Committee appointed to decide National Govt.’s future

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a committee comprising five Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Ministers to look into the future actions of the National Unity Government, a senior minister said

'Aluth Avurudda', an introduction of new human with new vision and attitude: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena said in his New Year message that the evolution of human civilization has taken place from era to era enriching the people as cultured entities and 'Aluth Avurudda' is indeed an introduction of a new human with a new vision and a new attitude to the society.

Man arrested with counterfeit notes worth Rs. 12,000

A 26-year-old man was arrested by the police on charges of possessing 12 counterfeit notes of Rs.1,000 in Horana yesterday.

SL earns over USD 161mn from UN peacekeeping

The Sri Lanka Army has earned more than USD 161 million from UN peacekeeping missions since 2004, Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake said on Thursday.

Met. Dept. warns of thunderstorms, says rains to reduce

The Meteorology Department today warned that gusty winds, ice falls and tornadoes could occur during the thunderstorms but said the prevailing heavy rains would reduce from April 18.

10,147 drivers fined over traffic violations

A total of 10,147 drivers had been fined island-wide for traffic violations during the last 24 hours ended from 6am today, police said.

Chinese firm to invest $800mn on Port City underground road

China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) will invest $800 million to build an underground road network to the Port City, the $1.4 billion project built on reclaimed land, Reuters reported today.

Govt. says prorogation has no negative impact

The prorogation of Parliament has no negative impact on the functioning and operation of the Government, the Government Information Department said today.By Gazette notification (Gazette Extraordinary 2066/43 of April 12, 2018), with effect from Thursday 12th April 2018, the Parliament was prorogued.

Mirissa assaults: Four arrested

Four suspects have been arrested by the Weligama Police in connection with the sexual and physical assault of tourists in Mirissa, the Tourist Police said.The four suspects are said to have been involved in the incident according to initial investigations.

SC disqualifies Nawaz Sharif from holding office for life

Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the disqualification handed to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Panama Papers case was for life, Firstpost reported today quoting news channels. 

Chinese couple arrested with cigarettes worth Rs. 2.2 mn

Two Chinese nationals were arrested while attempting to smuggle in cigarettes valued at Rs. 2.2 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night, the Customs Department said.  

P.B Dissanayaka appointed Central Province Governor

P.B Dissanayaka, who was sworn in as Uva Provincial Governor yesterday, was again sworn in as Central Province Governor before President Maithripala Sirisena today. Mr. Dissanayake continues as Acting Governor of the Uva Province.

Over 1,000 foreign liquor bottles seized in Maharagama

A container load of over 1,000 bottles of foreign liquor and illegal drugs were seized at Egodawatta in Maharagama today, police said. They said the importer, who was arrested, had imported the consignment without paying taxes.

Reginald Cooray sworn in as NP Governor again

Reginald Cooray, who was sworn in as Central Province Governor yesterday, again sworn in as Northern Province (NP) Governor before President Maithripala Sirisena this morning. Mr. Cooray was also the previous Northern Province Governor.  

Two killed, seven injured in lorry-cab accident

Two people were killed and seven others injured when a lorry hit a parked Cab vehicle from behind in Welikanda on the Habarana - Batticaloa Main Road this morning.Police said the lorry had hit the Cab vehicle which was parked near a bridge in Welikanda.

New traffic fines after New Year: NCRS

The Gazette notification on increasing fines on seven traffic offences to Rs.25,000 and other amended fines would be implemented after the New Year, Chairman of the National Council for Road Safety (NCRS) Dr Sisira Kodagoda said.

Allocate ministry subjects effectively and scientifically: Champika

Minister of Megapolis Patali Champika Ranawaka today urged Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to allocate Ministry subjects scientifically when restructuring the Cabinet so that development could be carried out efficiently and effectively.

Parliament prorogued

Issuing an extraordinary gazette, President Maithripala Sirisena prorogued Parliament with effect from Thursday midnight. The next Parliament session would be commenced on May 8.The prorogation is the period between the end of a Parliament session and the opening of the next Parliament session.

16 resigned SLFP Ministers will not leave Yahapalana Govt immediately: SB

Though 16 SLFP Cabinet Ministers, State and Deputy Ministers resigned from their portfolios following the voting in favour of the ‘No Confidence Motion’ against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, they would not leave the ‘Yahapalana Government’ immediately, they said today.

New Govt. with sections of SLFP soon: PM

The Government would soon have a new structure and new programmes, where some of the SLFP Ministers and the UNP would be working together, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Four Acting Ministers sworn in

Some portfolios which fell vacant with the resignation of six SLFP ministers who left the governments after voting in favor of the No-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were temporarily handed over to four ministers by President Maithripala Sirisena today.

Exit Roads from Colombo blocked due to rains

Most of the Exit Roads from Colombo such as High Level Road, Galle Road, Negombo and Baseline Roads were blocked due to the heavy rains lashed in Colombo this afternoon, Police said.

University non-academic staff strike called off

The University non-academic staff today called off their 44-days-long strike action after the circular issued by the University Grant Commission granting the union demands.

Severe thunderstorm to continue: Met. Dept.

The Meteorology Department warned of thunderstorms accompanied by severe lightning and thunder in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Uva and North-western provinces during the next six hours starting from 3.00 pm today.

Karu says lack of good governance killing public enterprises

As the economy continues to fall victim to nepotism, which taxes the nation in terms of income and productivity, Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya this week stressed the need to do away with the corrupt practice, so that the public enterprises can be revived from their inefficient status.

NJC calls SLSFTA a blow to economic interests of SL

The National Joint Committee (NJC) yesterday made a public statement requesting parliamentarians to vote against the proposed Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA), describing it as a “blow to national economic interests”.

SL, Vietnam reaffirm commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation

Sri Lanka and Vietnam reaffirmed the commitment to further consolidate and advance bilateral political and economic cooperation during the third meeting of the Sri Lanka -Vietnam Political Consultations, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

President to leave for UK

President Maithripala Sirisena is leaving for London on April 16 to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Presidential Media Unit said.

Seven Governors sworn in

Seven Governors were sworn in for the Western, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North Central and the Uva Provinces by President Maithripala Sirisena today, the President's Media Unit said.

Customs seize 10, 800 kg of Glyphosate

A stock of the banned chemical Glyphosate worth Rs.20 million, was seized at the Rank Container Terminal (RCT) in Orugodawatta today, Customs Media Spokesman and Deputy Director Sunil Jayaratne said.