Enterprise Sri Lanka: Govt. to invest Rs.80bn

The government will invest some Rs.80 billion in developing rural roads, rural markets, and other public facilities, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said. He said the Gampereliya scheme will be the primary focus of the government’s economic agenda

Gota's FR petition: Two more SC judges recuse from Bench

Two more Supreme Court Judges today recused themselves from hearing the fundamental rights petition filed by former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Water supply to Kelaniya, Wattala to be interrupted tomorrow

The water supply in Kelaniya, Peliyagoda and Wattala areas would be interrupted for 12 hours from Friday 7 p.m, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced today.

Lasantha killing: 2nd suspect made 3-hr-long statement

Former Mount Lavinia Police Crime OIC, Sub-Inspector Tissa Sugathapala made a 3-hour-long confidential statement to the Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate this evening.

Semi-luxury buses to be removed by year-end: NTC

The National Transport Commission (NTC) said today it decided to remove some 450 semi-luxury buses from service by the end of the year.

100-day-programme prepared by MR's opponents: UNP

Highways Minister Kabir Hashim said today the 100-day-programme was prepared by those who campaigned against former president Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2014.

PM tells UNPers not to respond to President’s speech

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told UNPers not to respond to the statement made by President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday.

Railway strike to end at 4 p.m.

The Railway Technical Services Trade Union Committee (RTSTUC) said it had decided to end their 48-hour token strike at 4.00 p.m. today.

President himself admits that country is unstable: JO

Referring to the speech delivered by President Maithripala Sirisena at the 76th Birth Anniversary of the Late Ven. Sobitha Thera yesterday, Joint Opposition said today the essence of the speech of the President was that he himself admitted the country was not stable.

Admissions called for 2019 Grade One admissions

The circular relating to the admission of students to Grade One in State schools had been released today, the Education Ministry said.

Aloysius gave me Rs.100,000: SF

Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who claimed that he received Rs. 100,000 from Perpetual Treasuries Ltd (PTL) owner Arjun Aloysius for his election campaign, said today he could refund it with interest, if needed.

Sanath Nishantha released on bail

Puttalam District parliamentarian Sanath Nishantha Perera was released with a surety of Rs. one million by Chilaw High Court Judge Sanjeewa Morayas today.

Polish national nabbed with 100 gold biscuits worth Rs.65mn

A 60-year-old Polish national had been arrested with 100 gold biscuits, worth Rs.65 million, this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Customs Spokesman Deputy Director Sunil Jayarathne said.

US says attacks on religious minorities continue in SL

The US Government said yesterday attacks on religious minorities in Sri Lanka continued unabated from the previous year.

President says MPs received honorariums

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have said at the Cabinet meeting yesterday that the payments made to the Ministers and MPs amounted to be honorariums, and therefore they could not be considered for taxation.

Cabinet: State employees liable for PAYE Tax

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have said at the Cabinet meeting yesterday that the payments made to the Ministers and MPs amounted to be honorariums, and therefore they could not be considered for taxation.

JO decides to oppose 20A

The hierarchy of the joint opposition unanimously decided yesterday to oppose the 20th Amendment to the Constitution proposed by the JVP to abolish the Executive Presidency, an official said.

Karu's intervention saved Keith

Senior State Counsel Lakmini Girihagama appearing on behalf of the Attorney General (AG) yesterday informed Mount Lavina Magistrate’s Court that the statement which had been recorded from Speaker Karu Jayasuriya by the CID mentioned that Journalist Keith Noyahr's life was saved because of his intervention.

President, PM Security Forces and TNA discuss release of land

President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, members of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Chiefs of the Security Forces discussed on how to expedite release of lands in the North and East.

Legal action against overstaying SL workers in Israel

Legal actions would be institute against 104 Sri Lankan migrant workers overstaying their visas in Israel, Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said yesterday.

Sobitha Thera didn’t ask common candidate to break banks

President Maithripala Sirisena said today the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, who came forward to set up a Government through a common candidate, never asked a common candidate to loot the Central Bank.

International community cannot be spectator if Govt. failed: Sampanthan

While claiming that the International community could not be a spectator anymore with regard to Sri Lanka, Leader of the Opposition and the Tamil National Alliance R. Sampanthan said today if the Government continued to fail in its commitments, the International Community must clearly state its position on follow up mechanisms to safeguard the victims and ensure non-recurrence of the past.

PTL office searched by CID

The Head-office of the Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) located at the Parkland building in Colombo 2 is being searched by the CID, CID sources said a short while ago. (DS)

Two underground mega drains to control floods in Colombo

The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development is set to invest RS. 5,800 million in a mega flood control project in Colombo.

JO urges Speaker to change COPE composition

The Joint Opposition (JO) today urged Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to change the composition of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) by removing the COPE members, who had received funds from the Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL).

Powerful 16 MPs taken money from PTL- Keerthi

Some powerful 16 MPs from both the Government and the Opposition accepted money from the Perceptual Treasuries Chief Arjun Aloysius, Centre for Human Rights and Research (CHR) Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon alleged today.  

Interim Order stays SLC election

The Court of Appeal today issued an Interim Order staying the holding of the election scheduled to be held tomorrow for the election of the office bearers of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

New Colombo map to be released tomorrow

The latest and updated map of Colombo, which consists an additional two square kilometre land of the Colombo Port City, would be unveiled tomorrow, the Survey Department said.

Rtd. Major General Karunasekara re-remanded

Former Military Intelligence Director and Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General (Retired) Amal Karunasekara was re-remanded till June 13 by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate today.Major General Karunasekara was arrested in connection with the abduction an

Railways goes to CID over sabotage

The Railways Department had lodged complaint with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to investigate over the damages caused to train compartments and locomotives by the striking workers, Additional General Manager of Railways Wijaya Samarasinghe said.