16 colonels promoted as brigadiers

Sixteen senior colonels in the Sri Lanka Army have been promoted to the rank of brigadier by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Qatar Deputy Emir meets outgoing SL Ambassador Liyanage

Deputy Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani met with the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar, ASP Liyanage, on the occasion of the end of his tenure and discussed further prosperity in bilateral relations.

Vandalizing archaeological sites - Cabinet approves upping fines, jail terms

The Cabinet has approved the enactment of fresh legislation to increase fines and jail terms for those convicted of vandalizing archaeological sites and artefacts, an official said yesterday.

Petition seeking PC polls - SC wants notice re-issued on EC

A Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Sisira J De Abrew, Prasanna S. Jayawardena and P. Padman Surasena yesterday directed the petitioners to re-issue notice on the Election Commission and fixed the writ petition for March 29.

Tri-forces on alert over proliferation of drugs

The tri-forces are working in different capacities on the eradication of drugs from the country, Commanders of the tri-forces emphasized yesterday.

25 UNP backbenchers to defeat President’s expenditure head

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said yesterday more than 25 UNP backbenchers were prepared to defeat the President’s expenditure head.

The need of the hour is new govt. : Prez

The need of the hour is a new government capable of bringing the country out of the current political, constitutional, social and economical mess, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.

Would give ‘Ear-splitting Slap’ to anyone asks whether joining UNP: CBK

Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga said yesterday she would give an ‘Ear-splitting Slap’ to anyone who asks whether she would join the UNP.

UN torture prevention body to visit SL in April

As the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council comes to an end on March 22, the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture will visit Sri Lanka in early April, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said yesterday.

Int’l legal experts will only adivse: Kiriella

The role that will be played by international legal experts in a probe carried out under whatever resolution passed at the UNHRC sessions will be confined to advising Sri Lanka with regard to certain matters, House Leader Lankshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday.

People tired of mainstream politicians: Gota

Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said people were tired of mainstream politicians who only think of votes and care little for the genuine development and progress of the people.

UNHR Chief wants member states to prosecute those involved in war crimes

The Office of the UN High Commissioner Human Rights (OHCHR) in its latest report on Sri Lanka recommended that the UN member states should probe and prosecute those allegedly responsible for war crimes and other violations in the absence of credible domestic processes.

Methamphetamine pills worth Rs. 9 mn seized

A parcel with 2002 Methamphetamine tablets worth over Rs. 9 million was seized by the Customs officers at the Central Mail Exchange, Colombo today, the Customs said.

Gota’s petition - AC Justice Kumudini recuses from the case

Justice Kumudini Wickramasinghe yesterday recused herself from the Court of Appeal Bench, which was constituted to hear the writ petition filed by former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The law should apply to Karannagoda: SF

The law should apply to former navy commander Wasantha Karannangoda if he had done anything wrong, Field Marshal and MP Sarath Fonseka said today during the debate on the second reading of the Budget.

Kandy town: Traffic plan, night bazaar to be cancelled

Steps will be taken to cancel the recently implemented one-way traffic plan in Kandy town and to stop the night bazaar along the Dalada Veediya, House Leader and Minister, Lakshman Kiriella said today.

Magistrate orders to suspend Mannar mass grave excavations

Mannar Magistrate T. Saravanarajah today ordered to suspend the excavations at the Mannar mass grave site until further notice. Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) Saminda Rajapaksa said they would withdraw from the site following the court order.

Search for lost Aussie WWII destroyer Vampire underway off Sri Lanka

The search for the Royal Australian Navy’s sunken World War II destroyer HMAS Vampire is underway off the coast of Sri Lanka, with the navies of both countries contributing hydrographic assets to the cause.

Heat weather warning revised for fourteen districts

The Department of Meteorology today issued a heat weather advisory for tomorrow, warning people in 14 districts to be extremely cautious of the hot weather.

Explosion at Kollupitiya: four hospitalised, reason unknown

A Chinese couple and two shop owners were hospitalised following an explosion that occurred at a shop at Kollupitiya Junction this morning, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

No one in government listens to me: President

There is no one in this government who accepts what I say, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

Confident of returning to implement budget proposals: Mangala

While affirming that the budget was not an ’election budget’, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday said he presented the budget with the confidence that the UNP Government will return to implement the rest of the proposals.

SL launches bond sale, orders top $3 bln - term sheet

Sri Lanka launched the sale of U.S. dollar-denominated bonds on Thursday and orders topped $3 billion, according to a term sheet seen by Reuters.

UL has no manual on obtaining foreign, financial loans

SriLankan Airlines does not have an instruction manual or guidebook when it comes to obtaining foreign loans and other financial services, Company Head of Finance Yasantha Dissanyake informed the PCoI into irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka yesterday.

New luxury tax on vehicle imports if manufacture cost exceeds Rs.3.5mn: importers

The Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) yesterday said, for the first time in the vehicle import history, a new luxury tax has been imposed apart from the Customs duty, if manufacturing cost of a vehicle exceeds Rs.3.5 million.

Otters Club kitchen found unhygienic: CMC

The kitchen of the Otters Aquatic Club was found under unhygienic conditions when food inspectors raided the club two weeks ago, Chief Medical Officer of the CMC Dr. Ruwan Wijemuni said.

Report reveals bone samples belong to 1499-1719 AD era

The carbon dating report from the Beta Analytic Institute of Florida, USA, has revealed that the skeletal remains found in the Mannar mass grave to date back to a period between 1499 and 1719 AD (Anno Domini).

Principals, teachers to launch token strike on March 13

The Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Union have decided to launch a 24-hour countrywide token strike on March 13 demanding an increase to their salaries while resolving the salary anomalies, Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Prez’s delegation to Geneva shows he has no faith in govt.: Dinesh

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a separate three-member delegation to represent the country at the forthcoming UNHRC sessions in Geneva as he does not have confidence in the government, MEP MP front liner Dinesh Gunawardana said yesterday. Mr. Gunawaerdana said.

Cabinet approves Rs. 203 mn reward package for Cargills, Sathosa

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a compensation package worth Rs.203 million for Cargills Ceylon (Food City) supermarket chain and Lanka Sathosa for selling essential commodities at a concessionary price from December 14, 2017, to April 15, 2018.