SriLankan Airlines rationalizes flights to China

SriLankan Airlines today said it is rationalizing services to China in accordance with current market conditions as per its long-held commercial policies, with a temporary reduction of frequencies to several cities.

Sri Lankan family in Canada face deportation

A Calgary family is facing deportation back to Sri Lanka even though two of their children were born in Canada, CTV News reported on Tuesday.

Pujith, Hemasiri released on bail

IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court a short while ago. The two were granted bail by the Colombo High Court earlier today.

CA dismisses Thilana Gamage application; transfers trial before another HC Judge

Court of Appeal today (5) dismissed the Writ application filed by former Magistrate Thilana Gamage seeking to transfer his case from the High Court trial conducted by Judge Gihan Kulatunga to another High Court.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall

Heavy traffic was reported in the Town Hall area and along the Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha in Colombo 07 due to a protest march by university students.

Ratnapriya sworn in as MP

Trade union and civil society activist Saman Ratnapriya was sworn in as UNP National List MP in Parliament today. The UNP proposed Mr.Ratnapriya to the parliamentary seat after it fell vacant following the resignation of Jayampathy Wickramaratne.

UNF approves Madduma Bandara as alliance secretary

The UNF Parliamentary Group today approved the appointment of UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the General Secretary of the proposed UNP-led alliance.

Pujith also granted bail

IGP Pujith Jayasundara, who was in remand custody over the Easter Sunday attacks, was also granted bail by the Colombo High Court today.

Youth arrested with US dollars worth over Rs.12 mn

A 19-year-old youth was arrested with 70,600 US dollars, which is equivalent to LKR 12,827,977, at an Army checkpoint at Tharapuram, Mannar yesterday.

Hemasiri Fernando granted bail

Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, who was in remand custody over the Easter Sunday attacks, was granted bail by the Colombo High Court today.

Coronavirus: Death toll reaches 492

The death toll from novel coronavirus has climbed to 490 in mainland China, with one additional fatality in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines.

Mangala praises Gotabaya’s speech

A twitter message in appreciation of the Independence day message of President Gotabaya Rajapakse yesterday at the Independence day celebrations had been released by MP Mangala Samaraweera.

NTC to release next set of songs, videos for buses

The National Transport Commission (NTC) would introduce another set of classical audio songs and high-quality music video CDs and DVDs to play in buses within the next two months, NTC Director-General commander (Rtd) Mr Nilan Miranda said.

Vegetable prices to fall within next ten days: Traders

The prices of vegetables that soared high due to the unprecedented rains across the island during the last season, would come down within next ten days due to beginning of harvesting, the All Island Unified Economic Centres and Manning Market Traders Union (AIUECMMTU) said.

Two bankers charged with illegally confining and intimidating a customer

An interesting incident transpired during the proceedings at the Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where two bank officials had been accused of wrongfully confining and intimidating a customer to recover the loan he had obtained by allegedly providing forged documents.

Week-long General Amnesty for tri-force absentees from today

A week-long general amnesty period has been declared by the Ministry of Defence from February 5 to12, for tri-force absentees to receive a discharge or rejoin to their service.

Speaker to announce COPE names tomorrow

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is expected to announce the names of new members, who would be included in the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) tomorrow, Parliamentary sources said today.

Appointment not finalised-Madduma Bandara

UNP Member of Parliament Ranjith Madduma Bandara today said his appointment as the General Secretary of the UNP-led alliance was yet to be finalised though he had been named for the post.

Mercy Mission: SriLankan crew declines incentives

The crew, including the Captain of the SriLankan flight UL 1423 that volunteered to operate the airline’s ‘Mission of Mercy’ that brought back Sri Lankan students from Wuhan, China has refused incentives provided to them by the Airlines for the journey.

Minister suspends power cuts, wants uninterrupted supply

Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had revoked the decision taken by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to impose two-hour power cuts daily, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Development of ties with SL in line with security and stability: Putin

President of Russia Vladimir Putin today said he was convinced that the further development of bilateral ties with Sri Lanka was in line with the strengthening of regional security and stability.

Looking forward to deepening ties with SL: US

US State Secretary Michael R. Pompeo said he is looking forward to deepening bilateral ties with Sri Lanka in the year ahead and working together toward a bright future for both countries.

STF Commandant Latiff retires today

Special Task Force Commandant Senior DIG M.R. Latiff will retire today (February 4) after 41 years in service.

President promotes 244 Army officers in view of Independence Day

A total of 244 officers of the Sri Lanka Army have been promoted to their next rank by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in view of the 72nd National Independence Day today.

NTC to handover report on stopping semi-luxury buses to Minister by weekend

A study which conducted by the National Transport Commission (NTC) concerning the relevance of the Semi Luxury Class service, would be handed over to the Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera end this week, the Ministry said.

'I don’t expect interference from legislators, judiciary when fulfilling duties to people'

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his first Independence Day address today, said he was committed to fulfilling the needs of the people and that he did not envisage public officials, lawmakers or the Judiciary to impede him in implementing this commitment.

Commitment of SriLankan crew good example for other sectors: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said the commitment and courage exhibited by SriLankan Airlines crew who flew to Wuhan is a good example for the other sectors in the country.

Streatham attacker Sudesh Amman has family in Sri Lanka

A knife-wielding terrorist who was shot dead by police in London on Sunday during a crazed stabbing spree has been named by police as Sudesh Mamoor Faraz Amman, a convicted Islamist terrorist who has extended family in Sri Lanka, the Times of India reported.

Face masks not compulsory at Independence Day parade

Guests, including government members and foreign diplomats attending today’s Independence Day parade at the Independence Square are not required to wear a face mask but they will be advised to make use of the liquid hand sanitizers which will be placed in the mobile washrooms, an official from the Public Administration Ministry told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

Prez mulls foreign aid to Wuhan

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will send a letter of solidarity to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this week outlining Sri Lanka’s firm support to China as it battles to contain coronavirus and will also discuss sending aid into the country, particularly for the people of Wuhan, informed government sources told Daily Mirror yesterday.