​Govt lifts ban on several banned LTTE outfits

By a gazette extraordinary issued on Friday, the Sri Lankan government lifted the ban on several outfits and individuals previously thought to have been working for the LTTE.

​Samantha Power in SL

US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon for a three-day official visit.

India-Pakistan may play in SL or Bangladesh?

 The possibility of a bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan in either Sri Lanka or Bangladesh cannot be ruled out.

AG and BC asked to take legal action against Sarath Kumara

The PRECIFAC has requested the Bribery Commission (BC) and the Attorney General’s Department (AG) to take legal action against former Deputy Minister of Fisheries Sarath Kumara Gunaratne and two others with regard to misusing of Fisheries Corporation funds, an official of the commission said.

Indian fishermen in SL custody: Jayalalithaa writes to Modi

A day after 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy for crossing the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL), chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his immediate intervention.

SL woman arrested with Rs.28mn worth foreign currency

A 50-year-old Sri Lankan woman was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle out foreign currency notes worth Rs. 28 million this morning.

Vehicular movement at Gas Paha junction restricted

Vehicular movement at the Gas Paha junction in Dam Street police area has been restricted after a septic tank caved in this morning, police said.

One injured in Police firing

One person was injured when police opened fire on a car which had sped away defying police orders in front of Dankotuwa police station last night, police said.

Mixed reactions from ministers and MPs

The 2016 budget presented by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake drew mixed reactions from Parliament with government members hailing it while the opposition, said it failed to meet expectations.

​Enter MS, exit MR

President Maithripala Sirisena‘s presence at the tea party after the budget and the quick exit of former President and Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa avoiding the reception were notable features in Parliament.

Full report of Budget-2016

The Budget 2016 presented by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake took the form of a road map for economic reforms coupled with concessions for certain sectors. 

80 hostages freed as special forces storm Mali hotel

Eighty hostages held by Islamist gunmen have been freed from a luxury hotel in Mali's capital as government special forces moved floor by floor to clear the building, Mali's state broadcaster and a security source, Reuters reported.

Gunmen take 170 hostages at a hotel in Mali

Gunmen attacked a five-star hotel in Mali's capital Bamako on Friday and are holding 170 hostages, witnesses said.

Sarath Kumara Gunaratne released on bail

Former Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne who appeared before Negombo Magistrate’s Court today over allegedly threatening a police officer, was released on two sureties of Rs. 500,000 by Chief Magistrate Poornima Paranagamage.

Attempts to celebrate Mahaviru Day in the North

Posters have been put up in Vavuniya town and suburbs requesting people to light a lamp in each house and school, in view of the Mahaviru day that falls on November 27 to commemorate slain LTTE Leader V. Prabhakaran’s birthday and LTTE cadres who were killed while fighting for Tamil Eelam.

Chennai may not host India-SL World T20 matches

The historic MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai home to scores of Twenty20 fans thanks to the following that Chennai Super Kings have enjoyed the last eight years, may not host any of the India matches when the ICC World Twenty20 is hosted in the country between March 11 and April 3 next year. The famed Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host the final match of the tournament.

Grand Hyatt board remains unchanged-official

The board of directors of Canwill Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, the state-owned entity which owns Grand Hyatt Colombo, has not changed as the Public Enterprise Development Ministry stated, and is still working efficiently towards the completion of the project, a top official affirmed. 

Thilakaratne new CAA Chairman

Former CEO of Laksala, Hasitha Thilakaratne has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), government sources said. Mr. Thilakaratne had also served as the Chairman of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority.  

PRECIFAC records statement from MR

Former President and Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the PRECIFAC this morning to give a statement in connection with the non-payment of money owed to the ITN. Former Ministers G.L. Peiris and Keheliya Rambukwella had accompanied Mr. Rajapaksa.

Request to sell Sicille's jewellery to pay depositors

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya yesterday ordered the CID to submit a report to Court on the feasibility of auctioning the gold and gems belonging to Sicille Kotelawela (the wife of Lalith Kotelawela, the former Chairman of Ceylinco group) which are said to be lying in a local bank -- and paying the depositors with the money so obtained.

President’s, PM’s residencies to be relocated: Champika

Describing the government’s plans regarding the proposed Megapolis, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that the official residences of the president and the prime minister would be moved to Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte close by the Parliamentary Complex.

Standard house number plates from CMC

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is to introduce a standard plate with the house number on it for the City of Colombo and will provide the plates to householders and government and commercial establishments in the near future, said Colombo Mayor A. J. M. Muzammil, yesterday.

CAA Chairman resigns

The Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), Dr. R.M. K. Ratnayake has tendered his resignation to Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

I don’t think govt will scrap Exec. Presidency-MR

Former president Mahinda Rajapakse said yesterday, in Kandy, that the executive presidential system would not be changed by this government. “What I feel is that the Executive Presidency will not be changed by this government,” he said.

​FCID visits CSN again

Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division officers visited the Carlton Sports Network (CSN) television office today for the second time to collect evidence relevant to the ongoing probe.

Cabinet to be briefed on Budget

A special cabinet meeting is slotted at 9.30 tomorrow morning to give a hint of the budget proposals to the members of the cabinet, Information and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gayantha Karunatilaka said.

Govt. justifies political appointments in SL missions

Though the new government recalled all politically appointed heads and senior officials of Sri Lankan missions overseas back to the country, the government had not said it would not make political appointments in the future, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Paris attacks 'mastermind' killed in raid

The suspected ringleader of the Paris attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, has been identified as one of those killed in a raid in Saint Denis, the Paris prosecutor says.

Google live traffic in SL

Google has made its live traffic updates available in Sri Lanka providing great ease for commuters to find roads with less traffic.

Govt. to probe UN Working Group claims

The government will investigate claims made by the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (UNWGEID) including claims of a ‘secret’ detention centre operated in Trincomalee where detainees had been allegedly tortured, the Foreign Ministry said today.