Cleaning up operations: 6,000 tonnes of garbage removed

More than 6,000 tonnes of garbage had been collected from flood affected areas in Colombo for the last four days, the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government said today.

Sri Lanka, Maldives free of elephantiasis- WHO

Sri Lanka and Maldives have eliminated elephantiasis, also called lymphatic filariasis (LF), according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Jayalalithaa writes to Modi over arrest of Indian fishermen by SL Navy

Two days after four more fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Saturday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention for their release besides 90 boats seized.

Fresh landslide warnings issued on five districts

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) today issued fresh landslide warnings in four districts including Kandy, Ratnapura, Kegalle and Kalutara.

President to visit China again

President Maithripala Sirisena will soon visit China again on an invitation extended to him by President Xi Jinping, Skills Development and Vocation Training Minister Mahinda Smarassinghe said yesterday.

JVP vows to build new political camp to defeat govt.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will soon build a new political camp to defeat the present government which had pushed the country into a huge debt trap of Rs 5,000 billion and put a huge tax burden on the people, its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Muhammad Ali dies

Three-time heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali, who charmed millions with his wit and confidence in the ring and inspired many more with his commitment to humanitarian causes has died, according to the family spokesman. He was 74.

IMF approves $1.5 bln loan to back SL's economic reforms

The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) executive board has approved a three-year $1.5 billion loan to support Sri Lanka's economic reform agenda, the global lender said on Saturday.

Govt. signs MoU for Trinco Metro development

The Government has decided to hire a Singaporean company which worked out the Western Region Megapolis Master Plan, to formulate a master plan for the development of the Trincomalee metropolitan and surrounding areas, it is learnt.

Weliwita writes to Singapore Immigration Authority

Carlton Sports Network (CSN) Chairman Rohan Weliwita who was deported from Singapore on Tuesday morning, had written to the Singaporean Immigration and Checkpoints Authority requesting the reason for refusing him admission to that country.

Opposition hand behind in GMOA strike?

Reports on investigations carried out by intelligence agencies have revealed that a certain group in the opposition has had a hand in the recent strike action launched by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), government sources said yesterday.

We finally won the battle: GMOA

While the dispute between the Health Ministry and doctors of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) was settled, the controversial Post Intern Doctors’ Appointment List has been newly prepared by the ministry with the consent of the GMOA.

New Power package for flood victims

The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy has come up with a concessional package for those affected by the recent floods, a ministry statement said.

Infectious fever following rains

A seasonal infectious fever with nausea and diarrhoea is now spreading throughout the country, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Paba Palihawadana today said.

Another baby elephant takes the brunt of human greed

A four-year-old female elephant cub was severely injured yesterday by a locally made explosive device (Hakkapatas) at Katenwewa area in Hambantota.

Over 100 refugees drown after boat capsizes off Libya

The bodies of more than 100 people who drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea were found washed up on beaches near the Libyan city of Zuwarah, a Libyan navy spokesman said.

Financial support for LTTE continues: US

Despite the LTTE’s military defeat by the Sri Lankan government in 2009, the terrorist group’s international network of sympathizers and financial support continues, the US State Department said.

Police quiz Wickramabahu on Vijitha Thera

Nava Sama Samaja Party Leader Wickramabahu Karunaratne was today questioned by the Police on a complaint made by the Bodu Bala Sena to the Kirulapone Police.

Importer of suspicious cargo fined Rs.65 Mn

An importer found guilty of importing disassembled vehicles in a container claiming it was machinery was fined Rs.65 million by Customs, Director General Chulananda Perera said today.

Indian vehicle imports increased by 637%: Bandula

The number of Indian vehicles imported to Sri Lanka had increased by 637 percent in 2015 compared to 2014 because of the 100-day-programme, the joint opposition said today.

Most of MR’s military security withdrawn

The Military security provided to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been completely withdrawn, the joint opposition said.

Another body found in Aranayake

Another body was found today at the Aranayake landslide site sixteen days after the tragedy in Samasara Kanda.

Lankan refugees on journey to Australia caught in Chennai

Sri Lankan refugees who were risking their lives to go to Australia — a country that has already shut its door on asylum seekers -— were intercepted in a joint-operation involving the Q-Branch, Coastal Security Group (CSG), and Tiruvallur police, in the small hours of Thursday near Chennai.

Justice Minister slams Chatura

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe slammed Government MP Chatura Senaratne for his disparaging verbal criticism of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

Elephant calf found in uncovered drain, recovering well: Veterinary surgeon

The four-month-old female elephant, who made the news after it was rescued from an uncovered drain situated close to the entrance to the Hambantota Port, is recovering well from an injury to one of its legs, Udawalawa Elephant Transit Home’s Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Vijitha Perera said yesterday.

Thilina Gamage's supporters obstruct media at Court premises

When former magistrate Thilina Gamage was leaving the Gangodawila Court premises, some of his supporters had prevented the media from taking his picture by covering the vehicle in which he left.

Navy welcomes EP CM to Trinco Naval base

Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed, who publicly rebuked a naval officer during a function held at the Sampur Maha Vidyalaya, was welcomed by the Navy to the Naval Base in Trincomalee today.

GCE O/L no more a decisive hurdle: PM

The GCE Ordinary Level Examination will no longer be an exam which makes students pass or fail but an exam which merely promotes students to the next class in accordance with the new education system which this government intends to introduce, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

GMOA to take legal action against Chatura

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today said it would take legal actions against MP Chatura Senaratne over the derogatory remarks he made against the striking medical professionals.  

Thilina Gamage released on bail

Former Colombo additional magistrate Thilina Gamage was enlarged on bail today by Gangodawila Magistrate Kanishka Wijeyratne in the case in which he is accused of keeping an elephant in contravention of the Public Property Act and the Fauna and Flora Act.