Ravindra Yasas injured in accident

Popular actor and Western Provincial Councillor Ravindra Yasas has been hospitalised when a car he was driving crashed into a tree at Gammanpila in Bandaragama on the Kesbewa Road early this morning.

Govt. will request Prez to appoint three more non-Cabinet ministers

The United National Party (UNP) will request President Maithripala Sirisena to appoint three more non-Cabinet ministers, it is learnt.

India pledges US$ 1.3 bn for development of SL railway

India has so far committed Lines of Credit worth around US$ 1.3 billion for development of railway sector in Sri Lanka, the Indian High Commission said yesterday.

New Constitution: If not now, then later, says PM

A new Constitution can be worked out later if it is impossible now due to uncertainty in getting it approved by a two-thirds majority in Parliament, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Maize cultivation stopped for three months

Farmers had been instructed by the Ministry of Agriculture to stop cultivating Maize for three months. Director General of Agriculture Dr. M.W. M. Weerakoon on Saturday (26), said that this decision had taken as a step to control the spread of the Sena Dalambuwa (Fall Armyworm).

SL troops killed in Mali: Captain, Corporal promoted posthumously

The two Sri Lankan soldiers who were on peacekeeping force under the UN flag had been promoted posthumously, the Army said.

Uttara Devi commences maiden journey to Jaffna from Colombo

The ‘Uttara Devi’ train commenced its maiden journey this morning from the Fort Railway Station to Kankesanthurai Station in Jaffna.

Philippines church bomb attack kills 27

Two bombs at a Roman Catholic cathedral in southern Philippines have killed 27 people and injured dozens more, local officials say.

Salaries, benefits extended to lifetime to dependants of war heroes

Salaries and other entitlements of soldiers who had been killed or disabled on duty would be extended to lifetime of their widows and wives, the President’s Media Division said yesterday.

UN Chief condemns attack on Sri Lankan troops in Mali

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, strongly condemned the attack which led to the deaths of two ‘blue helmets’ from Sri Lanka and injured six others.  

13 Indian trawlers released from SL custody

Sri Lanka Navy, in coordination with Sri Lanka Coast Guard, released another thirteen Indian fishing trawlers which had been apprehended on several occasions due to trespassing and illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan waters, yesterday.

4,750 houses in six months for people in North

The government intends to complete construction of 4,750 houses within six months for the benefit of the people in the North under its plan to build 10,000 houses in stages, an official said today.

Construction of Gurukanda temple stopped on court order

Mullaitivu Magistrate S. Lenin Kumara has ordered that all construction work on the Gurukanda Purana Rajamaha Viharaya in Nayaru, Mullaitivu be stopped till February 12, 2019.

Spot purchase of electricity to be minimised: Minister

Power, Energy and Business Promotion Minister Ravi Karunanayaka  has  instructed ministry officials to restrict to the minimum the controversial spot purchases of electricity, a spokesman said. 

Don't mistake normal caterpillar for 'Sena': DG Agriculture

The  Director General  of Agriculture, Dr M.W. M. Weerakoon has warned that the use of chemicals to kill the normal caterpillars mistaking them for the fall armyworm or the Sena Caterpillar is not advisable. 

Change CC's composition: Dinesh

UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardene yesterday called for a change in the composition of  Constitutional  Council in order to maintain its independence.

Opposition Leader's Post - Speaker rebuffs Sampanthan’s claim

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya rejected the claim made by TNA Leader R. Sampanthan for the second time yesterday that the UPFA could not hold the post of Opposition Leader.

24 Indians arrested for overstaying their visas

At least 24 Indians were arrested by the Department of Immigration and Emigration for overstaying their visas today.

No quorum, PC polls debate put off

The adjournment debate on the provincial council elections ended abruptly in parliament today in the absence of quorum. It ended two and a half hours earlier than the scheduled time of 7.30 pm because there were

Plantation workers’ daily basic wage increased to Rs.700

The month-long struggle by tea plantation workers ended today with planters unions and Regional Plantation Companies (RPC) agreeing to increase the daily basic wage of plantation workers to Rs.700 from the earlier Rs.500.

FTA needs amendments: President tells Singapore PM

President Maithripala Sirisena today informed Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that Sri Lanka would expect to add amendments to the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA), the President's Media Division said.

SL army contingent attacked in Mali; Two killed, three injured

One Sri Lankan Army Captain and a trooper were killed and three others were injured when their convoy came under an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in Mali today, the Sri Lanka Army said.

Aloysius, three others noticed to appear in court

Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius, its CEO Kasun Palisena and two others were noticed to appear in Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on January 28.

USS John C. Stennis transfers supplies from SL

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis received supplies as part of a temporary cargo transfer initiative in Sri Lanka, beginning January 24, the US Pacific Fleet said yesterday.

24 major drug smugglers who fled country identified

Police have identified 24 major drug smugglers who had left the country and action would be taken to confiscate their assets, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara today said.

T-bonds issued to SriLankan sans procedure: SDSG Unamboowe

When the matter of treasury bonds valued at USD 520 million or Rs.14.2 billion being issued to SriLankan Airlines by the General Treasury (GT) in 2012 was raised during the proceedings of the Commission on SriLankan Airlines yesterday, Senior Deputy Solicitor General (SDSG) Neil Unamboowe PC pointed out that it had been done without following the proper legal procedure.

Singaporean technical expertise to prevent drug trafficking in SL

The Singaporean Government agreed to introduce the technical knowledge for the prevention of narcotic drugs and to assist the drug prevention program initiated by President Maithripala Sirisena, the President’s Media Division said. 

24-hour water cut in Maharagama, suburbs tomorrow

The water supply to Maharagama and suburban areas would be interrupted for 24 hours starting 8 am tomorrow till 8 am on Sunday, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

190 SriLankan officers drew salaries of Rs.1mn

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) revealed in its report to parliament yesterday that 190 officers of SriLankan Airlines had drawn a monthly salary of one million rupees each.

UN FAO assistance to combat worm menace in SL

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations said that it remains committed to supporting the concerned national authorities on how to manage the pest and to protect the Sri Lankan farmer community’s livelihoods.