UNP MP Navavi resigns

United National Party (UNP) National list MP M .H. M. Navavi resigned from his post today.

President to appoint committee to review S'pore FTA: GMOA

President Maithripala Sirisena had agreed to appoint an economic committee headed by Chief Economist Prof. Lalith Samarakoon to look into the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) inked with Singapore, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today said.

An ex-President shouldn’t debate with a Minister: JO

Joint Opposition (JO) MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage today said they won’t allow former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to go for a debate with Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, but other JO MPs were ready to debate with the Minister.  

Tree falls injuring one at Technical Junction

A man was injured after a tree fell on to his motorbike at Technical Junction in Maradana a short while ago, Police said. They said traffic congestion was reported following the incident.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall

Heavy traffic was reported today in Town Hall due to a protest being carried out by a group of Sabaragamuwa University students over several demands, Police said.  

Viral flu in South: Closure of pre and primary schools extended

All preschools in the Southern Province will remain closed till June 4 while the primary section of other schools in eight educational areas in the province will be closed till May  25 due the viral decease spreading in the Province.

Fulfill promises instead of having debates: Namal to Mangala

Joint Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday urged Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera to focus on fulfilling promises he had made to the people before inviting former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for a political debate.

Power failure: Working to restore: CEB

Electricity supply in the Katunayaka, Bolawatte, Pannala, Chillaw, Anuradhapura and Maho had been disrupted due to failure at a grid sub-station in Chillaw, CEB Spokesman Director Sulakshana Jayawardena said.

Kaduwela-Biyagama Bridge restricted for traffic

The vehicular movements along the Kaduwela-Biyagama main bridge were restricted due to a high risk situation, Road Development Authority (RDA) today said.

Weather to worsen, death toll rises to ten

The prevailing weather condition will worsen in the South-Western parts of the country, the Meteorology Department today said.

Kerosene sales down 400% with price hike: Minister

Kerosene sales have declined by a whopping 400 percent since the removal of the kerosene subsidy this month, indicating large scale abuse of kerosene for adulteration of more expensive distillates and greater industrial use of the fuel, Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna Ranatunga announced yesterday.

Viral disease in South under control: Dr. Jasinghe

While stating that the prevailing viral disease in the Southern Province had been under control, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said the people should be vigilant of any feverish symptoms like cold, cough and fever to seek medical aid.

Mangala says 49, 000 new tax files opened in April

Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has opened 49,000 new tax files in April with the New Inland Revenue Act coming into force, Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera revealed yesterday.

British rugger players death: Police question trishaw drivers

The Fort Police  questioned several trishaw drivers in connection with the deaths of two British rugger players, after a visit to a nightclub in Colombo.

Rs. 2379 mn collected as fines for traffic offences last year

A revenue of Rs. 2379 million had been collected and credited to the consolidated fund by the Police as fines from traffic offences across the country last year, Police informed Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara.

Government targets US $ 2.7bn FDI this year: Malik

The government’s target is to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) worth US $ 2.7 billion this year, Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickama told Parliament yesterday.

Mahendran played key role in signing FTA: Dayasiri

SLFP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara alleged today that former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, who was in Singapore, had played the key role in signing the Free Trade Agreement between Sri Lanka and Singapore.

Gota's economic policy same as ours: Malik

International Trade and Development Strategies Minister Malik Samarawickrama today congratulated former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the comments he made on Sri Lanka’s economic policy. “Mr. Rajapaksa in his recent statement said India and China are emerging as global economic giants and Sri Lanka also should take this into consideration and work on its economic policy. Mr. Rajapaksa also said Sri Lanka should be made a h

Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day: NUTA unhappy about Jaffna undergrads involvement

The National University Teachers' Association (NUTA) today registered their protest with the Jaffna university authorities over the involvement of undergraduates in the so-called ‘Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day” observances.

Gota's economic policy same as ours: Malik

International Trade and Development Strategies Minister Malik Samarawickrama today congratulated former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the comments he made on Sri Lanka’s economic policy.

SLC raises salaries of national players

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has raised the wages of national players by 34 per cent for the period of 2018/19, following strong results achieved during the concluded financial year.

Mangala invites MR for public debate on national debt

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today that he would like to invite former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for a public debate on national debt stock and debt servicing as the former Finance Minister. 

Finance Ministry Ad on Crude Oil: JO to refer matter to COPA

The joint opposition said today it was hoping to request the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) to summon the Finance Ministry Secretary in connection with the recent newspaper advertisement comparing crude oil prices during the previous government and today.

CMC employee injured in accident

An employee of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) was hospitalised when he fell into an elevator shaft at the Municipal Council building today.

IP Rangajeewa and Lamahewa re-remanded

Police Narcotic Bureau Inspector Neomal Rangajeewa and Prisons Department Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa, who were in remand custody over the Welikada Prison riots in 2012, were further remanded till June 5 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

12.5% bus fare hike from midnight; Rs.12 for the first segment

The Cabinet has approved a 12.5% bus fare hike with the fare Rs. 12 for the first segment of the journey with effect from midnight, Deputy Minister of Transport Ashoka Abeysinghe said.

Mahanama, Dissanayake re-remanded till June 5

President Maithripala Sirisena's former chief of staff I.H.K. Mahanama and State Timber Corporation (STC) former chairman P. Dissanayaka, in remand custody on charges of accepting a Rs.20 million bribe, were today re-remanded till June 5 by Court today.

Navy rescues 172 marooned flood victims

At least 172 people including nine pregnant women, marooned by the flood waters, were rescued by the Navy.

Four-way battle for SLC Presidency

Incumbent Thilanga Sumathipala will face familiar foes Jayantha Dharmadasa and Nishantha Ranatunga in his bid to remain as President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), when it conducts its elections on May 31.

Johann Peries second Sri Lankan to summit Mt. Everest

Sri Lanka's Johann Peries successfully summited the 29,030 feet of Mount Everest at 5.55 a.m in Nepal time today.