COPE, PAC, Public Finance: Former members re-appointed

Party leaders, who convened at the Parliamentary complex yesterday decided to reappoint the former members who served in the parliamentary bodies Committee on Public Enterprises(COPE), Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Public Finance Committee.

Don’t use war heroes for personal agendas: Army Chief

War heroes must not be manipulated to serve narrow objectives and personal agendas, nor should they be incited to resort to emotional and anti-social acts, Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake said.

SLFP to appoint new office-bearers on June 3

The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) that met today decided to appoint a new set of office-bearers on June 3 as part of measures taken to reform the party, it is learnt.

Pandu Bandaranayake joins SLPP

Former Minister and SLFP stalwart Pandu Bandaranayake said today he joined the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) in order to be a part of the progressive political journey of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Govt. debt up by Rs.836bn due to Rupee depreciation: PHU

The Government’s debt had increased by Rs. 836 bn following the depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US Dollar during the past 40 months, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Man fined Rs.10, 120 for not paying Rs.30 parking fee

A man who failed to pay a parking fee of Rs.30 at a parking slot in Wellawatte, has been fined Rs. 10,120 after a lapse of 13 days.

US economic boom adversely affects SL: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said the economic growth in the US has had a negative impact on Sri Lanka and other developing nations.  

Observe a moment of silence in schools in NP: NPC Minister

All the School Principals of the Northern Province had been requested to observe a moment of silence and hoist the Northern Provincial flag at half mast tomorrow (18) at 11.00 a.m. in line with the commemoration of Tamil civilians who died during the war, Northern Province Education Minister Kandiah Sarveswaran said in a communique.

Two Maldivians arrested with ecstasy pills worth Rs.10 mn

Two Maldivians were arrested by the Police Special Task Force (STF) on charges of possessing 1,925 ecstasy pills with a street value of more than Rs.10 million during a raid at Nadimala in Dehiwala last night.

Immigration to start work-to-rule campaign

A work-to-rule campaign is to be launched by the Sri Lanka Immigration & Emigration Officers from midnight today (17) over the failure by authorities to solve several pressing demands, the Sri Lanka Immigration & Emigration Officers' Association said.

Grenade explosion at Diyatalawa SLAF School: Three injured

Three persons, including a trainee Airwoman, had been injured, when a hand grenade exploded during an exercise at the Diyatalawa SLAF Combat Training School today, Air Force Spokesman Group Captain Gihan Seneviratne said.

GMOA strike: Countrywide healthcare services disrupted

Healthcare services in hospitals countrywide were disrupted today because of the 24-hour token strike launched by the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) against the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed with Singapore and the proposed ETCA with India.

'Mystery disease' claims 5 lives, health authorities on high alert

A disease that was suspected to have caused the death of five individuals in the last month alone in the Southern Province has put health authorities on high alert.

Sanga gives opportunity to fans to own part of Lord’s ground

Sri Lankan cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara has joined David Gower, Allan Lamb and Viv Richards to back a new opportunity for fans to own a part of the world-famous Lord’s Cricket ground.

JVP;Rs.5.7m to refurbish toilets at Mayor's house;Rosy says toilets in dilapidated condition

A sum of Rs.5.7 million has been allocated for the modernisation of the toilets at the Colombo Mayor’s official residence, CMC member Sumith Passaperuma revealed at the CMC meeting held yesterday (16).

Deaths of two British rugby players: Police probe drug use

Police are investigating whether drugs contributed to the death of two British rugby players after a visit to a nightclub in Colombo.

Meethotamulla tragedy: AG's report blames CMC

The Auditor General had held that the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) was responsible for the death of 32 people and for the damage caused to properties as a result of the collapse of the Meethotamulla garbage dump in April last year.

Civilians killed in war can be remembered: Rajitha

If the JVP commemorates its members died fighting the Police and the Armed Forces at two terror campaigns in 1971 and 1989 – 90 period, no one must have any ill-will or resent, when parents of those who died at war in the North–East did the same, Cabinet Spokesman Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

Govt. on borrowing spree, says MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that the incumbent Government, having committed public funds to win elections, began the biggest borrowing spree in Sri Lanka’s history to meet the increased expenditure.

Ramadan fasting begins Friday

Muslims in Sri Lanka will begin their Ramadan fasting at dawn on Friday (May 18), the Colombo Grand Mosque announced.

Fallen tree hinders vehicular movement at Maitland Place

A tree had fallen across the street at Maitland Place in Colombo 7 causing heavy traffic snarls, Police said.

Keith Noyahr abduction: CID probing whether SF involved: AG

State Counsel Udara Karunatilake appearing on behalf of the Attorney General (AG) today informed Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court that the CID had started an investigation on whether, Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka was involved in the abduction and assault of Journalist Keith Noyahr in 2008.

No bus strike: 12.5% hike accepted; Min fare Rs.12

The All Ceylon Private Bus Association (ACPBA) called off the countrywide strike scheduled for tomorrow following the discussions with Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva a short while ago, the sources said.  

No more hike possible: Min. Rajitha

The National Transport Commission (NTC) had granted the maximum possible bus fare increase to private bus operators on an accepted Government policy and therefore, the NTC was not in a position to give further increase to private bus operators, Cabinet Spokesman, Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said today.

China uses 'debtbook diplomacy' in 16 countries including SL: report

The Chinese government is leveraging billions of dollars in debts to gain political leverage with developing countries across Asia and the Pacific including Sri Lanka, CNN reported on Wednesday quoting a report.  

GMOA to launch 24-hour strike tomorrow

Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) would be on a countrywide 24-hour token strike tomorrow against the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed with Singapore and the proposed ETCA with India, GMOA Secretary Dr Haritha Aluthge said today.

Talks with Dy Minister fails; Now meeting with Nimal: Bus union

The Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) today said it would go ahead with the scheduled bus strike tonight since the discussions they had with Transport Deputy Minister Asoka Abesinghe had failed.  

Rtd. Major General Karunasekara re-remanded

Former Military Intelligence Director and Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General (Retired) Amal Karunasekara who was in remand custody, was re-remanded till May 30 by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today.

Ward Place temporarily closed due to protest

Ward Place in Colombo has been temporarily closed as a result of a protest staged by the Inter-University Bhikku Federation outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) a short while ago, Police said.

Private Bus Association firm on strike

The All Ceylon Private Bus Association (ACPBA) would go for an indefinite countrywide strike from midnight today if the Government did not agree on the minimum increment of Rs.15 and 15 per cent increment, ACPBA Secretary Anjana Priyanjith said.