Decision to lease Colombo land should be withdrawn: JVP

While criticizing the government move to lease a plot of three-acre land in Colombo to Singapore’s Perennial Real Estate for US$ 43 million, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said yesterday the decision should be withdrawn as it was against its mandate.

Taiwan’s top military official, 7 others die in Helicopter crash

The helicopter was carrying military personnel to an event in northeastern Taiwan when it went down on a wooded mountainside.

Modi greets SL leaders

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended New Year greeting to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, a statement said.

AASL look at resuming int’l flights via MRIA

The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) was looking at resuming international flights through the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), AASL Chairman Major General (Rtd.) G. A. Chandrasiri said.

Shavendra Silva assumes duties as acting CDS

Army Commander Shavendra Silva assumed duties as Acting Chief of Defence Staff a short while ago.

Man shot dead in Ragama

A man was shot dead by an unidentified gunman at Kandaliyadda Paluwa in Ragama last night, police said.

Grace period extended by a fortnight for diplomats

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the grace period granted for High Commissioners and Ambassadors – who were politically-appointed during the last regime – has been extended by two weeks.

New Police Media Director appointed

SP Jaliya Senaratne yesterday assumed duties as the new Police Media Director, the police media division said.

One Chairman to manage a cluster of institutions

Instead of appointing separate chairmen for related state institutions, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided to place them under the purview of a single Head for better coordination of work and cost reduction, an official said yesterday.

President to visit China this month

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will pay an official visit to China this month, his second overseas visit since assuming office in November, a government source told Daily Mirror yesterday.

UNP hints at Sajith spearheading party

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe might step down from party leadership to be succeeded by former deputy leader Sajith Premadasa, MP Ajith P. Perera said.

Blaring music banned in buses from Jan 15

Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday requested all bus drivers to stop irritating music and videos from being played in passenger buses from January 15.

(Rtd.) Maj.Gen. Sumedha Perera the new CDS?

Retired Major General Sumedha Perera tipped to be appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) soon, after amending the CDS Act, informed sources said.

Serious fuel price hike in May: Vajira Abeywardena

In addition to severe difficulties which are being faced by the public, they may have to face a serious fuel price hike around the month of May, former UNP Minister Vajira Abeywardena said.

Prices of veggie, fish soar

The supply disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions has resulted in the wholesale and retail prices of several varieties of commonly used vegetables increasing, economic centres said.

UNF Parliamentary group to meet tomorrow

UNF Parliamentary group will meet at 3.00 pm at Parliamentary complex tomorrow.

Lawyers seek to remove Rajitha’s travel ban

Attorneys representing MP Rajitha Senaratne today informed Daily Mirror that they will seek to remove the travel ban imposed on the former minister.

Two thirds majority to seal presidential poll victory deal: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today said its new year resolution and ambition is to win the general election with a two thirds majority to fully capitalize on the presidential election victory.

Leakage in Moragahakanda dam

A leakage has reportedly occurred in the main dam of the Moragahakanda reservoir, which began to appear at a point on upper part of the dam with water level of the reservoir reaching maximum capacity.

Army Chief urges troops kept ready to face any threat

Army Commander Shavendra Silva today urged the troops to be ready to face any internal or external threats.

Rajitha transferred to normal ward

Former minister Rajitha Senaratne, who was receiving medical treatment at the Lanka Hospitals, has been transferred to the normal ward of the hospital this afternoon.

Warned of unhealthy air quality at night

The air quality in the Colombo city is to remain unhealthy during night hours in next three days and thus, sensitive people are warned to be cautious of this situation, National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Senior Scientist H.D Sarath Premasiri said.

Govt. suspends import of ethanol with immediate effect

The Government suspended the import of ethanol for liquor manufacturing with immediate effect, the Ministry of Finance, economic and policy development Ministry said today.

E01: Matara to Hambantota stretch to be opened this year

The 96-kilometer stretch of the Southern Expressway between Matara and Hambantota will be completely opened in the first quarter of 2020, Road and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said today.

Rajitha still in hospital

Former minister Rajitha Senaratne was still receiving medical treatment at the Lanka Hospitals by yesterday afternoon even after he was released on bail.

O/L paper evaluation: 48 schools start on Jan 6

Forty-eight schools out of 84 will not start their first term tomorrow due to the scrutiny of GCE O/L answer scripts, Examinations Commissioner Sanath Pujitha said today.

Tamil version of the Constitution contains a translation : Sumanthiran

Responding to the opposition by some Southern politicians to the National Anthem being sung in Tamil, TNA Parliamentarian M.A.Sumanthiran said that the Tamil version of the Constitution contains a Tamil translation of the National Anthem and it has been approved by the Parliament.

Govt. determined to make 2020 as the ’’Year of Prosperity’’: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his New Year message said the new government welcomes the New Year with determination and commitment to make it the ’’Year of Prosperity’’.

State Universities: 60,000 A/L students to be admitted this year

The government will admit 60,000 students to State universities this year in two batches based on the results of the GCE Advanced Level examinations conducted in 2018 and 2019, Higher Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane said yesterday.

Let’s make this the Sri Lankan decade: PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said the world recognises the 21st Century as the Asian Century and we should make the third decade of the 21st Century which commences on the 1st of January, the Sri Lankan decade.