Verbal clash between two SJB MPs in Parliament

A verbal confrontation between two SJB MPs Harin Fernando and Kumara Welgama was witnessed in Parliament today.

Lunch packets up by Rs.20, plain tea by Rs.5: Canteen Owners' Assn.

The price of a lunch packet and a cup of plain tea will be increased with effect from tomorrow (23) in the wake of the increasing prices of vegetables and related essentials, All Island Canteen Owners Association (AICOA) Head Asela Sampath said today.

SLPP PS member tied to lamp post for harassing residents in Galpatha

A Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Panadura Pradeshiya Sabha member who had been harassing the residents of Galpatha under influence of alcohol has been tied to a lamp post by a group of residents in the area.

CID probe into Nano fertilizer import allegation: Shasheendra

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has been informed to conduct an impartial inquiry into whether any financial irregularity had taken place when importing Nano nitrogen liquid fertilizer from India, State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa said today.

Three arrested while selling 10 precious Elephant Pearls

Three suspects were arrested for the possession of ten Elephant Pearls (Gajamuthu) during a raid carried out by the STF in Eragama in Kalmunai yesterday.

Claymore mine made by LTTE found in Velanai, Jaffna

A high-powered claymore mine made by LTTE was recovered buried in a private plot of land in the Velanai Ambiga Nagar area in Jaffna last evening (21), police said.

Aeroflot resumes Colombo-Moscow flights

Aeroflot Airlines recommenced its flight operations to Colombo yesterday from Moscow with a flight frequency of two flights per week between Moscow and Colombo, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.

12 arrested with drugs at Facebook party in Weligama

Twelve suspects have been arrested with drugs after police raided a party at a tourist lodge at Midigama in Weligama.

Heavy rains expected from tomorrow

The showery condition over the island is expected to enhance from tomorrow (23), the Meteorological Department forecast said.

Vote on the second reading of the budget to take place today

The vote on the second reading debate of the budget is expected to take place at 5 pm today.

Prez to have crucial meeting today

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will have a crucial meeting with the authorities of the agriculture sector today to discuss the fertilizer crisis that has affected vegetable farming, leading to unprecedented spikes in prices.

Rubber sector not impressed with plan to ban rubber products imports

The proposed ban on importation of rubber-based products and the parallel promotion of investments into local production of rubber related finished goods may not yield the desired results as the country is already scrambling to meet the demand for natural rubber needed to power its existing value addition industries, according to an industrialist.

CB appoints four new Assistant Governors

The Monetary Board, at its meeting held on November 17th has promoted K. G. .P Sirikumara, D. Kumaratunge, U. L. Muthugala and C. P. S. Bandara to the post of Assistant Governor with effect from 17th November 2021.

SL continues to struggle with brand image, says tourism industry veteran

Although several plans have been conceptualised and rolled out for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry to move towards recovery, branding and positioning of the island nation is yet to be effectively executed, a tourism industry veteran highlighted.

Plans afoot to increase direct flights between SL and India

Plans are in place to increase direct flights between India and Sri Lanka in the near future as interest in the island nation as a tourist destination from the neighbouring giant is on the rise, said the Ministry of Tourism yesterday.

Tax experts shed light on upcoming Special GST on selected sectors

Clearing some ambiguities surrounding the enforcement of the Special Goods and Services Tax (SGST), a government official said the proposed tax would only apply to identified sectors and would come as a composite tax in place of the multiple taxes such as Excise duty and the Value Added Tax and other levies.

CID summons Fr. Cyril Gamini again

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando has been summoned to appear before the CID again tomorrow, police said.

TNA MPs forced away from meetings with diaspora groups in Canada

TNA Parliamentarians M.A Sumanthiran and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, who are presently in Canada, were driven away from a meeting held with a group of Tamil diaspora, who branded them as ’traitors’ alleging the diaspora wanted a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka.

Origin of COVID patients detected at present unknown: Health officials

It has been impossible to recognize the origin of the COVID-19 patients who are being detected at present in the country, Health officials said today.

Haul of Kerala Ganja worth over Rs. 6 mn recovered in seas off Ariyalai

A stock of 229 kg of Kerala Ganja worth over Rs 6 million hidden in a dinghy boat was recovered by the Navy early this morning in the seas off Ariyalai area in Jaffna.

US-made communication box washed ashore near Mannar Army camp

A box containing communication equipment was found on the beach near the Mannar Army camp last evening (20), the Mannar Police Special Task Force (STF) said.

Colombo-Kandy train service to commence from tomorrow

The Colombo-Kandy train service which was suspended due to inclement weather will resume from tomorrow (22).

Suspicious death of man at a hotel in A’pura

The Anuradhapura Police have commenced investigations after body of a man who died suspiciously found at a hotel at Walawwatta in Anuradhapura yesterday.

Two suspects arrested with 7,990 explosive sticks imported from India

Two suspects have been arrested with 7,990 sticks of emulsion type explosives weighing over 998 kg, which was illegally imported from India and were hidden in a house in Mannar.

Explosion at Cinnamon Gardens building due to gas leak: Govt Analyst confirms

The Government Analyst has confirmed that a gas leak has caused the explosion at a building in Cinnamon Gardens on Reid Avenue, Colombo 7 this morning, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Provide three square meals to people before making roads: Geetha

Something must be done to help the poor people who could only afford only one meal a day before constructing and carpeting roads, ruling party MP Geetha Kumarasinghe said today.

Take over Malwana mansion; bring back millions disclosed by Pandora Papers: Anura tells Govt.

The Government should take over unclaimed Malwana mansion, money disclosed by Pandora Papers and money defrauded through airbus deal just as the Finance Minister proposed to transfer Rs. 8.5 billion earned by Perpetual Treasuries Limited in Central Bank Bond scam to the Treasury, National Peoples’ Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Sri Lankan woman, mother and two children killed in Bexleyheath fire

A Sri Lankan woman, her mother and two young children have died in a house fire in Bexleyheath, England.

Explosion reported at McDonald's at Cinnamon Gardens building

An explosion has taken place at a building at Cinnamon Gardens on Reid Avenue, Colombo 7, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Common Opposition alliance will be in place next year: Ruwan

A common opposition alliance will be in place next year as there will be a political turnaround, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.