Govt. urges action against Wijeyadasa

The Government today asked Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to take action against UNP MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe for his involvement in legally challenging the parliamentary process to impeach Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

Over 20 Chinese nationals detained

All Chinese nationals detained in Sri Lanka have been freed following the release of two Chinese women on Tuesday, said sources close to the case.

Video: Govt. schools come to a standstill

Activities in most of the state-run schools island-wide have come to a standstill today due to the strike launched by the Principals and Teachers Union, General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin said

Planned railway strike postponed for Thursday

The token strike by the Professional Trade Union Alliance (PTUA) and Drivers Trade Union of the Railways that was planned for tomorrow has been postponed until Thursday, the Unions said.

Video: CJ leaves…

Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake is seen leaving the Supreme Court premises this morning to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) in Parliament. Pix by Samantha Perera

Cabraal’s son appointed to Hayleys MGT Board

Chathura V. Cabraal, the son of Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal has been appointed to the Board of Hayleys MGT Knitting Mills Plc., as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 December.

Parliament road closed

The Parliament road has been closed to traffic due to a protest staged by a group of people opposite the parliament. The Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake arrived at Parliament to appear before Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) this morning

Judges claim impeachment against natural justice

Issuing a joint statement, the judicial officers including High Court Judges, District judges, Magistrates and Presidents of Labour Tribunals who gathered at the Hulftsdorp in Colombo yesterday complained that the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was a blatant violation of natural justice.

24 skeletal remains found so far from Matale

Fourteen more skulls and skeletal remains were found at the Matale hospital premises bringing to 24 the total number of remains discovered at the site by Wednesday,Police said

CJ asks more time for detailed reply

Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake has asked for a further five weeks to send ‘a detailed response’ to the 14 charges made against her in an impeachment motion, Daily Mirror learns

Lankans in new challenge to boats regime

LABOR'S asylum-seeker regime faces a new High Court challenge after a group of 56 Sri Lankan asylum-seekers launched an urgent bid to block their deportation, challenging the government's "screening out" process

Anura Yapa blames Nimal Siripala

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa told Parliament on Monday that hasty decisions taken by Irrigation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva had led to several environmental problems

Railway strike from tomorrow midnight

A 24-hour islandwide token strike will be launched by eleven Railway Trade Unions from midnight tomorrow (4) demanding a salary hike, the trade unions said

Welgama enthralled by Rosy’s charms

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama told Parliament today he had no words to express his feelings towards UNP MP Rosy Senanayake whom he described as ‘a charming and beautiful lady’

Seven-day-old infant sold for Rs.5,000

The mother of a seven-day-old infant and three other women were arrested on charges of having been involved in the sale and purchase of the infant for Rs.5,000

Wildlife Dept. alerts on hazards to animals

The Deputy Minister of Agrarian Services and Wildlife Conservation S.M. Chandrasena had instructed the Director General of Wildlife to submit a report within a week regarding any dangers posed to wild animals by the overhanging high tension electric wires fixed onto wooden pillars

SC allows BASL petition against impeachment

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petition filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) seeking a declaration against the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani A. Bandaranayake

A worthy cause

A signature campaign was orgnised outside the Fort Railway Station today protesting the case filed by the British American Tobacco Company against the concept put forward by the Health Ministry to print health warnings on cigarette packets.  Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Rambutan in Badulla

A 16-acre Rambutan plantation was captured on film at Koslanda in Badulla. Rambutan plants usually bear fruit during June and August in the Western Province including in the rambutan growing area of Malwana. But this plantation is seen with the plants bearing fruit even during the off season.  Pix by Rathnam Kogulan

37 Indian fishermen nabbed in Trinco

The Navy has arrested at least 37 Indian fishermen with five trawlers off Pulmodai, Trincomalee this morning while they were fishing in Sri Lankan waters, Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

Vavuniya Magistrate pickpocketed

The Vavuniya Magistrate was pickpocketed at the Fort railway station this morning while he was on his way to attend a judges’ meeting in Colombo

Video: Deepika awarded Gusi Peace prize

Veteran vocalist Deepika Priyadarshani Peiris who was awarded the Gusi Peace prize at the international Gusi Peace Prize award Ceremony held in Manila, Philippines  arrived in Sri Lanka this morning. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Video: All divers rescued

All four divers have been rescued and are currently in Mount Lavinia, our reporter said.  The four divers were rescued by three Navy boats that were sent to locate the divers French diver speaks of ordeal

9 hour water cut in Nugegoda

A 9-hour water cut will be imposed in several areas in Colombo from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. tomorrow (04) due to an interruption in the supply of electricity to the Kotte Pump House, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said.

Mohamed Maharoof passes away

Opposition leader of the Colombo Municipal Council and Former UNP Minister Mohamed Maharoof passed away at a private hospital in Colombo this morning

One of the missing divers rescued

One of the four divers who went missing since yesterday after they went diving in the seas near Mount Lavinia was rescued this morning. He was rescued by some fisherman while floating in the sea

It’s blowing cold

Dry and cold winds blowing from India had pushed the temperature lower in Sri Lanka, Department of Meteorology said yesterday. A spokesman from the Department of Meteorology told Daily Mirror

PSC members request postponement

The four opposition members of the Parliamentary Select Committee that is probing allegations against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake had requested Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to suspend its sittings at least for one month, Daily Mirror learns

Arachchikatuwa PS chairman accused of attacking Pallama Police Station

A pandemonium broke out when Jagath Samantha Perera, the Chairman of the Arachchikatuwa Pradeshiya Sabha, forced his way into the Pallama Police Station yesterday

Four missing in Mt. Lavinia seas

Rescue operations are in progress to locate four persons including a French national, who went missing since yesterday morning after they had gone to dive in the sea near Mount Lavinia, police said