‘Abolition of PC system doubtful even during MR regime’

Malwatte Mahanayake most Ven. Thibbatuvawe Siddhartha Sri Sumangala Thera said it was unlikely that the abolition of the provincial council system, the executive presidency and the preferential voting system would take place even during the current regime of President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Military mentality breeding in the country-Karu

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya on Monday said that the military mentality is breeding in the country and the trappings of a dictatorship were quite eviden

CAA to take legal action against flour price hike

Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman Rumy Marzook charged that no permission or approval had been granted yet to wheat flour production companies to raise prices

Tamil Nadu Police defends ban on LTTE

Defending the ban on LTTE, three Tamil Nadu Police personnel today deposed before a tribunal and charged the Sri Lankan militant outfit with training members of Tamil Puratchi Munnani (Tamil Revolution Front).

Cyclone threat: People being evacuated

People residing within 500 metres from the coastal belt from Kuchchaweli to Jaffna are being evacuated due to the possible threat of a minor cyclone, which said to enter the country from the Mullaitivu coast around 2 am tomorrow, officials said

People hit by heavy showers

Heavy rains brought on by the North Eastern Monsoon have disturbed the day-to-day activities of people throughout the country, as showers splash in with some roads becoming inundated. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

ICC approves day/night Test with coloured balls

The ICC on Monday gave its seal of approval to the day/night Test matches while leaving the member boards to decide on the type and colour of the ball to be used, as it announced new playing conditions for Tests, ODIs and T20 Internationals ahead of Sri Lanka-New Zealand series beginning on Tuesday

Accident

Several passengers were injured in a collision between a bus and a van at Uraniya in Walachchenai, Batticaloa this morning. Pix by Jifran Khan

Australia to open door for educated Lankans

Australia is all set to woo highly skilled population from the region including in Sri Lanka in a bid to create an educated, productive work force to boost its economy, the PTI reported.

Video: Govt. bottle feeding KP: UNP

UNP media spokesman Gayantha Karunatilka today charged that the government had allowed Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias KP who was involved in the international arms racket to start a NGO with government backing and going against the aspirations of the people and the armed forces. ???

40 injured as bus skids off road

40 people were injured including the driver, when a bus skidded off the road in the Kebithigollewa-Padaviya main road this morning, police said. The injured were admitted to the Kebithigollewa hospital

Rain drains gems in Kantale

Over 1000 people have started searching gems on the bank of Kantale tank following rumours of several gems being surfaced after heavy rain from yesterday.

Bread price goes up

The price of a 450 g of loaf of bread would be increased by Rs.2 with effect from midnight today, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Asscoaition Chairman N.K.Jayawardana said.

Vap full moon Poya day

Vap full moon Poya day is of paramount importance to Buddhists world wide and particularly for us in Sri Lanka due to a number of special events that took place on this particular poya day including King Devanampiyatissa’s invitation to King Asoka to establish the Bhikkhuni Sasana in Sri Lanka. Pictured here are devotees observing religious rituals at the Kelaniya Temple. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

50-year-old Indian nabbed

A 50-year-old Indian national arrested by the Kalawanchikudi police for selling clothes illegally. The suspect had been overstaying his visa and violating immigration laws, the Police said.

Video: Attempt to block removal of last SL ‘pirate’

Refugee advocates in Australia have been trying to make contact with the last remaining Sri Lankan from a hijacked trawler intercepted near the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the early hours of Friday, hoping they can block his removal from Australia on the grounds he faces serious danger in Sri Lanka. ???

Rainy weather to continue-Met Dept.

The Met department today said that under the influence of the depression condition, that is centered about 250 km east of Mullattivu coast, most parts of the island will experience rainy conditions throughout the day.

Kill the animals that destroy crops-Minister

In what appeared to be another controversial statement, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane said yesterday that animals such as monkeys, wild boar and crocodiles should be killed to protect crops and human lives

AG to conclude key cases this year

Amidst international pressure, the Attorney General’s Department is to conclude the cases regarding those responsible for the 2006 killing of five students in Trincomalee and 17 aid workers before the end of this year, officials said yesterday

Hydropower stations supply more electricity

Hydro- electric power which had dropped to an all-time low of 14 percent due to the drought has now increased to 30 percent with the monsoon rains in catchment areas, a spokesman said yesterday

Lankans also need ‘bio-visa’ to enter Malaysia

Sri Lankan visitors to Malaysia are among the foreign nationals who require entry visas using a unique biometric system at the country’s embassies to deter visa fraud, a top immigration official has said.

Militants from SL posing as asylum seekers-report

Militants from Sri Lanka's civil war are posing as asylum seekers on boats headed for Australia - and could be financed by former Tamil Tiger combatants already in Australia, The Australian reported today.

Promising slice of relief?

President Mahinda Rajapaksa enjoys a juicy pineapple while talking to the people in the Imbulgoda area on his way back from a function at the Attanagalle Rajamaha Vihara today. President Rajapaksa stopped at a fruit stall after seeing pineapples on display on his way back to Colombo. Pic Courtesy President’s Media

Tsunami warning lifted in Hawai

The tsunami warning for Hawaii was canceled, and a tsunami advisory was put in its place. An advisory indicates that strong currents or waves that are dangerous to those in or very near the water are expected, but significant inundation is not.

NY police arrest Lankans over phony ATM cards

Two Sri Lankans were under arrest in New York for allegedly carrying hundreds of fraudulent ATM cards and $55,000 in cash, New York police said on Saturday.

Depression condition forecast

These pictures published by the BBC show the forecast of the depression weather condition starting from this morning to Wednesday night.

Explosion injures two in Kantale

At least two persons were injured following an explosion in Kantale a short while ago, the police said.

Colombo Motor Show

Today is the final day of the Colombo Motor Show currently being held at the BMICH. Vehicles in their original condition and ones that have been modified along with spare parts are being showcased at the CMS. Pics by Nisal Baduge

Manmohan expands cabinet with new faces

Seven Cabinet ministers, including new faces such as K. Rehman Khan and Chandresh Kumari, and 15 Ministers of State were sworn-in on Sunday as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expanded his Council of Ministers.

LTTE coordinator seeks lifting of ban on outfit

An affidavit by a Switzerland-based coordinator on behalf the outlawed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) before a tribunal sought the lifting of the ban on the outfit.