Tea industry can generate US$ 5 bn revenue: Gota

SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa said many shareholders involved in the tea industry had said that it has the potential to generate up to US$ 5 billion foreign revenue and that it should be the target of the new government.

STF busts refuse tea racket: Three nabbed with over 14 MT of refuse tea

A large consignment of over 14,000 kg of refuse tea was seized by the STF during a raid at Kandegoda in Ambalangoda today.

Stop using war, war-victory slogans for election campaign: EC

National Election Commission (NEC) today said it was prohibited to use war and war-victory for the presidential election campaigns.

Sajith held only one public day in four years: Wimal

While saying that the simplicity of NDF presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa was not genuine, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa said Sajith had held only one public day during the past four and half years as a minister.

AG orders SIU Director to arrest Sri Ranga

Attorney General Dappula de Livera has ordered the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Director to arrest former MP Sri Ranga and five others and produce them in court over an accident that killed a policeman at Settikulam in 2011, the AG’s Coordinating Officer Nishara Jayaratne said.

Antonov An-124 lands at MRIA for the ninth time

Antonov An-124, the world’s second-largest cargo aircraft landed at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) for the ninth time this morning, MRIA media unit said.

Mattakkuliya car owner removes car, ends panic

The owner of the unidentified car that had created some panic in the Mattakkuliya area this morning had been identified and had removed the vehicle, the police said.

Brazilian gets life imprisonment for smuggling cocaine

A Brazilian national has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Negombo Magistrate on charges of smuggling 690 grams of cocaine into the country last year.

PCoI issues summons on PM again

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to investigate corruption of the current administration yesterday issued summons again on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to appear before the Commission on October 18 to provide evidence on the decision to store paddy at the Mattala Airport in 2015.

Cabinet approves retirement benefits for Prez

The Cabinet is reported to have approved retirement benefits for President Maithripala Sirisena, his security arrangements by the Special Task Force (STF) and the other facilities provided to the former heads of State.

60,000 complaints against charges made by parking meters in Colombo

Colombo Municipal Council has received about 60,000 complaints regarding alleged unfair charges made by parking meters installed in certain areas in the Colombo city limits, Colombo Municipal Councillor Sumith Passaperuma said.

NEC dismantled by Cabinet

The Cabinet at its meeting headed by President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have yesterday scrapped the National Economic Council (NEC) set up by President Maithripala Sirisena.

No matter who bakes the cake - Ranil will apply the icing: Chandima

Kekirawa United National Party (UNP) organiser and MP Chandima Gamage told a media briefing at Dambulla that whoever bakes the cake, it would be Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who had the icing.

A factory for every divisional secy area: Sajith

New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Sajith Premadasa today pledged to introduce an expanded version of his later father Ranasinghe Premadasa’s industrialization concept and set up a factory in every divisional secretariat area if elected.

Maximum security to all presidential candidates: NSC

The National Security Council (NSC) has directed the relevant authorities to provide maximum security to all presidential candidates, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

CC approves Saman Ratnayake as Elections Commissioner General

The Constitutional Council (CC) has approved the appointment of Saman Sri Ratnayake as the Commissioner General of the National Elections Commission, the Speaker’s Office said today.

95% SLFP organizers against joining SLPP: CBK

While saying that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) had been handed over to conspirators just for his personal benefit by a leader who came to power with 6.2 million votes, former president Chandrika Kumaratunga said 95% SLFP organisers were against the SLFPs decision to join the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Megapolis Ministry discontinues accepting garbage at Aruwakkalu

Following a statement made by Colombo Mayoress Rosy Senanayake which claimed that the Aruwakkalu is a failed project, the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development has decided to discontinue accepting municipal solid waste to the partially completed Aruwakkalu Sanitary Landfill with effect from today.

Can’t recognize UNHRC resolution on SL: Gota

SLPP presidential candidate and former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today said though he would work with the UN and human rights organisations in resolving contentious issues he could not recognize the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka because it was ‘illegal’.

Hooting at SLFPers - Hope SLPP’s area politicos help stop it: Dayasiri

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera cast doubts whether any of the SLPP politicians of the area could prevail upon their supporters to stop hooting at the SLFP politicians when they address SLPP election propaganda rallies.

Terrorists related to ISIS inspired by mastermind behind Easter Sunday attacks

Some of the persons arrested in connection with terrorist organisation ISIS have admitted that they were radicalised by the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka, The Times of India said.

Writ petition against Gota not genuine: CA

The Court of Appeal (CA) today accepted the arguments of Romesh de Silva PC and Gamini Marapana PC that the writ application disputing Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship was filed by the petitioners for collateral purposes and not as a genuine public interest litigation as ’public-spirited citizens concerned to see that the law is obeyed in the interest of all’.

One arrested with 83,000 litres of suspicious toddy

A stock of 83,000 litres of suspected chemical toddy was seized by the STF during a raid at Kaluwamodara in Aluthgama, the police said.

Kotakethana murderer sentenced to death

The Colombo High Court today delivered the death sentence on Lokugam Hewage Darshana alias Raju, who was convicted over the killing of a woman and her daughter at Kotakethana in July 2012.

CaFFE concerned over social media misinformation posts

It has been reported that an organised campaign is being operated to mislead voters by posting false information on social media, the Campaign for Free and Fair Election (CaFFE) said.

D.A. Rajapaksa museum case postponed till Jan.9

The Special High Court today postponed the hearing of the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case against Gotabaya Rajapaksa until January 9, 2020.

Thilanga banned from holding office at SLC

Former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Thilanga Sumathipala was yesterday formally banned from holding any position at SLC following a directive issued by Sports Minister Harin Fernando, based on the findings and recommendations made by a three-member committee appointed by the Minister.

Sajith vows to provide mid-day meals for students

New Democratic Front presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa yesterday pledged to revive his late father Ranasinghe Premadasa’s concept of providing free mid-day meals and two sets of uniforms to children in all schools.

Bring NIC or any valid document to cast your vote: EC

Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday said that it had made compulsory for any voter to have any valid document to prove his or her identity during the presidential election which will be held on November 16.

EC foils ‘Gamperaliya’ housing aid gimmick

The Elections Commission (EC) recently thwarted a move by Galle District UNP MP Wijepala Hettiarachchi to donate Rs.50,000 each as housing aid among selected families in his constituency under the ‘Gamperaliya’ programme, following the declaration of the presidential election, an official said.