6000 year grains unearthed

A team of researchers from the Archaeological Faculty of the Kelaniya University lead by Prof. Raj Somadewa has discovered a kind of grains of more than 6000 years during excavations on the Ilukkumbura area in Balangoda which was the seat of an ancient civilization.

Ex-LG heads planning new political party

Some former heads of local authorities which were administered by the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) are in the process of forming a new political party to contest the Local Government elections with the backing of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

PM criticises media

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today asked the media which “went shopping” for the “18th Amendment, the Junta and G.L. Peiris” not to spoil the constitutional process.

GMOA threatens to sue Rajitha

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) warned today it would take legal action against Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and the Health Ministry Secretary Anura Jayawickrama next week for permitting the Malabe Private Medical University to carry out clinical training at government hospitals.

SL, Japan agree to strengthen maritime security

Sri Lanka and Japan had agreed to take measures to strengthen the cooperation on maritime security and also to develop mutual understanding between the two countries, the Defence Ministry said in a statement today.

Herath, Kusal give statements to FCID; Angelo also summoned

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has recorded statements from cricketers Rangana Herath and Kusal Janith Perera in connection with a match fixing complaint, Police said today.

SL named top tourist destination for 2016

Sri Lanka has been named as a top under-the radar destination for 2016 by the Fox News, a post on the FoxNews website said.“This tropical Island in the Indian Ocean offers sweeping landscapes of lush green countryside, towering waterfalls and golden sa

Swire, CBK discuss national unity office

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Visiting State Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire discussed the setting up of the new office for National Unity and Reconciliation.

Bread prices back to Rs. 54

In the wake of the government’s decision not to implement the amendments proposed to the Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Nation Building Tax (NBT) in the 2016 Budget, All Island Bakery Owners Association has decided to reduce the price of bread, which was earlier increased by one rupee.

‘Abilin’ passes away

Veteran actor Chandrasiri Kodithuwakku popular for playing the character ‘Abilin’ in ‘Kopi Kade’ television series has passed away today at the age of 67.Mr. Kodithuwakku was undergoing treatment in the ICU after he was admitted to the Gampaha Hospital yesterday.

Brothel raided in Wellawatta, five arrested

Five women were arrested last night during a raid carried out in a brothel at Galle Road, Wellawatta, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said today.He said a 38-year-old woman was arrested for operating the brothel under the guise of an Ayurvedic Spa. The other four women aged 20, 21, 38 and 40 were arrested for alleged prostitution.

SL condemns Jakarta terror attack

Sri Lanka strongly condemned the terrorist attack which took place in Jakarta last morning, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement yesterday.“We extend our condolences to the families of the victims who died in the incident and reiterate our strong

55 Indian fishermen released

A total of 55 Indian fishermen, imprisoned in Sri Lankan jails have been released, while the remaining are expected to be released over the next couple of days, The Hindu reported today.

Fuel price formula not yet approved

Approval of the pricing formula for fuel (which was submitted to Cabinet) has been postponed, according to government sources.

Theravada bill will give more clout to Mahanayakes: Minister

The proposed ‘Theravada Bhikkhu Dialogue’ Bill does not aim at weakening the authority of the Buddha Sangha but to give legal authority to Mahanayakas of all chapters including the four main Nikayas to carry out punishments decreed after an inquiry by legal Sangha Sabha of each chapter, Justice and Buddhasasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday.

Ten school principals to be investigated

Allegations had been made against the principals of ten popular schools in Colombo and the outstations, and they are to be investigated by the Ministry of Education, said a senior official of the ministry.

Finance Ministry angers MS?

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to be perturbed over the Finance Ministry allegedly placing conditions for the allocation he sought for development work in the Polonnaruwa district.

US to conduct thorough inquiry says Rajitha

The US Federal Reserve in Washington DC, has given an undertaking to Sri Lanka that it would conduct a thorough inquiry on the illegal dollar deposits of Sri Lankans and provide all information with the amount hoarded and the names of account holders, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

Laws to control Buddhist monks will fail: BBS

The activities of certain monks who support political leaders seeking benefits have a negative impact on the entire Buddhist mission, BBS General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera said today.

Reconciliation vital for economic growth: Hugo

Visiting Britain’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hugo Swire has said reconciliation would be key to Sri Lanka future economic growth.

Fire at shops at Kotuwegoda

Several shops at Kotuwegoda in Matara were gutted due to a fire that broke out this afternoon, Police said.

19 students hospitalised due to food poisoning

At least nineteen students at the Baduraliya Maliyadewa Primary School, Kalutara were hospitalised due to alleged food poisoning, police said.

IGP requests approval to fill 3,276 vacancies

Police Chief N.K. Illangakoon has written to the Law and Order Ministry requesting approval to fill 3,276 vacancies in the Police Department.

No Lankan casualties in Jakarta blasts: FM

The Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that there were no Sri Lankans among the injured in this morning's series of blasts and gunfire reported in Indonesian Capital, Jakarta.

Paddy stocks removed from Mattala

The process of removing more than 4000 MT of paddy stored in Mattala International Airport began today.

Blasts, gunfight in Indonesian capital; at least 7 dead

Militants launched a gun and bomb assault in the centre of the Indonesian capital today, killing at least seven people, in an attack that followed a threat by Islamic State fighters to put the country in their "spotlight", police said.

UK Foreign Minister Hugo arrives in SL

Britain’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hugo Swire has arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning.

Argument over impasse

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra's husband Hiran Yatowita had lodged a complaint with the Narahenpita Police over an argument with their neighbour, the Police said.

Complaint lodged against Gammanpila

Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday ordered several media organisations to issue visuals of the video footage of the Press Conference held by UPFA Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila on January 11, after a complaint claiming that some comments made by the MP over the release of MP Hirunika Premachandra by the Court, was contempt of court.

Hot and cold over the Island

Dry and chill weather would prevail in most part of the country during the first two months of the year, the Meteorology Department said yesterday