SL caught up in vicious cycle: MR

Sri Lanka is now caught up in a vicious cycle of increasing government spending for the electioneering needs of the incumbent government, heavy borrowing to finance that expenditure and increased taxation of the public to service those loans, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

Court permits to detain suspect deported from Dubai

The Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court today permitted the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) officers to detain Mohommad Nazeem Mohammad Faizar, one of the two suspects who were deported from Dubai on Sunday and arrested by the CID.

Madush will be brought to SL in two weeks: DSG

Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris informed court today that steps had been taken to bring down Makandure Madush to Sri Lanka within the next two weeks.

Drug trafficking charges - Chilaw UC member detained

The Negombo Magistrate today permitted the Negombo Division Crimes Unit officers to detain Chilaw Urban Councillor Warnakulasuriya Stanley Lewis Fernando, who was arrested on charges of drug trafficking.

Blacklisted two SL women deported from Kuwait

Two Sri Lankans women who tried to enter Kuwait on forged passports have been deported to Sri Lanka, Arab Times reported quoting Al-Anba daily.

Sri Lankan gets 30-year RI in Chennai over heroin seizure

Ten years after 1.14kg heroin was seized from his bank locker, a Sri Lankan national was on Monday sentenced to 30 years in jail for the offence, the Times of India reported.

Construction worker falls to death from hotel building

A 22-year-old youth had fallen to his death from the eighteenth floor of a building under construction at a hotel complex in Galle Face last evening, police said.

One day token strike to begin tonight by Private Bus employees

The All Island Private Bus Employees Association (AIPBEA) today said that they would launch a 24-hour countrywide token strike with from midnight today against the government decision to increase spot fine up to Rs.25,000.

US names Iran’s Revolutionary Guards terrorist group

The US President Donald Trump on Monday branded Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization, an unprecedented step that raises the specter of retaliation from Tehran in an increasingly tense Middle East.

Summons not served as far as we’re aware: Namal

SLPP Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa in a Twitter message said that former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa never received summons of any form as far as he was concerned.

Two lawsuits against Gota in US

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was served with notice of two separate civil lawsuits against him in California, USA on Sunday, over the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunga and on behalf of a Tamil torture survivor.

Vehicles with unauthorised lights and horns banned from July 1

Tough action will be taken against the use of unauthorised lights and horns in vehicles causing noise pollution from July 1, police said.

Two deportees from Dubai: One arrested by CID

Mohommad Nazeem Mohammad Faizar (37), one of the two suspects who were deported from Dubai, was arrested by the airport CID this afternoon, police said.

Won’t abandon talks with SLFP, says SLPP

Acknowledging the existence of a grave problem with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today it would not abandon bilateral talks with the party whatsoever but deal with outstanding issues directly.

Lasantha's Assassination: Lawsuit against Gota in US court

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, has filed a case in the California Court against former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in connection with the assassination of her father in January 2009.

Grade 5 Scholarship Exam not compulsory anymore: Education Minister

The Grade 5 Scholarship Examination would not be compulsory anymore and the relevant circular had been issued, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

H.M Jayawardena passes away

Veteran musician H.M Jayawardena has passed away at the age of 69 while undergoing treatment at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital – Kalubowila a short while ago, Sri Lanka Singers Association (SLASA) President Keerthi Pasquel confirmed.

EU requests SL to maintain its moratorium on death penalty

The European Union (EU) called on the Sri Lankan Government to maintain its moratorium on the death penalty in line with its vote at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in December 2018.

Power cuts to come to an end on April 10

Minister of Power and Energy, Ravi Karunanayaka said that the power supply island wide will not be interrupted from April 10 onwards.

China to construct 2000 houses for low income families in Colombo

The Chinese Government will construct 2000 free houses for the benefit of low-income families in Colombo upon a request made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, a minister said yesterday.

Two more deported from Dubai

Two more individuals, who were arrested along with notorious drug kingpin Makandure Madush in Dubai, were deported last night, police said.

Indian Defence Secy. on a two-day visit to SL

Indian Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra arrived in Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit yesterday afternoon.

People were taxed even during the time of King Parakramabahu: PM

People were taxed even during the time of King Parakramabahu, although it was criticized today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said at the 52nd Aluth Sahal Mangalaya at Jaya Srimaha Bodhi in Anurdhapura this morning.

10 arrested at an FB party in Tangalle

A hotel owner and five women were among ten people arrested by the Police during a raid on a party organized through the Facebook, at Medilla in Tangalle on Saturday night.

Matara -Beliatta railway line to open tomorrow

The newly constructed Matara -Beliatta railway extension will be vested with the public tomorrow, the Ministry of Transport said.

Indian ship ‘Cora Divh’ arrives in Trincomalee

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Cora Divh’ arrived at the Trincomalee port on a goodwill visit today, the Navy said.

Speaker meets Qatari deputy premier in Doha

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya who is in Doha, Qatar had met with Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani today.

Strict laws to control noise pollution from vehicle horns

IGP Pujith Jayasundara has been instructed to take stern action against vehicles fitted with horns which cause noise pollution, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said.

General amnesty for army deserters from April 22

A general amnesty period has been declared to all Sri Lankan Army absentees, enabling them to receive a discharge from service under four categories, the army said.

26 illegal migrants arrested in Kilinochchi

Twenty-six people were arrested by the STF officers in Kilinochchi when they attempted to migrate to Canada illegally, police said.