’Chess Sudu’ nabbed with narcotics valued over Rs. 50Mn

A 34-year-old Ranil Chaturanga alias ’Chess Sudu’ has been arrested with over 4 kg of ICE during a raid by the Welikada Police at Obesekarapura in Rajagiriya.

New Zealand proposes cow, sheep burp tax to curb emissions

New Zealand’s government has proposed taxing the greenhouse gasses that farm animals make from burping and peeing as part of a plan to tackle climate change.

Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill published

The Government Printer has published the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Daraft Bill yesterday.

Roaming leopards instill fear among Hatton residents

Leopards which are roaming freely in the Ruwanpura and Kudagama areas near Hatton, instilling fear among the people living in those areas.

Triple murder suspect at large; Police seek help

Police today released a photograph of the main suspect wanted over the triple murder of a father and two of his sons who have been shot to death. The said they are seeking public assistance to arrest him over the heinous crime which took place on October 6 in Minuwangoda.

Govt. to allocate land on long-term lease for selected investors

A total of 16 land plots will be allocated for 16 investors under a long-term lease basis for a period of 35 years, the government said.

Import, Export Control Act to be submitted to parliament for approval

The regulations under the Import and Export Control Act will be submitted for parliament approval in due course after Cabinet ....

Apparel manufacturers fear recent tax policy might affect competitiveness

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector is currently witnessing a significant decline in orders, a pattern which the industry fears may continue....

Daulagala promoted as CBSL Deputy Governor

The Monetary Board, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, has promoted Mrs. K M A N Daulagala, Assistant Governor and the Secretary to the Monetary Board, to the post of Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) with effect from October 7.

LAUGFS lowers 12.5kg cylinder price by Rs.500

The price of a 12.5kg domestic LAUGFS gas cylinder has been brought down by Rs. 500 from midnight today, LAUGFS Holdings said.

10 rotties, a bottle of soft drink auctioned for Rs. 10,000 in Matale

Ten rotties and a bottle of soft drink have been auctioned for Rs. 10,000 in Bakamunayaya, Matale in aid of the village funeral society.

Body found from sea off Kollupitiya

A dead body was found floating in the sea near the Kollupitiya Railway Station today, Police said.

“I received deaths threats for speaking for Wasantha Mudalige”: Vedda Chief

Vedda Chief Uruwarige Wannilaththo yesterday claimed that he had received death threats for speaking in support of detained IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige and said he had a right to speak for Mudalige as he was part of their community.

A new start to end the ragging culture in universities?

A group of 263 students of the Karapitiya medical faculty of the Ruhunu University were forbidden entry into the faculty for causing inconvenience to the freshers during a recent ceremony to welcome them.

First ever ground mount solar power plant opens in Batticaloa

A total of 10 MW of ground-mount Solar Universe solar power plant in Vavunathivu, Batticaloa, was opened this morning.

SL among 54 poor nations in urgent need of debt relief: UN

Cascading global crises have left 54 countries, including Sri Lanka – countries which are home to more than half of the world’s poorest people -- in dire need of debt relief, the UN said Tuesday.

Shortage of material leads to digital driving license

Cabinet spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena said that with the shortage of material to print driving licenses a proposal has been made to the cabinet to introduce a digital driving license with a QR code.

SJB to launch street protests to force Govt. to go for general election

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today said it would launch street protests to force the government to conduct a general election.

‘Do not use children as human shields in protests’ – NCPA urges parents

In the wake of the recent violent incidents at Galle Face, on a group of protestors including children, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has urged protesters not to use children as human shields in public protests.

President’s office strikes at Bandula, says SL will remain ’middle income’

Contradicting Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardane, President’s Media Division (PMD) said Sri Lanka will remain a middle-income country.

Cabinet nod to increase payment given to families of disappeared

The Cabinet of Ministers have granted approval to increase the payment given to families of the disappeared from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 200,000.

Cabinet nod given to voluntarily downgrade SL’s income status

Cabinet nod has been given to demote Sri Lanka to a lower income status, a step that is taken with the aim of having more access to financial assistance, loans and concessions.

Alleged rape of an underage girl: Former Akuressa PS chairman acquitted from the case

The Court of Appeal today ordered to acquit former Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Saruwa Liyanage Sunil from a case filed against him for raping an underage girl in 2012.

Two more illegally imported Hummers found

Two more Hummer vehicles illegally imported into the country were found at the Sri Lanka customs yesterday during an emergency inspection by State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

Australians arrested over alleged Sri Lanka bribes for lucrative contracts

Two Australian men have been charged with bribing Sri Lankan officials to secure infrastructure contracts worth millions of dollars.

India pledges commitment and support to help revive Sri Lanka tourism

The travel and tour operators in India have pledged support to help Sri Lanka tourism move towards the positive growth trajectory and affirmed it would actively promote the island nation across all states.

All charges related to driving licences up

The charges related to all services when issuing driving licences, including learner’s permits under the normal and one-day services, have been increased.

Japan to assist Sri Lanka in achieving low carbon growth

Sri Lanka and Japan entered into an agreement yesterday on the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) for Low Carbon Growth Partnership.

Eighteen caves conserved in Minintale

The eighteen caves conserved under the project to conserve 68 ancient caves in Mihintale that provided shelter to the meditating Buddhist monks and the devotees were offered to the Mahasangha on the full moon Poya day on Sunday. It coincided with the 2330th State Katina ceremony held at the Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara.

Jobs galore for IT skilled youths in Romania: Ambassador

Romanian Ambassador Victor Chiujdea said many leading multi-nationals are investing heavily in Romania and there will be many opportunities for skilled IT workers from Asian countries including Sri Lanka to get employment, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s office.