Poll monitors from 4 countries

Ten election monitors from four countries have arrived in the country to observe today's country-wide local government elections, the Elections Commission said yesterday.

Absorb SAITM students into State medical faculties: MFSAC

The Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee (MFSAC) today urged the government to absorb students belonging to the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) into State medical faculties in order that they can continue with their medical education.

Children seen carrying ballot boxes in Polonnaruwa

A child was seen carrying ballot boxes from the polling centre situated at Pulathisipura National College of Education to another polling centre in Polonnaruwa today.

American Center resumes normal operations

Operations at the American Center in Colombo which is being operated by the US government has returned back to normal, the US Embassy said a short while ago.

Aloysius never asked to be moved to prison hospital: Wife

Arjun Aloysius’ wife, Anjalie Mahendran today rejected the news item that her husband had requested admission to the Prison Hospital.

SL says Udayanga was released, prevented leaving UAE

The government today confirmed that former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga has been released by the UAE authorities but he has been prevented from leaving the territory of the UAE until investigations are concluded.

No night show at the zoo today, tomorrow and day after

The night show at the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwela which came to be a tourist attraction in will not be held today, tomorrow and the day after because of the Local Government Elections, Zoological Gardens Director General Dammika Malsingha said today.

Police still uncertain of Udayanga’s claim

Police said today they had not been officially informed of the claim made by former envoy to Russia,Udayanga Weeratunga that he was released by INTERPOL.

SLFP candidate goes missing

W. P. S Kurera, a female candidate contesting for the Wennappuwa Pradeshiya Sabha through the additional list of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, has been reported missing as of yesterday.

American Center, Colombo closed indefinitely

The American Center in Colombo which is being operated by the US government will remain closed until further notice, the US Embassy said today.

Second US shutdown in 2018 begins

The US government has shut down for the second time this year after Congress failed to pass a key budgetary measure on time, BBC reported a short while ago.

Aloysius’s request for hospital denied

The Prisons Department has turned down a request made by Arjun Aloysius to be admitted to the Prison Hospital citing he was suffering from a back pain.

Mentally done with cricket: Malinga

Lasith Malinga, the veteran Sri Lankan pacer, on Thursday (February 8) dropped elaborate hints about his retirement plans, saying he was mentally done with international cricket.

AG against granting bail to Aloysius

The Attorney General’s Department today filed written submission at Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court against granting bail to Perpetual Treasuries Limited Owner Arjun Aloysius and its CEO Kasun Palisena.

No connection to any political party: Kumar

Cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara yesterday refused reports of him backing a certain political party and said that he has no affiliation with any political party.

Brig. Fernando acted within embassy premises: Navin

In a hard hitting letter to the two pro-LTTE British MPs, who demanded the withdrawal of Defence Attache Brigadier Priyankara Fernando’s diplomatic status, Minister Navin Dissanayake yesterday said Brigadier Fernando enjoys diplomatic immunity for actions performed within the embassy premises and that it was most disturbing and offensive to witness protesters being allowed to carry flags belonging to the LTTE in the UK where the organisatio

EU adds SL to money laundering blacklist

The European Parliament has confirmed that Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Trinidad and Tobago were on the European Commission’s blacklist of countries at risk for acts of money-laundering.

No probe against Brigadier Priyanka-Army Chief

Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake said that they would not be conducting an inquiry the actions of the Defence Attache of the Sri Lankan High Commission in UK Brigadier Priyanka Fernando after he was spotted making a throat slitting gesture towards protesters who thronged the Embassy office in the UK.

Udayanga’s claim; Police still unaware

Police Media Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said they are yet to receive a report from the investigative team sent to the UAE in the backdrop of news reports that was circulating with regards to a claim alleged to have been made by former ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga that he had been released for lack of evidence.

Election law violations: 500 including 61 candidates arrested

A total of 500 individuals including 61 candidates had been arrested in connection with election law violations and complaints since December 09, 2017, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said today.

Medical education: Minimum standards revised despite SLMC recommendations

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said today the Cabinet had amended the minimum standards for medical education despite Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne’s request to approve the minimum standards recommended by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).

Ruwan praises Defence Attaché Priyankara

State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene today lauded Minister Counsellor (Defence) Brigadier Priyankara Fernando of the Sri Lankan High Commission in UK, for giving a signal to the pro LTTE Diaspora members whom he said are not genuinely interested in the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

Udayanga says he was released

Former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who was detained in the UAE, today said he was released by the Interpol.

No liquor on Election Day

All liquor shops in the country would be closed on Local Government Election Day, February 10, Excise Commissioner General K H A Meegasmulla said today.

Benedict XVI says he is in the autumn of his life

In a rare new letter penned by Benedict XVI, the retired pontiff said he is in the last phase of his life, and while his physical strength might be waning, he is surrounded by a “love and goodness” that he never imagined.

Four Lankan Tamil refugees held for illegally entering India

Four Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, including a pregnant woman, who arrived off Dhanushkodi coast here by an illegal ferry service, were arrested today.

Ex-Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia jailed for corruption case

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been sentenced to five years in jail in a corruption case by a court in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, Al Jazeera reported.

Legal action against officials failing to report for election duty

The Elections Commission said today legal action would be taken against State officials who failed to report for election duty which has assigned by the EC.

Ex Additional Secy of Presidential Secretariat released on bail

Former Additional Secretary of the Presidential Secretariat D.S. Gunaratna, who was remanded in connection with misappropriating state funds amounting to Rs. 17.9 million in 2010, was released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today.

Auditor General shows mismatch in loans and assets

Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe said according to the latest financial declarations, the country’s foreign and domestic loan account stood at Rs. 8.9 trillion by the end of 2016, but the audited domestic assets stood at only Rs.1.1 trillion.