Sino-SL ties won't affect any third country: China

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi yesterday assured that the Sino-Sri Lanka cooperation does not target any third country nor will it affect their respective relationship with other countries.

VAT increase: Bill in Parliament to give legal effect

In the backdrop of a legal challenge against recent increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT), the Government yesterday sought to give legal effect to the VAT increase by enacting fresh legislation through the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill which was presented in the House.

PM trying to make way for foreign judges: GL

In the wake of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe calling for the Speaker to overrule a Supreme Court ruling, former UPFA MP G.L. Peiris said it looked like an attempt to make way for the appointment of foreign judges to try war crimes against the armed forces.

Will not allow foreign judges or courts to interfere: President

President Maithripala Sirisena today vowed that he would not allow any foreign court, judge or organization to interfere with the internal administration and judiciary in the country.

Mangala violated collective Cabinet responsibility: JO

The joint opposition today urged President Maithripala Sirisena to take action against Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera whom it accused of violating the collective responsibility of the Cabinet.

Businessman found dead in Massage Parlour

A 64-year-old businessman was found dead inside a washroom of an Ayurvedic Massage Parlour in Katugastota, Kandy last evening, police said.

Chinese FM arrives

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi accompanied by a delegation of nine members arrived in Sri Lanka a short while ago at the invitation of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

Doctor's body found in Gampaha

A body of a suspected Medical Officer, was found in a hotel room in Gampaha, the Police said. Upon examination of the body the Police had found a medical identity card on him, and syringes in the vicinity of the body.

Nalin Bandara complains to FCID over Rs. 4.2 billion fraud

UNP MP Nalin Bandara today lodged a complaint with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) alleging that more than Rs. 4.2 billion had been defrauded by the authorities of the previous regime by purchasing two ships at a cost of USD 35 million in 2014 though it actually cost only Rs. USD 20 million in the market.

IUSF convener remanded for defying court order

Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) Convener Lahiru Weerasekara was today remanded till July 15 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne on charges of defying a court order.

S’gamuwa University closed due to fever

The Sabaragamuwa university has been closed till July 20 due to a fever that is spreading among the students.

Shadow cabinet: Lohan wants out

Kandy District UPFA MP Lohan Ratwatte, who was named City Planning and Water Supply Minister of the Joint Opposition’s shadow cabinet, has requested his name be removed from the list.

More air time to criticize govt.: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday private television channels had allocated more air time to criticize the government  instead of showcasing  the development activities carried out by the government.

Four Lankans attempting to flee to Canada arrested at BIA

Four Sri Lankans,aged between 24 and 33, were arrested by the CID at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today when attempting to migrate to Canada through Turkey using fake visas.

Sajin Vass released on bail

Former UPFA parliamentarian Sajin Vass Gunawardena, who was remanded on money laundering charges was today released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya.

Dallas protest shooting: 11 cops shot, five dead

Snipers shot dead five police officers and injured six others in Dallas, unleashing chaos during a protest against police shootings of black men in an ongoing standoff Friday.

Protest in Kosgama-Salawa

The High-Level road at Kosgama-Salawa was closed due to a protest by the villagers, Police said.

Removal of natural reef after submission of EFR

An Environmental Feasibility Report (EFR) is being drafted by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development requesting the removal of the natural reef which claims to hinder the Dehiwela coastal line and to build a breakwater. Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera has requested for this report and after inspection, the Minister has suggested removing the reef and building a breakwater.

Indian fishermen causing damage to marine ecology: PM

As many as 1000 Indian trawlers are engaged in illegal fishing in Sri Lanka's territorial waters off the North and the East for the last one month, causing an extensive damage to marine ecology, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament yesterday.

President cancels foreign tours

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed Ministers to cancel all foreign tours for one month and stay in the country to respond to public demands, it is learnt.

New constitution may divide country: MR

The 'Yahapalana Government' intends to divide the country by passing a new Constitution, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa charged yesterday.

Sanath calls for more commitment to fitness

Chairman of Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya wants more commitment on fitness by players if they are to stay free from injuries.

PM seeks Speaker to rule on SC pronouncement

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today in Parliament sought Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to overrule the Supreme Court pronouncement given way back in 2006 saying Sri Lanka's accession to the Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) needed a two- thirds majority of Parliament and approval by people at a referendum.

Chinese FM due here tomorrow

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow at the invitation of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the Ministry said today.

JO appoints shadow cabinet

The Joint Opposition (JO) today appointed a shadow cabinet of 50 ministers, led by ex-president and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs.  

Suspects in wildlife poaching released on bail

The six suspects remanded earlier after being taken into custody on charges of poaching of wild animals in the Panwila Forest Reserve in the Knuckles region were released on Rs. 25,000 cash bail and surety bail of Rs.100,000 for each by the Teldeniya District Judge N.M. Farique Deen today at the Panwila Mobile Court.

BBS demands action against Salley; challenges for an open debate

BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera today challenged former Central Provincial Council member Azath Salley for an open debate, instead of him issuing inflammatory statements.

Pera students clash during Shramadana

Eleven students of the Peradeniya University have been hospitalized following a clash among two groups of students today.

Thewarapperuma, nine mothers granted bail

Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma and twelve others including the mothers of nine students were released on a surety bail of Rs.one million each by Matugama Magistrate Wasantha Kosala Senadeera today.

VAT to be revised not repealed: Ajith Perera

The Value Added Tax (VAT), which had been increased up to 15 percent from 11 would not be repealed but alterations would be done to justify the increment, Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera said today.