Online payment scheme for CMC rates

Rate payers will soon have the facility to pay rates via the internet through the e-services programme to be launched today by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC)

Video: Wellampitiya OIC alleges political hand behind arrest

Counsel for the Wellampitya OIC, who was detained by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) on drug peddling charges, today alleged that two politicians were behind his arrest as revenge for not releasing three drug dealers whom he had arrested on December 31

Over the rainbow so high

Ten acres of Marijuana plantation was detected during a special raid carried out last night at Lunugamwehera yesterday. The cultivation was destroyed by wildlife officials who conducted the raid. Pix Rukman Ratnayake

SLN establishing its authoritarian presence in Palk Bay-Jaya

Accusing the Indian government of showing "hopelessly inadequate response" to arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has said the island country's "repressive" navy was "establishing its authoritarian presence in the Palk Bay by arresting innocent fishermen."

Two naughty police officers get the tree punishment

A sub inspector and a sergeant in civvies who called over at a garage in Gannoruwa to inquire about the delay in attending to repairs of a bus belonging to one of their friends are alleged to have assaulted the owner.

Video: More ethanol detected

Two people were arrested in connection with the import of another container of Ethanol this morning by the Customs Revenue Task Force and the Central Investigations Division, Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini said PICTURES ???

Sugar factory workers stage demand protest

About 30 workers of the Palwatta sugar factory are still protesting on a roof of the factory urging the authorities to make their casual appointments permanent, factory officials said

Rough weather to continue today

With the deep depression that is overland and moving towards the Puttalam area very slowly, showery weather and windy conditions over Northern parts of the island will continue today, the Meteorological Department said.

No letup in abuse of domestic workers, says Lankan envoy

Around three complaints are filed daily by Sri Lankan domestic workers against their Saudi sponsors, according to a statement issued by the Sri Lankan Consulate.

Ranil calls for Arab spring to oust govt.

Opposition Leader and UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called for Arab Spring in Sri Lanka this year to overthrow the government. Speaking during the UNP Bala Mandala meeting in Katubedda, Mr. Wickremesinghe called for a joint effort of all political forces in the opposition to join hands to change the government. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Large stock of expired sugar confiscated

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today confiscated a stock of 100,000 kgs of expired sugar valued at Rs 1 billion during a raid carried out at a warehouse in Modera today, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Affairs said.

Fire at Muthurajawela

A series of fire erupted at several places in the middle of the Muthurajawela forest reserve near the Colombo-Katunayake expressway a short while ago, police said

MR conferred with “Star of Palestine” award

The Government of Palestine today conferred President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the “Star of Palestine” – the highest award of the State of Palestine

Blessings

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is seen engaging in religious observances under the auspices of Ven. Dauldena Gnanissara Thera in the newly built Dharmashala at the Colombo National Hospital “Pathum Bodhiya’ today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: Political sycophants above the law: JVP

Criminal activities such as the killings at Kotakethana in Kahawatta and the incident where a container carrying 261 kg of heroin was detected by Customs are known to be backed by politicians

Video: GMOA threatens island wide strike

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today threatened island wide trade union action, unless the Public Service Commission (PSC) took steps to implement the much delayed Service Minute of government doctors before the end of January

German chancellor 'injured during skiing accident'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has injured her pelvis in a cross-country skiing trip during her Christmas vacation and will have to be mostly bound to bed for the next three weeks, her spokesman said Monday

Namal at Bogambara

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa met the 33 Bogambara Prison inmates who were on a hunger strike. Pix by J.A.L. Jayasinghe

No more VIP or VVIP stickers

Traffic Police DIG Amarasiri Senarathne has ordered all vehicle stickers bearing the letters VIP or VVIP be removed with effect, police said today

Separate company to handle Halal certificates

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) said today it would no longer issue Halal certificates and that a separate company would take over the operations with regard to audits and compliance.

Vajira Neththikumara granted bail

The owner of the gambling centre in Colombo- 2, Vajira Neththikumara was today released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate Court

Drowned Norwegian’s body found

The body of a 46-year-old Norwegian national who is suspected to have been drowned in the sea off Habaraduwa was found today.

Russian found dead in hotel bathroom

A 65-year-old Russian national was found dead in the bathroom of his hotel room in Habarana early this morning.

Prisoners meet Namal: Call off hunger strike

The 33 Bogambara Prison inmates, who were on a hunger strike called it off after meeting parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa today, Prison Department spokesman Gamini Kulatunga said

Malaysian man found dead in swimming pool

A 29 year old Malaysian man was found dead in a swimming pool in a luxury apartment complex at Union Place, Colombo last night, Police said.

MR meets the King of Jordan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and King Abdulla of Jordan held discussions on a number of topics relevant to both countries, including cooperation in defense-related activities and progress of the Joint Committee at the Royal Hashemite Court in Amman yesterday. Pix by President’s Media

Praba didn't agree for ceasefire

“During the final phase of the war, India urged Prabaharan to stop fighting and if he had listened to it, he would still be alive” said Indian Finance Minister P. Chithambaram

Video: Call for removal of Northern army camps unnecessary: NFF

National Freedom Front (NFF) member Piyasiri Wijenayake said the push to remove army camps in the Northern Province by its Chief Minister, when he was receiving mail about the revival of the LTTE, was a redundant move.

Prisoners on roof asked to step down

A group of 33 condemned prisoners protesting atop the Bogambara prison in Kandy have been asked to step down, for their requests to be considered.

Two Australians rescued from Mullaitivu Seas

Two Australian water sportsmen sailing around the island were washed ashore at Challai, Mullaithivu by the storm, the Disaster Management Centre said. Update