GDP slows down in 3Q12

Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 4.8 percent in the third quarter of 2012 (3Q12) against 8.5 percent growth recorded in the same period of the previous year (3Q11)

Chilaw town flooded

The Chilaw town is currently flooded with water levels rising close to 4 feet, with water levels continuing to increase our reporter said Pictures

Resident Missions to be opened in Kabul and Colombo

Sri Lanka will open a resident mission in Kabul, Afghanistan and a Resident Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will open a resident mission in Colombo to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

‘India remains preferred destination for training of SL military’

While stating that India remains the preferred destination for training of Sri Lankan officers, an Indian TV channel NDTV said that 870 Sri Lankan military officers are undergoing training in India in the current year (2012-13).

Floods continue, weather improves

Although the rains which lashed out the last couple of days, has eased a bit, most of the areas in the country remained inundated, while the death toll raised to 16 with 14 others missing. Some 175,558 individuals were reported to be affected by the bad weather, Disaster Management Centre said.

CJ files petition challenging PSC findings

Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike filed a petition in the Court of Appeal challenging the findings of the Parliamentary Select Committee.

SLC rejects Mahela's request

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to reject a request from Sri Lanka team captain Mahela Jayawardene to pay a part of the guarantee fee due to the players from the concluded ICC World T20 to the support staff and nominated coaches.

Declare a state of national emergency: Sajith

UNP Deputy leader Sajith Premadasa called on the government to declare a state of national emergency, in view of the catastrophic situation faced by many citizens resulting from the floods that had affected 10 districts across the country.

Five fishermen missing

Five fishermen who set sail on December 16 have been reported missing, Chilaw Police said.

Where is the alleged massacre report?

While the Human Rights Commission said they were awaiting the report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the alleged massacre at the Welikada Prison on November 9, opposition parties yesterday said many questions had been raised as to the progress of the report.

Token strike by nurses

Government nurses throughout the island today launched a token strike demanding that the recently introduced recruitment process by the government be withdrawn.

Bharatha's wife & daughter talk to AG

The CID told a Colombo Court today that former presidential advisor Bharatha Lakshman Pemachandra’s wife Sumana and daughter Hirunika had made representations to the Attorney General’s Department on the killing of Mr. Premachandra.

Woman, child strangled; infant suffocated-JMO

The Judicial Medical Officer’s (JMO) report on the charred bodies found at Ratmalana yesterday revealed that the infant had died of suffocation while the mother and the three-year-old child were strangled.

Sri Lanka briefs diplomats

Sri Lanka yesterday briefed the Colombo based diplomatic community on a wide range of issues including the current political situation in the country, the External Affairs ministry said.

No immediate cut on vehicle import tariff - SL

Sri Lanka has ruled out an immediate lowering of its high import tariffs on automobiles that has hurt exports from India, but said it may consider such a move once it is able to strike a balance of trade with its neighbour

Reservoirs filled to capacity

All major reservoirs have reached their capacity level of 85% as a result of torrential rains lashing several parts of the country, the Irrigation and Water resources Ministry said

Audio: It was a media show by stooges: Wijeydasa

Sri Lanka Bar Association (BASL) President Wijeydasa Rajapakshe today rejected allegations made by certain groups that the resolutions passed at the BASL Special General Meeting were done in an arbitrary manner

Australia beat SL

Australia beat Sri Lanka by 137 runs in the first test match played in Hobart, Australia. The Australians scored 450 and 278 runs with Sri Lanka succumbing to a potent fast bowling attack to 336 and 255 runs respectively

Tamil women forced to marry SL soldiers-Karunanidhi

Alleging that Tamil women in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts in northern Sri Lanka were being forced to marry Sri Lankan Army personnel, DMK leader M. Karunanidhi on Monday asked the Union government to ascertain the facts and take it up with the neighbouring country.

Fresh exam for those affected

The examinations Department has decided to hold a special exam for the students who were unable to sit for the Ordinary Level Exam (O/L) yesterday and today due to the prevailing adverse weather condition

Over 3000 displaced

Nine people have been killed and 3021 individuals displaced due to the prevailing inclement weather condition in the country, the Disaster Management Centre said

Two cops allegedly gatecrash night races

Two Ministerial Security Division (MSD) officers were released on bail when they were produced in Court on charges of having attempted to gatecrash the Colombo Night Races while they were under the influence of liquor. They are also alleged to have obstructed the police officers on duty

Carlton SC gets Rs.200 mn tax cuts for racing cars: JVP

The Carlton Sports Club has received tax concessions of more than Rs.200 million as a result of the budget proposal to ease import duty on racing cars, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) charged yesterday

Australia assures support for C’wealth summit

Australia will support Sri Lanka both politically and technically for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) next year, visiting Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr assured today

Tree crashes on van; three killed

Three persons were killed on the spot and seven others injured when a tree crashed on to a van in which they were travelling at Rattota, Matale this evening, Police said.

Rain disrupts O/L exam

Floods triggered by heavy rain delayed the delivery of GCE O/L question papers to two examination centres today at Naula in the Matale district with some 50 candidates affected, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane said

Attempted attack on Attorney

Four armed men in camouflage had attempted to attack Attorney Gunaratne Wanninayake at his residence in Boralesgamuwa a short while ago

MR congratulates Japan PM

President Rajapaksa has congratulated Japan’s Prime Minister-elect Shinzo Abe on his victory, the Presidential Information Department said

Singapore deports SL born doctor

An 81-year-old Australian doctor and human rights activist with Sri Lankan heritage has been refused entry to Singapore. Brian Senewiratne was scheduled to travel from Singapore by road to Johor Bahru in Malaysia to give two talks about the political situation in Sri Lanka

Afghanistan FM to visit SL

Dr. Zalmai Rassoul the Minister of Foreign Affairs would visit Sri Lanka in near future, foreign ministry spokesman Janan Mosazai said.