Anti-Smoking Day marked in Colombo

The Health Ministry today marked Anti-Smoking Day with a countrywide campaign against smoking and the use of tobacco. A protest march was organised by the Health Ministry, the Sri Lanka Association of Medical Administrators (SLAMA) and Alcohol and Drug Information Center (ADIC) from the Nelum Pokuna Theatre to the Viharamahadevi Park. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana.

Student hospitalised following assault by Dy. Principal

A Deputy Principal of a school in Kadawatha was arrested today for allegedly assaulting a grade 11 student who has been admitted to the Ragama hospital, the Kadawatha Police said

Opening of Galle to Matara expressway put off

The Government has decided to postpone the opening of the Galle -- Matara section of the Southern Expressway by another month. This section was to be commissioned on January 31 by the President

SL releases 20 jailed Indian fishermen

The External Affairs Ministry today announced that India and Sri Lanka had begun the process of releasing fishermen trapped in Lankan jails

Hikkaduwa prayer centre protest: 24 suspects identified

The Police said today they had identified 24 suspects and would take legal action against them in relation to Sunday’s protest on two ' prayer centres' in Hikkaduwa belonging to an evangelical denomination

Video: All smiles

Hirunika Premachandra receives her letter of appointment as Co-Organiser of the SLFP from President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a ceremony held at the Temple Trees this morning. Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Kumara Welgama and a host of others participated at the ceremony. Pix by President's Media

Woman nabbed with gold at BIA

A twenty one-year-old woman was arrested by Katunayake Airport security officials today for smuggling 1003 grams of finished and unfinished jewelry worth Rs. 5,364,000 to India, Customs spokesman said.

Examination dates released

Examinations Commissioner General W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara said today the dates for this year’s examinations have been finalised.

Video: Hirunika appointed

Hirunika Premachandra received the letter of appointment as the Co-organiser for the SLFP of the Colombo-Central electorate a short while ago from President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government Information Department said.

Vajira Neththikumara to be charged

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today directed the Slave Island police to file a charge sheet against Vajira Nettikumara, who owned the building where the Union Place gambling centre was located

Saudi and Sri Lanka to sign labor pact today

Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka will sign a landmark labor pact on Monday in a renewed bid to regulate hiring of domestic workers from the island nation and to ensure protection to all domestic help already employed in the Kingdom.

US envoy’s visit to SL delayed

The diplomatic-row between the United States (US) and India has delayed the planned visit of United States (US) Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Desai Biswal to Sri Lanka this month, it is learnt.

Relic of St. Anthony brought to SL

A relic from the arm of St Sebastian, a saint who is deeply revered by Sri Lankan Roman Catholics was brought to Sri Lanka today. The relic will be enshrined at St. Sebastian's Shrine, Kandana. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Release of Indian fishermen only after talks-SL

Sri Lanka on Sunday said it will not release over 200 Indian fishermen lodged here before the Indo-Lanka fisheries talks, scheduled in New Delhi later this week to resolve a major irritant in bilateral ties.

India-SL joint meet on Jan 20 on fishermen issue

Indian and Sri Lankan officials, along with representatives of fishermen, will meet to discuss the issues related to fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on January 20 at Chennai, Union Minister V Narayanasamy said today.

United States seeks probe into Sri Lankan war crimes

The US on Sunday pressed Sri Lanka to probe alleged rights abuses by its army through independent and credible investigations after a top American diplomat recorded eyewitness accounts

Three Indians caught with Rs.1.6Mn worth fags

Three Indians were today arrested in Sri Lanka for allegedly concealing cigarettes worth 1.6 million Sri Lankan rupees in their baggages.

SLFP to appoint Hirunika as Colombo Central Organiser

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who met Hirunika Premachandra this morning is likely to appoint her as the SLFP Colombo Central Organiser, Hirunika told Daily Mirror online a short while ago.

124th birth anniversary of Al-Haj Dr.TB Jayah

The 124th birth anniversary of Al-Haj Dr.T.B Jayah, organised by the Conference of Sri Lankan Malays, (COSLAM) was held with High Commissioner of Malaysia Azmi Zainuddin as the chief guest at the New Town Hall, Colombo 7 today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Seychelles woman nabbed with foreign currency

A woman from Seychelles was arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport today for attempting to leave the country with foreign currency amounting to Rs 6.5 million.

Gazette notifications signed

The Gazette notifications on the dissolution of the Western and Southern Provincial Councils with effect from midnight today, has been signed by the respective Governors.

All Fishermen to be Freed Soon: Jaya

Slamming DMK chief M Karunanidhi for his dubious stand on the fishermen issue, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, on Saturday, said that following a slew measures initiated by her, Tamil Nadu fishermen languishing in Sri Lankan jails will be released within the next “one or two days”.

Relatives of air crash victims identify belongings

Relatives of the victims of an air crash in Sri Lanka attended a public display today to identify their belongings, over 15 years after the tragedy.

SL to assess security ahead of Bangladesh tour

Two senior Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials will visit Bangladesh to make a security assessment ahead of their national cricket team's tour to the country.

US diplomat to leave Delhi embassy amid a diplomatic row

The US has confirmed that an American official will leave its embassy in Delhi at India's request, amid a diplomatic row

Reckless driving

A car allegedly driven by a person under the influence of liquor crashed into a concrete bus stop in Kalapaluwawa, Rajagiriya last night injuring two and completely destroying the bus stop. Pix by waruna Wanniarachchi

Special CID team to arrest Tangalle PS chairman

A special CID team has been deployed to arrest Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandra Gupta Vidya Pathirana, police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said

SL woman found dead in London with two kids

Police are investigating a suspected murder-suicide after the body of a woman, a child, and a baby were found in a flat in London

Lovers free to enter Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation Minister Jayaratne Herath said yesterday there was no ban on lovers entering botanical gardens and parks but that they were expected to behave in a decent manner when visiting such places

US Embassy won’t change Twitter post

The US Embassy in Colombo today said it would not change the controversial photo caption posted by the US Embassy in its official Twitter account.