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.

Appointment as State Ministers - UNP submits names of 6 MPs to Prez

The United National Party (UNP) is reported to have submitted the names of six MPs to President Maithripala Sirisena to be appointed as state ministers.

Controversy over extension of service of Peoples’ Bank GM

JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti yesterday claimed that a six month’s service extension had been given to People’s Bank General Manager Wasantha Kumara despite the COPE’s instruction to refrain from doing so and urged the government to recover the salary paid to him.

Prez wanted PC elections postponed: Hesha Withanage

It was President Maithripala Sirisena who wanted the provincial council elections postponed, UNP MP Hesha Withange told Parliament yesterday.

Micro-finance regulatory authority soon: Mangala

The government will introduce a micro-finance regulatory authority and formulate a micro-finance framework within three months in a move to protect people faced with issues of micro-finaning, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera told parliament yesterday.

Tabs for AL students and those in other grades soon: Akila

Tablet computers will be provided to AL students and those in other grades in the future, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said when addressing the annual prize-giving ceremony of St. Paul’s Girls School in Milagiriya yesterday.

Reason for PC polls delay - Opposition wants mixed electoral system

Provincial Council elections had to be postponed because the opposition insisted that the polls should be held under the mixed electoral system, House Leader and Minister, Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday.

Release of military acquired lands in N and E accelerated

The release of military acquired lands in the North and East has been accelerated following the establishment of the Special Task force for the development of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Attack on FTZ employees - SC holds protesters rights violated

Supreme Court today held that the police assault on the peaceful demonstrators within the Katunayake Free Trade Zone in May, 2011 was a violation of their fundamental rights and directed the State to pay the petitioners compensation ranging from Rs.50,000 to Rs.250,000 payable by State.

Duty free vehicles - Public servants can open LCs after June 1

Public servants who were inconvenienced by the suspension of duty free vehicle imports will be allowed to open Letters of Credits (LCs) after June 1, 2019, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today.

SL facing a poor performance record: PFC

Sri Lanka is facing a poor performance record when it comes to implementing the budget proposals and maintaining transparency in 2019, Public Finance Committee (PFC) Chairman M. A Sumanthiran told a news conference today.

2019 Budget passed

The third reading of the 2019 Budget was passed in Parliament with a majority of 45 votes.119 members voted in favour while 74 voted against.

Impossible to hold PC polls in Aug: EC tells Speaker

The Election Commissioner has informed Speaker that it will not be possible to hold the provincial council elections this year as the changes to the Provincial Council Elections Amendment Act has not been made on time, UPFA MP Dallas Alahaperuma told Parliament today.

Geoffrey Aloysius, ex-CB dy. Governor released on bail

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank P. Samarasiri and Chairman of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd (PTL) Geoffrey Aloysius and Directors of PTL Pushyamithra Gunawardena, R. Hulugalla, and M. Surendran, who were in remand custody over Central Bank Bond Scam, were released on bail by the Courts today. ts today.

Actor Rayan remanded till April 11

Actor Rayan Van Rooyan who was deported from Dubai on Wednesday, was remanded till April11 by the Matara Magistrate Isura Nettikumara.

Wele Suda’s death sentence affirmed

The Court of Appeal today affirmed the death sentence given against Gampola Widanelage Samantha Kumara, alias Wele Suda, in 2015 by the High Court.

Grama Sevaka protest blocks Parliament Road

The parliament entry road has been obstructed due to a protest carried out by the Grama Sevaka officers based on several demands, police said.

Actor Rayan to be produced before Matara Magistrate today

Recently deported from Dubai, actor Rayan Van Rooyan is to be produced before the Matara Magistrate today, police said.