GR to return to SL on Saturday

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return back to the country on Saturday, a source close to him said.

Namal’s advice to RW on what to do next

MP Namal Rajapakasa said that he believes President Ranil Wickremesinghe should create a stable government with the 134 MPs who voted in favour of him and not those who opposed him.

Kegalle SJB organizer arrested over death of woman at SJB office

The Kegalle Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) organizer Lakman Dissanayake has been arrested in connection with the death of a woman attached to the Kegalle SJB office.

Cigarette prices increased

The prices of each cigarette category has been increased with effect from today, cigarette companies said.

600,000MT of substandard rice imported due to chemical fertilizer ban: Amaraweera

Sri Lanka has had to import nearly 600,000 metric tons of substandard and poisonous rice as a result of the failed decision to promote organic farming, Agricultural Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Jeyaraj murder: Former ASP and Ex-LTTE cadre acquitted and released

Former ASP for Gampaha, Lakshman Cooray and Ex-LTTE cadre Selvarajah Piribahakaran aka ’Morris’ who were in remanded custody over the murder of former Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle were acquitted and released by Gampaha High Court Judge Sahan Mapa Bandara today.

Ready even to beg to provide free meals to school children: Susil

Whilst stating that there is nothing wrong in getting assistance from foreign countries and international organizations to provide free meals to school children, the Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha today and he also said the opposition members should come forward to meet foreign diplomats and seek assistance for the nation.

Woman attached to Kegalle SJB office found dead with gunshot injuries

A 36-year-old woman attached to the Kegalle Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) office, was found dead with gunshot injuries in Kalugalla Mawatha in Kegalle this morning, police said.

SL secures IMF staff-level pact for US $ 2.9bn EFF facility

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Sri Lankan authorities have reached a staff-level agreement to support Sri Lanka’s economic policies with 48-month arrangement under Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of about US$2.9 billion, the IMF said.

It’s time to show SL bowlers, batters who they are: Mahela

Former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene said that it’s time for Sri Lanka bowlers to show the class and batters to show who they are on the field, ahead of the T-20 match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the Asia Cup today.

Conman bought house for Jacqueline Fernandez in Sri Lanka

Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar had bought a house in Sri Lanka for Jacqueline Fernandez and made an advance for a bungalow in Mumbai’s upscale Juhu locality for her, the Enforcement Directorate’s chargesheet read.

Circular permitting migrant workers to import electric vehicles issued

A circular allowing migrant workers to import an electric vehicle was issued yesterday (August 31) by the Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry.

Man transporting over 5 tonnes of stale fish in lorry arrested in Negombo

One person was taken into the custody with a lorry while transporting 5,670 kg of stale fish which are unfit for human consumption in Kochchikade, Negombo yesterday.

Heavy rains; four sluice gates of Deduru Oya opened: Irrigation Dept.

Irrigation (Hydrology) Director S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said due to worsening weather conditions, four spill gates of the Deduru Oya were opened last night to release 8,400 cubic metres per second.

Colombo inflation surges to 64.3% in August

The headline inflation in the Colombo district, as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), accelerated to 64.3 percent on a year-on-year basis in August versus 60.8 percent in July, the data released by the Census and Statistics Department showed.

Colombo Lotus Tower to open doors to public on September 15

The Colombo Lotus Tower, which was constructed with the aim of making it a symbolic landmark of Sri Lanka, will open its doors to the public on September 15.

SriLankan Airlines celebrates 43 years of flying

SriLankan Airlines has been the fabric of commercial aviation in Sri Lanka since the dawn of the airline 43 years ago. It was launched on 1 September 1979, and the airline’s greatest accomplishments, are often intertwined with Sri Lanka’s own milestones in aviation and tourism.

Another shooting in Ambalangoda kills one

A 28-year-old man was killed when he was shot while travelling on a motorcycle near Balapitiya Hospital in Ambalangoda tonight.

Applications will not be accepted after Sept. 2 for intermediate grades: Ministry

The Education Ministry has said it will not accept application forms for admission of students to intermediate grades in national schools from September 2.

Daham Sirisena appointed Polonnaruwa West SLFP organiser

Daham Sirisena, President of the Polonnaruwa District Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Youth League, has been appointed as the electoral organizer for Polonnaruwa West.

No action against arrested undergrads under PTA: Govt. assures

The government today assured that the group of university students who were arrested yesterday during a protest would not be dealt with Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

President denies allocating Rs. 400 Mn to renovate MR’s residence

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today denied reports which said a sum of Rs. 400 million has been allocated out of state funds to renovate the residence of Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

GL threatens to seek legal action if LG polls postponed

SLPP Chairman Prof. GL peiris today warned the government that they would seek legal action if any attempt is made to postpone the Local Government election which was due now.

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka strikes staff-level pact with IMF on loan

Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a preliminary agreement on an emergency loan to the crisis-hit country and a formal announcement will be made on Thursday, four sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Troops arrest duo with 10.4 kg of ICE worth Rs. 150mn in Mannar

Two men were arrested by the Army with 10.4 kg of ICE (methamphetamine crystals) which has a street value of more than Rs. 150 million at a Mannar roadblock this morning.

Red alert issued for 20 districts as rains intensify: Met Dept.

A red alert (High risk) for heavy deluge has been issued for 20 districts, the Meteorology Department said today.

SLPP independent group sit in opposition

A group of independent MPs of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) including Dallas Alahapperuma sat in the Opposition side in Parliament today.

Rainfall in hydro catchment areas still inadequate: Irrigation Dept.

Although heavy rainfall has been experienced in the country since last evening, the hydro catchment areas have not received significant rainfall, Irrigation (Hydrology) Director S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said.

Sun directly over Sri Lanka for 11 days

The sun is expected to be directly over the island from August 28 to September 7, as a result of its apparent southward relative motion, the Department of Meteorology said.

Harak Kata’s drug peddler ’Kudu Batti’ arrested

The STF has arrested two suspects including a woman known as ’Kudu Batti’ who are accomplices of the notorious drug kingpin and the leader of an organized criminal gang Nadun Chinthaka alias ’Harak Kata’.