Husband, wife killed in accident

A 25-year-old man and his 21-year-old wife were killed when the motorbike they were travelling on collided head on with a van in Medawachchiya on the Karambankulama -Galkendegama Road this morning, police said.

Two gangsters arrested over drug smuggling

Two gang members suspected to be involved in drug smuggling were arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) at Thotalanga this morning, Police said.

New deal on future of unity govt. to be signed after April 24

The SLFP ministerial committee appointed by President Maihtripala Sirisena to look into the future of the unity government has made strong recommendations to drastically bring down the Cost of Living and provide facilities to achieve accelerated development in agriculture, industrial and education sectors and create employment opportunities, committee chairman and Minister Sarath Amunugama said yesterday.

Akila Viraj suitable to be General Secretary: UNP party sources

A group of United National Party (UNP) representatives yesterday stated that the current Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam was suitable for the post of General Secretary of the UNP.

Baggage delay: Kuwaiti airline told to pay Rs.2 mn as compensation

Colombo Commercial High Court Judge Mahinda Samayawardana yesterday ordered Kuwaiti Airways to pay Rs.2 million as compensation to two lawyers Mr. and Mrs. Mahinda Jayawardana for the immense hardship they suffered during their trip to Egypt in 2010 because of the baggage delay caused by the negligence on the part of Kuwait Airways.

Tusker ‘Missaka’ dies from sepsis

The Tusker ‘Missaka,’ that frequented the Yala Sanctuary, died yesterday morning after suffering from a trap gun injury that persisted for over two weeks, park authorities said.

Taxi meters compulsory from today

Meters with the capability of issuing a printed bill will be compulsory from today, the National Council for Road Safety (NCRF) said.

Suspended British doc’s work at Karapitiya resumes

The temporally ban imposed on a surgeon from England at the Karapitiya Hospital preventing him from conducting surgeries was lifted last evening on a recommendation made by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), Karapitiya Hospital Director Dr. Jayampathy Senanayake said.

MRIA commercial image damaged by paddy: Official

The image of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) had been tarnished after storing tons of paddy at the airport premises, a senior official at the MRIA said.

Fuel price revision after consulting Prez, PM: Arjuna

A price revision on fuel will only be carried only after consulting President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said today.

15% import duty on Gold creates more room for smuggling: Bandula

The government’s decision to increase the import tax on Gold by 15% would only create more room for illicit ways to smuggle gold to Sri Lanka, Joint Opposition Member MP Bandula Gunawardana accused.

All Mirissa hoteliers ordered to obtain SLTDA registration

Minister Sagala Ratnayaka in a special meeting today instructed all hoteliers in Mirissa to strictly adhere to the registration process of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

‘Go back Maithri,’ LTTE protesters demand in London

A group of LTTE supporters staged a protest outside the Commonwealth Summit premises in London today against President Maithripala Sirisena.

Miguel Diaz-Canel replaces Raul Castro as Cuba's President

Cuba has confirmed that Miguel Diaz-Canel, a Communist Party loyalist, is to replace Raul Castro as president - bringing an end to the 59-year era of rule under the Castro brothers.

Ammonia gas tragedy: Factory manager arrested

The manager of the rubber factory in Bellapitiya, Horana was today arrested in connection with an incident where five people were killed and several others were hospitalized after being exposed to an ammonia gas leak.

Precise details of war hadn’t reached Europe, Geneva: Naseby

Lord Baron Naseby, member of the British House of Lords, met with President Maithripala Sirisena in London yesterday, and noted it’s a grief that precise and sufficient details of the war had not been provided to Europe and Geneva.

Work of British doctor at Karapitiya Hospital suspended

The British doctor who was performing heart surgeries at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital was suspended from work , pending the determination of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) on his practicing licence, Hospital Director Dr. Jayampathy Senanayake said today.

May 1 holiday cancelled, May 7 declared as public holiday

The Government Information Department today officially announced the Public and Bank Holiday on May 1 had been cancelled and May 7 has been declared as the Public and Bank holiday instead.

UK ready to expand direct investment in Sri Lanka

Britain on Wednesday announced that it is ready for direct investments in Sri Lanka, while increasing the investments in the country.

Five killed in ammonia gas exposure in rubber factory

At least five people were killed and 11 hospitalized after being exposed to Ammonia gas at a rubber factory in Bellapitiya, Horana today.

UNP back benchers ask PM to appoint Mujibur Rahman as Dy. Speaker

A group of United National Party (UNP) back benchers had requested Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint UNP MP Mujibur Rahman as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, an MP said today.  

Israeli tourists assaulted in Midigama: 4 arrested

A week after the assault on Dutch tourists in Mirissa, four suspects were arrested yesterday by the Weligama police over another assault on a group of Israeli tourists in Midigama last Sunday, Police said.

TUs to hold joint May Day rally on May 1: JTU

Trade unions will hold their joint May Day rally as usual on May 1, the Joint Trade Union (JTU) said condemning the government’s decision to reschedule the rally to May 7.

Two spill gates of Anagamuwa Reservoir opened

Two spill gates of the Anagamuwa Reservoir were opened today due to rising water levels, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director (Early Warning) Pradeep Kodippili said.

Parliament prorogued in keeping with tradition: Kiriella

Parliament was prorogued according to tradition with the proper procedures being followed, Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday.

15 including 12 Lankans injured in Swiss road accident

Fifteen people including 12 Sri Lankans were injured when a bus carrying a group of Sri Lankan tourists crashed with two trucks on a Swiss highway near Zurich on Wednesday, the channel news asia reports said.

Schoolgirl, allegedly afflicted with stigmatized disease, offered national school

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has offered national school admission to the schoolgirl from Ganemulla who was allegedly afflicted with a stigmatized disease.

Only President can win 2020: Duminda

The General Secretary of the SLFP Duminda Dissanayake yesterday said that he did not like to respond to the remarks made by SLFP Parliamentarian Dilan Perera on him and UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera.

President stresses need for solidarity to eradicate poverty

Delivering the keynote speech at the Commonwealth Business Forum held in London, President Maithripala Sirisena highlighted that all stakeholders must work together to eradicate poverty, address climate change and to build peaceful inclusive societies.

CHOGM related meeting cancelled due to British Parliament situ

President Maithripala Sirisena, who met a group of Sri Lankans in London, said political clashes were not only in Sri Lanka and even British Premier Theresa May had to cancel the meeting with CHOGM leaders to be held at Tuesday noon, owing to the situation in British Parliament.