Facebook page to survey sex workers

The AIDS Prevention Programme is to create a new Facebook page to carry out a survey on sex workers in the country aimed at containing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, its Director Dr. Sisira Liyanage said.

Video: TNA ready to resume talks with Govt.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said today it was ready to resume talks with the Government in search of a solution to based on power devolution within a united and undivided Sri Lanka.

Sun over the island

The sun would directly over Sri Lanka from today, till September 7, the Department of Meteorology said.

Exporters: CDN system from Sept. 01

Director General of Sri Lanka Customs had urged exporters and wharf representatives to submit Electronic Cargo Dispatch Notes (CDN) to the Customs from September 1, Customs media spokesman Leslie Gamini said.

218 semi-luxury buses caught for overloading

The National Transport Commission (NTC) said today it had taken action against 218 inter-provincial semi-luxury buses that were found to have carried passengers over and above the number of seats in the buses in violation of the route permit conditions.

Packer plan for SL Crown casino causes delay

Australian gambling tycoon James Packer's Crown Ltd is facing months of new delays in building a planned $400 million Sri Lanka hotel and casino resort due to unspecified legal issues, a government minister said on Wednesday.

Dayasiri hospitalised

North-Western Province Chief Minister DayasiriJayasekara was admitted to the Badulla Hospital last night after he took ill suddenly but had left hospital on his own accord this morning after undergoing several tests, hospital sources said.

LTTE’s largest training camp at Kolathur

The village of Kolathur, 11 km from the Mettur dam in Salem district, was one of the places in Tamil Nadu where the cadre of the LTTE were imparted armed training in the early 1980s to fight the Sri Lankan forces.

Colombo bound woman duped in flight

A woman passenger of a Colombo-Thiruvananthapuram flight was duped of a 14-sovereign gold chain by a co-passenger.

Norochcholai power plant breaks down

The second stage of the Norochcholai coal power plant, which contributes 300 megawatts  to the national grid, was inoperative this evening due to a technical fault, a spokesman for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Rarely seen bunch

An unusually big comb of bananas discovered by a family in Rathmalana was captured on film today. About 70 bananas are seen in this unusually big comb.

Land seizure in Vavuniya, says BBS

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today said that politicians were attempting to alter the diversity of population in Sri Lanka by backing the resettlement of one ethnic group in a specific area ignoring others.

Wariyapola girl released on bail

Twenty one-year-old Thilini Amalka, who was arrested this morning for allegedly slapping a youth at the Wariyapola Bus Terminal recently, was released on a surety bail of Rs. 50, 000 by the Wariyapola additional magistrate this evening. PICTURES

Protest at Mahaweli Authority

Workers attached to the Mahaweli Authority seen shouting slogans at a demonstration held today in front of the Mahaweli Authority over several demands. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Two suspicious containers detained

Two containers imported from Pakistan declared as big onions had been detained by the Sri Lanka Customs at the Orugodawatte Container Yard on suspicion this evening, Custom’s Spokesman Leslie Gamini said.

Two Indians nabbed with sensitive pics

Two Indians were arrested at Modara yesterday for allegedly possessing photographs of high security zones including the Parliament and the Prime Minister’s Residence, the Police said today

Another successful surgery

A stick which had pierced the neck of a Suriyawewa resident was surgically removed by a team of surgeons at the Hambantota General Hospital today. It had pierced the neck of the man during a brawl. Pix by Sanath Gamage

Video: Aluthgama: renovated houses handed back

Seventy one houses and 22 shops which were destroyed in Aluthgama and Beruwela recently had been handed over to the owners after renovation, Military Spokesman Ruwan Wanigasuriya said today.

Heavy traffic on Darley Road

Heavy traffic has been reported along Darley Road, Maradana because of a protest outside the Mahaweli Authority; motorists are advised to use alternative routes

Wariyapola girl arrested

Twenty one-year-old Thilini Amalka, who is alleged to have slapped a youth at the Wariyapola Bus Terminal recently had been arrested by the  Wariyapola Police this morning, Police Media Unit said. UPDATE

India has to go to war to retrieve Kachatheevu: AG

Indian Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that retrieving Kachatheevu Island was an impossible task and India would have to declare war with Sri Lanka to retrieve it.

TNA seeks India’s help in return of refugees

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has sought India’s help in the return of Sri Lankan refugees from India.

EC writes to IGP

In the wake of a surge in election law violations in the Moneragala District, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday instructed Inspector General of Police, N.K. Ilangakoon to beef up security in the district in the run-up to the elections to the Uva Provincial Council.

Video: Wariyapola girl complains to Police Hq

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said yesterday a complaint had been lodged at the Police Headquarters by 21-year-old Thilini Amalka, who is alleged to have slapped a youth at Wariyapola Bus Terminal recently when he had abused her verbally and in sign language.

ACHC condemns ACHF allegations

The All Ceylon Hindu Congress has sent the following letter with reference to news item that appeared in the newspapers and websites: We have been receiving enquiries in respect of news reports and website news of what have been said by “All Ceylon Hindu Federation”.

Fifth Comoran Strike exercise in EP

The fifth Comoran Strike exercise organised by the Sri Lanka Army will be held from September 3 to September 23 in the Eastern Province. Most importantly Special Forces teams from 12 countries will participate in the exercise. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

‘Resolve TN fishermen issue politically’

The issue relating to frequent arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy should be resolved politically and diplomatically, the Supreme Court observed on Tuesday.

Rectify our salary anomalies

Members of the Under-Paid Retired Teachers Organisation today staged a protest march from Hyde Park Grounds to Liptons Circus urging the government to rectify their pension anomalies. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Maid steals from future employer's house

A Sri Lankan maid claimed that she stole gold jewellery of her employer as the latter had failed to pay for her work, the Dubai Criminal Court heard.

Video: Colonial passport sold at Rs. 30mn

Seven people, who are alleged to have stolen a colonial era passport issued to a Sub Inspector attached to the then Ceylon Police Force, were arrested by the Kollupitiya police while they were attempting to sell it for Rs.30 million.