A key discussion is to take place tomorrow on the demands put forward by private bus operators for a bus fare hike, President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) Gemunu Wijeyratne said.

He said that the talks will take place between the bus associations, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the relevant government officials.

India will sign a trilateral maritime cooperation agreement with Sri Lanka and the Maldives, in a move to counter China’s bid to spread its strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean region, the Deccan Herald reported.

National Security Advisor (NSA) Shiv Shankar Menon will visit Colombo this week to hold talks with his Sri Lankan and Maldivian counterparts for finalising a framework agreement for maritime cooperation among the three nations.

Leader of the trade union movement affiliated to Sri Lanka's Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), K.D. Lalkantha says that journalists in the country have not received the due recognition for their profession.

He said that while most professional issues are being highlighted in the media the problems faced by members in the journalism profession are not given wide publicity.

In a continuing spree of violence unleashed by bouncers at reputed nightclubs in Colombo, a 21-year-old youth who was severely assaulted early on Saturday by the bouncers of Kama Colombo - Galle Face, Colombo 2, is currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo.

Kama’s response
When the Daily Mirror contacted Kama Colombo on a number that was provided on its website, a person identifying himself as the public relations manager, refused to provide any information regarding the incident.

The government today advised Sri Lankan pilgrims against visitng the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya during the next week due to the ongoing investigations into the series of bomb blasts inside the temple, this morning.

The Government Information Department said today that initial reports had suggested that the target of the bombings in the Mahabodhi Viharaya in  Buddha Gaya was neither Buddhists nor Sri Lankan pilgrims.

Meanwhile The Hindu said that Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was shocked and dismayed by the news of serial explosions in internationally renowned Mahabodhi temple in India, a place of religious significance for the Buddhists.

“President Rajapaksa was shocked and dismayed by the news,” Presi

The government said that no Sri Lankans were reported to have been injured in the series of blasts at the Mahabodhi Temple in India this morning.

“No Sri Lankans were injured in the incident, but our High Commission in New Delhi is monitoring the situation there,” a spokesman for the external Affairs Ministry said.

The Leader of “Mawbima Janatha Party” Hemakumara Nanayakkara said that this government is so weak to get the Buddhagaya lost to us once again  which was on an earlier occasion was saved by Anagarika Dgarmapla.. The foolish actions and talks of the Parliament Members have led our neighboring county to act against us.

He said that Buddhagaya has faced this unfortunate situation due to the faults of the present government.

Twenty one Indian fishermen has been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy off Talaimannar on Saturday night, on charges of illegal fishing activity.
The fishermen are from Mandapam and Rameswaram, according to sources in the Indian Consulate General in Jaffna.
The Navy also has seized the five trawlers they were using.
The issue of fishermen from India allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) has been an ongoing one.

The Ministry of Health is to undertake vocational nurses training centres countrywide under the supervision of two deputy director generals.
This measure is to be implemented with the guidance of the Ministry of Health, Maithripala Sirisena.

Currently,  there are eighteen (18) vocational nurses training centres functioning in the country. These centres are currently administered by the director of the main hospital respective to its location.