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The Foreign Minister of India Pranab Mukherjee and Pakistan Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi held discussions on the sidelines of the Foreign Ministers meeting in Colombo today.

The Attorney General C.R. De Silva suggested establishing a special High Court to hear bribery cases to expedite the legal process and to eradicate bribery and corruption in the country.

The Army says the LTTE violated the unilateral ceasefire announced to coincide with the SAARC Summit by firing at least 10 artillery rounds from Poonaryn to Muhamalai this morning injuring two soldiers.

The Police will temporarily close several key roads connecting the route between the Old Parliament and the BMICH tomorrow as a part of traffic control rehearsals to be put into effect during the SAARC Summit. The regular traffic will be controlled along the Galle Road from Old Parliament to the Kollupitiya Junction as well as several other main roads leading to the BMICH between 9.45am to 11.30 and 12.30 to 2.00pm as result of this programme.

The Supreme Court today ordered the Inspector General of Police to provide a security contingent of not less than 8 Ministerial Security Division officers to the UNP Chief Minister candidate Major General Janaka Perera.

India’s ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) on Tuesday (22) won the trust vote in the Lok Sabha by a margin of 19 votes after a two-day debate. The ruling coalition secured 275 votes as against 256 by the Opposition. As many as 10 members were absent or abstained from voting. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the outcome as “a convincing victory” for the UPA government, the Congress and the supporting parties. “This will send a message to the world at large that India is prepared to take its rightful place in the comity of nations,” Dr. Singh told journalists after he emerged from the Parliament House. “I thank all leaders of UPA, supporting parties, all Congress men and women who have worked unitedly with single-minded pursuit for this impressive victory,” he said.

Eight fishermen rescued in Ahungalla sea & two fishermen rescued after boat capsized off Dehiwela. Two drown due to rough seas-police

An Indian Rail construction company (RITE) is to take up the improvement of the tsunami affected coastal railway from Kaluthara to Matara and the installation of an advanced signal system with assistance granted by India.

Foreign Minister says govt is not bound to LTTE’s ceasefire during SAARC, has no response & its not being specially discussed, in parliament-Admin

A resident at a shanty home in Slave Island Colombo appealing to police on Friday July 18, 2008 after authorities attempted to relocate residents to temporary housing. The Supreme Court later issued a stay order until Tuesday, following an FR filed, while the UDA said temporary and permanent housing will be provided in other locations.

Following a court order the Urban Development Authority has begun demolishing several unauthorized shops in Welikada, Rajagiriya under police protection.

An identified LTTE bunker line came under Sri Lanka Air Force fighter-jet attack in Mullaitivu this morning, defence sources said.

A Police Sub Inspector (SI) was arrested by the Bribery Commission for soliciting a bribe from a traffic offender in Minuwangoda today, Director of the Commission SSP Niville Guruge said.

A man was shot dead in Ferguson Road, Modara at a barber shop this morning by an unidentified gang. The victim was identified as Perumal Wasanthan(47).

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is to visit India shortly, Presidential sources said without divulging the reason for the trip.

K.D. Lal Kantha said in Parliament today that if the government fails to respond to the trade union action tommorow the JVP will be compelled to team up with anti-government forces to win their demands.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa sending his congratulations to the Sri Lanka Cricket team for beating India and retaining the Asia Cup in Karachi last night, observed that excellent team spirit, sportsmanship and fighting qualities were the key to their success and bringing glory to the country. "By winning the Asia Cup for the fourth time you have proved that Sri Lanka remains a formidable force in cricket. Your success is an encouragement to all our sportsmen and sportswomen, and I wish you all success in the forthcoming series against India in Sri Lanka, and other important tournaments that lie ahead," President Rajapaksa said in a message sent to Sri Lanka Captain Mahela Jayawardene, "I also send my special good wished to young Ajantha Mendis for his magnificent bowling performance and to Sanath Jayasuriya for his continued achievements in batting, both of which helped steer Sri Lanka to this outstanding victory," the message said. Pakistani President, Ferveez Mus

Bharathi Airtel, one of Asia's leading integrated telecom services providers, has made all the necessary arrangements to start operations in Sri Lanka by the end of this year, foreign news sources said quoting company officials. Bharti Airtel provides services in three strategic business units - Mobile services, Broadband & Telephone (B&T) services and Enterprise services. The company is currently testing 3G services in the country besides their Second Generation (2G) cellular telecoms network. Bharti Airtel recently received approval to launch 2G and 3G mobile services in Sri Lanka. "We will roll out both 2G and 3G networks throughout Sri Lanka. The roll out will replicate the model currently followed in India," a company source said. The company will initially start operations in Colombo and thereafter move to other towns and rural areas, he added. Bharti has tied up with Huawei Technologies to build and manage GSM mobile infrastructure in Sri Lanka. Huawei will

President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid his last respect to the late Dr. Richard Pathirana at the S.L.F.P Headquarter's yesterday (04). The Former Minister held many ministerial portfolios including Public Administration, Home Affairs and Southern Development. He functioned as the Chief Opposition Whip From 1989-1994. He was the Galle District leader for the SLFP at many elections. Mr. Pathirana passed away on July 3 at the age of 70. He had his primary education at Vijayaraja Vidyalaya, Maitipe and Vidyaloka Vidyalaya, Galle. Later he entered Richmond College, Galle. He had been serving as a school principal before entering politics. He entered Parliament in 1983 winning a by-election held for the Akmeemana electorate. He was re-elected to Parliament in 1994 and appointed Minister of Education and Higher Education and Chief Government Whip in the People's Alliance Government, but later due to ill health, he retired from politics. His remains will be kept at his Kithulampitiya residen

This happened in Colombo recently and may happen elsewhere also. few weeks ago, in Savoy film hall, a person felt something poking from her seat. When she got up to see what it was, she found a needle sticking out of the seat with a note attached saying 'You have just been infected by HIV'. The Disease Control Center (in Colombo ) reports many similar events in many other cities recently. All tested needles were HIV Positive. The Center also reports that needles have been found in cash dispensers at public banking machines. We ask everyone to use extreme caution when faced with this kind of situation. All public chairs/seats should be inspectedwith vigilance and caution before use. A careful visual inspection shouldbe enough. In addition, they ask that each of you pass this message along to all members of your family and your friends of the potential danger. Recently, one doctor has narrated a somewhat similar instance that happened to one of his patients at the Contrast Cinem

The law pertaining to a mutual investment agreement between Iran and Sri Lanka which was approved by the Guardians Council has been notified to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance of Iran for implementation, Iranian news agencies reported today (03). A report by the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance on Wednesday said that based on the agreement, the two sides will strengthen economic cooperation and encourage and create necessary conditions for investment by nationals of the other side within the framework of their regulations. The agreement will be valid for 10 years, the report said, adding that following the expiry of the period, it can remain in force unless one of the parties seeks its termination in writing six months before the date it expires. The law on the agreement to support and encourage investment in the two countries contains an introduction, 13 articles and amended protocol, sources added.