Kabir Hashim condemns attacks

Minister Kabir Hashim yesterday condemned the recent acts of violence at religious places of worship in Mawanella.

TNA fighting for post to get new Constitution passed: SLPP

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is fighting hard for the opposition leader's post so that they could get the new Constitution passed in Parliament, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said yesterday.

WP Councillor arrested over alleged financial fraud

Western Provincial Councillor S. Kuhawardhan was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today for allegedly defrauding cheques amounting to Rs. 70 million, CID sources said.

Kudawella shooting: Police question more than 40 people

The Police have recorded statements from more than 40 people in connection with Tuesday's shooting at the Kudawella Fisheries Harbour where four people were killed and eight injured.

If Cabinet increased to 45 -- Prez must seek AG's advice: SLPP

In case the UNP forms a national government with the SLMC so as to increase the number of Cabinet ministers to 45, then the President will have to seek the Attorney General’s opinion to consider what action to take next, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today.

Train strike suspended temporarily: Railway TUs

The Railway Trade Union Alliance (RTUA) Co-Convener Lal Ariyaratne said they had decided to temporarily suspend the scheduled two-day strike action following an assurance given by the Transport Minister. 

Suspect arrested for damaging Buddha statue

Mawanella Police today arrested a man at Hingula, Mawanella for allegedly damaging a Buddha statue, police said.

CC meets on Jan.8 to fill SC vacancy

The Constitutional Council will meet on January 8 to consider another nominee by President Maithripala Sirisena as a Supreme Court judge.

Sri Lankan rupee depreciates further

The Sri Lankan rupee depreciated further against the US Dollar today, hitting a record low of 183.17. The exchange rates of the Central Bank indicated the selling price of the rupee as 183.17, the indicative price as 181.47 and the buying price as 179.20.

Antonov flight at MRIA delays takeoff as engine catches fire

An Antonov An-12 flight (CVK 7042) which arrived at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) from Bangkok last night, had delayed its takeoff due to a fault in the engine.

UK expresses concern at disruptive behaviour of Lankan MPs

UK Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field has informed the UK Parliament last week that they expressed concern over the behaviour of some Sri Lankan MPs disrupting parliamentary proceedings.  

Shooting in Grandpass kills one, three hospitalised

A 32-year-old man was killed and three others were hospitalised when a gunman opened fire at them in Grandpass this morning.  

New Zealand all out for 178 against Sri Lanka

Suranga Lakmal took a career best five for 54 as Sri Lanka dismissed New Zealand for 178 in their first innings of the series-deciding second Test in Christchurch on Wednesday.

National Safety Day to remember 2004 tsunami victims

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) is organizing an event today to remember the victims of the tsunami catastrophe that took place 14 years ago - on December 26, 2004.

Launch rapid damage control programme to flood victims: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena today instructed relevant authorities to launch a rapid damage control and compensation programme to flood affected people who were returning from safety locations in the North while continuing the relief programme.

No agreement yet on contesting polls with SLFP: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today said it has not yet reached any agreement with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to contest future elections together.

Underworld figure Kaldemulla Gayan arrested

Underworld figure Kaldemulla Gayan, who is an accomplice of ‘Angulane Roha’, was arrested by the STF in Ratmalana today, STF Commandant Senior DIG M. R. Latheef said.He said Kaldemulla Gayan was the one who operated the network of Roha who is already in prison. “The arrested suspect is wanted for a number of cases involving ransom and murder,”

Railway TUs threaten strike action if talks fail

Locomotive Engine Operators' Union (LEOU) Secretary Indika Dodangoda said today they had decided to launch a two-day strike action from midnight tomorrow if the scheduled talks with Transport Minister Arjuna Ranatunga tomorrow morning do not yield positive results.

MR urges govt. to provide relief to flood affected in efficient manner

Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today requested the Ministry of Disaster Management and other Ministries concerned to attend to the relief measures in an efficient and timely manner in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people in the flood affected areas.

Maldives seizes Lankan boat carrying shark carcasses

A Sri Lankan vessel carrying mostly shark carcasses had been seized by the Maldives for fishing illegally in its waters, the Maldivian media reported today.

Special police team leaves for Tangalle

A special police team headed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), had been sent to Tangalle to assist in the investigations into the shooting incident at the Kudawella Fishery Harbour.

Four killed, eight injured in Kudawella Fishery Harbour shooting

At least four people were killed and eight injured when two gunmen opened fire inside the Kudawella Fishery Harbour in Tangalle last morning, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said today.

SLFP will contest future polls with SLPP: Prez

Making a firm statement yesterday, President Maithripala Sirisena said the SLFP has decided to contest the forthcoming election jointly with the Sri Lanka Podujana Permuna (SLPP) and warned that district and electoral organisers who obstructed this process would be removed from their positions.

Drop in tourist arrivals

A German investor, domiciled in Sri Lanka, said the Western Foreign Missions, led by German Embassy and the British High Commission, took Sri Lanka’s constitutional crisis as a reason to issue travel advisories against Sri Lanka, and it was the reason for a drop in tourist arrivals during the season.?

SL UK Mission has unpaid charges worth £ 371,003

The Sri Lankan High Commission in the UK has unpaid congestion charges and outstanding National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) worth pound sterling (£) 371,003, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jeremy Hunt said. ?

I won't join UNP: Duminda

UPFA MP and former Minister Duminda Dissanayake today rejected reports of him joining the UNP and said he has no intention of doing so.

SLPP challenges PM to bring in motion to dissolve parliament

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today challenged Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to bring in a motion to dissolve parliament.

SL lost its credibility after recent political turmoil: Kiriella

Sri Lanka had been a model to other countries during the past two years but due to arbitrary acts, we lost that in a short period of time, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said addressing the media today after assuming duties as the Minister of Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development.?

Doctor, pharmacist who smuggled narcotics to Prison arrested

A medical doctor and a pharmacist attached to the Welikada Prison were arrested by prison officials today while attempting to smuggle in narcotics and alcoholic drinks.

Govt. will resume disrupted programmes: Ruwan

The government programmes which came to a standstill during the past 52 days will be resumed to ensure the country's national security, State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene said when he assumed his duties at the ministry.