Indian fishermen released on Rs.2.6m bail

Twenty-seven Indian fishermen arrested yesterday while illegally fishing in the Eastern waters of Sri Lanka were released on personal bail of Rs.100,000 each by Trincomalee additional Magistrate.They were asked to appear before the Magistrate on December 31

Audio: No need to resign: Vijayamuni

Deputy Minister of Education Vijith Vijayamuni de Zoysa said there is no reason for the Education Minister to resign, despite the continuous errors and mishaps in recent examinations conducted by the Ministry of Education and the Department of Examinations

Audio: ‘Bandula must resign forthwith’

The Ceylon Teachers Union which revealed the ‘leaked’ Ordinary Level examination paper, called for the immediate resignation of Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena claiming that this was not the first instance that the country’s examination system was put in jeopardy

'One-way' rehearsal cancelled

The rehearsal for the proposed one-way traffic plan which was scheduled to be held tomorrow (December 26) has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances, the police said

President seeks Christmas reconciliation

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Christmas message said yesterday the teaching of love and understanding that brings a spirit of sharing, which marks the celebration of Christmas, could help in strengthening the bridges of peace, tolerance and reconciliation in our country

Lead kindly light: Ranil

In his Christmas message, United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that what was inculcated in the minds of people was peace and goodwill among all human beings

Revenue licences through Internet

Revenue licences for motor vehicles in the southern province will be issued though internet from next year. Chief Minister Shan Wijelal de Silva said all facilities including computers and printers were provided to the Divisional Secretariats in the Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts to implement the plan

Lanka prepares sex education policy

Sri Lanka has compiled a legal and policy document on sexual and re-productive health for youth and adolescents in accordance with its global obligation to protect the youth from sexual diseases through education, Health Ministry spokesman Dharma Wanninayaka said yesterday

400 new appointees refuse to work in remote areas

Nearly 400 graduates and diploma holders have rejected their appointments as Information Technology (IT) teachers citing difficulties in serving at remote areas such as Dehiattakandiya and Dimbulagala, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane said

One-way traffic plan rehearsal on Dec. 26

A rehearsal of one-way traffic plan will be carried out from 9 am to 2 pm on December 26 in Sri Sangaraja Mawatha, Panchikawatte Road and Orabi Pasha Mawatha, police said

Bandula admits Science paper leak

All students who sat the the GCE Ordinary Level Science paper  this year will get full marks for the 19 multiple choice questions that were leaked to a section of candidates, Education Minister Bandula Gunwardena said today.

Explosives defused in Nochchikulama

Residents of Nochchikulama in Vavuniya found a pressure bomb and a hand grenade on a by road on the Vavuniya-Kalmadu main road today, after heavy showers and floods receded. Pictures

No booze tomorrow

All liquor shops in the country will be closed tomorrow in lieu of Christmas, the Government Information department said.

TNA to highlight plight of Tamils at UNHRC sessions

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said today it would use all the means and resources available to them in order to make submissions at the Geneva United Nations Human Rights Council sessions to be held in March next year.

I am ready for captaincy-Mathews

Vice Captain of the Sri Lanka cricket team Angelo Mathews said that he is ready to take over as skipper once Mahela Jayawardene steps aside at the end of the current series, the AAP reported today.

60 year old Italian found dead

A body of a 60 year old Italian national was found in Negombo yesterday. According to the Police the tourist had arrived in the island on December 3, and had rented a house for lodging where he was found dead

26 Indian Fishermen Nabbed

Some 26 Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy yesterday when they were fishing in the Eastern waters of Sri Lanka, Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said

An armless body found

An armless, unidentified body has been found in Ranpokunagama, Nittambuwa, the Police said. The arms had been severed from the cadaver when it was found yesterday morning

No need for house prorogue: Rajitha

Responding to LSSP call for prorogation of the Parliament in order to resolve the problems pertaining to the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, government minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne today said there was no such necessity for a prorogation.

Kahawatte suspect abducted

One of the suspects in the killing of a mother and daughter in Kotakethana, Ratnapura in January this year, has been abducted by unidentified men last night, the suspect’s wife has complained to the police.

Teacher and brother arrested over theft at Dalada Maligawa

A lady teacher trainee of a government teacher training college and her brother were taken into custody at the Sri Dalada Maligawa today on suspicion over the stealing of cash and valuables of pilgrims and tourists.

A9 road closed

The A-9 (Kandy-Jaffna) main road has been closed at Nochchimoddai in Vavuniya as the road went under water due to heavy rains experienced in the area, our reporter said.

Tendulkar retires from ODIs

One of the game's all-time greats, Sachin Tendulkar, on Sunday announced his retirement from one-day cricket, bringing to an end a glorious 23-year-old career in the format during which he rewrote numerous batting records.

Postpone SL-WI series due to IPL-India

The Indian cricket board (BCCI), the richest body in the sport, has prevailed upon the Sri Lanka and West Indies boards to postpone a series scheduled for May since it would have clashed with next year's Indian Premier League.

Mahela, Charith breach contract-SLC

Sri Lanka cricket team captain Mahela Jayawardene and Manager Charith Senanayake have breached the terms of contract with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by releasing their views directly to Daily Mirror and the SLC Executive Committee will take up the matter at their next meeting, SLC stated in a media release today.

Boat tragedy: Five bodies found

Five bodies of the seven, who went missing following a boat capsizing in the Tissa wewa in Tissamaharama were recovered a short while ago. Search operations are underway to find two more missing persons, police said.

Boat capsizes in Tissa, four missing

Four persons had gone missing after a boat carrying 22 people capsized in Tissa wewa in Tissamaharama today. Police and people in the area were able to rescue others, police said.

Woman hacked to death

A 30 year-old woman was found hacked to death at a house down Lumbini Avenue off the Maharagama-Piliyandala road this morning, police said

Lawyer Upul Jayasuriya complains to IGP on threats to his life

Hard on the heels of reports on gunshots being heard near the residence of BASL President Wijedasa Rajapakshe, senior attorney and former BASL secretary yesterday complained to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) alleging threats to his life and property. Pictures

Test paper leak: CID questions Exam Dept. staff

The CID has for the past couple of days been questioning the officials attached to the computer section of the Examinations Department over the alleged leak in the GCE O/L Science Paper, Minister Bandula Gunawardane said yesterday.