President to Visit Japan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, will leave for Japan for a 4-day official visit Today (December 8, 2007).During his stay in Japan, the President and Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa will make a State Call on Their Majesty the Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

The President will also hold a meeting with Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, Prime Minister of Japan.

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Islandwide blackout owing to technical fault

The Ceylon Electricity Board says a technical fault at the Kelanitissa power plant is the cause for the islandwide blackout since early this morning.

Kilinochchi Within Sight

Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told parliament today concluding the debate on the Defence Ministry budget allocation, that Kilinochchi is within sight and they would pursue the target towards eradication of terrorism.

LTTE Terrorists Attack Civilian Bus

LTTE terrorists carried out another cowardly attack at the civilians by targeting a civilian bus plying from Anuradhapura to Jankapura this evening. According to the available information the terrorists have detonated a roadside bomb around 8.15p.m at Abhimanpura, on the Kebithigollawa - Padaviya road. At least 15 civilians have been killed and 23 others injured as the fully packed bus was deliberately targeted by the terrorists. Correct deaths and casualty figures are yet be known.

Soldiers & civilians carry a victim of the land mine explosion to emergency room in Anuradapura, hospital about 200 kilometers northeast of Colombo, Sri Lanka on Wednesday, Dec 5, 2007. A land mine explosion blamed on Tamil separatists tore through a passenger bus crowded with civilians in northern Sri Lanka on Wednesday night, killing at least 15 people and wounding 23 others, the military said.

Roof falls at Asgiriya

A group of English cricket fans viewing the match at the Asgiriya cricket stadium suffered cuts and bruises when the tin roofing sheets above their heads collapsed following strong winds. Picture shows a police officer inspecting some of the injuries.

Health workers defy Court go ahead with sick note campaign

Health workers yesterday defied a Court order against their proposed trade union action and went ahead with their planned two-day sick note campaign yesterday.

The Colombo District Court on Monday issued an order barring the Health Services Trade Union Joint Front (HSTUJF) and 14 other health sector trade unions from going ahead with their sick note campaign on Tuesday and Wednesday.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who met union representatives on Monday evening, instructed the Health Ministry to immediately pay overtime and holiday pay to paramedical staff irrespective of the attendance registration through the finger print machine.

HSTUJF Convener Gamini Kumarasinghe told The Island that two union members, both minor employees, attached to the Colombo National hospital, were arrested by the Maradana police yesterday morning. He alleged they were arrested on the verbal request of the Health Minister’s National Hospital Organiser on the recommendation of the Minister. But, police said, they were obstructing those who reported for duty.