Appointments to statuary bodies - I'm not to blame: MS

Referring to recent media reports on the delay to appoint heads of semi-government institutions, President Maithripala Sirisena told yesterday's Cabinet meeting that there was no delay on his part and that those nominated by the Prime Minister’s office were screened and approved, a minister said.

Pumpkin consumption enhances beauty of women: Agri Minister

Agriculture Minister P.Harrison asked women to consume more and more pumpkin as a means of getting their beauty increased.

Two SL peacekeepers killed in Mali - Compensation expedited: UN envoy

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, Hanaa Singer assured Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake that she would help expedite the compensation process for the two Sri Lankan Peacekeepers killed in Mali.

Kinniya clash: Body of person who jumped into river found

Body of one individual who had jumped into the Mahaweli river to escape from the Navy personnel who had come to raid an illegal sand mining place at Kandakadu in Kinniya this morning, Police said.

Seven more taxes from Jan.1: Bandula

The Finance Ministry has amended the Finance Act to introduce seven new taxes including the controversial Carbon Tax from January 1, 2019, UPFA MP Dr. Bandula Gunawardana today said.

12 Naval officers injured, 4 critically in clash with illegal sand miners

Twelve Navy officers were injured, four critically, during a clash that took place when naval officers confronted illegal sand miners at Kandakadu in Kinniya this morning, the Navy said.

Five suspects arrested with heroin remanded

The five suspects who were arrested with 95.88 kgs of heroin worth more than Rs.1 billion in Kollupitiya on January 22, were remanded till February 8 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate today. 

Lankan refugee asked to leave Australia for stealing mail

A Sri Lankan who worked in Queensland, Australia as a postman has been forced to tearfully sign an agreement he will leave the country after stealing thousands of dollars' worth of mail.

SL ranked 89th in Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2018

Sri Lanka has failed to show progress on the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), compiled by Transparency International (TI), where Sri Lanka has scored 38 on the index retaining the same score from 2017, the Transparency International (TI) said today.

Tense situ between navy and illegal sand miners in Kinniya

The Navy fired into the air to quell a tense situation that had arisen between some naval personnel and illegal sand miners at Kandakadu in Kinniya this morning, the Navy said.

SL adoption scheme questionable but not illegal: Swiss report

The Swiss authorities have published a report aimed at shedding light on a long-running, partly illegal adoption programme involving hundreds of children from Sri Lanka, Swiss info reported on Monday.

Five caught in Bangladesh over biggest drug haul in Sri Lanka

Five people have been arrested in Bangladesh over their suspected involvement in the biggest drug haul in Sri Lanka's history.

Non-declaration of assets: Johnston acquitted from all charges

Former Minister Johnston Fernando was acquitted from all charges with regard to a case filed against him over non-declaration of his assets and liabilities for the year 2010 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.

VIP assassination plot: JNP Muzammil arrives at CID

Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) Media Spokesman Mohammed Muzammil arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID this morning to give a statement with regard to the investigation on VIP assassination plot.

Hathurusingha's wings clipped: Won’t be involved in team selection

Sri Lankan coach Chandika Hathurusingha will have no longer have a role in choosing the national cricket team, either at home or on tour.  

Delays in appointments; PM's office, FM responsible: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena said that delays at the Prime Minister's office and the Ministry of Finance had caused the holdup in appointing Chairmen and Boards of Directors to state Corporations and Boards.

Ninety per cent of bars owned by politicos

The Governor of the Sabaragamuwa Province Damma Dissanayake said that out of the liquor bars opened countrywide, ninety per cent belong to the politicians.

Tabs to be given for A/L students and teachers this year: Minister

Advanced Level students and teachers would be given Tablet PCs (Tabs) during this year, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.

Ranjan disapproves UNPers attending Rohitha's wedding

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake today found fault with UNPers who attended the wedding of former President’s son Rohitha Rajapaksa last week.

TNA hasn’t accepted ‘unitary’ concept: PHU

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has not yet accepted the concept of a unitary state, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Prez takes umbrage at campaigners’ stance

President Maithripala Sirisena took umbrage at so-called human rights campaigners and certain NGOs that launched a campaign against carrying out capital punishment on convicted drug kingpins who continue to commit crimes even while on death row.

Govt. will stop pepper imports: Harrison

The government has decided to stop importing pepper in a bid to safeguard local farmers, Agriculture Minister P. Harrison said at a function held yesterday in Dambulla to mark the launch of a loan scheme for people to purchase lorries for vegetable transportation.

Hybrid batteries not designed to our climactic conditions, says expert

Batteries found in the low-budget hybrid vehicles were not manufactured to suit the climatic conditions of Asian countries, but compatible with European and American countries, Auto Hybrid Electronics (Pvt.) Ltd Managing Director Nuwan Madhanayake said.

Cabinet memo to establish rehabilitation authority: President

While reiterating that he was determined to hang at least a few convicted drug kingpins who continued to commit crimes even while on death row, President Maithripala Sirisena said he would submit a Cabinet memo tomorrow to establish a rehabilitation authority to save people, especially the youth, from drug abuse.

Arrack prices increased

The prices of liquor products of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL) have been revised from today, DCSL sources said.

Clarification of Brigadier’s DPL status: UK providing documentation to assist court

The UK is providing documentation to assist the Westminster Magistrate’s Court which has sought clarification of Brigadier Priyanka Fernando’s diplomatic status in the UK, the British High Commission said.

Sports Minister to meet SL players in Canberra

Minister of Sports Harin Fernando expressed his disappointment after Sri Lanka surrendered to Australia in the opening Test match well inside three days in Brisbane on Saturday.

SL envoy in China receives Silk Road Super Ambassador award

Five ambassadors including Sri Lankan Ambassador to China, Karunasena Kodituwakku, were conferred Silk Road Super Ambassador Award in Beijing on January 24, China Global Times reported on Sunday.

Will resign, if PC polls not held before Nov. 10: EC Chairman

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said today that he would resign from his post if the elections for the Provincial Councils were not held before November 10.

VIP assassination case: Wimal at CID

UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to give a statement over the VIP assassination plot a short while ago.