Dissolving Director Boards - Decision not unusual: Harin

The decision to dissolve the Boards of Directors of the Board of Investments (BOI), the Bank of Ceylon and the People’s Bank was planned some time back in keeping with the requirement to change them every two and a half years, UNP Spokesman and Minister, Harin Fernando said yesterday.

Police probe whether terror accused set up by brother of Aussie Sportsman

The brother of a prominent Australian sportsperson may have been involved in setting up a 25-year-old Sri Lankan student over an alleged Sydney terror plot.

Attempts to replace Medical Ordinance - GMOA to take TU action

The GMOA yesterday threatened to resort to trade union action if Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne attempted to scrap the present Medical Ordinance and replace it with a new law.

Stray cats take over President’s House

The Presidential Secretariat has reportedly informed the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to take immediate steps to remove the stray cats which had invaded the President’s House.   

Dissolving director boards - Only subject minister can do so: Kiriella

In the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena dissolving the director boards of the two State banks, Public Enterprise Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella said it was the subject minister who had the authority to do so.

At least 50 dead in train accident in India

In a tragic accident, at least 50 people were killed and several others were injured when a train ran over them while they were celebrating Dussehra. The accident happened near Joda Phatak area of Amritsar, India. 

Sri Lankan Cricket is going backwards: Mahela

Sri Lankan Cricket is going backwards and right now it is right at the bottom, Mahela Jayawardene has told Sky Sports.

Fmr. TID DIG Nalaka grilled for nine hours for the second day

Former Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) DIG Kaushal Nalaka de Silva was questioned over nine hours for the second day today over the inquiry into the alleged assassination plot on President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

This Govt. rescued SL from Chinese debt trap: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said it was the present government that rescued Sri Lanka from the Chinese debt trap and thus ended the era in which not only our land but also its airspace of was entrusted to China.

IUSF protest tear-gassed

Police used teargas and water cannon to disperse the protesting university students outside the University Grants Commission (UGC), Police said.

Giving false evidence: Ravi can be a suspect: Magistrate

Colombo Chief Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today clarified his order on Ravi Karunanayake being named as a suspect, observing that the order does not say he cannot be a suspect in the inquiry but questions the process by which he was named a suspect.

Rahul Gandhi meets PM

Congress party president Rahul Gandhi today called on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi.

Traffic congestion at Ward Place

Heavy traffic was reported from Ward Place, Colombo as a result of a protest carried out by a group of students of the Inter University Students' Federation outside the University Grant Commission today, Police said.

Mawanella SLFP organizer remanded till Nov.2

Mawanella SLFP organizer Imitiaz Cader, who was arrested by the STF yesterday while in possession of several weapons, was remanded till November 2 by the Kegalle Magistrate Chamara Wickremanayake.

J. Walter Thompson to get Rs.314mn contract to promote SL tourism

The Cabinet approval had been granted to award a Rs. 314 million-contract to J. Walter Thompson Institute to promote Tourism in Sri Lanka. Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga had submitted the proposal to award the contract of implementing a wide advertising program to

17-hour water cut in Kotte, Colombo today

The water supply to several areas in Kotte, Colombo and suburbs would be interrupted for 17 hours from noon today owing to an essential maintenance work of a water supply pipe extending from the Ambathale Water Treatment Plant, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said today.

Gota’s case postponed till Nov. 9

The case, which was taken up against former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the Special High Court today over the alleged misappropriation of public funds for the construction of the D. A. Rajapaksa memorial museum at Weeraketiya, was postponed till November 9.

SLC manager admires English players’ off-field conduct

Sri Lanka Cricket Manager Charith Senanayake in a Facebook post admired visiting English players for their off-field conduct and described them as perfect ambassadors for England.

Afternoon thundershowers to enhance from tonight: Met. Dep.

The Meteorology Department today warned that the enhancement of afternoon thundershowers over the Island was expected to continue further from tonight particularly during October 20 and 21.

Fmr. TID DIG Nalaka arrives at CID for the second day

Former Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) DIG Kaushal Nalaka de Silva arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) a short while ago for the second day to give a statement over the inquiry into the alleged assassination plot on President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

SL reverses $300mn China housing deal ahead of PM's India visit

Sri Lanka has reversed a decision to award a $300-million housing deal to China in favour of a joint venture with an Indian company, the government said, ahead of a visit by the prime minister to its South Asian neighbour.   

Gota arrives at Special High Court

Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa arrived at the Special High Court today to appear over the alleged misappropriation of public funds for the construction of the D. A. Rajapaksa memorial museum at Weeraketiya.

MR’s confirms judicial independence under this Govt: Ajith P

Responding to former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s remarks on the Court acquitting former MP Johnston Fernando, State Minister Ajith P. Perera said it showed Mr.Rajapaksa had admitted to the fact that the judiciary independent under this government.

Heads of three State institutions refuse to resign

Despite a news item that went out from the President's office on Wednesday (17) to the effect that the President had dissolved the Boards of the Bank of Ceylon, Peoples Bank and the Sri Lanka Board of Investment, as of last night none of the heads of these institutions had resigned from their posts, it was reported.

Terrorism charge against SL student dropped

Australian Police on Friday dropped terrorism charges against Sri Lankan students in Sydney, Mohamed Kamer Nizamdeen, who was accused of an assassination plot targeting Australian politicians, Australian media reported.

UNP appoints its first CEO

The UNP yesterday appointed Chamal Senarath as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr. Senarath obtained his letter of appointment from UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam last morning.

President’s security tightened over alleged death plot

Security for Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has been stepped up following the discovery of an alleged plot to assassinate him, two of his advisers said on Thursday. 

Warning sign boards removed following social media protests

The sign boards which were displayed in the premises of the Koggala Martin Wickremesinghe Museum and Children Park by the Community Police Unit in Habaraduwa restricting tourists with swim-wear, were removed by the police following objections by the people on social media, police said.

Some elements trying to belittle probe: Presidential Advisors

Two Presidential advisors yesterday charged that there was an attempt by certain politicians and officials to belittle the investigations into the alleged attempt to assassinate President Maithjripala Sirisena and former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and thereby thwart the successful conclusion of the probe.

Six brand new PT-6 aircraft purchased from China joins SLAF fleet

Six brand new PT-6 aircraft purchased from the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for primary training of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has joined the SLAF fleet.