Gazette on subject purview of ministers to be released today

The gazette notification specifying the subject areas coming under the purview of newly appointed ministers will be released today, a spokesman of the Department of Government Printing said.

SL student's case - Aussie cricketer Khawaja's brother re-arrested

Arsalan Khawaja, the brother of Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja, has been re-arrested on charges of trying to influence a witness in a case in which a Sri Lankan student was arrested and charges dropped later in a fictitious terrorist plot, foreign media reported.

PM assures foremost place to Buddhism

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today vassured the Ven. Mahanayake Theras of Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters that the government would give the foremost place to Buddhism and that action would be taken against those who vandalized Buddha statues in Mawanella.

Govt. using underworld for its survival

The government is using the underworld for its survival, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today.

Harin clarifies gazette confusion

Minister Harin Fernando has cleared the confusion caused by Wednesday’s gazette notice issued by the President stating that Telecom, Digital Infrastructure, Foreign Employment Promotion and Sports Minister, Harin Fernando, and Development Strategies, International Trade, Science, Technology and Research Minister, Malik Samarasinghe, had resigned from their posts. Mr Fernando advised it was only a procedural matter. 

Man nabbed with locally made weapon at Hulftsdorp

A man found in possession of a locally made weapon and five cartridges, was arrested by the Keselwatte Police near the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, police said. 

Emirates flight makes emergency landing at BIA

Emirates flight A-380,with 420 passengers and 22 crew members on board, flying from Dubai to Melbourne made an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning after a crew member fell ill, BIA Duty Officer said.

SL rupee hits record low of 184.07

The Sri Lankan rupee hit a record low of 184.07 against the US Dollar today. According to the exchange rates of the Central Bank, the selling price of Sri Lankan rupee was recorded as 184.0758, indicative price as 182.2783 and buying price as 180.1015.

UPFA MP Ranjith Zoysa released on bail

UPFA MP Ranjith Zoysa and three others, who were remanded in connection with an assault on a person on December 16 in Godakawela, were granted bail by the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court today.

Sheikha Latifa: Mary Robinson 'backed Dubai version of events'

Former UN rights chief Mary Robinson has been accused of supporting the emirate of Dubai's version of events over a princess who was feared missing.

UK supports SL to advance reconciliation programme

The UK Government would continue its work with the Sri Lankan Government at the national level and with local and international organisations to help them advance the country's wide reconciliation agenda, British High Commissioner James Dauris said.

Michelle Obama takes 'most admired woman' title from Hillary Clinton

Former US first lady Michelle Obama has ended Hillary Clinton's 17-year run as America's most admired woman.

ICAO compliance vital for NIC photos from Jan.1

It will be compulsory for all studios countrywide, from January 1, to use the special software provided by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to take photos for the National Identity Cards, the Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) said today.

Some UNPers not in favour of general elections

A faction of the United National Party (UNP) is said to be opposed to a snap parliamentary election next year.  

Uproar in Parliament: Some 400 to be questioned

Statements will be recorded from some 400 people including parliamentarians in connection with the uproar and the unruly behaviour in the Parliament chamber last month, the Police team investigating the incident has yesterday informed the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to look into the incident.

Curry leaf ban: ‘citrus greening’ bacteria report in 2013 to blame: NPQS

The European Union (EU) has banned curry leaves from Sri Lanka based on a report published in a scientific journal about a ‘citrus greening’ bacterium which allegedly infected plants that came out in 2013, a senior official of the Department of Agriculture said.

Will take tough decision if Cabinet post not given: Range Bandara

Puttalam District Parliamentarian Palitha Range Bandara warned that he would be forced to take a tough decision if he was not given a Cabinet portfolio by next month. He pointed out that he was the catalyst behind the rise of the United National Party following the recent Constitutional impasse.

Constitution-making process to resume

The government has decided to resume the Constitution-making process which had been at a standstill for a while as a result of the recent political crisis and prorogation of parliament.

Resolution of political crisis shows resilience of democratic institutions: C’wealth Chief

The way in which the political crisis in Sri Lanka was resolved is a testament to the strength and resilience of Sri Lanka's democratic institutions, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said.

Yan Oya sluice gates to open tomorrow

Sluice gates of the Yan Oya reservoir will be opened tomorrow morning due to the heavy shower experienced in the area, the Irrigation Department said. 

General election not necessary

Referring to a statement made by UNP National Organiser Navin Dissanayake that the party was gearing itself for a general election in April 2019, UNP MP S.M. Marikkar said today such an election was not necessary.

A/L results before Dec.30: Examinations Dept.

The Examinations Department rejected the rumours in some media that the GCE A/L examination results had been released today and said the results would be released before December 30.

'Only Middle East Countries' passports -- Issuance to end on Dec.31

In view of Sri Lanka introducing the e-passport service to its citizens, the issuance of passports valid 'Only For Middle East Countries' would no longer be issued from December 31 this year, the Immigration and Emigration Department said today.  

49-year-old man found dead near Kandy clock tower

The body of a 49-year-old man was found in the subway near the Kandy clock tower this morning, police said.

WPC member S. Kuhawardhan released on bail

Western Provincial Councillor S. Kuhawardhan, who was arrested by the CID yesterday for allegedly defrauding on cheques amounting to Rs.70 million, was released on bail by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today.

Muslims should reconstruct damaged Buddha statues: Marikkar

Muslims should reconstruct the Buddha statues which were vandalized in Mawanella recently to prove their sincerity and innocence, parliamentarian S. M. Marikkar said today.

Police Sergeant hacked to death in Ja-Ela

A police sergeant attached to the Narahenpita Police Hospital, was hacked to death at his house at Niwandama South in Ja-Ela last night.

Grandpass shooting: Bloemendhal Sanka’s mistress arrested

The police today arrested a 45-year-old woman, believed to be the mistress of notorious underworld gangster Sanka Shirantha, alias Bloemendhal Sanka, the main suspect wanted for yesterday’s Grandpass shooting.

‘Bena’ arrested with heroin

A 32-year-old Pradeep Pushpakuma alias ‘Bena’, an accomplice of underworld figure Ratmalana Manju, has been arrested with 10.7 grammes of heroin during a raid at Weda Mawatha in Maharagama last night.

Italy, Cyprus, Greece and Malta ban curry leaves from SL

The Sri Lankan Consulate in Catania, Sicily in Italy had informed Sri Lankan passengers not to bring curry leaves from Sri Lanka to Italy, Cyprus, Greece and Malta because the EU had prohibited curry leaves under the EUROPHYT notification