Shavendra in Lebanon as part of UN delegation

Sri Lankan Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Major General Shavendra Silva was in Lebanon last week as part of the delegation visiting UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, media reports.

Electric lamp stolen from expressway resort

An electric lamp ripped off from its post and stolen from the Welipanna Resort Zone of the Southern Expressway was found dropped by someone near the Kurundugahahathekma entry/exit point, police said.

Video: Proceedings ended in an unexpected hurry-Herath

DNA MP Vijitha Herath, who was a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee that probed into the impeachment motion against CJ Shirani Bandaranayake, claimed today that the PSC proceedings were ended in an unexpected hurry following a ‘sudden’ order from the ‘top’. ???

Diplomats visit Kilinochchi

A high level delegation of United States and Sri Lanka based diplomats yesterday made a visit to Kilinochchi to review the ground situation there.

Levy on internet & broadband services slashed

The telecommunication levy on internet and broadband services in Sri Lanka will be reduced by fifty per cent with effect from January 2013, the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) said.

Video: Bodies of Lion Air victims being exhumed

The authorities this morning started to exhume the bodies of the victims of the Lion Air passenger plane that was shot down by the LTTE in 1998, at the Iranathivu beach. Police said that after the incident, the bodies were believed to have been buried in the Iranathivu beach by the LTTE. Pix by Romesh Madushanka-Vavuniya

Cops fired for negligence

Three police sub Inspectors and a police constable attached to the Dehiwela police were interdicted for allegedly neglecting their official duties and thus tarnishing the image of a relative a top police officer, Police media spokesman Prishantha Jayakody said.

Opp. members of the PSC reject report

Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) member and UNP MP Lakshman Kriella said they reject the PSC report submitted to parliament this morning by Committee Chairman, Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

Three out of five charges against CJ proven

Leader of the House and member of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva says three out of five charges (1,4,5) against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake have been proven at the PSC inquiry held on the impeachment.

Video:Never had a competition with Shane-Murali

Former Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan on Friday said that he never had any competition with the legendary Shane Warne as both of them played for two different countries. ???

US extends waivers on Iran sanctions to SL

The United States granted 180-day waivers on Iran sanctions to Sri Lanka, China, India and a number of other countries on Friday in exchange for their cutting purchases of oil from Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Import tax on potatoes and onions reduced

The Special Import tax on one kilo of Potatoes and big onions has been reduced by Rs.35 with effect from midnight yesterday. The special import duty on red onions has also been reduced by Rs10, the Ministry of Finance said.

PSC report presented

The Parliamentary Select Committee report on the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was presented to Parliament by the Chairman of the PSC Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa a short while ago.

Kahawatte killings:Suspect stabbed to death

A 33-year old man, believed to be one of the suspects in the recent killing spree in Kotakethana,Ratnapura was stabbed to death last night at Opatha, Ratnapura-police said.

PSC report to Speaker today?

The Parliamentary Select Committee ((PSC) which wrapped up its inquiries into the 14 charges against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, is expected to hand over its report to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today..

More asylum seekers deported from the UK

Another twenty nine Sri Lankans who sought political asylum in Britain were deported back to the Island accompanied by British Immigration/Emigration and police officers yesterday morning.

TNA not for total withdrawal of army from N-E

In an attitude of moderation, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) told Parliament yesterday that it was wrong to assume that the party wanted the armed forces out of the North and the East.

Chief Justice at the launch of Law Journal

Participating in the first public function after walking out of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) yesterday, Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake is seen here participating as the Chief Guest at the launch of the Law Journal at the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). Pix by Romesh Danushka Silva

Video: Lawyers hail CJ’s walkout decision

Several seniorlawyers addressing the media outside the Supreme Court today hailed Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake’s decision to walk out of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC). They denounced the PSC members who had allegedly insulted the CJ during the proceedings. Pix by Pradeep K.Pathirana

It’s a tactical move-Govt MPs

Government Parliamentarians a short while ago termed the withdrawal of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and opposition Parliamentarians from the Parliamentary Select Committee, as a tactical move.

CJ asks Speaker to appoint impartial panel

Lawyers of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake in a letter to Speaker requested to postpone the impeachment hearing until an impartial panel is set up to probe her.

Nurses take to the streets

Members of the Government Nursing Officers’ Association launched a protest in front of all major hospitals today. Seen here are the nurses who protested in front of the Colombo National Hospital demanding solutions for the issues prevailing in the nursing cadre. Pix by Nisal Baduge

CJ explains why she walked out

Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake has walked out of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) in the face of hostile and biased conduct of the government members of the PS so as to ensure the dignity of the judiciary of Sri Lanka, a statement said.

Opposition members withdraw from PSC

Four opposition members of the Parliamentary Select Committee announced a short while ago that they withdrew from the committee and stated that they put forward four conditions before the Chairman of the PSC to further remain in the committee.

Emergency party leaders’ meeting

President Mahinda Rajapaksa summoned an emergency meeting of government party leaders this noon to discuss the modus operandi as regards the impeachment motion against chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake, the Daily Mirror learns.

VIDEO: Japan earthquake tsunami warning issued

A tsunami warning has been issued after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's eastern coast.

Fire in Pettah

A fire has broken out in several shops near the Fort Railway station, police said. Fire brigade has brought the situation under control and has almost extinguished the fire Pictures

US urges transparency and due process

The United States today urged the Sri Lankan Government and the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating the Chief Justice ensure any investigation be conducted transparently, guarantee due process, and is conducted in accordance with the rule of law

Kollonnawa UC Opp. leader dies

The opposition leader of Kollonnawa Urban council Chadrasiri Dias (68) has died this morning, Hospital sources said.

Deserted...

Colombo Fort and the Gampaha railway stations were seen deserted due to the ongoing island wide token strike launched by eleven Trade Unions. The Railway services countrywide came to a standstill from midnight yesterday Pix by Kushan Pathiraja