India seizes gold worth Rs.68mn smuggled from SL, Dubai

India has arrested four people for allegedly trying to smuggle gold valued approx. Rs.68 million (Indian Rupees) into the country from Dubai and Sri Lanka, NDTV reported.

N/E development only in consultation with us: TNA

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said it was only in consultation with the party that the Cabinet could take a decision on the development of the post-war areas in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

SI and two PCs injured in assault

Three police officers including a Sub Inspector (SI) were injured when a group of sand miners assaulted them and tried to run them over with a tractor at Keppely in Jaffna.  

IMF team to visit SL in Feb

While claiming that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remains ready to support Sri Lanka, its Managing Director Christine Lagarde said that an IMF team is scheduled to visit Colombo in mid-February to resume program discussions.

Bank of China offers Sri Lanka US$300m loan

Sri Lanka is considering an offer from Bank of China for a loan of US$300 million, which could be raised to US$1 billion, to help it meet repayments during coming months, two sources in Colombo with knowledge of the offer told Reuters on Tuesday.

I too am ready to contest Presidency: Chamal

Hambantota District UPFA MP Chamal Rajapaksa speaking to the media yesterday said that he too is ready for the forthcoming Presidential Election.

Some UPFA ministers yet to hand over official residences

Some of the UPFA ministers who left the government last year are yet to hand over their official residences, government sources said yesterday.

British lawmakers crush Theresa May's Brexit deal

British lawmakers have soundly rejected Theresa May's Brexit deal, in the biggest defeat for any UK government in the modern parliamentary era.

Any alliance must be led by the SLFP: Party organizers

A group of SLFP organisers said yesterday that they would only support an alliance headed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and its leadership.

Possibility of holding PC polls under old system: Ajith Perera

Non-cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera yesterday said he would speak to Home Affairs, Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Vajira Abeywardana to see the possibility of presenting a motion in Parliament to hold PC polls under the old system as soon as possible.

Chief booze distributor of Ella’s unlicensed tourist pubs netted

The main man behind the entire distribution network of beer and soft alcoholic beverages to over 100 unlicensed pubs, restaurants and hotels of the country’s ‘most happening’ tourist destination, Ella was identified when the Colombo Excise flying squad seized a lorry full of booze over the weekend.

Presidential polls: Rohitha challenges Akila to resign if UPFA candidate wins

UPFA MP Rohitha Abeygunawardana yesterday challenged UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam to resign from parliament if the UPFA candidate wins the presidential election.

Jigsaw-like constitutions can’t redress concerns of Tamil people: SLPP

Constitutional amendments or constitutions which resemble jigsaw puzzles cannot provide redress to the grievances and aspirations of the Tamil People, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said yesterday.

Singapore FTA: SL given visas to 242,000 foreign workers: Lakshman Yapa

MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said yesterday Sri Lanka has already given visas to some 242,000 foreign employees and the experts report on Singapore FTA has said this number could increase through the FTA.

Cabinet nod for transport hub in Battaramulla

The Megapolis and Western Development Ministry has obtained Cabinet approval to construct a multi-modal transport hub in Battaramulla, with rail and highway links, Minister Champika Ranawaka told Daily Mirror today.

We're also preparing for PC polls - Harin

United National Party (UNP) spokesman and Propaganda Unit Head Harin Fernando said today provincial council elections would be held after April this year and that his party was also gearing up for it.

New Carbon Tax neither effective nor productive: Expert

The Carbon Tax that had been imposed by the Government was neither effective nor productive because of the fact that it had not been imposed after taking into account how much carbon is emitted but the year of manufacture and the engine number of the vehicle, Consultant Automobile Engineer Jagath Jayasinghe said.

Indian poachers resort to violence when detected: Navy

The Sri Lanka Navy said they had observed that Indian poachers who illegally enter our territorial waters attempt to escape by resorting to acts of violence causing damage to naval craft.

Govt repays loan of USD one billion: Harsha

Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Minister Harsha de Silva said today the government had settled the one billion US dollars borrowed by the previous regime in January, 2014 by way of international sovereign bonds.

Japanese defence ship arrives at H’tota Port

Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force ship ‘Ikazuchi’ arrived at the port of Hambantota today on a goodwill visit, Sri Lanka Navy said.

China's Moon mission sees first seeds sprout

Seeds taken up to the Moon by China's Chang'e-4 mission have sprouted, the BBC reported today quoting the China National Space Administration.

Port City land reclamation completed, construction to commence shortly

Land reclamation of the Financial City, previously known as the Port City, has been completed, the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Province Development said. While land reclamation has been completed, construction of the city is scheduled to begin soon.

President leaves for Philippines

President Maithripala Sirisena left for Philippines on a five-day state visit today. A delegation of 13 members would be accompanying the President during his visit in Manila.

Two arrested with banned imported dried fish from India

Two suspects were arrested by the Kalpitiya Police last evening with 630 kilogrammes of banned dried fish imported from India by boat, police said.  

Bugs at MC; Ceylon Theatres says...

Ceylon Theatres today said that it shut down the Superior cinema hall of the Majestic Cineplex (MC) pending an investigation into complaints by patrons of bugs being found in several seats inside.

Ravi gets Cabinet approval for immediate power purchases

Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake secured Cabinet approval today to open tenders for immediate power purchases. 

Research firm faults embassies over misleading travel advisories

A Sri Lanka-based German research institution said that misleading travel advisories by some foreign missions including the German Embassy caused a colossal loss to the Sri Lankan tourism industry.

Weather: Heavy rains expected

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) forecast heavy rains exceeding 100mm in some areas in the coming days.

SLPP opposes proposed new Constitution

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today it was unreservedly opposed to the proposed move to bring a new Constitution as it would create more problems rather than solving the existing ones.

Cabinet nod to make Tripitaka a World Heritage

A proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena to declare the Tripitaka as a World Heritage was approved by the Cabinet today.