Appointments to be made shortly

The government has finalised the selection of those to be appointed as heads of statutory boards, a highly-placed source said yesterday, adding that the appointments would be made within the next couple of days.

Leadership agitators creating unnecessary problems

The Bhikkhu wing of the UNP, Eksath Jathika Bhikkhu Peramuna (EJBP), said yesterday 24 MPs who agitated for a leadership change attempted to create unnecessary problems within the party in the context of MP Sajith Premadasa refusing to accept any post.

Nurses disentitled to special allowance of Rs.15,000: Official

Nurses or similar grade employees in the public service are not entitled to the special allowance of Rs.15,000 paid to executive grade officers from January 1, 2020, a senior official of the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry said yesterday.

Local board of directors to manage operations

The government will appoint a local board of directors to overlook and manage the operations of the Chinese-funded Lotus Tower project once it completes construction next year, State Minister of Investment Promotion Keheliya Rambukwella told Daily Mirror yesterday.

UNP should’ve taken a leaf out of Conservative Party’s book

The United National Party (UNP) should have taken a leaf out of the book of the UK’s Conservative Party which corrected its mistakes and emerged victorious at the end, its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told his party’s Pradeshiya Sabha members at Sirikotha yesterday.

Govt. adopting double standards on MCC: JVP

While claiming that the government was adopting double standards on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today the government should abolish not only the MCC pact but also other agreements such as Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) as promised before the presidential election.

Swiss govt criticises lack of due process

Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has criticised lack of due process in the case against a local employee of the Swiss Embassy in Sri Lanka. “The FDFA expects the Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities to comply with national law and international judicial standards and to ensure that the employee’s rights are now better protected,” the FDFA said in a statement today.

President promotes 63 senior army officers

Four brigadiers have been promoted to the rank of major generals, 25 colonels to the rank of brigadiers and 34 majors to the rank of lieutenant colonels by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the commendation of Sri Lanka Army Commander, Shavendra Silva.

Abduction of Swiss embassy employee had not happened: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today it was evident that the incident in which a local employee of the Switzerland Embassy in Colombo was allegedly abducted and threatened had not happened.

MR regime hell-bent on political vendetta: UNP

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today there was no legal provision to have abducted the family members of the former driver of MP Champika Ranawaka.

Swiss Embassy local staffer remanded

Colombo Chief Magistrate today ordered the remand of the suspect, Swiss Embassy local staffer- Garnier Banister Francis till December 30 for providing fabricated statements to the CID.

No intention to harm SL, need to remove any misunderstanding: Swiss Envoy

Ambassador of Switzerland in Sri Lanka, Hanspeter Mock, who called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today commented on the Embassy staffer incident and said Switzerland harboured no intention to do any harm to Sri Lanka.

Traffic near Kelani bridge restricted to one lane tomorrow

Vehicle movement towards Colombo from Kandy near the Kelaniya bridge will be temporarily restricted to one lane tomorrow in preparation for construction work to begin on Thursday, Director General of the Road Development Authority said.

Swiss Embassy local staffer arrested

Swiss Embassy local staffer, Garnier Banister Francis, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on the instructions of the Attorney General a short while ago.

Two arrested over ‘white van’ press briefing remanded

The two men who were arrested over the ‘white van’ press conference organised by Dr Rajith Senaratne, were remanded till December 27 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

Bread price to be Rs. 50 after tax removal: Bakery Owners

While thanking the government decision to remove the consolidated tax on imported wheat flour with effect from December 14, the All Ceylon Bakery Owner’s Association (ACBOA) said that the price of a loaf of bread could be reduced by up to Rs.50 a loaf.

Rajagiriya accident: CCD ordered to conclude probe and inform court

The Colombo Chief Magistrate Court today ordered the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to conclude the investigations into the Rajagiriya accident and inform the court.

Taxes on wheat flour reduced by Rs.28 per kg

The government yesterday announced the removal of the imported wheat flour tax and replaced it with the Special Commodity Levy (SCL) with effect from December 14, the Finance, Economy and Policy Development Ministry today said.

Ashok Pathirage appointed SriLankan Airlines Chairman

Softlogic Group Chairman Ashok Pathirage has been appointed as the Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, sources said.

Swiss Embassy employee arrived at CID taken to Mental Health Institute

Swiss Embassy local staffer, Garnier Banister Francis, who arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning to give a statement, was taken to the National Institute of Mental Health.

UNP to form alliance afresh

UNP had already begun talks with other opposition parties to create a common platform in order to take control of the legislature, Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said over the weekend.

Wrong for the UNP to hand over power: Vajira, Wijepala

It was the mistake for the United National Party (UNP) to hand over the government to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) following the presidential election, two UNP MPs from the Galle District said over the weekend.

Excise Dept to axe synthetic toddy industry from today

In response to growing public displeasure, the competent authority responsible for regulating the country’s liquor industry has finally decided to crack down on the illegal synthetic toddy trade immediately, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sajith as Prime Minister candidate

The UNP reforms committee has proposed the nomination of MP Sajith Premadasa as the party’s candidate for prime minister, a party official said. The committee will inform this decision to party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe this week.

Minister turns down CEB rate hike

The proposal put forward by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to increase the electricity rates charged from consumers by Rs.1.50 per unit in order to offset the debt payable by the CEB this year amounting to 21 billion, had been turned down by subject Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

Onion prices continue to soar

The current retail price of red onions remains as high as Rs.550 a kilo in the market. It is sold even higher in supermarkets where the price ranges between Rs. 560 and Rs.562 per kilo.

SL calls for regaining of economic prominence in Egypt

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha has called for the regaining of Sri Lanka’s economic prominence in Egypt to its traditional strength, consistent with the shared history, excellent bilateral political relations and the collaborative role the two countries play in the multilateral sphere.

Showery conditions to enhance from Dec. 17

Showery conditions over the island, particularly in the Northern, Eastern and Uva provinces are expected to enhance to some extent from December 17, Department of Meteorology said today.

2016 accident: I’ve not been found guilty: Champika

In connection to the vehicle mishap that occurred in 2016 which left the victim bedridden, former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said he had not been found guilty of the accident and added that he had only been asked to give support to the ongoing investigations.

Will uncover truth behind “white van” drama – Defence Secretary

The actual truth behind the incident of “white van” drama, as acted out by two men of the former Health Minister during a news briefing will be revealed in near future, Defence Secretary, Major General Kamal Gunaratne said.