Volkswagen plant in SL as planned-PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament that the German government has assured that the Volkswagen Company has not suspended work and therefore steps would be taken to establish an assembly plant in Kuliyapitiya soon.

Central Expressway;Govt to look for local construction firms

In a major policy decision, the Government has decided to implement the Central Expressway Project (CEP) with inputs from local construction firms, joint ventures or consortiums. 

​Jaya seeks Modi's help on Indian fishermen in SL custody

Chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure the release of 41 Tamil Nadu fishermen, who have been in Sri Lankan custody over the past several weeks, and 56 fishing boats.

President responded positively: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) said President Maithripala Sirisena had given a positive response to its demands during the discussion its members had with the President yesterday afternoon.

Vehicle permits; Complaint lodged with FCID

The All Ceylon Customs Services Union (ACCSU) yesterday complained to the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) about a Rs.1 billion fraud on vehicles imported on permit.

TU action if demands not granted soon: Ratnapriya

Government, semi Government and private sector Trade Unions’ Collective Convener Saman Ratnapriya said yesterday they would resort to trade union action if the government failed to fulfill its promises made at the meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

We’re not scared of politicians: GMOA

Health Minister should ask himself why he was afraid of quitting the Mahinda Rajapaksa government until President Maithripala Sirisena did so to join the coalition against the then government, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said today.

A journalist must have an eagle eye and inquiring mind: Gayantha

A successful journalist should have an eagle eye, must work hard and have an inquiring mind, Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilake said today at the Asidisi Journalist Scholarship Award Ceremony held at the Government Information Auditorium.

34 prisoners get life imprisonment instead of death sentence

Thirty-four prisoners who had been sentenced to death were granted presidential amnesty and given life imprisonment instead of their death sentences.

Import of 700 luxury vehicles; Ravi denies reports

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake today denied reports that 700 vehicles had been undervalued had ordered to be released from Customs without levying the actual import duty.

PM agrees to amend 16 budget proposals

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe agreed to amend 16 budget proposals at a meeting with SLFP MPs today.

Vehicle catches fire on SE

A vehicle is reported to have caught fire on Kottawa -- Kahathuduwa stretch of the Southern Expressway this evening.

Govt mulling English in Pirivenas

Government is looking at the possibility of providing 'pirivena' education in the English Medium, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam informed Parliament today.

Relations with Britain on sound footing-Ranil

The Government is maintaining sound diplomatic relations with Britain even in the absence of a high commissioner in charge of the Sri Lankan mission in that country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

Keheliya discharged from ITN controversy

The PRECIFAC said today that former minister and MP Keheliya Rambukwella was discharged from alleged charges over ITN advertisement issue as there was no evidence against him.

Grade-5 scholarship exam cut-off marks released

The cut-off marks of the 2015 Grade-5 Scholarship Examination had been released by the Examinations Department today.School cut-off marks (Sinhala Medium-Boys Schools)

Gunaratnam re-remanded

Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) polit-bureau member Kumar Gunaratnam was further remanded till December 30 by Kegalle Additional Magistrate Malani Jayawardane today.

Bookie approach of SL cricketers probed

A bookie had made approaches to cricketers Rangana Herath and Kusal Janith fix the result of the first Test between Sri Lanka and West Indies played between October 14-17 in Galle.

Indian girl contacted ISIS agent in Sri Lanka: ToI report

A teenage girl from India has been put under surveillance after police investigations had revealed that she had links with the ISIS after establishing contact with one of its agent in Sri Lanka and other ISIS sympathizers on social media networks, the Times of India reported today.  

Fisticuffs at Sports Ministry

Cricket Officials Nishantha Ranatunga and Sujeewa Godaliyadda had allegedly been involved in fisticuffs at the Sports Ministry this morning before an inquiry commenced, informed sources said.

Two teenagers drown in Saragama Wewa

Two teenagers aged 13 and 14 have drowned in the Saragama Wewa at Thiththawella in Kurunegala this morning, Police said.The two victims had been exercising near the Saragama Wewa with two other friends and had drowned after falling into the tank while attempting to wash their faces.

Australia welcomes SL’s focus on economic growth

While welcoming Sri Lankan government's focus on economic growth and reform, Australia said today that it would continue to support Sri Lanka as it makes progress on national reconciliation.

NPC not used a cent for development: Douglas

The Northern Provincial Council (NPC) had become a meaningless institution as it had not used a single cent out of the funds allocated for it by the Central Government, Opposition MP Douglas Devananda told Parliament today.

Over stayers engaged in unethical conversion: minister

Five foreigners who were arrested for overstaying their visas had engaged in unethical conversion of people of various faiths in the country, it was alleged in Parliament today.

Yes, my daughter-in-law is studying at SAITM: Rajitha

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne today admitted that his daughter-in-law was studying at SAITM and added that not only her but that many of his relatives were studying there.

Floating armoury: Court insists vessel be handed over to shipping co.

The Galle Deputy Habour Master was ordered by court today to carry out immediately the earlier court order to release the ship that contained the floating armoury to the shipping company or else action would be taken against him for contempt of court.

‘Amude’ protest: Heavy traffic near Town Hall

Heavy Traffic was reported in the Town Hall area and along Dharmapala Mawatha because of a protest against some of the budget proposals by a large number of farmers wearing span cloth. 

Air India employee sucked into plane’s engine

An Air India ground staff member died in a freak accident at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport last night when he was sucked into the engine of a plane being positioned for take-off.

MR arrives at PRECIFAC

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived today at the PRECIFAC to give a statement in connection with the non-payment of money owed to the ITN.

Govt. postpones amendments to Penal Code

Government has decided to postpone the enactment of legislations to ban hate speech, Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella informed Parliament today.