Entire Rajapaksa family should be imprisoned: SF

Provincial Development Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday said the entire family of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be imprisoned because they have committed many crimes and frauds.

Hartal in Pettah against VAT

Shops in Pettah have been closed and the traders are staging a hartal against the recent increase in VAT.

India, SL sign MoU to promote significance of Ramayana

In a move to develop infrastructure at the sites that form a part of the Ramayana circuit, the Indian Central government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sri Lankan government, which says both the neighbouring nations will work jointly to promote mutual tourism interests.

No reports of Sri Lankans being affected- SL

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said there have been no reports of Sri Lankans affected in the incident in France, where over 80 persons were killed.

First local rifle manufacturing plant declared open

Sri Lanka’s first air rifle manufacturing plant was declared open in Ihala Biyanwila in Kadawatha by State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday.

Truck attacker kills over 70 in Nice Bastille Day crowd

An attacker killed at least 73 people and injured scores when he drove a truck at high speed into a crowd watching Bastille Day fireworks in the French Riviera city of Nice late on Thursday, local media quoted officials as saying.

VAC complains to ACCS on loss of Rs. 1803 mn

The Voice Against Corruption (VAC) yesterday complained to the Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat (ACCS) against the current and former ministers of Power and Renewable Energy in connection with a financial fraud of Rs1,803 million when purchasing coal for the CEB in 2015.

VAT on private medical services removed

The 15% VAT imposed on private medical services had been completely removed.

No nominations for betrayers: SLFP

The SLFP has identified those who have betrayed the party, criticized and insulted President Maithripala Sirisena and sabotaged the government and they will not be givean nominations to contest the local government polls, UPFA General Secretary and Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Petition calls for 2/3rd majority, referendum

A public interest litigant lawyer yesterday filed a petition for the Special Determination of the Supreme Court on the Bill titled “Value Added Tax (Amendment) 2016.

People paid VAT for exempted services: former CJ

Imposing VAT increment on services, which were exempt, was illegal and people had already paid the extra money, former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva said yesterday

Lakvijaya coal tender: Patali rejects any involvement

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka today rejected having any involvement in awarding a tender to supply coal for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant which had incurred a loss of Rs. 1.2 billion to the state.

Govt. has agreed on foreign monitors, not judges: SF

The government had agreed to allow foreign monitors and obtain international technical assistance for machinery that would be set up to probe alleged human right violations during the war time, Provincial Development Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said today.

MR writes to Theresa

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has congratulated Theresa May on her appointment as Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Bharatha Killing: Judgment fixed for Sept. 8

Oral Submissions in connection with the case against former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva and 12 others over the killing of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and three others was concluded today and fixed for judgment on September 8 by the Trial at Bar in the Colombo High Court.

VAT amendments not included in the second reading: Minister

The Government will not present the proposed amendments to the VAT for the second reading in Parliament next Wednesday (20), State Finance Minister Lakshmana Yapa Abeywardana said today.

Four held for trying to smuggle heroin to SL

Four persons, including three Sri Lankan nationals, were arrested at Ramanathapuram Railway station near here today for allegedly attempting to smuggle heroin weighing 2 kgs to Sri Lanka, police said. Based on a tip-off, the Q Branch police rushed to Ramanthapuram Railway Station and saw Kannan (29) of Ramanthapuram, Yogeswaran (50), Mohammed Kansoor (45) and Mohammed Niroz (55) from Sri Lanka, acting suspiciously, police said.

90% tax to be levied from tobacco companies

The Government has decided to increase the tax imposed on tobacco companies to 90 per cent and the relevant Cabinet paper will be submitted to the Cabinet when it next meets Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Will be there as SL’s friend and partner: US

The United States yesterday assured that it would remain with Sri Lanka as a friend and partner in the endeavor of developing the country.

Ministry announces control prices of 16 items

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced the control prices of 16 essential items this morning, including red dhal, white sugar, potatoes, imported onions and full cream milk power.

Lankan arrested with Rs.2.9 M gold slabs

A 48-year-old Sri Lankan man has been arrested and six gold slabs worth Rs.2.9 million seized, at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night, Deputy Customs Director Parakrama Basnayake said.

German child electrocuted at a hotel in Wennappuwa

A German child aged about two years was electrocuted yesterday while he was staying at a hotel in Wennappuwa with his parents.

TNA on UNHRC resolution

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said yesterday that it would support the government to implement the proposals of the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka.

National trade policy by end of August - Ministry

The Ministry of Development Strategies & International Trade said yesterday it would formulate the National Trade Policy by the end of next month by incorporating inputs from all stakeholders through a broad-based consultative process.

Rights petition challenges PM's request to Speaker

A public interest litigant today filed a fundamental rights petition against the request made by the Prime Minister for a ruling from the Speaker on the implication and/or constitutionality of the “Singarasa Case”.

Theresa May becomes UK premier

Theresa May became British prime minister today after being appointed by Queen Elizabeth shortly after the monarch accepted David Cameron's resignation.

David Cameron officially resigns

David Cameron has resigned as Prime Minister after six years in Downing Street.

Patali involved in coal tender controversy: JO

The joint opposition today alleged that Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka was directly involved in the awarding of the tender to supply coal for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant (LCPP) when he was Power and Renewable Energy Minister.

Ministers making a mockery of the law: MR

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa today claimed that it was a mockery of the law for the ministers to have predicted Namal Rajapaksa's arrest by the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) 24 hours before the arrest.

Attempts to finalize ETCA without President’s knowledge

The joint opposition today claimed that an attempt was being made by the Government to finalise the proposed Indo-Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperative Agreement (ETCA) without President Maithripala Sirisena’s knowledge.