Tabs to be given for A/L students and teachers this year: Minister

Advanced Level students and teachers would be given Tablet PCs (Tabs) during this year, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.

Ranjan disapproves UNPers attending Rohitha's wedding

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake today found fault with UNPers who attended the wedding of former President’s son Rohitha Rajapaksa last week.

TNA hasn’t accepted ‘unitary’ concept: PHU

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has not yet accepted the concept of a unitary state, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Prez takes umbrage at campaigners’ stance

President Maithripala Sirisena took umbrage at so-called human rights campaigners and certain NGOs that launched a campaign against carrying out capital punishment on convicted drug kingpins who continue to commit crimes even while on death row.

Govt. will stop pepper imports: Harrison

The government has decided to stop importing pepper in a bid to safeguard local farmers, Agriculture Minister P. Harrison said at a function held yesterday in Dambulla to mark the launch of a loan scheme for people to purchase lorries for vegetable transportation.

Hybrid batteries not designed to our climactic conditions, says expert

Batteries found in the low-budget hybrid vehicles were not manufactured to suit the climatic conditions of Asian countries, but compatible with European and American countries, Auto Hybrid Electronics (Pvt.) Ltd Managing Director Nuwan Madhanayake said.

Cabinet memo to establish rehabilitation authority: President

While reiterating that he was determined to hang at least a few convicted drug kingpins who continued to commit crimes even while on death row, President Maithripala Sirisena said he would submit a Cabinet memo tomorrow to establish a rehabilitation authority to save people, especially the youth, from drug abuse.

Arrack prices increased

The prices of liquor products of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL) have been revised from today, DCSL sources said.

Clarification of Brigadier’s DPL status: UK providing documentation to assist court

The UK is providing documentation to assist the Westminster Magistrate’s Court which has sought clarification of Brigadier Priyanka Fernando’s diplomatic status in the UK, the British High Commission said.

Sports Minister to meet SL players in Canberra

Minister of Sports Harin Fernando expressed his disappointment after Sri Lanka surrendered to Australia in the opening Test match well inside three days in Brisbane on Saturday.

SL envoy in China receives Silk Road Super Ambassador award

Five ambassadors including Sri Lankan Ambassador to China, Karunasena Kodituwakku, were conferred Silk Road Super Ambassador Award in Beijing on January 24, China Global Times reported on Sunday.

Will resign, if PC polls not held before Nov. 10: EC Chairman

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said today that he would resign from his post if the elections for the Provincial Councils were not held before November 10.

VIP assassination case: Wimal at CID

UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to give a statement over the VIP assassination plot a short while ago.

Ravindra Yasas injured in accident

Popular actor and Western Provincial Councillor Ravindra Yasas has been hospitalised when a car he was driving crashed into a tree at Gammanpila in Bandaragama on the Kesbewa Road early this morning.

Govt. will request Prez to appoint three more non-Cabinet ministers

The United National Party (UNP) will request President Maithripala Sirisena to appoint three more non-Cabinet ministers, it is learnt.

India pledges US$ 1.3 bn for development of SL railway

India has so far committed Lines of Credit worth around US$ 1.3 billion for development of railway sector in Sri Lanka, the Indian High Commission said yesterday.

New Constitution: If not now, then later, says PM

A new Constitution can be worked out later if it is impossible now due to uncertainty in getting it approved by a two-thirds majority in Parliament, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Maize cultivation stopped for three months

Farmers had been instructed by the Ministry of Agriculture to stop cultivating Maize for three months. Director General of Agriculture Dr. M.W. M. Weerakoon on Saturday (26), said that this decision had taken as a step to control the spread of the Sena Dalambuwa (Fall Armyworm).

SL troops killed in Mali: Captain, Corporal promoted posthumously

The two Sri Lankan soldiers who were on peacekeeping force under the UN flag had been promoted posthumously, the Army said.

Uttara Devi commences maiden journey to Jaffna from Colombo

The ‘Uttara Devi’ train commenced its maiden journey this morning from the Fort Railway Station to Kankesanthurai Station in Jaffna.

Philippines church bomb attack kills 27

Two bombs at a Roman Catholic cathedral in southern Philippines have killed 27 people and injured dozens more, local officials say.

Salaries, benefits extended to lifetime to dependants of war heroes

Salaries and other entitlements of soldiers who had been killed or disabled on duty would be extended to lifetime of their widows and wives, the President’s Media Division said yesterday.

UN Chief condemns attack on Sri Lankan troops in Mali

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, strongly condemned the attack which led to the deaths of two ‘blue helmets’ from Sri Lanka and injured six others.  

13 Indian trawlers released from SL custody

Sri Lanka Navy, in coordination with Sri Lanka Coast Guard, released another thirteen Indian fishing trawlers which had been apprehended on several occasions due to trespassing and illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan waters, yesterday.

4,750 houses in six months for people in North

The government intends to complete construction of 4,750 houses within six months for the benefit of the people in the North under its plan to build 10,000 houses in stages, an official said today.

Construction of Gurukanda temple stopped on court order

Mullaitivu Magistrate S. Lenin Kumara has ordered that all construction work on the Gurukanda Purana Rajamaha Viharaya in Nayaru, Mullaitivu be stopped till February 12, 2019.

Spot purchase of electricity to be minimised: Minister

Power, Energy and Business Promotion Minister Ravi Karunanayaka  has  instructed ministry officials to restrict to the minimum the controversial spot purchases of electricity, a spokesman said. 

Don't mistake normal caterpillar for 'Sena': DG Agriculture

The  Director General  of Agriculture, Dr M.W. M. Weerakoon has warned that the use of chemicals to kill the normal caterpillars mistaking them for the fall armyworm or the Sena Caterpillar is not advisable. 

Change CC's composition: Dinesh

UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardene yesterday called for a change in the composition of  Constitutional  Council in order to maintain its independence.

Opposition Leader's Post - Speaker rebuffs Sampanthan’s claim

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya rejected the claim made by TNA Leader R. Sampanthan for the second time yesterday that the UPFA could not hold the post of Opposition Leader.