of the Colombo Municipal Council (JHU) had resigned from his post a short while ago during the CMC budget debate session, sources said

Video: UNP to take night races to Bribery Commission

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) today charged that last weekend’s Colombo night races were conducted in an illegal manner and therefore the UNP would lodge a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption

Two excavators, two tipper lorries set on fire

Two Excavators and two tipper Lorries are alleged to have been set on fire by seven people last night, police said. They said the vehicles parked within a tank being newly constructed near the Vilgam Vehera off the Trincomalee-Anuradhapura main road last night

Airtel to sell Sri Lanka operations to Etisalat

Bharti Airtel is close to selling its operations in Sri Lanka to UAE-based telecom company Etisalat, The Hindu newspaper reported today. The two companies have been negotiating for over five months now and have agreed on the broad contours of the deal

Indian fishermen launch indefinite strike

Fishermen of Nagapattinam taluk on Sunday launched an indefinite strike demanding the release of fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy

Two killed in road tragedy at Marawila

Two people were killed in a head-on collision between a three-wheeler and a lorry at Weerahena junction on the Nattandiya-Marawila road this morning, police said

Coal smoke kills Lankan in Saudi

An Indian and a Sri Lankan suffocated to death while asleep after leaving a coal fireplace lit in their room in Saudi Arabia, newspapers said on Tuesday

ICAO wants facial features visible

Registrations of Persons Department Chief R.N.S. Sarath Kumara said yesterday he had devised the plan for issuing electronic Identity Cards in conformity with the standards set by International Civil Aviation Organisations

Two Indians arrested for illegal trading

A 71-year-old Indian possessing a tourist visa was arrested near the Mannar bus stand by the Mannar police while engaging in illegal trade yesterday, police said

Vehicle shipments stranded over tax row

Two vehicle shipments are stuck in the port as the importers have declined to clear them as a result of the reduced import tax concessions poposed by the government in this year’s budget

Warships to SL: Indian officials impleaded as respondents

The Madras High Court today directed to implead the Defence Secretary, External Affairs Secretary and the Indian Coast Guard Deputy Director General as respondents on a petition seeking to cancel the proposed sale of two warships to Sri Lanka

SL monitoring situation in Thailand

Sri Lanka today said that it is observing the developments taking place in Thailand, where the protests -- aimed at toppling Yingluck and curbing the influence of her older brother, ousted Premier Thaksin Shinawatra -- have left five dead and more than 200 wounded in street violence

Bogambara comes under President on Jan. 1

The properties and belongings of the Bogambara Prisons in Kandy were expected to be to be handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on January 01, Commissioner General of Prisons Chandrarathne Pallegama said today

These roads to be closed from time to time

PS member arrested

Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) member Milroy Perera was arrested yesterday for allegedly harassing an 18-year-old girl during a get-together recently, Police said today

Millions worth rare albino turtle stolen

A rare species of albino turtles claimed to be worth over Rs.35 million had been stolen from a private turtle hatchery and research centre Kosgoda last night.