Communist Party of China seeks to strengthen relations with SLPP

The Communist Party of China (CPC) is said to be hoping to strengthen relations with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) by having further exchange programmes.

Expressway: Illegal motor racing a public inconvenience

Illegal motor races at night on the Southern Expressway entry road between Devata and Pinnaduwa are continuing unchecked causing much inconvenience to the people.

Medical Ordinance: Not fulfilling primary objective- Prof. Gunaratne

Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Chairman Colvin Gunaratne said yesterday even though the primary objective of the Medical Ordinance was to safeguard the rights of patients, it was catering to the needs of the doctors because of its composition.

UGC raises awareness on ragging in State universities

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is carrying out a series of advertising campaigns in national newspapers to make students and parents aware of possible methods to mitigate ragging and violence in State universities, sources said.

PC polls delay- JO members to meet EC

The representatives of political parties functioning under the joint opposition will meet the Elections Commission on Monday to discuss matters relating to the provincial council elections, an official said yesterday.

Govt. ignored undertaking given to SC: GK depositors

A group of Golden Key depositors said the government had ignored the undertaking given to the the Supreme Court in August 2015 by failing to pay the depositors within a year 41% of the funds deposited with the company.

No one objected on pay hike: Kiriella

Public Enterprise Development Minister and House Leader Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday there was no objection from anyone at the July 17 party leaders meeting to the proposed pay hike of parliamentarians in line with the salary scales of judicial officers.

Prez, PM won't allow pay hike: Mannaperuma

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will never permit any salary increases to ministers and MPs, Deputy Environment Minister Ajith Mannaperuma told a media briefing yesterday.

SAITM Scholarship: Students seek Presidential intervention

The SAITM Student Action Committee (SSAC) yesterday sought the immediate intervention of President Maithripala Sirisena with regard to the cancellation of students’ scholarships granted by the SAITM.

Rs.10mn worth live conch shell seized

A 15-inch conch shell with a live and frozen snail inside was seized and four suspects arrested by the Police in Trincomalee when they were attempting to sell it for Rs.10 million.

Unity Govt. will never betray SL nor war heroes: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena said today the unity government had never undertaken to divide the country or subjugate it to any foreign or domestic forces and neither will their be any room to do so in the future.

Gale-force winds damage 75 houses in Ampara

Gale-force winds have damaged more than 75 houses in the Ampara District last Thursday, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today.

Indian arrested for smuggling in gold worth Rs.16mn

An Indian who attempted to smuggle in a stock of gold biscuits and jewellery valued at more than Rs.16 million was arrested on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by the airport customs.

No final decision on salary hike yet: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said today there was no final decision on the proposed salary hike to ministers and MPs though some have suggested that salaries should be increased in line with the salary scales of senior judicial officers.

Rs.77mn worth of gold smuggled from SL seized in India

A massive stock of gold weighing 11.15 kgs and worth approximately 77.28 million Sri Lankan rupees, which was smuggled from Sri Lanka into Mandapam–Vedhalai Coast of Tamil Nadu, was seized by the Indian Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Wednesday, the Hindu reported.

Pookudi Kannaa’s father shot dead

The 62-year-old father, of a wanted suspect known as Pukudi Kannaa, was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle at Muthuwella Mawatha in Modara this afternoon, Police said.

Chinese karaoke den near girls’ school raided for selling booze sans permit

A Chinese owned karaoke den cum restaurant in the close proximity to a leading girl’s school in Colombo 07, that did not bear a valid liquor permit was raided by Colombo Excise Station officials recently for selling liquor only to its Chinese customers.

Health services disrupted due to GMOA strike

Healthcare services in most of the hospitals including the Colombo National Hospital (CNH) have been disrupted because of the country wide work stoppage carrying out by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today.

Indian man nabbed with 'Ice' worth Rs.10mn

A 30-year-old Indian national was arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) and Crime Investigation Division (CID) officers for possessing Methempitamin (Ice) worth more than Rs.10 million in Colombo last evening, Police said.

Vehicle excise duty hike: PM wants to know specific period

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is said to be of the opinion that excise duty hike for vehicles under 1000cc engine capacity should be confined to a specific period of time had informed the Ministry of Finance to let him know as to when it could bring down the excise duty.

Trace City vested with UDA through lawful means: Champika

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday the landmass of the Colombo Trace City project was vested with the Urban Development Authority (UDA) through lawful means, and therefore no another institution could stake a claim for it.

MR warns foreign countries not to accept assets offered by Govt.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday warned foreign countries not to accept any asset offered by the Sri Lankan government saying he would ‘pay attention’ to these agreements when they come to power.

JVP condemns moves to increase MPs' salaries

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday criticized the government’s move to increase salaries of MPs and ministers while increasing tax on vehicles below 1000 cc mainly used by the ordinary people.

EC says will only meet with recognized political parties

Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday the Commission would meet only representatives of recognized political parties, poll observer groups and media personnel.

Medical specialists to abstain from private practice: AMS

Medical specialists had decided to abstain from private practice from today against unfair taxation on medical professionals, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) said. AMS President Dr. Sunil Wijayasinghe told Daily Mirror that the AMS along with other medical specialist groups had decided to refrain from private practice and added this decision was reached after months of failed negotiations with relevant parties.

Tsunami of 1000cc vehicle imports after new tax formula: Mangala

After introducing of a new formula to calculate the import taxes on vehicles based on their engine capacity, importing of motor vehicles less than 1000cc was becoming a Tsunami to the country, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

Ian Paisley suspended from party

The UK’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has decided to suspend MP Ian Paisley from membership pending further investigation into his conduct, Belfast Live reported on Thursday. 

Opposition Leader’s Post: Speaker to consult UPFA

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today said he had decided to consult UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera to get his opinion on appointing Joint Opposition Parliamentary Group Leader Dinesh Gunawardane as the Leader of Opposition.

Germany arrests ex-LTTEer over alleged war crimes in SL

German authorities have arrested a Sri Lankan man suspected of involvement in killing captured government soldiers as a member of the Tamil Tigers rebel group a decade ago.

Won't allow moves to increase MP's salaries: Mangala

Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said he was not aware of a salary increase to Parliamentarians and Ministers and added he would not give his sanction to go ahead with the pay rise to them when it comes to the Treasury for approval.