PUC politicised, siding with the Govt-UNP

The United National Party (UNP) today charged that the Public Utility Commission (PUC) had been politicised and partial towards the government when granting permission to increase electricity tariffs without considering the plight of ordinary people

More than 1000 Lankans deported –Australia

The Gillard Government in Australia has so far returned more than 1000 Sri Lankan illegal immigrants after a group of 39 asylum seekers was returned to Colombo today, Australian Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship said

Pakistan court orders arrest of Pervez Musharraf

The Islamabad High Court today ordered the arrest of former President Pervez Musharraf in the judges detention case, reports said. Mr Musharraf's personal security, however, whisked him away to prevent the arrest after the cancellation of his bail application, reports said

Video: 60-70 dead, hundreds hurt in Texas plant explosion

Some 60 to 70 people were killed and hundreds were injured by an explosion at a fertilizer plant outside Waco, Texas, local media reported, citing the local emergency manager.???

Social media victims must lodge police complaints: AG

In response to sexually derogatory, defamatory and racially spiteful speech circulated on social media, the Attorney General’s Department urged affected parties to lodge a complaint at the nearest police station

Cops register FIR against 'IPL spy'

The Chennai city police on Wednesday registered an First Information Report (FIR) against a man alleged to have been spying on political party and student leaders, who had been staging protests against the participation of Sri Lankan cricketers in IPL matches in Chennai, on behalf of a private security agency

Prices of all manufactured goods will go up - CNCI

All industrial products could go up in price as a result of the electricity tariff hike, business chambers warned yesterday. The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI) said the ceramic industry would be affected by this move

Nine suspects still at large

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is on the lookout for nine more suspects in connection with the massive Rs. 263 million fraud, where funds were withdrawn from foreign credit card holders through an e-commerce application service provided by a leading state bank in the country

Dr. Shirani to be barred from leaving country

The Bribery Commissioner had told Chulananda Perera, the Controller of Immigration and Emigration yesterday not to allow former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake to leave the country until the investigations into the corruption charges against her were completed, officials said

Death fast deep down by Kahatagaha miners

A group of workers attached to the state owned Kahatagaha Mine in Dodangaslanda have begun a death fast at a shaft which is located some 1132 feet under the ground, making several demands

Future of Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery undecided

After Sri Lanka cancelled an agreement with Iran for the modernisation and expansion of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, the United States (US) is among the countries that put forward proposals for investment in the project under a loan arrangement, Daily Mirror learns

Bread prices to rise with electricity

After the announcement of the increase in the electricity tariff rates, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association said yesterday that there was a ‘huge possibility’ of an increase in the prices of all bakery products

Letter addressed to Obama has suspicious substance: Secret Service

White House mail handlers identified a "suspicious substance" in a letter sent to President Barack Obama the same day one suspected of containing the poison ricin was found in a Senate mailroom, the Secret Service said Wednesday

LTTE member flees while in the custody of prisons officer

An LTTE member who was imprisoned after being found guilty of killing 10 persons at Radella in Pottuvil some years ago had escaped this evening, police said

Electricity tariff hike premeditated: Ravi

The United National Party (UNP) today said the revision of electricity prices was a premeditated move which was implemented following instructions by the IMF and the World Bank

Indian worker dies in Madampe

An Indian national (46) died today following a heart attack at a steel recycling factory in Madampe, Police said. The factory belongs to an Indian national and 225 Indian workers are employed at the factory

Envoys from Islamic countries meet MR

Fifteen heads of Colombo-based diplomatic missions of Islamic countries met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees today and discussed matters of mutual interest, the Government Information Department said

Green light to increase electricity rates

The Public Utility Commission (PUC) has submitted its recommended proposals to the CEB today granting approval to increase electricity rates with effect from April 20, sources said

ASIO letter reveals why refugees deemed threat

ASIO has told a group of Sri Lankan detainees that it regards them as a threat to national security because some of them have a history of violence in their homeland.

15% bus fare hike demanded

While rejecting proposed 7% bus fare hike, Lanka private Bus Owners Association demanded a 15% price revision in July, a LPBOA official said.

Gampha mayor arrested

Mayor of Gampaha Municipal Council Eranga Senanayake (UPFA) had been arrested for allegedly obstructing two Police officers from carrying out their duties last night in Yakkala, Police said.

10 gambling women arrested

Thirty suspects including 10 women were arrested yesterday during a raid on three gambling dens in Walgama and Gungamuwa in Bandaragama, police said

Man relieving himself on beach robbed

A Galle trader who had gone to the beach to relieve himself is reported to have been robbed of Rs.196,000 when he had removed his trouser and placed it on a nearby rock, according to a complaint made to the Galle police

Severe shortage of drugs in the country

A severe shortage of medicinal drugs in the country has put millions of patients in the lurch as the Treasury has failed to release funds to the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) to import and purchase drugs, the Daily Mirror learns

21 killed, 490 injured during New Year holidays

Police Headquarters said today 13 people were killed in road accidents while eight had died in clashes during the National New Year holidays from April 13 to 15

No Lankans injured – Govt.

No Sri Lankans were reported to have been injured in the bomb blasts at the Boston Marathon on Monday, External Affairs Ministry said

President offers condolences over Boston bomb attack

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message to US President Barrack Obama condemned the Boston bomb attack today and called it an act of cowardice while conveying condolences over the loss of life and injuries sustained

Shiranee appointed acting CJ

Supreme Court Judge Justice Shiranee Tilakawardane was sworn in as the Acting Chief Justice by the President at Temple Trees a short while ago, Government Information Department said

Major earthquake rocks Iran, Pakistan

An earthquake preliminarily measured at 7.8 magnitude hit the Iran-Pakistan border on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said

Hunger strike will not change Canberra policies-Gillard

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard says asylum seekers going on hunger strike won't succeed in pressuring the government to change its policies.