16 remanded for Sirikotha incident released on bail

A Nugegoda Court today released on bail the 16 suspects including Provincial Councillors Maithri Gunaratne and Shiral Laktilleka who were remanded on charges of unlawful assembly, trespassing, and criminal intimidation and damaging the UNP headquarters at Kotte during clashes on Monday. UPDATE

If posts were exchanged clashes could have been avoided: Dayasiri

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera today charged that the clashes at Sirikotha on Monday could have been avoided had the suggestion made by some members including himself to exchange the posts of party leader and leader of opposition between current party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Deputy Leader Karu Jaysuriya was accepted

Lecturers involved in stirring up students: SB

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Manning Market to move to Peliyagoda

Cabinet has approved the relocation of Manning Market in Pettah to Peliyagoda, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukewella said

Those arrested tried to stop violence: Dayasiri

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara condemned the recent violence at Sirikotha. He says that the ones who were arrested actually tried to stop violence and says that the party should be turned in to a national force no matter who leads it

No public holiday on Dec.26

The Ministry of Public Administration says that there is no decision to declare Monday December 26, a public holiday. The Employers Federation says there is a possibility to declare December 26 a mercantile holiday

Pera students in unofficial strike

The Undergraduates of the Peradeniya University are currently abstaining from attending lectures and all other forms of academic and extra curricular activities in the university. According to source within the university the Engineering Faculty of the university has come to a complete standstill with students refusing to attend lectures

Dep. Minister in Gampaha taking bribes?

A certain deputy minister who represents the Gampaha District takes a bribe of Rs.3.5 million from anyone putting up a filling station in the district, Parliament was informed today

"Let’s deal with it in Puttlam!"

Government MP Arundika Fernando, raising a question of privilege in Parliament today, said that he was threatened by UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara on Tuesday, and therefore he feared for his life

Two arrested for asking Rs.1mn as extortion

Two suspects were arrested by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) for threatening and demanding Rs.1 million over the phone from a businessman in Borella

Canada commends LLRC report

The Canadian government has commended the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) for its final report and urged the Sri Lankan government to implement its recommendations

Final reading of budget passed

The final reading of the Budget for 2012 was passed in Parliament with  158 votes in favour and 60 against it

Developing economy important: MR

The President says the developing the nation's economy is more important than satisfying the international community

Don’t sabotage efforts to ensure security: MR

“Security camps will not be removed, don’t sabotage our efforts to ensure security,” President states in Parliament

Tamil Mirror launches Apps for iPad and Android devices

Wijeya Newspapers Ltd (WNL) in a revolutionary attempt to add a new dimension to the media industry in the digital era launched the country’s first ever breaking news Apps for iPad and Android devices in Tamil via its brand Tamil Mirror

Eligibility amended to 18 yrs

In the initial budget proposal for the vehicle loan to be granted to media personnel the eligibility was 25 years in service however, it was amended today to 18 years in service

All Student Unions in Pera suspended

The Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University has suspended All Student Unions with effect from 2.00pm today. The suspension came in light of the protest march the students had planned

Need for special accounting service in the public sector

Stating that maintenance of accounts in the public sector institutions lack professionalism, Minister D. E. W. Gunasekera today requested for a special accounting service in the sector.

Situation in Galaha calm

The students having completed their march towards the Galaha Junction are now shouting slogans against the Minister of Higher Education and the establishment of private universities.

Govt. had defamed Arjuna Ranatunga: UNP

The UNP charged in Parliament today that the government, through the accusation of match fixing, had committed the most serious assault on the fame of the ex-captain of Sri Lanka’s cricket team Arjuna Ranatunga who brought glory to the country by winning the World Cup in 1996

10,000 families affected due to bad weather

Some 10,000 families have been affected while 1,800 families have been displaced due to the prevailing weather conditions in the country, the Disaster Management Centre stated

Galaha juction barbwired

The Galaha Juctionin Peradeniya is currently being barbwired by the army to prevent students who have gathered at the Peradeniya University from marching towards the junction.

Govt. postpones elections for 9 local bodies

The Government has postponed elections for nine local bodies, TNA MP Mavai Senatirajah charges in Parliament.

Attack on Lankan team - warrants for accused

LAHORE: A Lahore High Court division bench on Tuesday issued non-bailable warrants of arrest for three accused involved in the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team for not appearing before court during the last many hearings.

March to Colombo stopped

A procession from Peradeniya to the University Grants Commission organised by the students of the Peradeniya University has been stopped following an order by the Kandy Magistrates Court. The procession was scheduled to take place today against the establishing of private universities within the country

ICC pays 45% dues of Lankan cricketers

COLOMBO: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has paid 45 per cent of delayed salaries of Sri Lankan cricketers, a senior official said on Tuesday.

They didn’t recognise what I did for the party: Dayasiri

UNP Kurunegala District parliamentarian and contestant for the post of National Organiser, Dayasiri Jayasekara speaking to Daily Mirror online yesterday said that the vote did not reflect the true will of the people. He further went on to point out that despite the repeated assurance that the ballot would be secret in actual fact the vote was not a secret ballot

Vote for new electoral system in January

The two legislations which provide for the introduction of a new electoral system for the local government bodies will be put to a vote on January 17, 2012 when Parliament meets for the first time in the New Year

16 financial institutions to be taken to courts

The Central Bank will take legal action against 16 financial institutions that were operating without the authorisation of the monetary board, Parliament was informed yesterday

Ranil asks govt. to probe Monday’s clash

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday asked the government to conduct an independent inquiry into the incidents that took place in and around UNP headquarters, Sirikotha, on Monday