Work begins on massive container terminal

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday launched the South Container Terminal (SCT) Project being carried out at an estimated cost of US$500 million or Rs.52 billion.

Trial against sub agents who sent Rizana to Middle East fixed for January 5

The Colombo High Court today served the indictments on the three sub agents who sent Rizana Nafeek, the house maid who is on death row for killing an infant child of her employer in Saudi Arabia, on January 5, 2012.

Death of businessman - Two PNB officers arrested

Two Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officials were arrested today in connection with the death of a 30-year-old businessman who had visited the PNB office to sign the case book on October 30

New drug smuggled into SL

A new kind of drug called Methamphetamine was smuggled into Sri Lanka for the first time in 2010, in addition to Heroin, Hashish and Cocaine, Parliament was informed today.

SL doctors complete dengue treatment training for Pakistani doctors

Sri Lankan doctors completed the training of a team of medical professionals from Pakistan today on the treatment of Dengue patients, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said in Parliament today.

SF’s appeal dismissed

A unanimous decision by a three Judge appeal court bench dismissed Sarath Fonseka’s appeal against the second court martial judgment of a 30 month jail term

Not aware of closing down of Ministry

“I am not aware of the closing down of the ministry,” Minister of Resettlement Gunaratne Weerakoon tells parliament

58 asylum seekers arrive in SL

A group of 58 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, who were deported from the UK arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport, an offical stated

Security forces will be withdrawn

The government which tabled the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) in Parliament today, stressed that the security forces would be withdrawn from all aspects of community life

LLRC report being presented now

The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) Report is being presented to Parliament at the moment by Leader of the House Nimal Siripala De Silva a short while ago

Three months leave for Duminda

Parliament approved leave for three months for UPFA MP Duminda Silva a short while ago

A/L results out by Monday

The results of the Advanced Level General Certificate of Education (GCE A/L) 2011 examination will be released by Monday, Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake said

Motorbikes of dissidents found

The motorbikes of the two JVP dissidents who have gone missing in Jaffna had been found yesterday in Achchuveli, the JVP dissidents said

Vegetable prices skyrocket

Vegetable prices had risen sharply yesterday due to a severe shortage and also since lorries were yet to arrive at the main economic centres following the three day protest over the plastic crate regulations

Kanatale ATM robber arrested

Police arrested the suspect who robbed Rs.6.6 million from an ATM in Kantale owned by a state owned bank on December 8, while he was hiding in the Peraru area in Kantale

Five fishermen arrested by Lankan navy

In the second such incident in over two weeks, five fishermen from here were today taken into custody by Sri Lankan naval force personnel when they were fishing near Katchatheevu, officials said 

SL court frees baby charge nun

A Sri Lankan court has released a senior nun from Mother Teresa's charity who was on bail suspected of selling babies for adoption

Deported Tamils face risk of torture on return

Up to 50 Tamil passengers on board a UK Border Agency flight face the risk of being tortured on their return to Sri Lanka, human rights organisations have warned

Use alternative routes

Motorists have been advised to use alternate roads due to a street parade of the Vishnu Kovil between Peliyagoda and Waragoda on the Kandy Road between 6 and 8.30pm today

Present price concessions won't change: Ranawaka

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said in Parliament that the present price concessions given to electricity consumers consuming less than 90 units a month would not change in future

155 drivers charged for traffic offences on E01

Legal action has been taken against 155 drivers who violated traffic regulations applicable to the Southern Expressway for the last 15 days after the opening of the highway for traffic

Marks have been lowered, performance of students have not improved: JVP

The Education Ministry lowered the cutoff point for awarding grades at the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination last time, and it was the reason for the increase in the number of students who passed the exam, Parliament was informed today.

Traffic plan for Night Races

A number of roads in Colombo will be closed to make way for the Colombo Night Races which is to be held on Friday and Saturday.

Two Pakistani nationals sentenced

Two Pakistanis who pleaded guilty for smuggling heroin to Sri Lanka were sentenced to life imprisonment by Negombo High Court Judge Shiran Gunaratne.  They were charged with three counts and they pleaded guilty to all.

Two Lankans held at BIA for smuggling sea cucumbers

For the first time, Customs authorities on Tuesday seized 152 kg of endangered sea cucumbers worth Rs 30 lakh from two Sri Lankan nationals at the Bengaluru International Airport.

Shortage experienced in many parts of the country

Amid protests in Colombo and the suburbs intensifying yesterday over the use of plastic crates to transport vegetables and fruits, a compromise was reached at the Dambulla Economic Centre among the security forces, traders and farmers to continue with the customary form of packaging

Downfall of SL cricket due to politicisation: Arjuna

Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain turned opposition MP Arjuna Ranatunga today charged that the politicisation of Sri Lankan cricket had led to the downfall of it. “Cricket is being politicised today more than ever before,” he told Parliament today

One month's grace given to farmers

Following the meeting between the President and traders on the use of plastic crates, a grace period of one month will be given to farmers

Dialog dials Suntel

Sri Lanka’s Dialog Axiata’s subsidiary, Dialog Broadband Private Limited (DBN) today entered into a share purchase agreement (SPA) to purchase 100 per cent of Suntel Limited, the second largest wireless fixed line operator in Sri Lanka, from its current shareholders

Indicted for conspiring to kill President

A Colombo High Court  fixed the trial against the son of a former Parliamentarian of Tamil Araus Katchi  and another accused for January 9, 2012 for conspiring to kill VIPs