SL condemns attack on Indian Air Force base

The Sri Lankan government strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot on Saturday.

"Govt. to discuss with the US in joining TTP"

The government will discuss with the United States (US) in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) with that country during the next round of talks on Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), a Deputy Minister said yesterday.

Hirunika should have been arrested says Wimal

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday that MP Hirunika Premachandra should have been arrested already over the Dematagoda abduction if the independent police commission was ‘genuinely’ independent.

Electricity: smart meters from tomorrow

The Power Ministry would commission the Smart Meter System (SMS) for measuring electricity usage from tomorrow, Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said yesterday.

Term of imprisonment unclear: Foreign Employment Ministry

The term of imprisonment of the Sri Lankan housemaid who was charged with adultery in Saudi Arabia has not been clearly mentioned, the Foreign Employment Ministry stated yesterday.

New party aims to safeguard Sinhala identity

“Sinhale Jathika Balamuluwa,” convening its first media briefing today said it was formed to safeguard the identity of the Sinhala people and to regenerate the supremacy and pride of the Sinhala people.

SLPA refutes allegations of Communication Div. closure

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) today denied allegations that a decision was taken to seal the head office of the authority’s Communications and Public Relations Division.

Soldiers arrested to please LTTE Diaspora: Wimal

UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa today accused the government of imprisoning officers of the army intelligence unit over the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda to satisfy the LTTE Diaspora.

1,501 'statutory rapes' in 2015

A rundown of the causes of death and crimes statistics provided by the Police Department today showed that while the number of reported rape, suicides and murders in the country had decreased slightly, the number of accidents had increased marginally when compared to 2014.

Security forces fully alert to ISIS threats: Ministry

The Defence Ministry today assured that security forces and all intelligence agencies were on full alert on the possibility of any groups having links with the ISIS making their appearance in Sri Lanka.

Roads flooded; heavy traffic in Colombo

Several roads in Colombo were flooded because of rains and there is heavy traffic congestion on most of the exit roads in Colombo, police said.

Man climbs tree; demands justice for daughter

A 47-year-old man from Deraniyagala had climbed atop to a Bo-tree in front of the private bus stand demanding justice for his daughter who had been sexually abused. The suspect had been arrested and produced before the Fort Magistrate and released on bail, the Police said.

No bringing back unregistered housemaids at State expense: Minister

Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorala said today the Foreign Employment Bureau would no longer make any effort to bring back Sri Lankan housemaids from abroad if they had not registered with the Bureau.

Dinesh wants Deshapriya to hold LG polls

The Joint Opposition today urged the Chairman of the Independent Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya to announce on March 31 the holding of the elections for Local Government (LG) bodies as scheduled.

Dematagoda Abduction: Suspects identified

The eight suspects in remand custody in connection with the Dematagoda abduction case were identified by five eye witnesses at an identification parade held at Colombo Magistrate Court today.

Civil suit filed against Hirunika, mother in DC

Two co- owners of a premises of Kolonnawa had filed a civil suit in the Colombo District Court against UNP Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra and her mother for allegedly encroaching into their premises.

Flour price: CAA to take legal action

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) would take legal action against the companies, which had increased wheat flour prices without the Authority’s approval, a top CAA official said today.

German botanical smugglers caught in Sinharaja

A theft of spores from rare and protected plant species growing in Sinharaja Forest, a world heritage site and the only primary rain forest in Sri Lanka, was uncovered recently by Wildlife Officers attached to the forest reserve.

SLAF unaware of agreement to purchase jets from Pakistan

The Sri Lanka Air Force yesterday said it was unaware of an agreement signed with Pakistan to purchase eight JF-17 fighter jets, although Pakistan media had reported of such a move.When contacted by the Daily Mirror, Air Force Group Captain Chandima Alwis said they were unaware of any such arrangement.

Don’t play your cricket at Ports Authority: Union to Arjuna

Ports Trade Union today threatened to take action against Ports and Shipping Minister, Arjuna Ranatunga’s decision to seal the Authority’s Communications and Public Relations Division head office and stated the Minister would not be allowed to play ‘his cricket’ at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

Basil at FCID again

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) a short while ago to give a statement in connection with the alleged financial misappropriations in the Divi Neguma Department, Police said.

Lottery ticket robber nabbed

A 23-year-old individual has been arrested in connection with stealing a lottery ticket that has won Rs.500,000 in Anuradhapura yesterday.

Tremor detected near North Korea nuclear site

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake has been detected in North Korea, close to a site previously used for nuclear tests.

Norway seeks to renew political contact with SL

Norway's foreign minister will visit Sri Lanka this week in a bid to re-establish political contact, his office said Tuesday, almost 10 years after Oslo failed in a bid to mediate in the island's civil war.

Gammanpila will soon raise white flags: Harin

Minister Harin Fernando said he saw MP Udaya Gammanpila dressed in black and carrying a black flag. "But before long he will have to raise a white flag to mark the end of the joint opposition, which has nowhere to turn now. I can only feel sorry for him," he said.

Pakistan hopes for joint investment company

Pakistan was investigating the possibility of setting up a joint investment company and a currency swap agreement with Sri Lanka, said visiting Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif yesterday.

University intake to increase by 10%

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to increase the university intake by ten per cent for the next academic year based on the results of the 2015 GCE Advanced Level Examination released this week, officials said yesterday.

Postpone signing of agreement: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA), today, requested President Maithripala Sirisena to postpone the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement until a national policy on trade agreements was worked out.

SL likely to sign FTA with US: PM

Sri Lanka hopes to sign a Free Trade Agreement with the US in the future, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Warnasinghe prevented from making statement

When Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe, the former Minister of Health, Indigenous Medicine, Social Welfare, Probation, Child Care and Women’s Affairs in the Western Provincial Council attempted to make a statement today at the Council sessions was shouted down by both government and opposition members.