Ten LTTE suspects arrested by TID

Ten former LTTE cadres were taken into custody by the Terrorist Investigations Division (TID) based on intelligence reports.

Darwin asylum seekers flown interstate

About 400 asylum seekers have been released from Darwin detention centres into the community. They will be placed on bridging visas which forbid them from working, but will receive a basic welfare payment, a spokesman for the immigration department told AAP

Floods in Vavuniya

Several areas of the Vavuniya district have been inundated due to heavy rain experienced during the past two days. Water level in most of the irrigation tanks in the area have reached spill level. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Video: Court orders release of cobra

A cobra taken into police custody and a night club dancer who lamented the loss of her pet were reunited yesterday when a Colombo Court ordered the police to release the reptile to its rightful owner

A big catch

A huge fish that is believed to be a Whale Shark was caught in a fishing net in the seas off the Chillaw fisheries village yesterday. The fish was 23 feet long and 8 feet in width. The fishermen in the village said they have not seen such a fish before. Pix Augustine Fernando

Yapa calls for media guidelines

Chairman of the PSC probing the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice, Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa raising a privilege issue in parliament asked the speaker to formulate guidelines for the media when reporting the proceedings of the PSC

Cancellation of MR's visit not due to pressure

Despite protests by Indian groups against the planned visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Malaysia, its High Commission in Kuala Lumpur confirmed the cancellation was not due to political pressure

Committees to study Lorgat's report

The executive committee of Sri Lanka Cricket decided to appoint three committees to discuss Haroon Lorgat's report and make recommendations for its implementation

SL placed 79th in global corruption perception index

In the annual Global Corruption Perception Index (CPI) just released by Transparency International (TI), Sri Lanka has scored 40 points and is placed in the 79th position among 176 countries

Lankans arrested in Scotland

Police found a total of 17 workers from The Philippines, Sri Lanka and Indonesia after they executed search warrants on premises in Annan and fishing boats in Peterhead and Silloth, Cumbria.

Opp. MPs mull quitting PSC

The four opposition members of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the charges against the Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, are seriously considering withdrawal from the process, Daily Mirror learns

Army lets Major quit to wed Lankan girlfriend

After a prolonged legal battle, the Indian Army has decided to relieve a 35-year-old Major in the Corps of Signals to enable him to marry a Sri Lankan national

Bowen defends asylum 'screening'

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen won't rule out sending back to Sri Lanka any of the 56 Tamil asylum seekers who have agreed to drop a High Court challenge against their removal from Australia.

Relax abortion laws: Docs

It was necessary to relax laws on abortion who became pregnant due to rape, incest or foetal abnormalities to ease the pain and hardship faced by them, Medical experts said yesterday

Review group on UN’s report setup

The United Nations said that a group to review the finding of the UN's actions and inactions in Sri Lanka in 2009 or known as Charles Petrie report is being set up, the Inner City Press reported.

Bus employees protest in Welimada

The Private Bus Employees’ Association (PBEA) in Welimada Nuwara Eliya staged a protest for the second day in Welimada town today, against the issuing of new route permits for the Nuwara Eliya–Rendapola route. Pix by Rathnam Kogulan

Tow-back policy to apply to SL

A coalition government would tow boats back to Sri Lanka to help stem the flow of asylum seekers bound for Australia, immigration spokesman Scott Morrison says

AIA completes Aviva-NDB deal

Asian insurance giant, AIA Group Limited, which is listed in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange said it has closed the acquisition of Aviva NDB Insurance PLC (CTCE) as the company acquired 92.3% of the firm in a US$ 109 million deal that was announced in September, this year

Female vocalist harassed by radio station employee

An employee of a private radio station who had allegedly harassed Sri Lankan pop, R&B and Jazz singer Umaria Sinhawansa at a car park of the World Trade Centre in Colombo was ordered to appear before a Colombo Court on December 14

Amaradeva turns 85

Music maestro Pundit W.D. Amaradeva celebrates his 85th birthday today. His beloved wife Wimala Amaradeva’s birthday also coincidentally falls on the same day. Pix by Romesh Danushka Silva

Fishermen’s arrest: Jaya seeks Singh’s intervention

Expressing concern over the arrest of 40 Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy early this week, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today said such harassment has become a "regular occurrence" and sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention for their release

Potato prices may decrease

The Consumer Affairs Minister Johnston Fernando said he would take steps to reduce or totally remove the Rs. 50 tax imposed on a kilo of imported potatoes due to the increase of potato prices in the market

Armored corps ready for 57th anniversary

Sri Lanka Armored Corps (SLAC), one of the most reputed and pioneer Regiments in the Army, yesterday began preparations to celebrate its 57th Anniversary and Regimental Day at the SLAC Regimental Headquarters, Rock House, Mutwal. Pix by Army.lk

Two children knocked down by train

Two children aged 6 and 11died on the spot  at Thalpe when they were hit by a train bound to Matara from Vavuniya this afternoon, police spokesman Prishantha Jayakody said. Pictures

Ganja boaster nabbed

Police arrested a businessman who had boasted on an FM radio channel  that he was  the ganja king pin in Ratnapura area and challenged anyone who could to arrest him.

We need to groom another leader-Mahela

Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene who is in Australia, Wednesday said that Sri Lanka should groom another captain to lead the Sri Lankan cricket team.

PM and Duminda granted leave

Parliament today approved three months leave for Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and UPFA MP Duminda Silva with effect from December 22.

Govt organised protest against CJ, says UNP

A demonstration had been organised near the parliamentary complex to protest and vilify Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake on her way to the House to appear before the Select Committee probing charges against her.

World's oldest person dies at age 116

Besse Cooper, the world's oldest person, died Tuesday. She was 116.

PSC rejects observers

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) yesterday refused permission to the Sri Lanka Bar Association or the Commonwealth to observe its proceedings when probing charges against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, informed sources said yesterday.