Rupee depreciation not the end of the world: FM responds to Royal College students

In response to a question posed by one of the students of Royal College, Colombo, Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday said the depreciation of rupee was not the end of the world.  

Australian Court releases Kamer on bail

Mohamed Kamer Nizamdeen, the 25-year-old Sri Lankan University student accused of plotting to assassinate Australian politicians has been released on bail, after an expert found the sole piece of evidence couldn't be connected to him, the ABC News reported today. Mr Nizamdeen was arrested in August after a colleague foun

Speaker refers request of summoning Parliament to PM

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has referred a request made by the joint opposition to summon Parliament to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

UNP welcomes President’s UNGA statement

UNP yesterday welcomed the statement made by President Maithirpala Sirisena in United Nation’s General Assembly (UNGA)

Prez comment only valid if SL withdraws co-sponsorship: Sarath

Referring to the remark made by President Maithripala Sirisena at the UN General Assembly that Sri Lanka should be allowed to handle its own internal affairs, former MP Sarath Weerasekara said the President’s comment would only be valid if the government withdraws the co-sponsorship of 30/1.

People shaped by Buddhist civilization don’t violate HR: Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith yesterday said that people who had been shaped by Buddhist civilization do not violate human rights and added a society which attempts to make human rights a religion, could safeguard human rights effectively through Buddhist teaching.

Online booking launched for long-distance private buses

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has launched an online booking facility for long distance private buses starting from Colombo with effect from October 1. The Transport Ministry said passengers who travelled long distances would now have the opportunity of booking seats online through the website www.ntcbooking.lk.

The opposite of President’s UN remark will happen: Bhikshu Forum

Referring to the recent remark made by President Maithripala Sirisena at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the National Academic Bhikshu Forum (NABF) today said something would happen exactly to the opposite of what President Sirisena had claimed before the international community.

WM Mendis & Co lawyers level allegations against CID, AG’s dept.

During today's Magisterial inquiry conducted into the controversial bond scam, serious allegations had been levelled against the Attorney General's Department and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) by the defense counsel, over the alleged recording of statements from three individuals of W.M. Mendis & Company by force.

Singer Damith Asanka arrested

Popular singer Damith Asanka was arrested by the Kuda Oya police on charges of allegedly behaving in an unruly manner.

Sanga wants SL to concentrate on 2019 World Cup

Former Test captain Kumar Sangakkara has urged the Sri Lankan team to rethink its strategies moving forward after the team’s failed campaign in the six-nation Asia Cup tournament.

CID permitted to detain Indian national under PTA

The Fort Magistrate’s Court today allowed the CID to detain Marsili Thomas, the Indian national who was arrested recently, for three months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for further investigation.

JO says Police behind plot to kill MR’s family members

The JO was of the opinion that the Police was behind the conspiracy to assassinate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family members, JO member MP Shehan Semasinghe said today.

Taking semi-nude photos: Three youths remanded till Oct 3rd

Three youths, who were arrested on charges of posting semi-naked photos, which they had taken while on top of the Pidurangala Rock and posted them on social media were remanded until October 03 by Dambulla Magistrate today.

Angry ETI protestors surround CMC looking for ETI Director

A tense situation erupted today at the Colombo Municipal Council premises, when depositors of the ETI Finance Limited (ETI) who were demanding their deposits back, gathered to show their displeasure to CMC Councillor Anjalee Deepa Edirisinghe, who is also a Director of ETI Company.

Heavy Traffic at Ward Place

Heavy traffic reported at Ward Place in the Town Hall area due to a protest launched by ETI Finance Limited (ETI) depositors demanding the return of their money.

Hoppers up from tonight: Canteen Owners’

All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) said today that they would increase hopper prices to Rs.15 from midnight today in the wake of yesterday’s gas price increase.

Two killed, two injured in Ragama train accident

Two pedestrians were killed and another two injured after they were knocked down by the office train bound to Colombo Fort from Kandy at Ragama this morning, Police said.

Sujeewa questions Prez. Secretariat move

Development Strategies and International Trade State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe is reported to have questioned at the UNP electoral organizers’ meeting, as to how the President’s Office referred a complaint against his Ministry and the Board of Investment (BoI) to the Bribery Commission for investigation.

SL should have an export driven economy to overcome economic crisis: PM

Sri Lanka would not have been affected by the current global economic crisis if the country did not get into a debt trap like the one it has got into, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

MR asks whether Mangala’s statement reflects Govt’s opinion

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday denounced Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s response to Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and asked whether the response was the government’s opinion.

Alleged plot; serious than we thought- Samarasinghe

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe today said that alleged assassination plot on President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, ‘is serious than we think as several individuals have been involved in it and called on the CID to investigate it thoroughly.’

Mangala denies any revelation on assassination plot by Indian national

Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today several media outlets had given wide publicity to false, unattributed claims that the CID had alleged in court that an Indian national had confirmed the existence of a plot to assassinate President Sirisena, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family members.

Indian national had not revealed any assassination plot: Police Spokesman

Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara today said the Indian national had not revealed any assassination plot to the CID on President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa but had only spoken of a threat to several individuals following the revelation by Anti Corruption Movement’s Director Operations Namal Kumara on assassination plot.

JO mulls no-confidence motion against IGP

A No-Confidence Motion (NCM) would be brought against IGP Pujith Jayasundera to get him removed over his alleged involvement in the alleged assassination plot on President Maithripala Sirisena and ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Joint Opposition (JO) said today.

Jaffna Mayor at Thileepan’s commemoration

The 31st commemoration of LTTE member Thileepan AKA Raasaiya Pratheepan, who died following a fast-unto-death- protest against the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), was held today near the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, Jaffna under the patronage of Jaffna Mayor.

Mathews, Kusal dropped from ODI squad against England

Former Sri Lankan Captain Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis have been dropped from Sri Lanka’s ODI squad against England, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said today.

Arrested Indian has a history of mental imbalance: HC

The Indian High Commission in Colombo on Wednesday said the Indian national, who had been arrested in Sri Lanka over the alleged assassination attempt of President Maithripala Sirisena, his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa and family members ‘has had a history of mental disturbance since 2000.’  

Gas price increased

The prices of Litro and Laugfs gas have been increased from midnight today.

Taking semi-nude photos: Three youths arrested

Three youths were arrested on charges of posting semi-naked photos, which they had taken while on top of the Pidurangala Rock, on social media, Police today said.