Cabinet decides to stop oil palm cultivation forthwith

Galle District Secretary Somarathna Widanapathirana said that a decision taken by the Cabinet at the meeting that was held on November 11 to immediately stop the cultivation of oil palm in Sri Lanka has been conveyed to him.

Action against perpetrators impersonating as President's associates: PMD

The President’s Media Division (PMD) yesterday warned the people to be aware of individuals who promise perks including job appointments and tenders by impersonating as close associates of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Post of Police Media Spokesman annulled

The National Police Commission (NPC) has decided to annul the post of Sri Lanka Police Media Spokesman, a senior police officer told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Discussions underway regarding Opposition Leader issue

Discussions have commenced with regard to resolving the matter relating to the Opposition Leader’s post and the UNP leadership, several party seniors including General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Thalatha Athukorala said yesterday.

5 dead, over 600 affected due to adverse weather: DMC

Five people lost their lives and 614 people belonging to 172 families have been affected due to adverse weather conditions experienced in the Uva, Eastern, Northern, Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said yesterday.

Schools must be mosquito free when opening for 1st term in 2020

The Education Ministry today instructed its officials to conduct a countrywide dengue prevention campaign in schools prior to the commencement of the O/L examination and again before the reopening of schools for the first term in 2020.

Govt. should intervene to probe Shafi, Hisbullah cases

Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said yesterday the government should intervene to investigate the incidents of Dr. Shafi Shahabdeen and the controversy involving the sharia university of former governor M.A.L.M. Hisbullah without any political involvement.

Income tax rate reduced from 24 percent to 18 percent

The government has decided to bring down the income tax rate from 24 per cent to 18 per cent, Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said today.

Distributing vouchers is more practical than providing school uniforms: Edu. Minister

Distributing vouchers instead of providing school uniforms would be the most practical and efficient method, said Education Minister Dullas Alahapperuma addressing a ceremony at Dharmapala Vidyalaya at Pannipitiya today.

Providing tabs for students suspended

The government has decided to temporarily halt the provision of the tabs for school students until a proper probe into the alleged misappropriations were carried out, Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said today.

Language proficiency should be made compulsory for public sector

Proficiency in at least two languages should be made mandatory and considered as a qualification when recruiting new state employees, Public Administration and Home Affairs State Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said today.

Vaiko detained for protesting against Gotabaya's India visit

Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko and his supporters were detained by the Delhi Police on Thursday for protesting against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s visit to India.

Ex-Maldivian Prez Yameen sentenced to 5 years in prison over money laundering

The Maldivian Criminal Court today sentenced former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to five years in prison and imposed a fine of USD 5 million over money laundering charges, edition.mv reported a short while ago.

Govt. requests fullest cooperation of Embassy

The Sri Lankan Government today said a police investigation has been launched over the alleged criminal incident concerning a Swiss Embassy employee and requested the fullest cooperation of the Embassy of Switzerland in this regard.

President Gotabaya leaves for India

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left for India, making his first overseas visit as the President.

Colombo air quality to be unhealthy in morning hours

Colombo city is to experience unhealthy air quality in the morning hours which would gradually decline after mid-noon, Senior Scientist H.D.S. Premasiri said.

Male body found in Narahenpita

The body of a 32-year-old person was found at Park Road in Narahenpita this morning, police said.

Appointments to State institutions: Six-member committee appointed

A six-member committee has been appointed on a directive of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to submit recommendations on the appointment of qualified and suitable persons to statutory boards and State-owned enterprises (SOEs), Presidential Media Unit said.

John Amaratunga ready to resign

UNP MP John Amaratunga had said he was ready to resign as the party organiser for Wattala and hand over the reins to a young party member.

Police launch probe over threatening Swiss Embassy worker: FM

The police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are conducting investigations into the alleged incident of threatening a local employee of the Swiss Embassy in Sri Lanka by unknown assailants, the Foreign Ministry (FM) said.

Yal Devi derailment: Trains operating up to Maho and Galgamuwa

The railway service which had been suspended due to derailment of the Colombo-bound Yal Devi express train between Galgamuwa and Ambanpola stations had resumed from this morning, the Railway Operations Superintendent Gamini Seneviratne said.

President to visit India today

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is leaving for India on a two-day official visit today, Presidential Media Unit said.

Prez likely to prorogue parliament

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is likely to prorogue parliament soon to begin a new session along with his maiden speech to the House, Daily Mirror learns.

Govt. unaware of Swiss Embassy employee incident

The government today said it was unaware of the incident where an employee of the Swiss Embassy in Sri Lanka was detained forcefully and threatened.

Swiss FM confirms embassy worker in SL abducted, threatened

A local employee of the Swiss Embassy in Sri Lanka has been temporarily kidnapped and threatened by unknown assailants in what the Swiss Foreign Ministry has called a “serious and unacceptable attack”, Swissinfo news reported today.

Govt. to develop MRIA as cargo and training hub: Prasanna Ranatunga

The government will develop the Mattala Airport as a cargo hub and a training facility for aeronautical engineering in partnership with the private sector, a minister said today.

Revamping mission; Ranil to meet UNP groups: Akila

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is to meet the party MPs in small groups to review the presidential election results and to decide on revamping the party, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

Secretaries appointed to 20 ministries

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed secretaries to 20 ministries and handed over the letters of appointment at the Presidential Secretariat today.

Govt. rebuffs US State Dept. official’s statement on MCC

Sri Lanka’s new interim government has dismissed a statement made by a leading official in the US State Department who has claimed that the controversial MCC agreement would be launched in Sri Lanka soon.

17 district development committee chairpersons appointed

Seventeen chairpersons who were appointed for district development committees by President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa received their appointment letters at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon, Presidential Media Division said.