Controversial diplomat snares Gillard role

A top Australian diplomat heavily criticised for her role in ''rehabilitation'' ceremonies for alleged Tamil rebels in Sri Lanka has been rewarded with a job in Prime Minister Julia Gillard's department.

Govt. to offset CPC dues with treasury bonds

The government has issued Treasury Bonds worth Rs.60 billion to offset a part of the massive Rs.1,007 billion owed to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) by the government and semi-government institutions

Company to be formed by Army to undertake projects

Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya said that the Army will form a separate company within its management to carryout development and construction projects at a low cost by following the tender procedure of the government

Dinesh criticises question posed to PM

Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardane struck a note of criticism at the office of the Secretary General of Parliament for referring a question for oral answers to the Prime Minister instead referring it to the subject minister

Govt. resorts to “psychological terror”: Dissidents

The Collective against Disappearances and Abductions, a movement led by the JVP Dissidents and other organisations yesterday charged that the government attempted to create “psychological terror” in both the northern and southern parts of the country

GLs absence at centenarian celebrations, ANC leaders disappointed

The leaders of the African National Alliance (ANC) have expressed its disappointment over the absence of its Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris in the party’s centenarian celebrations in South Africa recently, informed sources said today

Foreign soldiers to participate in ‘Comoran Strike’

Four countries have been invited to come with eight man teams to participate in the ‘Comoran Strike’ exercise of the three armed forces to be held in September this year

Van exceeded 80kmph: Police

Nine school children were badly injured due to the negligence of a 21-year old school van driver on a temporary license who drove the van between 80-100 kilometres per hour and crashed into a bus at around 7.00am this morning between the Odeon Cinema and the Mount Lavinia cemetery on the Galle road, police said   Updated

Indian court remands human trafficking kingpin'

The Intelligence wing and the police are quizzing the kingpin of the human trafficking racket that tried to illegally transport Sri Lankan Tamils to Australia from Kerala in a fishing boat

CEB work to rule campaign

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) workers are to launch work to rule campaign from midnight today after the meeting with the President failed. The Ministry of Power assures an uninterrupted power supply

EPF amendment bill passed

The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) amendment bill was passed in parliament, 71 voted for and 12 against the bill

Krishna hands over houses to beneficiaries

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Wednesday handed over houses built for Internally Displaced Persons at a function organised at Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochi

Wikipedia shuts down in protest of privacy acts

Wikipedia has taken its English-language site offline as part of protests against proposed anti-piracy laws in the US. Users attempting to access the site see a black screen and a political statement: "Imagine a world without free knowledge."

I used the most amount of helicopter rides: PM

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said in Parliament that he was the politician who took the most number of helicopter rides in recent times to attend meetings all over the country despite his doctors not approving of such air travels due to ill health

Case to be filed against the VC of Rajarata Uni

The six medical students of the Rajarata University whose studentships were suspended are contemplating instituting legal action against Vice Chancellor Prof. K. A. Nandasena. The students with their parents had already obtained legal opinion.

China offers SL help to find Silk Route wrecks

Chinese authorities are seeking permission to explore Sri Lanka's coastline for possible Chinese ship wrecks from the ancient Silk Route era, an official said Wednesday

CEB protests again

A heavy traffic jam has been reported in the Slave Island area due to a protest by workers of the Ceylon Electricity Board in front of the CEB Headquarters in Fort. They are protesting demanding for a 45% pay hike instead of the hike of 25% that was granted to them

Lakehouse protest dismissed

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today gave a court order to disperse a protest by the employees the Lakehouse group.

Design selected for Jaffna cultural centre

The Indian High Commission on Tuesday announced the winner of the design competition for the Jaffna Cultural Centre. India will build the centre, costing about LKR 900 million (1 INR = 2.5 LKR).

TNA looks towards a new beginning in talks with Govt.

The Tamil National Alliance, the credible representative of the Tamil people in the north, said on Wednesday that it looked forward to a new beginning in talks with the government, following the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s assurance on devolution and autonomy.

Doctor who aided Tamil Tigers wants job back

A Sri Lankan doctor jailed in the United States for aiding Tamil Tigers rebels has asked to be allowed to return to work in north London.

Accident in Mount, 9 injured

Eight school children and their van driver were injured in a head on collision of a van transporting school children to Colombo and a private bus, on Galle Road near the Odeon Cinema and the Mt. Lavinia cemetery this morning. UPDATE

Second wellness resort for disabled soldiers

The Sri Lanka Army is planning to set up its second wellness resort at a cost of Rs.240 million to look after totally disabled war heroes before the end of the year after gathering the sufficient funds from the public and various other donors as a “Brave Hearts” fund project of the Army

100 more CCTV cameras in Colombo

The Police Department is to install a 100 more closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in Colombo to enhance surveillance, prevent crimes and detect persons who violate traffic laws.

100 more CCTV cameras in Colombo

The Police Department is to install a 100 more closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in Colombo to enhance surveillance, prevent crimes and detect persons who violate traffic laws.

Scrap Z-score: Ranil

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today in Parliament stressed the need to scrap the Z-score system for the admission of students to universities. Mr. Wickremesinghe, in a statement to the House, said that the UNP government led by him during the 2002/2004 period had plans to

25% pay hike for CEB, CPC and Water Board

Following a meeting at Temple Trees it has been agreed that a 25% pay hike be given to employees of the CEB, CPC and the Water Board instead of the previously proposed 18%

Protest in Jaffna barred

Around 800 persons who were heading towards Jaffna along the A9 road to stage a protest against the disappearance of two JVP dissidents Lalith Kumar and Kugan Maruganathan, were blocked at Omanthai, Vavuniya today.

Buddhika says stance won't change

UNP’s Galle District Parliamentarian Buddhika Pathirana stated that he would not change his stance regarding the reconstruction of the UNP despite the truce today

A/L results controversy continues

Bringing the controversial 2011 GCE Advanced Level results to further chaos the Examination Department has released the results of the Russian Language paper on Monday without district and island rankings.