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.

Cold and dry weather to prevail: Met Dept.

Mainly fair and dry weather with colder nights and mornings is expected over most parts of the island, the Meteorology Department said.

A/L best results in the Island

Kalani Rajapaksha of Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha, has topped the island ranking in the Biology stream while Kasun Wickramarathne of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, has topped the island ranking in the Commerce stream at the GCE Advanced Level examination, 2018.

Ministers oppose snap General Election

Responding to the remarks made by Minister Navin Dissanayake, the others ministers are reported to have resolutely opposed the holding of a snap general election.

Tamils disliked MR so voted for MS, SF: Sumanthiran

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran said yesterday that the Tamils voted for former minister Sarath Fonseka in 2010 and for President Maithripala Sirisena in 2015 not because they liked them but because they disliked the other presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa.

2019 Budget in April: UNP

The Cabinet of ministers gave decided to pass the fully-fledged Budget in April for 2019.

Mannar Mass Grave Site - Financial assistance from OMP

The Office on Missing Persons (OMP), which assisted the investigation into the human remains at the Mannar mass grave site, said that it would provide financial assistance to carry out carbon dating of the skeletal remains as part of its continued support to the investigation.

Ministerial portfolio - Why have I been overlooked: Wijemanne

UNP Kalutara District MP Lakshman Wijemanne said yesterday said he would take a serious political decision if he was not given a ministerial portfolio.

One killed in elevator collapse at night club

A 24-year-old youth died and two others injured following an elevator collapse at a night club (Amuseum Nightclub) at Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 02, in the early hours today, police said.

State media comes under Mangala, Prez keeps Police

All State media including, Rupavahini, ITN and Lake House have been gazetted under the Finance and Mass media ministry by President Maithripala Sirisena.

A white Christmas for several MPs

A considerable number of MPs are reported to have gone abroad to spend their Christmas holidays.

Defeat extremism, abolish executive presidency: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has urged all concerned citizens to work towards defeating extremism and the abolishing of the executive presidency in the New Year.

School uniforms vouchers : Action against principals who promote businesses: Akila Viraj

The Education Ministry said yesterday disciplinary action would be taken against principals who were trying to promote certain businesses when giving out free vouchers to purchase school uniforms.

Ravi promises relief to electricity consumers

Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday that electricity consumers would be provided with relief after the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) becomes a profitable venture.

Govt. wants to create Sinhala-Muslim clash: Wimal

The incumbent government was anticipating a Sinhala-Muslim clash in the country so that it would pave the way for them to fulfil the promises made to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa said today.

Gazette on subject purview of ministers to be released today

The gazette notification specifying the subject areas coming under the purview of newly appointed ministers will be released today, a spokesman of the Department of Government Printing said.

SL student's case - Aussie cricketer Khawaja's brother re-arrested

Arsalan Khawaja, the brother of Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja, has been re-arrested on charges of trying to influence a witness in a case in which a Sri Lankan student was arrested and charges dropped later in a fictitious terrorist plot, foreign media reported.

PM assures foremost place to Buddhism

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today vassured the Ven. Mahanayake Theras of Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters that the government would give the foremost place to Buddhism and that action would be taken against those who vandalized Buddha statues in Mawanella.

Govt. using underworld for its survival

The government is using the underworld for its survival, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today.

Harin clarifies gazette confusion

Minister Harin Fernando has cleared the confusion caused by Wednesday’s gazette notice issued by the President stating that Telecom, Digital Infrastructure, Foreign Employment Promotion and Sports Minister, Harin Fernando, and Development Strategies, International Trade, Science, Technology and Research Minister, Malik Samarasinghe, had resigned from their posts. Mr Fernando advised it was only a procedural matter. 

Man nabbed with locally made weapon at Hulftsdorp

A man found in possession of a locally made weapon and five cartridges, was arrested by the Keselwatte Police near the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, police said. 

Emirates flight makes emergency landing at BIA

Emirates flight A-380,with 420 passengers and 22 crew members on board, flying from Dubai to Melbourne made an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning after a crew member fell ill, BIA Duty Officer said.

SL rupee hits record low of 184.07

The Sri Lankan rupee hit a record low of 184.07 against the US Dollar today. According to the exchange rates of the Central Bank, the selling price of Sri Lankan rupee was recorded as 184.0758, indicative price as 182.2783 and buying price as 180.1015.

UPFA MP Ranjith Zoysa released on bail

UPFA MP Ranjith Zoysa and three others, who were remanded in connection with an assault on a person on December 16 in Godakawela, were granted bail by the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court today.

Sheikha Latifa: Mary Robinson 'backed Dubai version of events'

Former UN rights chief Mary Robinson has been accused of supporting the emirate of Dubai's version of events over a princess who was feared missing.

UK supports SL to advance reconciliation programme

The UK Government would continue its work with the Sri Lankan Government at the national level and with local and international organisations to help them advance the country's wide reconciliation agenda, British High Commissioner James Dauris said.

Michelle Obama takes 'most admired woman' title from Hillary Clinton

Former US first lady Michelle Obama has ended Hillary Clinton's 17-year run as America's most admired woman.

ICAO compliance vital for NIC photos from Jan.1

It will be compulsory for all studios countrywide, from January 1, to use the special software provided by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to take photos for the National Identity Cards, the Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) said today.

Some UNPers not in favour of general elections

A faction of the United National Party (UNP) is said to be opposed to a snap parliamentary election next year.  

Uproar in Parliament: Some 400 to be questioned

Statements will be recorded from some 400 people including parliamentarians in connection with the uproar and the unruly behaviour in the Parliament chamber last month, the Police team investigating the incident has yesterday informed the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to look into the incident.