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.

24 Indians arrested for overstaying their visas

At least 24 Indians were arrested by the Department of Immigration and Emigration for overstaying their visas today.

No quorum, PC polls debate put off

The adjournment debate on the provincial council elections ended abruptly in parliament today in the absence of quorum. It ended two and a half hours earlier than the scheduled time of 7.30 pm because there were

Plantation workers’ daily basic wage increased to Rs.700

The month-long struggle by tea plantation workers ended today with planters unions and Regional Plantation Companies (RPC) agreeing to increase the daily basic wage of plantation workers to Rs.700 from the earlier Rs.500.

FTA needs amendments: President tells Singapore PM

President Maithripala Sirisena today informed Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that Sri Lanka would expect to add amendments to the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA), the President's Media Division said.

SL army contingent attacked in Mali; Two killed, three injured

One Sri Lankan Army Captain and a trooper were killed and three others were injured when their convoy came under an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in Mali today, the Sri Lanka Army said.

Aloysius, three others noticed to appear in court

Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius, its CEO Kasun Palisena and two others were noticed to appear in Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on January 28.

USS John C. Stennis transfers supplies from SL

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis received supplies as part of a temporary cargo transfer initiative in Sri Lanka, beginning January 24, the US Pacific Fleet said yesterday.

24 major drug smugglers who fled country identified

Police have identified 24 major drug smugglers who had left the country and action would be taken to confiscate their assets, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara today said.

T-bonds issued to SriLankan sans procedure: SDSG Unamboowe

When the matter of treasury bonds valued at USD 520 million or Rs.14.2 billion being issued to SriLankan Airlines by the General Treasury (GT) in 2012 was raised during the proceedings of the Commission on SriLankan Airlines yesterday, Senior Deputy Solicitor General (SDSG) Neil Unamboowe PC pointed out that it had been done without following the proper legal procedure.

Singaporean technical expertise to prevent drug trafficking in SL

The Singaporean Government agreed to introduce the technical knowledge for the prevention of narcotic drugs and to assist the drug prevention program initiated by President Maithripala Sirisena, the President’s Media Division said. 

24-hour water cut in Maharagama, suburbs tomorrow

The water supply to Maharagama and suburban areas would be interrupted for 24 hours starting 8 am tomorrow till 8 am on Sunday, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

190 SriLankan officers drew salaries of Rs.1mn

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) revealed in its report to parliament yesterday that 190 officers of SriLankan Airlines had drawn a monthly salary of one million rupees each.

UN FAO assistance to combat worm menace in SL

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations said that it remains committed to supporting the concerned national authorities on how to manage the pest and to protect the Sri Lankan farmer community’s livelihoods.

House to remind Prez to attend parliament once in 3 months

Parliament is to inform President Maithripala Sirisena that he has to attend sessions at least once in three months as per the constitution. Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said that he would remind President that he will have to attend parliament sessions every three months as he is responsible to the Legislature as per the Constitution

Bimal queries US Navy cargo movement

JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake yesterday asked the government whether there was any plan to sign a Status of Forces agreement between Sri Lanka and the United States.

Will hold presidential election first: Minister Ranjith

Public Administration and Disaster Management Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that despite the claims, the government would hold the presidential election first.

UNP trimmed down President's term to five years: SLFP

SLFP parliamentarian Shanta Bandara yesterday alleged the UNP 'fraudulently' introduced a clause to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution to limit the term of office of current President Maithripala Sirisena to five years, although he was elected to serve six years.

Pardon for Gananasara Thera: Minister to talk with President

Buddhasasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera today said that he will discuss with President Maithripala Sirisena to secure a pardon for Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera as soon as the President arrived in the country.

Aloysius alleges two suspects set scot-free by the prosecution

Arjun Aloysius, who was in remand in connection with the Central Bank bond fraud, alleged that the investigating officers of the Central Bank bond scam had let the two main suspects off scot-free and without charging them even though there was ample proof against them.

CC rejects President's nominee to CA again

The Constitutional Council has rejected President’s Maithripala Sirisena’s nominee Judge Deepali Wijesundara as the Appeal Court President, Parliamentary sources said today.

GMOA says ready to bring Rajitha before Presidential comm.

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne would be brought before the Presidential Commission appointed by the President to probe allegations of corruption that had allegedly taken place from January 15, 2015, to December 31, 2018, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said.

Gnanasara Thera likely to get presidential pardon on Feb. 4

Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera will likely get a Presidential pardon on Independence Day, February 4 by President Maithripala Sitrisena along with hundreds of other prison inmates, SLFP politburo member and MP Shanta Bandara said today.