Hathurusingha did right thing by choosing Sri Lanka: Streak

Zimbabwe cricket team coach Heath Streak, who shared the Bangladesh dressing room with Chandika Hathurusingha when the Sri Lankan was the head coach of the BCB, thinks Hathurusingha did the right thing by choosing to coach his country.

Postal voting: Ballot papers handed over for delivery

The Elections Department will hand over the postal ballot papers to the postal authorities for delivery to voters in seven provinces, an official said yesterday.

More rain in the next few days

More rains are expected in the next few days, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said quoting the Department of Meteorology.

PM expresses desire to watch ‘Padmaavati’

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his desire to watch the Indian movie ‘Padmaavati’ which has been renamed as ‘Padmaavat’ later on.

SC ruling: Prez tears packet of gravy and spills it all over

The joint opposition (JO) said yesterday said the President has torn his packet of gravy and it has spilled all over by seeking a Supreme Court determination on the expiry of his term of office.

Visas issuance: Fees now payable in dollars instead of rupees

The government has approved regularizing and updating of the present method of visa issuance and to collect visa charges in US dollars instead of Sr Lankan rupees.

Rajagiriya flyover, Moragahakanda -- Rajapaksa must be day dreaming: Thalatha

Foreign Employment and Justice Minister Thalatha Atukorale yesterday rejected claims made by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa that the Rajagiriya flyover and the Moragahakanda Multi-Purpose Development Project (MMDP) were planned by his government.

Seeking SC determination; UNP says Prez should have consulted Govt. allies

The United National Party (UNP) said yesterday it would have been much better for President Maithripala Sirisena to have consulted the government allies before seeking a determination from the Supreme Court on the expiry of his term of office.

Promoting journalists at LG Polls: Media groups told to exercise caution

In the context of a number of media personnel contesting the local government elections from different political parties, the Elections Commission requested media institutions to exercise caution to ensure that no party or candidate was aggrieved by their coverage of news and events.

Two Jaffna Uni. student factions clash after consuming liquor

A clash is reported to have erupted between two groups of students of the Jaffna University's Management Faculty after consuming liquor inside the premises on Thursday resulting in four students being admitted to the Jaffna Base Hospital.

Woman hacked to death in Moratuwa

A 44- year- old woman has been hacked to death in Rawatawatte, Moratuwa this evening, Police said.

Ready to leave presidency even today: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena said today he would accept the Supreme Court determination whatever it might be on his term of office and was ready to leave the presidency even today.

No Lankans affected by California mudslides: MFA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) today said no Sri Lankans were affected by the Southern California mudslides in the US on Thursday.

Forcing principal to kneel: Uva CM denies allegations

Chief Minister Uva Province Chamara Dasanayake told the media yesterday afternoon at his office that it was absolutely a false allegation that he threatened and forced a principal of a Tamil girls’ school in Badulla to kneel down before him.  

Ananda Sarath Kumara’s son assaults teenager

SLFP Anamaduwa organizer Ananda Sarath Kumara’s son Ayesh Shanaka Kumara and another youth were arrested on charges of assaulting a 19-year-old youth in Nawagaththegama yesterday and later released on bail with a surety of Rs.200, 000 each.

Ex-navy spokesman, five others released on bail

Former navy spokesman D.K.P. Dassanayake and five others were released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today.

SL defence Secretary visits Goa Shipyard

A high-level Sri Lankan defence delegation headed by the secretary of defence, Kapila Waidyaratane PC, recently visited Goa Shipyard ltd (GSL), India and held discussions with Shekhar Mital, RAdm. (retd), chairman & managing director (CMD) of GSL, and other senior officers for a review of the off-shore patrol vessels being constructed at the shipyard.

Indian arrested with Rs. 6 mn worth crystal methamphetamine

A 50-year-old Indian national who attempted to smuggle 220 grams of crystal methamphetamine -an illegal drug- worth over Rs. 6 million into the country was arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) at the Bandaranaike International Airport last night, Police said.

President can hold office only for 5 years: Counsel

Counsel Manohara de Silva PC appearing for the intervenient petitioner Prof. G.L.Peiris on the question of the term of office of incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena, countered the contention of the Attorney General and maintained that under Article 30 (2) of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the President can hold office for a terms of five years.

AG says President Sirisena’s term is 6 years

Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya yesterday contended that incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena can continue his term of office as President for 6 years.

COPE to summon CB and Finance Ministry officials

The Committee on Public Enterprises  (COPE) is to summon officials of the Central Bank and Finance Ministry after the Parliament debate on the bond commission takes place, Parliamentary sources said yesterday.

Steep drop in grave crimes: Sagala

The number of grave crimes reported last year has plummeted by 14,991 when compared with 2014, said Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake.

Highway network of Colombo to begin soon: PM

Construction work on a highway network designed to ease the traffic congestion in the Colombo City will begin soon, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Prez. Sec. hands over Bond report to CB Governor

A copy of the Bond Commission’s report had been handed over to Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy by President’s Secretary on Wednesday, the Central Bank said today.

President clarifies reason for seeking SC opinion

President Maithripala Sirisena made a reference to the Supreme Court to ascertain whether he can serve in office for six years because there were divergent views on his term limit in civil and political circles, his office said in a statement.

President has no moral right to extend term of office: Basil

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) frontliner Basil Rajapaksa today said there was no moral basis for President Maithripala Sirisena to extend his term for six years as he committed himself to reduce the term in the run up to the elections .

Traffic tickets to personal addresses - Sagala

Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayaka today said the Police will launch a pilot project in February to send traffic tickets to personal addresses of traffic rule violators.

Liquor shop hours changed

Liquor shops to be kept open from 11.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. with effect from today following a gazette notification issued by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

Earl and Countess of Wessex to visit SL

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and the Countess of Wessex would visit Sri Lanka from January 31 to February 4 and represent Queen Elizabeth II at the 70th anniversary celebration of Sri Lanka’s independence, the British High Commission said today.  

GMOA warns TU action by next week

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today warned trade union action by next week over curtailment of medical officers’ allowances.