Western and Southern PCs to be dissolved on Dec 28

The Western and the Southern Provincial Councils will be dissolved on December 28, government sources revealed yesterday. Informed sources also said that the elections to these councils would be held in March next year

EPF loses Rs. 8.1 billion

The irregular investments of monies of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in the stock exchange had resulted in the loss of a whopping Rs.8.1 billion, as per the present market prices, Parliament was informed yesterday

Two Indian Coast Guard ships in SL

Two Indian Coast Guard ships, “Vishwast” and “Rajkamal” arrived at the Port of Trincomalee on Wednesday to participate in a trilateral table top exercise involving India, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Fishermen likely to be home before Christmas: Ministry

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic resources is hoping to secure the release of all Sri Lankan fishermen detained in Tamil Nadu prior to Christmas or in the beginning of January, Media Secretary D.S. Narendra Rajapaksa said today

42 SPs promoted

Forty- two Superintendents of police (SP) have been promoted to the rank of Senior Superintendent of police (SSP) from December 1, 2013, police Media Unit said

SF celebrates 63rd B’Day

The Democratic Party of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka last evening visited the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya and obtained blessings to mark his 63rd Birth Day. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Man arrested for holding tribute ceremony for Prabhakaran in Malaysia

A man was arrested while six others have been asked to surrender after a non-governmental organisation (NGO) they were said to belong to held a ceremony to mark Tamil Tigers chief V. Prabhakaran's birthday in Kulim, Kedah in Malaysia on Saturday

‘Rata Perata Api Ekata’

The Patriotic National Pavement Hawkers and Three wheels Artificer Organisation today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station urging the authorities to meet several of their demands. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

False-teacher remanded

An individual who had allegedly posed as a teacher at a leading school in Nugegoda with false degree certificates was arrested by the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau and remanded further after being produced in the Gangodawila Magistrate Court today, police said

Lankan honoured by The Queen

The former Head of the Guard Force at the British High Commission (BHC) in Colombo Tuan Ismail was awarded an honorary MBE by Her Majesty The Queen in the Birthday Honours List of 2013. 

UPFA to expel budget shooters

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has decided to expel UPFA members of local government bodies who had voted against the 2014 budgets, after informing their respective party secretaries, Minister Susil Premajayantha said in a statement today.

Video: Indigenous protest

The All Ceylon Ayurveda Health Service Union (ACAHSU) staged a protest near the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine at Borella today against the alleged suppressing its members by authorities. Pix by Nisal Baduge 

Western, Southern PCs to be dissolved soon

The Western and Southern Provincial Councils would be dissolved within the next two or three weeks, Minister Susil Premajayantha told parliament a short while ago

Video: UNP LC won’t wait for Sajith: Hashim

The United National Party (UNP) Leadership Council would continue its activities towards strengthening the party without waiting for the arrival of Parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa to the Leadership Council, its member and spokesman Kabir Hashim said

IUSF protest

Inter University Student federation (IUSF) today held a protest outside University Grants Commission (UGC) over several demands including the duration of a degree programme from four to three years. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Singer Amal says he’ll report to the police tomorrow

Popular singer Amal Perera did not report to the Kosgoda Police today though he was asked to do so in connection with the theft of the rare albino turtle, police said.

Punchinilame cleared of all charges by court

Deputy Minister Susantha Punchinilame has been cleared of all charges in the Nalanda Ellawala murder trial at Ratnapura High Court today.

Defence Ministry against discussion on training of SL personnel

As MPs from Tamil Nadu protested the government’s move to train Sri Lankan defence personnel in the country and sought a discussion in Parliament, the Defence Ministry said it had requested the Lok Sabha Secretariat to not allow a debate on the issue

UDA given 65 acres of Colombo land

In an effort to improve the productive use of lands, the Cabinet has approved a proposal to transfer some 65 acres of crown land within the Colombo City limits to the Urban Development Authority on the basis of a free grant, Daily Mirror learns

Packer's hotel project gets approval

The Gazette notification has been issued approving three hotel projects including James Packer's Crown Ltd, but without gaming or casino facilities, official sources said

Geetha eying SPC chief minister post

Bentara-Elpitiya UPFA organiser Geetha Kumarasinghe today said that she was going to contest the upcoming Southern Provincial Council (SPC) election with the sole motive of becoming its chief minister

Bigger fish may have escaped: Keheliya

Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella today declined to comment on the alleged involvement of Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne in the heroin container controversy and claimed there was the possibility of some of the bigger fish getting away

Video: First strike?

Chairman of the  UNP Leadership Council Karu Jayasuriya distributesleaflets outside the Fort Railway Station urging the reduction of the sky-rocketing cost of living and over several other demands. The leaflet campaign was organised by the leadership council. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Madhumadhawa resigns on a party decision-JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said Madhumadhawa Aravinda, who represents the JHU in the Colombo Municipal Council, resigned from the CMC today on a party decision that he should contest the upcoming elections to the Western Provincial Council (WPC) from the Gampaha district

Missing turtle: Police to quiz Singer Amal Perera

Popular singer Amal Perera has been asked to appear at the Kosgoda Police station tommorow in connection with the theft of an albino turtle, Police spokespman SSP Ajith Rohana said

Grade 5 scholarship; cut off marks released

The cut off marks for the grade 5 scholarship examination were released a short while ago by the education ministry. Royal College and Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo requires the highest marks for entrance. List of Schools

Elections Chief to meet deputies on Dec.26

The Deputy Elections Commissioners and the Assistant Elections Commissioners of Elections will be called for a meeting on December 26 to obtain instructions on the 2013 electoral registers which need to be certified finalised on December 31

Video: Action plan in place to protect human rights: Ban Ki-moon

The UN has said it has prepared an action plan to prevent human rights violations in countries after learning from the final phase of the military conflict in Sri Lanka, the world body's chief has said ???

Video: Madumadhawa resigns from CMC

Popular singer Madumadhawa Aravinda, the member of the Colombo Municipal Council (JHU) had resigned from his post a short while ago during the CMC budget debate session, sources said

Video: UNP to take night races to Bribery Commission

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) today charged that last weekend’s Colombo night races were conducted in an illegal manner and therefore the UNP would lodge a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption