Thunder showers and strong winds to prevail

Shower and thunder showers will prevail in a few places in the North, Eastern and Southeastern coastal areas of the country.

Students released on bail

Six members of a student union of the Rajarata University who were taken into custody for allegedly stabbing the former Vice President of the student union of the Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty were  produced before the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Darshika Wimalasiri.

MR leaves to Bali

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said he was ready to consider a pardon for former army commander Sarath Fonseka if his family makes a request to that effect President Rajapaksa left for Bali, Indonesia this morning to attend the Head of States' Democracy Forum organised by the Indonesian government, Director General President’s Media stated

Gold smuggling cases shoot up at Chennai airport

Chennai airport is seeing a steady build-up of gold smuggling cases this year compared to last year. ince April 2011, over 63 smuggling cases have been registered at Chennai airport against 45 cases last year.

No vote for UNP leader till WC slots filled

An election for the leadership of the main opposition UNP is unlikely to be held till December 31, since a number of vacancies for slots in the party’s apex Working Committee had not been filled, UNP General Secretary, Tissa Attanayake said yesterday

Bill to establish National Women's Commission, soon

The government will introduce a new bill in Parliament very soon to establish the proposed National Women’s Commission, Minister Tissa Karalliyadda said today in Parliament

Undergrad released on bail

A third year student of the Arts Faculty of Colombo University who allegedly assaulted a lecturer of the same faculty was released on Rs.500,000 personal bail with two sureties by the Colombo Chief Magistrate today

Grero’s UNP membership suspended

United National Party (UNP) suspended the party membership of the MP Mohan Lal Grero who crossed over to the government recently

Lankan among ATM card fraudsters in Namibia

The matter in which five foreigners and a Namibian stand accused of using counterfeit ATM cards resumed in the High Court yesterday

New criteria for purchase of drugs to be implemented

Three pieces of legislation required for the implementation of the National Drugs Policy will be presented in Parliament next month, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said in Parliament a short while ago

UK visa applicant arrested for fraud

A Sri Lankan visa applicant was arrested today for using deception and a false identity to apply for a UK visa. He was referred by the UK Border Agency to CID. The visa applicant was applying with his younger brother to join his mother who is working in the UK

Three women arrested in Vavunathivu

Police arrested a woman who was raising a two year old boy illegally in the Kannankuda area in Vavunathivu along with two other women including the mother of the child

Sea water contaminates water wells in Jaffna

Water wells used for consumption in the Jaffna District have been contaminated due to the wells mixing with sea water, Parliament was informed today

Makadura area under water due to heavy rains

The Makadura area on the Kotapola-Matara road has gone under water due to heavy rains. Several houses have been affected, the Disaster Management Centre said

SL maid held for stealing Dhs128,000, 3 phones

A Sri Lankan maid, identified as RD, 25, was referred to the Dubai Criminal Court on Monday for allegedly stealing Dhs128,000 in addition to three mobile phones, belonging to her female Emirati sponsor, a school director.

UNP reformists want secret ballot for leader’s post

The United National Party (UNP) reformists led by the party’s co-deputy leaders Karu Jayasuriya and Sajith Premadasa are pushing for a secret ballot at the two working committee meetings to select a new party leader.

High profile money lender abducted

A 55 year old businessman who was known to be a high profile money lender in Kotahena had been abducted this morning resulting in protests in the area, the police said.

We are looking forward to a fresh UNP from January: Dayasiri

UNP Kurunegala District parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara speaking to the Daily Mirror online on the new developments with regard to the leadership of the UNP stated that the people are awaiting a change that would drive the UNP to victory at an election

Ranil speaks on party leadership

A visibly annoyed Ranil Wickremesinghe said at a press briefing today that at a meeting with his Deputy Karu Jayasuriya at Sirikotha this morning both parties had avoided conversation on the run for the party leadership for which both are contesting as candidates.

Another warrant on M.V. “Scotia Prince”

The Colombo Commercial High Court today issued another warrant for the arrest and detention of the cruise ship M.V.” Scotia Prince” that was used in the Colombo-Tuticorin ferry service on charges of having defaulted payments on account of goods and materials supplied agency fees and services rendered to “Scotia Prince” for her operation by the plaintiff Tradex Shipping Co (P) Ltd of No. 24, Bagawantham Street, Chennai Indi

GMOA rallies doctors against SLMC takeover

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today warned that the decision to convert the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to a public enterprise would cripple Sri Lanka’s health sector and changes to the SLMC if any should only be made with the approval of the medical profession.

Champion racing driver seeks anticipatory bail

The well-known Sri Lankan racing driver Dilantha Malagamuwa today filed an anticipatory bail application in court to pre-empt the possibility of his arrest on charges of a non-bailable offence.

Proposed road in Sinharaja will not be allowed

The proposed widening and development of a 3.5km road stretch from Ilumbakanda to Suriyakanda on the edge of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve (SFR) will not be permitted and remain as a ‘Nature Track’ because the development of the road along the natural habitat will affect the fauna and flora of the Sinharaja forest, Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said.

Bangladeshi National arrested with foreign currency

A Bangladeshi national was arrested at the Katunayake International Airport with foreign currency worth Rs.7.5 million when he attempted to smuggle them to Dhaka, the Customs said.

100 dogs imported by Police

Sri Lanka Police have obtained one hundred dogs for the Canine Kennels situated at Asgiriya, Kandy.

Don’t make acting principals permanent-UNP

The UNP urged the government in Parliament today not to absorb those acting principals who are on a fast, into permanent since most of them were political henchmen.

Public petition to free Fonseka:Ranil

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe called for the support of the masses to free former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka through a public petition organized by the UNP that will begin on Human Rights Day on December 10 and which will be handed over to the United Nations General Assembly.

Where was JJ all these years: Keheliya

UNP as a habit continues to disrupt government efforts for reconciliation and Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena who kept silent about Interpol’s failure to arrest KP for twenty odd years is now urging it to take custody of him, Government spokesman, Information and Media Minister Keheliiya Rambukwella told the Daily Mirror today.

Court orders under graduate to be produced before court

Colombo Chief Magistrate Court ordered the Prison Superintendent to produce an  under graduate who allegedly assaulted a lecturer of the Colombo University on Friday during an altercation, before court tomorrow.

Karu to contest for party leadership

In a special media statement issued a short while ago, UNP Co- Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya confirmed that he would accept the invitation extended by the Sajith group to contest for party leadership