Arjun Aloysius, Kasun Palisena released on bail

Perpetual Treasuries Ltd’s (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius and CEO Kasun Palisena, who  were arrested by the CID over the Central Bank bond scam, have been ordered to be released on exceptional bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne after being in remand custody for more than ten months.  

SL misses out direct entry for T20 World Cup Super 12s

World T20 2014 champions Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will have an extra round to play in the Men's T20 World Cup 2020, the ICC confirmed on Tuesday (January 1).

Man injured in shooting at Jampettah Street

A 37-year-old man was hospitalised after he was shot at Jampettah Street in Colombo by two unidentified gunmen this afternoon.

3% decrease in New Year’s Eve accidents

Nearly 493 accidents were reported to the Colombo National Hospital on New Year's Eve. It is a three per cent decrease when compared with 512 accidents reported last year.

Learn from mistakes and take correct path: President

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday extended New Year greetings to the people of Sri Lanka and said this is a historically decisive time that provides us an opportunity to learn from the past mistakes and to take the correct path towards progress.

Hope all Sri Lankans will unite to protect motherland from enemy forces: MR

In his New Year message, former President and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said it is his fervent hope that all Sri Lankans will be united to protect the motherland from enemy forces.

We are committed to making a better society for our future generation: PM

The New Year turns out to be challenging for Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, we are committed to making a better society for our future generation, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Prov. governors told to resign

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have asked the nine provincial governors to submit their resignation by December 30, 2018.  

‘Koombiyo’ scriptwriter still missing

The Welikada Police said yesterday they were continuing with their investigations into the disappearance of 40-year-old Damitha Sagara Chandrasiri, the editor and scriptwriter of the popular ‘Koombiyo’ teledrama.

I was given four name boards: Kiriella

Minister of Public Enterprise Development, Upcountry Heritage and Kandy Development, Lakshman Kiriella has complained to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe about being given only four institutions confined to name boards.

Religious ceremony to invoke good health on Podi Hamuduruwo today

A religious ceremony to invoke good health on Ven.  Dr.  Galboda Gnanissara Thera, popularly known as 'Podi Hamuduruwo' of the Gangaramaya Temple, will be held at 4.00 pm today at the temple premises in Colombo.

Annular solar eclipse in Dec. visible from SL

A total annular solar eclipse will be visible from Sri Lanka on December 26, 2019, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the 2004 tsunami that devastated Sri Lanka's coastal belt.

Ranil likely to meet disgruntled MPs today

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely have a meeting with his MPs who are concerned about not getting ministerial portfolios, Ratnapura district UNP Hesha Withanage said yesterday.

Fewer holidays this year

Sri Lanka will have a lesser number of non-working days this year with nine out of 23 public holidays falling on weekends.

Ecstasy pills worth Rs.3.5 mn meant for NYE party seized

A stock of psychedelic drugs also known as Ecstasy pills worth more than Rs.3.5 million meant for a New Year’s Eve party in Colombo was seized by Colombo Excise Station officials in Thotalanga on Friday.

Mano wants inclusion of Tamil language in signboards

Minister of National Integration, Official Languages and Social Progress Mano Ganesan requested the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka to ensure the inclusion of Tamil language in signboards erected at Chinese funded development projects. He said the signboards had been written in Chinese, English and Sinhala only.

Two Bangladeshis arrested with heroin worth Rs.3.3bn

Sri Lanka’s largest-ever heroin haul, weighing 278 kg and worth Rs.3,336 million, was detected in Dehiwala today, in a New Year’s Eve raid conducted jointly by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) and the Special Task Force (STF).

Corruption in SL cricket points to underworld as well: Minister

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed us that the corruption in Sri Lankan cricket is not limited to betting centres but goes beyond to the underworld as well, Sports Minister Harin Fernando said.

TNA will gain political mileage out of its support to shaky govt: MR

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) should not be allowed to achieve through its support to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government what it could not accomplish in the three-decade long civil war, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said, warning that the country cannot be divided.

Bangladesh election: Sheikh Hasina wins new term as prime minister

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ruling party won Bangladesh’s election with a large majority, the country’s Election Commission said early on Monday, giving Mrs Hasina a third straight term following a vote that the opposition rejected as flawed.

R.H.S. Samaratunge appointed Secretary to Finance Ministry

Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunge was appointed as the secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media by President Maithripala Sirisena today, President’s Media Unit said.

Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva appointed 23rd Navy Commander

Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva has been appointed as new Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy with effect from tomorrow (January 1) by President Maitripala Sirisena.

Indian arrested with hashish at BIA

An Indian national has been arrested on possession of 1.2 kg of hashish worth Rs. 2 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) last night.

Collegial leadership for new UNP-led front

A collegial leadership of ten members is proposed for the new political front to be formed by the United National Party (UNP) along with the like-minded parties such as Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the Jathika Hela Urumya (JHU) and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), it is learnt.

PM did not fulfil his promises-Radhakrishnan

UNP MP V. Radhakrishnan yesterday alleged that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe did not keep his promise to appoint him as a Cabinet Minister.

Injured Mathews ruled out of New Zealand ODIs

Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand and is also doubtful for the subsequent two Tests against Australia due to a hamstring injury.

Vandalizing Buddha statues in Mawanella: Ministry committee to probe

Minister of Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Sajith Premadasa has appointed a committee to investigate into the incidents of vandalizing Buddha statues in Mawanella area.

COPE members likely to be re-appointed

The existing members of Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) are likely to be re-appointed with JVP parliamentarian Sunil Handunetty as its Chairman, informed sources said.

Minister to bring Cabinet paper to stop tuition on Sunday

Wayamba Development and Buddasasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said he is planning to submit a Cabinet Paper with the signatures of all Cabinet of Ministers to stop private tuition on Sundays and Poya Days to make Daham School Education compulsory for children.

1,099 acres of land used as Army farms to be released

The Army said it would release another 1,099 acres of land used for cultivation in the Northern Province to civilians.