Govt. to introduce laws to waive taxes: Mangala

The government will soon introduce new legislation -- in the form of an amendment to the Inland revenue Act -- to waive taxes on children’s savings accounts, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera told Parliament yesterday.

Hold referendum on Sinhala-Tamil coexistence: Sritharan

The government should hold a referendum to determine whether the Sinhalese and the Tamils were willing to coexist with each other, TNA MP Sivagnanam Sritharan told Parliament yesterday.

Compensation also for victims of 1988/89 violence: UNP

United National Party (UNP) MP Mujibur Rahman said today the Cabinet memorandum seeking compensation for war victims was not only for ex-LTTE combatants but also for those who were effected by the violence in the 1980s.

Michael Belloff to hear Chandimal’s appeal on Friday

The ICC today confirmed that Chairman of the ICC Code of Conduct Commission, Michael Beloff QC, has been appointed as the Judicial Commissioner to hear Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal’s appeal.

Hambantota Port security handled by SL Navy: Minister

Security in the Hambantota Port, the proposed industrial zone and other land areas coming under the purview of the Hambantota Port Development Project (HPDP) will be handled by the Sri Lanka Navy under the provisions of the Concession Agreement, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

Former regime was hostile towards India: Amaraweera

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today the country had to face various issues under the previous regime because of its hostile attitude towards India.

GMOA tells Wijeyadasa: Issue gazette abolishing SAITM

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today requested Higher Education Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to issue a gazette notification abolishing SAITM.

Low pressure water supply in Colombo

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board today said the water supply to all areas in Colombo Municipality will be at low pressure for 12 hours on Saturday (23) from 12 noon to 12 midnight owing to an essential maintenance work.

Protesting workers entitled to only part of salary: PMG

The postal workers who reported for duty will only be paid the salary for the month of June and those who continue to engage in the strike action will only be paid a salary calculated for the period from Jun 01 to 11, Post Master General (PMG) Rohana Abeyratne said today.

Israeli Prime Minister’s wife charged with fraud

The wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was charged with fraud and breach of trust Thursday over the alleged misuse of state funds at the couple's official residence.

Norway commends SL’s commitment to promote HR

Visiting Norwegian State Secretary for Development Cooperation, Jens Frolich Holte today appreciated the continued commitment of the Sri Lankan Unity Government to strengthen democracy and promote and uphold human rights.

SL cricket coach in UK faces deportation

A Sri Lankan cricket coach at Worcester in England, who teaches children and disabled people, is facing deportation to Sri Lanka because he doesn't earn enough money, BBC reported.

PTL Chairman Geoffrey noticed to appear in court

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today issued a notice on Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Chairman Geoffrey Aloysius, father of Arjun Aloysius, to appear in the Court on July 5.

Aloysius, Palisena further remanded

Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius and its CEO Kasun Palisena, who were arrested by the CID over the Central Bank bond scam, were further remanded till July 5 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Chandimal appeals against match referee's findings

Dinesh Chandimal has appealed against match referee Javagal Srinath’s findings that saw him suspended for one Test after being found guilty of changing the condition of the ball in the second Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka at Gros Islet

SLC to contest ICC charge over inconsistent application of rules

An interesting legal battle is on the cards between the lawyers of Sri Lanka Cricket and International Cricket Council after the former reported to have decided to contest the ICC sanctions issued on Thursday, the Cricbuzz reported.  

Lankan asylum seeker family's deportation appeal rejected

A Tamil asylum seeker family living in the small Queensland town of Biloela have had their appeal to stay in Australia rejected by the Federal Circuit Court.

Wijeyadasa, Harees in battle of words

Public Enterprise Deputy Minister H M M Harees and Minister of Higher Education Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe were embroiled in an altercation in Parliament yesterday over a statement allegedly made by Minister Rajapakshe at the Oluvil University that lecturers were demanding sexual favours from students.

IMF advises SL to float its currency

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called upon the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to allow the exchange rate of the local currency to float.

Indian team, TNA, to assess need for reconstruction

A team of experts sent by the Indian government will visit the North to assess the need for road development in the province, Highways and Road Development Minister Kabir Hashim told Parliament yesterday.

Govt. won't extend term of office of any PC: Rajitha

The government has no intention of extending the term of office of the Northern Provincial Council or that of any other PC on the say so of a politician, Cabinet spokesman and Minister, Rajitha Senaratne said.

Still premature to comment: Rajitha

Cabinet spokesman and Health Minister, Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday it was still premature to comment on the US withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC), but it could have a positive outcome.

US assures it will help SL fulfil UN commitments

In the wake of the US pull-out from the UNHRC, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Atul Keshap met with senior Sri Lankan officials today and assured them that the US would continue to support Sri Lanka as it works to fulfil commitments made with regard to UN resolutions.

NPC considering traffic monitoring using Google data

The National Police Commission (NPC) said it was hoping to control the increasing levels of traffic in major cities with the help of Google Data.

Compensating ex-LTTE combatants: People should stop paying taxes: JO

The joint opposition said today people should stop paying taxes to the government, if it continues with its move to pay compensation to ex-LTTE combatants.

Price reduction on more essential drugs: Rajitha

The Health Ministry will reduce the prices of another batch of essential drugs in July to provide further relief to patients, Cabinet spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today.

KDU Bill passed with amendments

General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (Special Provisions) Bill to absorb SAITM students to KDU passed with amendments in Parliament without a vote a short while ago.

Chinese Company pays final tranche of H’tota Port deal

The final tranche of investment value for Hambantota Port concession was released by  China Merchant Port Holdings Limited (CM Port) today, the Ministry of Ports and Shipping said in a statement.

Eight tourists, boatman rescued from drowning in Mahaweli River; One missing

Eight out of nine Arab nationals, along with the boatman, was rescued from drowning in the Mahaweli River. The Kandy Police said the boat carrying nine tourists along with the boatman had capsized in the river at Guhagoda in Katugastota this evening.

Up to 192 people believed drowned as tourist ferry sinks in Indonesia

The Sinar Bangun tourist ferry had a maximum capacity of 60. But as the sun began to set on Monday evening, more than 200 people are thought to have crammed aboard the small, rickety vessel to make the 40-minute journey across Lake Toba, on the Indonesian province of North Sumatra.