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

Dishonorable discharge for Army Captain

A General Court Martial (GCM) of the Army, has imposed a two-year rigorous imprisonment plus dishonorable discharge from the Army on a Captain A.M.U Samarakoon of Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force for bringing the Army into disrepute by attempting to rob the National Savings Bank at

Work in progress at Sri Pada Temple

Picture shows work in progress at the Sri Pada Temple premises where the Dolosmahe Pahana is being replaced. Pix by Gamini Bandara

DMC warns Coastal dwellers in Jaffna to Trinco

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) today advised the people living within 100 meters of the coastal belt in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Mullativu and Kilinochchi to leave for safer locations.

Sampanthan meets CPI(M) leaders

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R Sampanthan on Saturday held discussions with CPI(M) state unit leaders, Indian media reported.

Sri Lanka, India face flooding threat from Cyclone

Tropical Cyclone One (01B) will affect Sri Lanka with heavy rain and gusty winds through the rest of the weekend and into the first part of next week bringing the threat for life-threatening flooding and mudslides.

Fire…

A major fire broke out at a warehouse in Koswatta, Battaramulla near the Laugfs filling station today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Underworld figure killed

An underworld leader was shot dead during a confrontation with Special Task Force personnel during a ganja raid in Thanamalwila a short while ago, sources said

Fire at Koswatta

A major fire broke out at a store in Koswatta, Battaramulla near the Laugfs filling station, police said

Payagala traffic SI arrested over bribery

A Sub Inspector of the Payagala Police Traffic branch was today arrested by the Commission of Bribery or Corruption on charges of acquiring Rs. 10,000 to release a damaged three-wheeler from police custody, police said

Showers expected- Met.

Showers or thundershowers are expected during the next 24 hours in the Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces as the low pressure area in Bengal Bay has intensified in to depression and located about 250 km to the east of Trincomalee, the Meteorology Department said