Pakistan PM Yousuf Raza Gilani charged with contempt

Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani has been charged with contempt in an appearance before the country's Supreme Court

Tense situation in Chilaw due to fuel hike

A tense situation has arisen in Chilaw due to protests against the bus strike and the price hike in fuel. Around 3,000 protesters have gathered around the main road and are burning tires in protest, an eye witness said

Strike to continue

The Private Bus Owners' Association says they will  continue with the bus strike, as the promised subsidy has not materialised yet

Lee threatens SL with barrage of 150km/h bullets

MELBOURNE: Australian pace bowler Brett Lee, who is set to return in Sydney for the February 17 game, has warned Sri Lanka of a barrage of missiles exceeding speeds of 150 kilometre per hour.

Lankans need system review: Sangakkara

Stalwart Kumar Sangakkara wants an urgent review of Sri Lanka's cricket system, warning natural talent won't take the nation far enough.

Passengers stranded due to bus strike

Thousands of passengers are stranded on the roads due to the current private bus strike that started at midnight.

Fishermen take to the streets over fuel prices

Despite the assurance given by the government that a fuel concession would be given to them in the wake of the fuel price hike, the fishermen in the coastal areas have decided to take to the streets immediately.

Strengthen SL-US ties, member of Congress urge Obama

A group of influential members of Congress have urged President Barack Obama to strengthen ties between the United States and Sri Lanka, noting Sri Lanka’s May 2009 triumph over terrorism

SL turning into fake currency transit point

KOCHI: The counterfeit currency mafia has been turning to Sri Lanka as a new transit point, recent investigations carried out by the Crime Branch and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed.

Int’l call charges revised

The Government is expecting revenue to the tune of Rs.2 billion from the levies charged on foreign telephone calls for the financial year ending in March 2012, Telecommunication Regulatory commission (TRC) said yesterday.

Census on beggars to be conducted

The government is to conduct a census on beggars island-wide as they have identified a rise in beggars living in urban areas, the Ministry of Social Services said.

Govt. seeks private sector investors to resume Elephantpass Saltern

The government has decided to seek private sector investment to resume operations at the Elephantpass Saltern which ceased work in 1980s due to the escalation of violence between the military and the LTTE, officials said today.

MPS opposes fuel price hike

Vehemently opposing Saturday’s fuel price hike, the Movement for Peoples Struggle (MPS) today said an exercise which helps people rise up against any injustice done to them without fear had become a dire need today.

Police to appoint 18 DIG’s

The Police Departments is to appoint 18 Deputy Inspector General (DIG) officers within the next two weeks, the Police Headquarters said today.

Govt. has led people down another precipice: Ranil

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe charged today that the government literally led the people down the path of another precipice through the increase of fuel prices despite them already enduring numerous other hardships.

Blake and Otero in Lanka

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert O. Blake and Under Secretary for Civilian Protection, Human Rights and Democracy Maria Otero arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday night and this morning respectively, officials confirmed today.

JVP vows to protest over fuel price hike

The JVP today disputed the government’s claim that fuel prices were increased due to rising global market prices and the crisis situation in Iran which is a major oil producer in the world.

Prices of baked goods to increase

The Lanka Bakery Owners' Association is to increase the price of baked goods next week due to the fuel price hike.

17 OIC’s transferred

Police Headquarters said that today that 17 OIC’s have been transferred with immediate effect. Police said that the transfers were routine transfers and they were not taken on disciplinary grounds

PBOA to launch strike

The Private Bus Owners' Association says they will launch an island-wide bus strike from midnight today. In addition, most of the buses are currently not operating

Singer Whitney Houston dies at 48

Legendary pop singer Whitney Houston was found dead Saturday at a Beverly Hills, California, hotel, officials said. She was 48. The entertainer, whose incredible talent was discovered at an early age, was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. (6:55 p.m. ET) at the Beverly Hilton hotel despite resuscitation efforts, a police spokesman said UPDATE

CPC, LIOC increase fuel prices

The price of a litre of diesel has been increased by Rs.31 with effect from midnight today. The price of a litre of petrol has been increased by Rs.12 and Kerosene by Rs.35 with effect from midnight today VIDEO

Dengue case fixed for March 1

Court rejected the preliminary objections raised by the Kebitigollewa Divisional Secretary, who was charged with allowing mosquitoes to breed in the vicinity of his official quarters.

Oil prices revived from tonight

The Government Information Department says that oil prices will be revised from tonight but concessions will be given to private and public transport as well as the fisheries sectors

Police and political parties most corrupt, survey reveals

According to a survey by Transparency International (TI) nearly 50% of Sri Lankans believed that the police and political parties in the country were the most corrupt institutions in the country.

Sub-Committee appointed to implement HR Action Plan

The Government has decided to appoint a Cabinet Sub-Committee consisting of six ministers to monitor the process of speedy implementation of the proposals in the Action Plan prepared by the relevant Ministries and authorised agencies on human rights. 

Court grants anticipatory bail to CMC member

The Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday granted anticipatory bail to the UNP Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) member Kithsiri Rajapaksha in connection with a case filed against him on charges of assaulting and obstructing a CMC officer from carrying out his duties.

Check credibility of pre-school centres: Children's Secretariat

The Children’s Secretariat has advised parents to check on the standards of early-childhood centres such as nurseries, montessories and daycare centers when admitting their children because more than 50 per cent of them have not been registered with the authorities.

Govt. reverses stance on IMF loan

Despite the Central Bank’s previous announcement that the US$2.6 billion Standby Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be terminated, the government has said it hoped to sign a new Letter of Intent next month to obtain the balance US$800 million.

Old votes to be counted at new elections

Postal votes cast early last year by voters of Pudukudairuppu and Maritimepattu before the postponement of the polls, will be used at the March 24 mini local government elections to be held for the two Pradeshiya Sabhas, election officials said yesterday.