Estate workers to get Rs. 50 more from Govt. for one year: Navin

Tea estate workers would get an additional Rs. 50 to the current daily wage of Rs. 750 as a budgetary allocation from the government for one year, Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake said today.

Udul to request SL Consulate in Dubai to appear for Amal, his son

Attorney-at-law Udul Premaratne said he met officials of the Sri Lankan Consulate in Dubai today to request them to appear for singer Amal Perera and his son  Nadeemal , on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government.  

World Bank VP arrives in Sri Lanka

The World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region, Hartwig Schafer, arrived today on his first visit to Sri Lanka to gain a better understanding of the country’s development priorities and how the Bank can continue to support its critical reform agenda.

Despite political upheaval, US should continue military ties with SL: US Admiral

Despite the political upheaval in Sri Lanka, it is in America's interests to continue military collaboration and cooperation with Sri Lankan Forces, US Indo-Pacific Command Chief Admiral Philip Davidson has said.

Unemployed graduates tear-gassed

Police used tear-gas and water cannon to disperse the protesting unemployed graduates near the Lotus Roundabout a short while ago, police said.

Two individuals behind incidents involving Lasantha, Keith & Prageeth: Gota

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said two individuals were behind the assassination of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, the assault on journalist Keith Noyahr and the disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda.

MP Chaminda Wijesiri surrenders

UNP Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri surrendered to the Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court this morning over the alleged assault of a police constable attached to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB).

Media will be allowed to cover proceedings of COPE and COPA: Kiriella

Media coverage has been limited only to main parliamentary proceedings up to now. Minister Kiriella told the Daily Mirror that the leader of the House has the power under standing orders to permit the media to cover the proceedings of the committees.

PM moots Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Ahead of the UNHRC session in March, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday presented a Cabinet memorandum seeking approval to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, similar to what was established in post-apartheid South Africa.

Will develop public transport service instead of highways: Champika

If I hold the power to monitor capital expenditure, I would give priority to uplift the public transport like train and bus services instead of constructing highways, expressways and flyovers, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

LNG tender goes to a Chinese company

The Cabinet yesterday decided to award the tender for the construction of the LNG power plant in Kerawalapitiya to a Chinese company.

Banned Mahaviru memorial completed and opened secretly

A group of Jaffna University students have forcibly completed the partly built Mahaviru Memorial in the university premises and opened it for display on Monday night despite University Grant Commission (UGC) instructions to stop work, Jaffna security authorities said.

No reason for a fare increase: Mangala

Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday said there was no reason for a fare increase in any of the transport or other logistics sectors on par with the fuel price revision announced on Monday night.

National Government - UNF doesn't want to confront Prez: Daya

Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage said though a National Government was extremely necessary to speed up the development in the country, the UNF did not want to confront President Maithripala Sirisena on this matter because as he was opposed to such a government.

PC polls before May 31? - Cabinet to refer matter to Parliament

The Cabinet today decided to refer the issue of conducting PC polls before May 31 to Parliament and consult party leaders on the legislative measures required to increase women representation to 25%, a senior minister said.

Madush arrested in Dubai - Don't act like children to get the credit: Appuhamy

One should not act as children do and claim credit for the arrest of Makandura Madush but should come together and bust the whole racket, United National Party (UNP) MP Hector Appuharmy said today.

Singers Amal and Nadeemal have no drug record in SL

Attorney-at-law Udul Premaratne, who is currently in Dubai to represent singer Amal Perera and his son Nadeemal, said he informed the Dubai Police that they were professional singers and had no history of being involved in drugs in Sri Lanka.

Expanding private schools: Bandula tells Prez to suspend cabinet paper

Former education minister Bandula Gunawardane today urged President Maithripala Sirisena to suspend the cabinet paper allowing private schools to expand its network by setting up more branches.  

Bribery Commission records statement from Aloysius

The Bribery Commission today recorded a statement from Perpetual Treasuries Limited owner Arjun Aloysius for three hours.  

21-hour water cut in Colombo

The water supply to several areas in Colombo would be interrupted for 21 hours starting from 8.00 a.m tomorrow till 5.00 a.m on Thursday due to urgent maintenance work at Godagama, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Container topples across Baseline Road

Traffic congestion along the Baseline Road was reported due to a container that had toppled across the road near Wesley College, Colombo 09, the Police said.

New Delhi hotel fire kills 17

At least 17 people died on Tuesday as a fire tore through a budget hotel in Delhi before dawn, in the latest disaster to raise concerns over fire safety in India.

Three women CIs promoted as ASPs

Three women Chief Inspectors (CI) of Police have been promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) based on their seniority and skills, the Police said.

I can’t borrow even a rupee from my brother: Prez

Rejecting allegations that he favours his brother, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday he couldn’t borrow even a single rupee from him.  

LIOC prices increased, petrol 92 Octane remains unchanged

Following the fuel price revision by the Finance Ministry last night, the Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) also increased their fuel prices except for Lanka Petrol 92 Octane price with effect from last night.

SLPP won't campaign for an outside presidential candidate: Basil

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will not campaign or back a presidential candidate who is not a member of the SLPP, Party's National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Why panic about partitioning SL: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said his government had not even worked out a draft of the new Constitution and as such no one should panic about moves being made to partition the country.

32 politicos made money through underworld links

The Bribery Commission which is investigating 400 complaints received against politicians and government officials said they had gathered assets through various malpractices or through links with the underworld.

Fuel price increased from midnight today

The retail prices of fuel have been increased with effect from midnight today based on the fuel pricing formula, the Finance Ministry said.

Law as a subject for GCE O/L

The Education Ministry will introduce law as a subject to the school curriculum starting from Grade six as an alternative subject for the GCE O/L examination, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.