‘Pangiriwatte Sudda’ arrested over diamond robbery

The Mirihana Special Crimes Investigation Unit officers today arrested a gangster known as ’Pangiriwatte Sudda’, who is an accomplice of Makandure Madush, in connection with the robbery of a diamond and several gems worth over Rs.5 billion in Pannipitiya last November.

Heavy traffic in Rajagiriya, Battaramulla

Heavy traffic was reported along the Sri Jayawardanepura Road in Rajagiriya and Battaramulla due to a protest march organised by the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF). The protest march is heading towards parliament.

Teachers, Principals strike success: CTU

The 24-hour countrywide token strike launched by teachers and principals this morning was a resounding success, Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Five-member SL delegation to leave for Geneva

As a result of consultations held with President Maithripala Sirisena, a five-member delegation would leave for Geneva, Switzerland to represent Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), the Foreign Affairs Ministry said today.

President leaves for Kenya

President Maithripala Sirisena left for Kenya this morning to participate in the United Nations Environment Assembly to be held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Karannagoda arrives at CID for the second day

Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for the second day to give a statement over the abduction and killing of 11 youths in 2008-2009.

STF arrests Kanjipani Imran’s accomplice ’Jee Bumma’

A 33-year-old Mohammad Zamoor Mohammad Shiyam alias ’Jee Bumma’ was arrested by the STF in Gampola this morning in connection with several shooting incidents, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Ministers barred bringing mobile phone

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday barred the Ministers of bringing their mobile phones to the weekly Cabinet meetings, it is learnt.

Teachers and Principals on 24-hour strike today

The Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Union said yesterday its members would launch a 24-hour countrywide token strike today.

MS wants int’l telecom levy reconsidered

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday requested the Cabinet to reconsider the Budget proposal to do away with the international telecommunication levy as otherwise it would deprive the State of revenue amounting to Rs.6 billion.

Prez, PM, MR must jointly resolve national question: Sampanthan

President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa should get together to resolve the national issue, TNA Leader and MP R. Sampanthan told Parliament today.

Govt. has issued ISB’s worth US$2.4 Bn: JVP

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today alleged that the government had issued international sovereign bonds worth US$2.4 billion at high interest rates, similar to what happened during the Central Bank bond scam.

Many agree to remove Carbon tax: Ajith P.

Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera today shed light on the removal of Carbon tax.

Fuel prices hike from midnight today

The prices of fuel would be increased with effect from midnight today, the Finance Ministry said.

Second reading of budget passed

The second reading of the Budget-2019 presented by the United National Party (UNP) Government was passed with a majority of 43 votes in parliament a short while ago.

Jananath Warakagoda remanded over accident

Popular artiste Jananath Warakagoda was arrested and remanded today over an accident in which a 62-year-old woman was killed at Kirillawela.

Save electricity by switching off two bulbs a day: Ravi

Power, Energy and Business Development Minister Ravi Karunanayake today requested consumers to use electricity sparingly and help save electricity.

Netherlands’s Rijksmuseum to start talks about stolen art with SL

The Rijkmuseum in Amsterdam is starting talks with Sri Lanka and Indonesia about some 1,000 pieces in its collection that may have been stolen and become part of the Dutch ‘colonial heritage’, the Netherland Trouw reported.

UK, Canada submit resolution on SL to UNHRC

A resolution on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ was submitted to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Monday by six main sponsors including the UK and Canada. The main sponsors

CB has misled government again: Ravi K

The Central Bank has once again misled the government by making it go for a US $ 3.5 million International Sovereign Bonds (ISB) issue at 8.5 per cent, Minister Ravi Karunanayake told parliament today.

SL, Kenya agree to collaborate in combatting terrorism

The governments of Sri Lanka and Kenya have agreed to collaborate in combatting terrorism, address the challenges of transnational crime and the importance of littoral countries addressing the issues concerning the Indian Ocean, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said yesterday.

Teachers, Principals 24hr strike starts tomorrow

The Teachers and Principals Trade Union today said that it had confirmed on launching its 24-hour countrywide token strike tomorrow, Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Deadline for accepting complaints on serious acts of fraud, extended

The deadline for accepting complaints into serious acts of fraud, corruption and abuse of power has been extended till March 19. The deadline was to end on March 14. President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a Presidential

CRD introduces MILO Range for live-fire training

The Centre for Research and Development (CRD) of the Defence Ministry recently introduced Sri Lanka’s first digital close quarter combat theatre (MILO Range), thus making provision for live-fire training facilities, especially for commandos and special forces.

TNA wants N-E development issues resolved

TNA MP Mavai Senathirajah said yesterday they would support Budget 2019 only if it resolved the issues pertaining to the development in the North and East.

Govt. will rescind age limit for employment: Eran

The government will revoke the procedure followed when imposing an age limit for job recruitment, State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne told Parliament today.

PS funds exclusively for well-being of people: SLFP

SLFP MP Shantha Bandara told Parliament today that funds were allocated to the Presidential Secretariat (PS) not for the well-being of the President but to facilitate a number of projects launched for the well-being of the people.

No fuel price revision tonight

The monthly fuel price revision would not come into effect midnight today, the Finance Ministry announced a short while ago.

JVP-TNA discuss 20A

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today held a discussion with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution which aimed at abolishing the executive presidency.

Hot weather to prevail till May: Met Dept.

The current spell of hot weather will last till the end of May and disappear with the onset of the southwest monsoon, Meteorology Department Forecasting Directress Anusha Warnasuriya said.