Parliament suspends Wimal, Prasanna

Parliament today passed two motions to suspend MP Wimal Weerawansa from Parliament for two weeks and MP Prasanna Ranaweera for four weeks for violating the code of conduct of parliamentarians.

SC upholds ruling on registering SAITM medical students

The Supreme Court today upheld a Court of Appeal ruling which directed the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to register MBBS graduates of the SAITM.  

Soldier found dead in Ambepussa Army Camp

A 21-year-old soldier was found stabbed to death in one of the guard posts at the Ambepussa Regimental Headquarters of the Sinha Regiment this morning, police said.

Eight members of 16 group removed from SLFP organiser posts

The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has decided to remove electoral organiser posts of eight out of the 16 SLFPers who defected to the Joint Opposition. The decision was taken at the SLFP CC meeting which was held at President Maithripala Sirisena’s residence last evening.

SL remains vulnerable to money laundering, terrorist financing: US

Sri Lanka remained vulnerable to money laundering and terrorist financing although it is neither an important regional financial centre nor a preferred centre for money laundering, the annual Country Reports on Terrorism released by the US said.

The govt. we formed treated me like a terrorist: Ravi

Former minister and UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday false allegations had been levelled against him by the same government which they formed."Is this the Good Governance? The same government, which we formed, treated me like a terrorist," he said.

Mangala warns of further depreciation of rupee

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday warned of a tendency of a further rupee depreciation against the US dollar within the next few weeks.

SLFP rebels want President to take over Law and Order Ministry

Three SLFP rebel group frontliners, MPs S.B. Dissanayaka, Dilan Perera and Thilanga Sumathipala yesterday urged President Maithripala Sirisena to take over the Law and Order Ministry immediately under his wings and remove IGP Pujith Jayasundara from his post.

Lankan arrested in Milan was an SLBFE official: Bureau

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) yesterday said the former diplomat who had been recently arrested in Milan was an SLBFE official, and accordingly they had decided to interdict him from the service.

Ministry mulls holding O/L, A/L exams in December

The Education Ministry said discussions are underway to hold the G.C.E. Ordinary Level and Advanced Level Examinations in December and to release their results by the end of December before the start of the new school term.  

Ban on transporting, selling wild boar meat to be lifted

The Government had decided to lift the ban imposed on transporting and selling wild boar and their meat, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture said.Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said that a Cabinet Paper prepared by the Ministry would be submitted to the Cabinet next week.  

Lt. Colonel Erantha Peiris arrested over Eknaligoda disappearance

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today arrested Lieutenant Colonel Erantha Peiris in connection with the disappearance of Journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda. Peiris is the Commanding Officer of the 7th Battalion, Military Intelligence Corps.    

'Our Trumps' should also manage SL rupee: Susil

Just like US President Donald Trump is properly managing US economy, ‘Our Trumps’ should also manage the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) to ensure the economic stability in the country, former minister and MP Susil Premajayantha said today.

30% cess removed on imported sanitary pads

The newly imposed 30 per cent cess on imported sanitary pads was removed with effect from today (20), the Finance Ministry said.

CBK, first Sri Lankan to receive France’s Highest National Order

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga became the first Sri Lankan to be awarded the Prestigious Medal of Commander in the National Order of the Legion of Honour, the highest rank of the National Order of France, the Government Information Department said.

Gnanasara Thera appeals to SC

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera has filed a special appeal petition at the Supreme Court seeking immediate release from the given detention.

I am still capable and ready to return: Dilshan

While stressing that he is still capable and fit enough to play cricket, Sri Lanka's legendary cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan said today he was ready and willing to contribute for the welfare of Sri Lankan cricket either as a player or a consultant considering the continuous struggle of the current Sri Lankan cricket team.

SL holiday scandal: British MP Paisley retains seat

British MP Ian Paisley, who was suspended from the House of Commons over the holiday scandal in Sri Lanka, has retained his seat as an MP after fewer than 10% of his constituents signed a petition that would have forced a by-election, the BBC reported on Thursday.

Traffic congestion on Katunayake Expressway

Traffic congestion was reported on the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway because of the ongoing construction work of the new Kelani Bridge, Police said.

US MCC to improve Colombo road network and bus system

The proposed compact Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), would improve road networks and the bus system in the Colombo Metropolitan Region, and improve road connectivity between the central region and ports and markets in the Western Province.

World Bank warns SL to take actions over climate change

Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns pose a threat to Sri Lanka and could reduce GDP and living standards, a new World Bank report says.

Ministerial inquiry against IGP, no one asked him to resign: Dy. Min.

A Ministerial inquiry would be conducted against Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundera on several complaints received to the Law and Order Ministry regarding his conduct, Law and Order Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara said today.

Sri Lankan Rupee depreciates further against US Dollar

The Sri Lankan Rupee depreciated further against the US Dollar today.

DIG Nalaka de Silva has LTTE connections: NFF

Former in charge of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) DIG Nalaka de Silva, against whom allegations had been levelled over his alleged plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, had connections with the LTTE, the National Freedom Front charged today.

Rs. 20mn dud cheque case: Court bails three Janayugaya directors

Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne ordered yesterday to release the three directors of now defunct Janaugaya newspaper on bail for issuing cheques worth Rs. 20 mn, which were dishounoured.

Twist in CID probe as Namal changes tune

The arrested Police informant Namal Kumara has contradicted the statement he made on the alleged threats on the lives of President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and as such, the CID inquiry on the issue had taken a different turn, Cabinet Spokesman Dr Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.

Govt. analyst to submit report on voice recordings

Colombo Fort Magistrate M/s. Lanka Jayarathne today ordered the government analyst to submit an immediate report on the recorded telephone conversation over an alleged attempt to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

SL to buy Spanish ocean cleaner: Dy. Min. Mannapperuma

Mahaweli Development and Environment Ministry would buy a high tech ocean cleaning vessel through Spanish funds in near future, Deputy Minister of Environment Ajith Mannapperuma said.

Soldiers and Tamil prisoners not equal: Sumanthiran

In reference to the request by Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka to grant a general amnesty to the LTTE cadres and military personnel involved in war-related crimes, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said today that the two groups could not be equated at all.  

Frustrated, but we have to back the team: Mahela

Though frustrated, Sri Lankan fans still have to back the Cricket team and push them to work harder, former cricket Captain Mahela Jayawardena said today.In a tweet, he said, “I can understand the frustration of all Sri Lankan fans and I am also one of you. We still have to back the team and push them to work harder,”