A/L exam timetable in a muddle

Several candidates have lost the opportunity to sit for two subject papers with the alleged bungling of the GCE Advanced Level examination timetable, it is learnt.

We thank MR for saving Keith Noyar: Ajith P. Perera

We must be thankful to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his intervention to prevent the killing of journalist Keith Noyahr in 2009, State Minister Ajith P. Perera said yesterday.

Vehicles not meeting standards to be re-exported at importers’ cost

Vehicles imported on Letters of Credit (LCs) opened after July 13, 2018, should undergo a pre-shipment Emission Inspection and Certification, an Extraordinary Gazette Notice dated August 10 said.

PC Polls in January only if all laws are enacted: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the party leaders in Parliament that the provincial council elections can be held on January next year only if the Provincial Council Elections Amendment Bill and the delimitation report are approved.

Three-wheeler driving liscence -- Minimum age of 35

Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said today his ministry had decided to impose a minimum age limit of 35 on three-wheeler drivers when issuing driving licenses for passenger transport.

PC polls in Jan. if delimitation report is approved

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said today that elections to six provincial councils could be held in January 2019 if Parliament approved the delimitation report this month.

Fake news on social media

The Education Ministry today complained to the CID about reports circulating in the social media claiming that the ministry was preparing a Cabinet Paper to cut the monthly salary of teachers during school vacations.

IGP tells police intelligence unit to investigate death threats on Dilantha

IGP Pujith Jayasundara has instructed the Police Intelligence Unit to probe the alleged death threats on Sri Lankan racing driver Dilantha Malagamuwa, Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Train services on Talaimannar railway line suspended for 3 months

The train services between Talaimannar and Medawachchiya would be suspended for three months from tomorrow due to the replacement of bridges on the Talaimannar Railway line, Railways Additional General Manager Wijaya Samarasinghe said.

Fmr. Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee dies at 93

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Indian prime minister and BJP stalwart, passed away on Thursday.

SLMC wants Prof. Gunaratne to clarify his statement

The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) has called for an explanation from its former chairman Prof. Colvin Gunaratne in connection with the baseless statements he had made against the functioning of the SLMC, the GMOA said today.

Special police unit to be set up in prisons department

Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorala said today a special police unit attached to the Prisons Department would be set up to attend to activities within the prisons.

UK Govt. to provide US$ 1.3 Mn for resettlement in SL

The Government of the United Kingdom in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a project worth US$ 1.3 Million to support more than 2,500 people returning to their homes in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Batticaloa Districts.

Bus strike -- Failure says minister, a success says ACPBWA

The bus strike launched on last night by the All Ceylon Private Bus Workers Association (ACPBWA) against the new spot fines is a failure, Transport Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said today.

Door still open for Malinga, insists Hathurusingha

Sri Lanka’s National Coach Chandika Hathurusingha yesterday reiterated that there was still a place in the National Team for Lasith Malinga, if the fast bowler did his part and met selection criteria

Strong gusty winds to continue

Strong gusty winds up to 70 kmph could be expected over the island today particularly, in Central, North-western, North- central, Northern, Eastern and Western provinces and in Hambanthota district, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili said.

President’s assures Commission for all Public Sector, not only for Railways

President Maithripala Sirisena in his discussion with railway TUs had stated that a Special Commission would be appointed to review the salaries in the entire Public Sector, not just the Railways Department, Cabinet Co-Spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.

Won't allow hatred among ethnic groups: PM

Provoking hatred among religious and ethnic groups cannot be condoned and will not be allowed to fester here, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

MR, CBK eligible to contest again ?

Some legal experts are of the opinion that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is not debarred from contesting the Presidential Election for the third time, it is learnt.

JO mulls legal action against UPFA Secretary’s decision

The Joint Opposition (JO) yesterday said it was ready to take legal action against UPFA Secretary and Minister Mahinda Amaraweera for giving his 'personal' opinion on the Opposition Leader's post claiming it as the party's opinion.

Basic allowance of CMC members to be doubled

On a proposal made last month by Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake, the Colombo Municipal Council’s Standing Committee on Finance has approved a 125% increase on the basic allowance being paid to councillors, CMC member Sharmila Gonawala said yesterday.

Seven vehicles allocated to Bathiudeen exceeds limit

Seven additional vehicles had been allocated to Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, violating the circular by the President's Secretary specifying that the maximum amount of vehicles that can be allocated to a minister was three.

Bus strike from midnight: ACPBWA

The All Ceylon Private Bus Workers Association (ACPBWA) today said there will be no change to their decision on launching the strike action from midnight against new fines imposed for violating road rules.

Emirates to suspend two flights between Singapore and Colombo

Emirates airlines had announced that it would suspend flights EK348 and EK349, which currently operate between Singapore (SIN) and Colombo (CMB) from the end of October this year, a Spokesperson for Emirates said today.

SriLankan paid an additional USD 90,261 on passengers

SriLankan Airlines had to spend an additional cost of USD 90,261 on passengers in 2014 January, who missed their connecting flights after the then Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe changed a decision made by highly trained professionals over a flight scheduled for Paris, it was revealed at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka today.

Hatton-Colombo main road blocked by landslide

Vehicular traffic on the Hatton-Colombo main road came to a standstill after landslide at Watawala this afternoon, police said.

Abduction of 11 youths: Fmr Lt. Commander remanded

Former Lieutenant Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi, who was arrested by the CID over the abduction of eleven youths, was remanded until August 29 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Railways TUs threaten another strike

The trade unions of the Railways Department today warned of another work stoppage from Tuesday (21) midnight if the authorities failed to resolve their issues relating to salary anomalies as promised by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Mother, child found dead in well

The bodies of 33-year-old mother and her 4-year-old child were recovered inside a well at Mankulam in Vavuniya this morning, police said.  

Female Clerk of Colombo DIG office dies in accident

A Chief Clerk of the Colombo DIG's office, was killed in a bus accident at Olcott Mawatha in Pettah this morning.