SL's public holidays and the economy

After years of civil conflict, Sri Lanka takes the needs of its multiethnic population very seriously, with a very pleasant side-effect: 25 national public holidays a year.

Much to be done in Sri Lanka - UK

While claiming that Sri Lanka has made encouraging progress towards fulfilling its commitments to UNHRC Resolution 30/1, Britain said that it ‘recognises there remains much to be done’.

Swiss receives 146 asylum seekers’ requests from SL

The Swiss government has received 146 applications from asylum seekers from Sri Lanka during last month (March), the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration said in a statement Thursday.

SLN assists repatriation of Indian fishermen

The Sri Lanka Navy assisted the repatriation of three Indian fishermen released from Sri Lankan custody, Sri Lanka Navy said.

Links with LTTE,reason for dismissal of DMK govt in 1991

Contrary to reports that prime minister Chandra Shekhar dismissed Tamil Nadu's DMK government at the behest of Congress in 1991, a new book says that its "proven links" with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militant outfit was the sole reason for its ouster.

HR problems reported during last year-US

The United States said that major human rights problems were reported in Sri Lanka during 2015, including harassment of civil society activists, journalists, and persons viewed as sympathizers of the banned terrorist group the LTTE as well as arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, rape, and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence committed by police and security forces.

Weapons stolen from Laggala Police station

A T-56 weapon and five revolvers have been stolen from the Laggala Police station in Matale in the early hours today, police said.

Arrested fishermen are being released immediately-BJP

Claiming that the atrocity against the Tamil Nadu fishermen came down by the effort of the Modi government, India’s BJP national president Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the arrested Indian fishermen are being released immediately by the Sri Lankan authorities, The Times of India reported.

Panama raids Mossack Fonseca law firm

Panama's Attorney General late on Tuesday had raided the offices of the Mossack Fonseca law firm to search for any evidence of illegal activities, authorities said in a statement.

Kerry hails SL’s commitment for reconciliation

In a message to greet Sri Lankan people on the occasion of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, US Secretary of State John Kerry said today that Sri Lanka has made historic accomplishments in the past one year, signaling the people’s commitment for reconciliation, tolerance and peace.

COPE to decide on BOC Seychelles branch

The Committee on Public Enterprises ( COPE) is to issue a directive on the continence of Bank of Ceylon Seychelles branch shortly, Parliamentary sources said yesterday.

Port City project to commence in May

Work on the Colombo Port City Project will begin in May this year, State Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Niroshan Perera said.

Construction of 65,000 houses to commence soon

The construction of 65,000 houses for conflict affected families in the North-East will begin in the next two months and the selection of beneficiaries is being carried out by District and Divisional Secretaries of the two provinces right now, a senior Cabinet Minister said.

New Year strengthens reconciliation among communities - President

President Maithripala Sirisena said that the New Year is the foremost national and cultural festival of the Sinhala Buddhists and Tamil Hindus in Sri Lanka. The importance of the New Year is that they celebrate it upholding their rich cultural traditions and values.

New year symbolising national unity-MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Sinhala and Tamil New Year message said that this is a time when the Sinhala and Tamil people conduct traditional New Year observances at the same auspicious times, symbolising national unity and reconciliation.

Sri Lankans come together to celebrate New Year as a nation-PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his message for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year said that, this year, Sri Lankans come together to celebrate the Sinhala & Tamil New Year as a nation in which democracy reigns and human dignity is respected; where people of all ethnicities and religious backgrounds are free to rejoice during a season of fellowship, hope and unity.

Malinga should be cleared by SLC docs for IPL: Thilanga

Sri Lanka Cricket today said that Lasith Malinga could not play the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) unless he was cleared by SLC’s team of doctors.

Panama papers; Amarapala resigns

Megapolis and Western Development Ministry today said though there was a concerted effort by certain interested parties to link Ministry Consultant Vidya Amarapala to the so-called black money scandal ‘Panama Papers’ he had never been involved in such illegal transactions and added, Mr. Amarapala had decided to resign from his post to facilitate any possible inquiry.

Shares Transaction Levy reimposed

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) today announced the reintroduction of Share Transaction Levy of 0.3 percent, which was removed by the 2016 budget.

One power plant at Norochcholai shut down

One of the three power plants at the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant (LCPP) had been shut down for three days since last night, due to a leakage of a steam boiler in the phase three, Power and Energy Ministry said.

CB probing Panama Papers: Mahendran

The Central Bank was investigating into the materials linked to the Panama Papers and the individuals, who are possessing offshore accounts, Governor Arjuna Mahendran said today.

Jayasuriya to return as Selection Committee Chairman

Former SLC Selection Committee Chairman Sanath Jayasuriya would return to the post next month, SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala said today.  

Aravinda appointed SLC Advisor

Former Selection Committee Chairman of SLC Aravinda de Silva had been appointed as the Advisor- Cricketers’ Affairs, SLC announced today.

Sri Lanka also interested in Sea Bridge: Gadkari

Sri Lanka is also "interested" in the project to build a bridge connecting both the countries, Indian Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday.  

Senior DIG Wickremesinghe appointed acting IGP

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed Senior DIG S.M. Wickremesinghe as the acting IGP, police said.

Brothel raided in Mt. Lavinia

Four women, including the manager of a brothel which had been operating as an Ayurvedic medical centre at Mount Lavinia in Ratmalana were arrested by the Mount Lavania Police last evening, Police said.

Hong Kong gets tough with illegal entrants from SL too

The Hong Kong Immigration Department yesterday issued a stern warning that human traffickers who arrange unauthorized entrants to Hong Kong from Sri Lanka and seven other countries would face a HK$5 million fine and a jail term in the future, The Standard said.

Not banned yet, official hearing in May: Kusal

Kusal Janith Perera has said that he has not been banned yet and the official hearing into the doping charges against him is to be held in May.

US embassy launches Interview Waiver Program

The US Embassy in Colombo today launched the Interview Waiver Program (IWP) for eligible visa applicants in Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Dayasiri red with rage over green flags

Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara has left the ceremony held to mark the laying of the foundation stone for the Polgahawela flyover today in protest over the display of only green flags at the venue.