Sri Lanka has stopped releasing seized boats - India

The Indian Government on Monday told the Madras High Court that since 2015 Sri Lanka had stopped releasing boats of Indian fishermen apprehended on charges of trespassing into foreign waters for illegal fishing, particularly through the banned method of bottom trawling.

Shavendra’s travel ban; US congress to be informed on SL’s objection

Visiting US Congressional delegation had informed the Sri Lankan government that they would convey latter’s strong objection on the recent imposition of travel restrictions on Army Commander Shavendra,Silva to the US Congress.

Turkey looks forward in sharing SL’s experiences in countering terrorism

Turkey looks forward in sharing Sri Lanka’s experiences in combating terrorism and enhancing intelligence sharing in a combined effort to combat violent fundamental extremism, defence.lk stated.

Govt. decides to withdraw from UNHRC resolutions

The government has decided to immediately withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolutions 30/1 and 40/1 co-sponsored by the Yahapalanaya Government in 2015 and 2019.

President to visit Japan

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to visit Japan in May and participate at the global conference “The future of Asia” by becoming one of the first leaders from South Asia to bring fresh insight to the conference, the President’s Media Division said.

SL Ayurveda Research Institute says cure to coronavirus may be found

The Bandaranaike International Ayurveda Research Institute, has informed the Health Ministry that a possible cure to the coronavirus may have been found, but they are unable to test it due to the lack of a coronavirus patient in Sri Lanka, the Daily Mirror learns.

It’s a joke that US calling Shavendra Silva war criminal: Gammanpila

It is, in fact, a joke that US has banned Army Commander Shavendra Silva from entering the US based on the allegations concerning the war crimes, with the US being the number one war criminal in the world, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila said yesterday.

Sri Lankans should stop applying for US Visa: MP Marikar

UNP MP S. M Marikar yesterday said Sri Lankans should stop applying for US visa till the Army Commander Shavindra Silva is allowed entry into that country.

CID’s behavior questionable when producing Weeratunga in Court: Fort Magistrate

Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake yesterday reprimanded some of the CID officers while emphasising that the manner in which they acted when Udayanga Weeratunga was arrested and produced in Court in connection with the alleged MIG-27 deal was unusual and questionable because they had failed to follow the procedure laid down under the Public Property Act.

21/4: Twelve suspects further remanded

Twelve suspects who were in remand custody on the charges of aiding and abetting Zahran Hashim in carrying out the dastardly Easter Sunday attacks were remanded for another 14 days after being produced before Kalmunai Magistrate I.N. Rizwan today.

12-hour water cut in Athurugiriya

A 12-hour water cut would be imposed from 8.00 am tomorrow (10th) due to power interruption to the water treatment plant, the Water Supply and Drainage Board announced today.

Amaraweera hints at fuel price slump

Fuel prices will be reduced shortly owing to a price drop of the same in the global market, Commuter Transport Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Govt. medical centres to go online soon: Dilum Amunugama

State Minister of Transport, Dilum Amunugama said today that instructions had been given to integrating all government medical centres into an online system for people to get their medical reports.

Preliminary report on MCC presented to President

The preliminary report of the four-member Committee appointed to review the proposed Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact (MCC) was handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today.

SLPP, SLFP to contest polls from Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today requested the Elections Commission (EC) to register their new alliance ‘Sri Lanka Nidhahas Podujana Sandhanaya’ to contest the upcoming elections under the lotus bud (Pohottuwa) symbol.

Udayanga Weeratunga further remanded

Former Sri Lanka Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, was further remanded until February 26 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court today.

Arrest warrant issued on Jayantha Samaraweera

An arrest warrant has been issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayararnte against UPFA MP Jayantha Samaraweera over his failure to appear in the Court.

Australian govt. asked to give documents to Biloela family after ‘overenthusiastic’ redactions

The federal government has provided heavily redacted documents to lawyers representing a Tamil family detained on Christmas Island, entirely blacking out details of discussions between Australian and Sri Lankan authorities on the matter.

Bathiudeen’s brother Rifkan granted bail

Rifkan Bathiudeen, who was arrested over an alleged forged land deal had been released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

’Will convey SL concerns to Washington’: U.S. Ambassador

U.S. Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz informed Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardane that she would convey to Washington Sri Lanka’s concerns regarding travel restrictions on Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva.

Hirunika displeased over postponement of working committee meeting

Expressing her displeasure over the postponement of the UNP working committee meeting from today (17) to tomorrow (18), UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra yesterday said the party should stop dilly dallying in making decisions like the way it did during the Presidential election.

Malwattha and Asgiri Chapters express displeasure

Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters of Siyam Nikaya Chapters expressed their displeasure over the travel restrictions imposed on Army Commander Shavendra Silva by the United States of America.

Heart not in the list of symbols reserved for parties: EC

The Election Commission has not yet included the heart in the list of symbols to be assigned to a political party, an official said yesterday.

No assurance to re-allocate the symbol: EC

Election Commission informed a group of senior members of United National Party (UNP) that if the ‘elephant’ symbol is given up by the United National Party, the commission cannot give an assurance that the symbol concerned can be allocated after the election because it will be enlisted in the party register of the Election Commission.

SL conveys objection to US imposing travel ban on Army Chief, asks to review decision

Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena today formally conveyed strong objection to US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz on the imposition of travel restrictions by the US Government on Army Commander Shavendra Silva and his immediate family and asked that the US government review its decision.

Final decision on party symbol to be made on Feb. 18: Mujibur

The final decision on the symbol under which the UNP-led alliance would contest the general election, will be made by the party’s working committee on Tuesday (February18) , UNP MP Mujibur Rahaman said today.

India High Court orders not to deport Sri Lankan woman

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has restrained the Centre and the State from deporting a woman to Sri Lanka, the Hindu reported.

Sajith condemns US travel ban on Army Chief

Imposition of a travel ban on Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva and his immediate family members is regrettable and unfortunate, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said today

11 Indian fishermen arrested in SL waters for illegal fishing

Eleven Indian fishermen who engaged in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan territorial waters arrested by the Navy in the seas off Analathivu Island yesterday.

Mortality rate of COVID19 below SARS: Dr Anil Jasinghe

The mortality rate of China’s COVID19 epidemic is of or below 2 per cent from those who contracted the virus, which is low compared to the SARS epidemic which had a reported mortality rate of 10 per cent, Director General of Health Dr Anil Jasinghe said.