TPA to support Samagi Jana Balavegaya

The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) today announced that it would support the Samagi Jana Balavegaya led by MP Sajith Premadasa at the forthcoming General Election, its leader Mano Ganesan said.

Last two LTTE accused acquitted, discharged in Malaysia

Two more men accused of supporting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist group were acquitted and discharged by two separate High Courts at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia today, the Bernama reported.

Traffic in front of Education Ministry

Heavy traffic is reported in front of the Education Ministry, Isurupaya, Battaramulla due to a protest held by the teachers and Principals, the Police said.

Navy, Air Force personnel also deployed to control traffic

Acting Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Shavendra Silva said that Navy and Air Force personnel have been deployed in selected areas to assist the traffic police as a temporary measure, to ease the traffic congestions in the Colombo City, from yesterday.

Govt should remain vigilant over COVID-19: Namal

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, yesterday called on the government to remain vigilant over the COVID-19 outbreak saying the virus had already spread to several countries, causing a severe impact on the global health and economic sectors.

General election to cost up to Rs.7.5 bn

The Elections Commission said yesterday the cost of the upcoming parliamentary elections will cost an estimated Rs.7.5 billion should there be an increase in the number of independent groups in the fray.

NMRA Chairman responsible for importing inferior medicines

People’s Movement against Medicinal Mafia yesterday alleged that the current Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) had imported trial medicines through a private company, in which he was a director.

Dinesh to inform UNHRC of decision to withdraw from Resolution today

Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who arrived in Geneva yesterday would formally inform the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) of the decision of the Sri Lankan Government to withdraw its co-sponsorship of Resolution today, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Geneva said.

CID probe on Rs.1,300 Mn purchase of communication equipment

The CID, last week, launched an inquiry into the purchase of a large consignment of communication equipment worth Rs.1,300 million in 2016 and 2017 without following proper procedures, an informed source said.

SJB to be officially launched on Mar.2

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will be officially launched on March 2, 2020, with the signing of an MOU by all allies, United National Party (UNP) MP Harin Fernando said yesterday.

LCPP resumes power generation

The Lakvijaya Coal Power plant (LCPP) at Norochcholai has resumed power generation from today, a Power and Energy Ministry spokesman said.

Two white van suspects among 10 arrested in Gampaha

Ten suspects including the two individuals who participated in the white van media conference were arrested by the police over a Rs. 4.4 mn cash robbery in Gampaha on February 2, the police said.

CB bond scam: Govt. MPs to request Prez to resume legal proceedings

Some government members are to request President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resume legal proceedings on the Central Bank bond scam despite the absence of main suspect, Central Bank’s former governor Arjuna Mahendran, State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said today.

Principals, teachers to fall sick tomorrow

The Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) said tomorrow its members would launch a countrywide work stoppage today as a protest against the absence of a favourable reply from the President and his failure to take action to pay an interim allowances until the salary anomalies were sorted out.

No first term exams at Govt. schools from next year: Edu. Ministry

The Education Ministry has decided to cancel the first term examinations in Government schools countrywide in future because many of the students participate at sports meets, educational tours, big matches and other extra-curricular activities.

Teenager falls to death from Central Bank tower

A 16-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries after falling from the Central Bank building this afternoon, police said.

Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak dies

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak – ousted by the military in 2011 – has died in Cairo at the age of 91.

Bread price to be reduced by Rs.5

Price of a 450g loaf of bread would be reduced by Rs.5.00 with effect from tomorrow midnight (26), All Ceylon Bakery Owner’s Association (ACBOA) announced a short while ago.

SLFA deploys helicopter to douse fire at Rajagiriya

The Sri Lanka Air Force had deployed a Bell-212 helicopter to douse a fire that has erupted on a block of marshy land close to Rajagiriya a short while ago.

SJB to be officially launched on Mar.2

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will be officially launched on March 2, 2020, with the signing of an MOU by all allies, United National Party (UNP) MP Harin Fernando said today.

Seven killed in Delhi violence during visit

Seven people have been killed in Delhi in protests against India’s controversial new citizenship law, as US President Donald Trump made his first official visit to the country.

General Election: JHU to back UNP-led alliance

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today announced that it would support the UNP-led alliance ‘Samagi Jana Balavegaya’ at the forthcoming General Election.

18-hour water cut in Ja-Ela, Katunayaka, Seeduwa tomorrow

The water supply to several areas in the Ja-Ela, Katunayaka, Seeduwa and suburbs would be interrupted for 18 hours starting from 9.00 a.m Wednesday (26) till 3.00 a.m Thursday (27), the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced today.

Man shot dead in Horana

A 32-year-old man was killed when he was shot at by two unidentified gunmen arrived on a motorcycle at Ilimba in Horana last night.

Three Maldivians among 6 arrested with 4kgs of heroin

Six suspects including three Maldivians were arrested with 4 kgs of heroin which has a street value of over Rs. 40 million, in Dehiwala last night, the Police said.

Extremist Islamic preachers visited SL even after Easter Sunday attack

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security in its report to Parliament last week revealed that two leading extremist Islamic leaders from India had visited Sri Lanka on several occasions to conduct lectures even after the Easter Sunday attacks.

Slicing bread prices by Rs.5?

The All Ceylon Bakery Owner’s Association has decided to reduce prices of bakery products including bread by Rs.5 a loaf.

Ex Army Chief criticizes former govt. for failing to protect military image

Former Army Commander and now Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Daya Ratnayake has criticized the former government for failing to protect the image of the Sri Lanka military in the international arena within the past 5 years which led to Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva and his family from being banned to enter the US.

Govt. to immediately import 310 varieties of essential drugs

The government has decided to immediately import 310 varieties of essential drugs in short supply at public hospitals under the emergency purchasing procedure.

ITAK wants UN to urge SL Govt. on UNHRC resolution

Even if the Sri Lanka Government exited from the UN resolution, the United Nations should urge the Sri Lanka Government to implement the decisions taken at the UNHRC, Parliamentarian M.A Sumanthiran said addressing the media after the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) Central Committee Meeting held at Arivaham in Kilinochchi yesterday.