US$157.5 mn released within four days to stabilize rupee: Bandula

The Central Bank has released US$157.7 million to the market within four days to stabilise the rupee which stands at Rs.170 against the US dollar, joint opposition (JO) MP Bandula Gunawardana today said.  

Govt. has no moral right to restrict imports: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today the government had no moral right to restrict the import of goods as a solution to the economic crisis while government members including the President, Prime Minister and ministers were wasting public money to import vehicles worth millions and tour the globe accompanied by large delegations.

Jaffna Cinema Festival - No show for 'Demons in Paradise’

The internationally renowned film ‘Demons in Paradise’ which was competed at the prestigious Cannes Film festival in France has been removed from being screened at the International Jaffna Cinema Festival starting this weekend, its Director Jude Ratnam said.

Don't need Army help to eliminate Awa group: Minister

There is no need for Army involvement in eleminating the activities of the Northern-based 'Awa' group, Law and Order Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara said and added that the Police could handle that job.

PM to visit Norway

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to leave on a State visit to Norway tonight accompanied by Fisheries and Rural Economy Minister Wijith Wijithamuni de Soysa and MPs Hesha Withnage and Dr. Kavinda Jayawardne, PM's office said.

Low pressure water supply in Colombo

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSRD) today said the water supply to all areas in Colombo Municipality will be at low pressure due to an essential maintenance work.

E03: Peliyagoda interchange closed from Oct. 4 to 20

The Peliyagoda Interchange on the Colombo- Katunayake Expressway (E03) will be closed temporarily from October 4- 20, due to the construction of the New Kelani Bridge, Police said. 

Appropriation Bill: Rs. 4,376 billion as state expenditure

As per the Appropriation Bill presented to Cabinet by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the annual state expenditure for next year would be Rs.4,376 billion with a deficit of Rs.644 billion, 4.1 percent of the GDP, the Finance Ministry said today.

Over 75% ministers’ secretaries are family members: Union

More than 75 per cent of Central Government Ministers and Provincial Council Ministers had appointed their family members as their Secretaries, the Ministers’ Secretaries Union said.  

Indonesia tsunami: Death toll rises to over 1,200

The number of people known to have died in Indonesia in Friday's earthquake and tsunami has risen to more than 1,200, the country's disaster response agency says.

'Only 80%' certainty over body of Briton died in SL

The family of a British national, who died while swimming in Sri Lanka, had been told by experts that there was only 80% certainty of the identity of his body because his post-mortem examination had been carried out in haste.

Army ready to fight drug trafficking: Army Chief

Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake said that the Army was prepared to undertake the task of eradication of drug menace from the country, if powers were granted.

Ready to give statement at any moment: IGP

IGP Pujith Jayasundara yesterday said he was ready to give a statement at any moment over the alleged plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.  

Actor Sunil Premakumara no more

Actor Sunil Premakumara (62) has passed away this morning while receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, following a cardiac arrest, hospital sources said.

Aggamaha Panditha Ven. Dhammananda Thera passes away

Malwatta Maha Vihara Karaka Sabha Senior Member, Aggamaha Panditha Ven. Aluthgama Dhammananda Nayaka Thera passed away at the age of 103, at the Kandy General Hospital last night, Malwatta Maha Vihara Deputy Secretary Ven. Dimbulkumbure Sri Saranankara Wimaladhamma Thera said.

Stemming economic crisis -- CB, 3 ministries to work out strategies

The Ministries of Finance, Development Strategies and International trade and Trade and Commerce and the Central Bank will, within a week, decide on the steps to be taken to keep the rupee stable in the wake of the global economic crisis, sources close to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Govt. restricts only two official vehicles for ministers

Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers will strictly be restricted to use only two official vehicles, the government has decided.

SL may introduce laws banning FB for minors: Minister

Sri Lanka may have to introduce laws to ban minors using Facebook in the wake of several countries having done so, Children’s and Women’s Affairs Minister Chandrani Bandara said yesterday.

CID to probe rape in Korea allegedly by three Lankans

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an inquiry into an incident where three Sri Lankans, for their alleged involvement in the gang rape of an 18-year-old Korean girl in 1998 in Korea, police said.

High-level Pakistan delegation to visit SL

A high-level delegation headed by Pakistani Defence Secretary Ikram Ul Haq will arrive in Sri Lanka on a four-day visit between October 2 and 5 to participate in the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Armed Forces Defence Dialogue, the Pakistani High Commission said today.

Economic crisis -- Mangala mum when warned by experts: GMOA

The GMOA said today Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera was silent when economic experts had predicted well in advance about a rupee depreciation and the economic crisis.

Gale-force winds damage houses in Puttalam, Mannar

Gale-force winds have damaged a number of houses in many areas across the country including in the Puttalam and Mannar districts, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili said.

Ranil saved MR from being branded a criminal: Mangala

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa should light a lamp in honour of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe because it was he who saved MR from being branded as an international criminal, Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.  

Over 700 families affected by minor floods: DMC

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today some 700 families were affected by minor floods in the Galle District.

Looking to modernise Mahinda Chinthanaya: Gota

Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that they are continuing to discuss with professionals from all social spheres on how to carry forward the 'Mahinda Chinthanaya' based on current trends and developments.

15 % train fare hike not on previous fare but on fare per kilometer: Railway dep.

Clearing the confusion prevailing among the train commuters with regard to the train-fare revision from today, Railways Deputy Commercial Superintendent N.J. Indipola said the 15 per cent increase was based on the train fare per kilometre and not on the current fare.

IP, two constables suspended over escape of female suspect

An Inspector and two Police Constables were suspended in connection with the escape of female suspect from custody. Police said the Galle Division DIG suspended the duties of the IP and two constables who were attached to the Hikkaduwa Police.

Gammanpila claims counter plot to kill DIG Nalaka De Silva

There was a counter plot to kill DIG Nalaka De Silva, who was accused of a plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila claimed today.  

Two Japanese ships arrive in Colombo

Two ships of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Kaga and Inazuma, arrived at the Colombo Port on a five-day goodwill visit yesterday.

Indian nabbed with ‘Ice’ worth 5.8 mn at BIA

A 22-year-old Indian national was arrested with Methamphetamine (Ice) worth Rs 5.8 million in his possession by Police Narcotics Bureau officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.