Some J’pura nurses on strike

Around 150 nursing staff attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (SJGH) had refused to report to duty today in protest of a newly introduced fingerprint machine, SJGH Director Dr. Susitha Senaratne said.

Most of my ministerial colleagues call me chairman of cleaning services: Arjuna

Minister of Petroleum Resources Development Arjuna Ranatunga stated that most of his ministerial colleagues call him the chairman of cleaning services.

'Foreigners Only' hotels to be prosecuted

The Tourist Police with the assistance of the Local Government bodies, the Tourism Development Authority and the Tourist Board will conduct raids on restaurants, villas and tourist lodges in the southern tourist belt that cater only to foreigners and discriminate against Sri Lankans under the directive of the Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faizer Musthapha.

Gay population in SL now tops 7500

In a report by the National Venereal Diseases and Prevention of AIDS project it is stated that there are 7500 persons identified as gays in Sri Lanka.

‘Phone calls’ to import rice, fertilizer: MR

Former president and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday the country was self-sufficient under his tenure but phone calls are being made today when there are shortages of fertilizer or rice.

Pay hike for Judges -- Mangala says not just yet

The Finance Ministry, in its observations on the proposed pay hike for judges and those working in the Attorney General’s Department, said yesterday such a hike would impact on the salary scales of public servants in other categories.

Decision to register SAITM graduates, politically influenced: MFSAC

The Sri Lanka Medical Council’s (SLMC) purported internal decision to register the SAITM graduates following a nine months clinical training was not an independent decision but a politically influenced one, Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee (MFSAC) Convener Ryan Jayalath said today.

We don't mind President using his sword against wrongdoers

We don’t mind President Sirisena using his sword against wrongdoers including the ones who responsible for allege deforestation in Pukkulam as requested by the environmentalists, as our hands are clean, State Minister of Irrigation Palitha Range Bandara said today.

LG Polls- Govt. will strictly uphold election laws: PM

The government will do its utmost to conduct the February 10 elections in accordance with election laws, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremeisnghe said today.

Govt's future at stake if SAITM not abolished: GMOA

The GMOA today warned that the government's future was at stake if SAITM was not abolished as promised.

PRECIFAC hands over final report to President

The final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) was handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena today.

Four injured in shooting

At least four persons were injured following a shootout between two groups at Nagalaganveediya, Grandpass this evening, Police said.

Prez. Sec. assures to give PCoI report soon: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today the Presidential Additional Secretary B.K.S. Ravindra had assured them that a copy of the PCoI report would be given to them as soon as possible.

No objection to use of my image on posters:MR

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a letter to the Elections Commission (EC) has said, he has no objection to political parties and independent groups contesting the local government polls using his image on posters and cutouts.

Body of a British national recovered in Maligawatte

A body of British national, aged 37 had been recovered this morning at Araliya Uyana in Maligawatte, the Police said.

Rs. 14.5 mn robbed in N' Eliya

Rs. 14.5 million was robbed from a private cigarette agency in Nuwera Eliya this morning.

India seeks Interpol’s help for red sanders’ smugglers hiding in SL

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) in Andhra Pradesh will take the help of the Interpol to extradite the wanted red sanders smugglers hiding in different countries including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Singapore and Myanmar, the Hindu reported.

Saudi Arabia and UAE introduce VAT for first time

Value Added Tax (VAT) has been introduced in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for the first time, BBC reported.

Parliament will have more ageing MPs in 2018

Sri Lanka will see more ageing MPs in Parliament in 2018 as most of them will be 70 years during this year while only a few others will be nearing that age, parliamentary sources said.

Apeksha Hospital to receive long awaited PET scanner on Jan. 25

The long awaited Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner which was purchased by public contribution will be arrive at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital on January 25, Kadijah Foundation President and the Fight Cancer Founder Dr. M S H Mohamed said yesterday.

IGP's long wait at Sri Dalada Maligawa

Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara had to wait for a long time at the special guests gate leading to the special closet in the first floor where the Sacred Tooth Relic is deposited when he visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa to pay homage during the New Year.

Fire at Singer Mega showroom

A fire broke out at the Singer Mega showroom building at De Kretser Place in Colombo 4 on Duplication road, this evening, Colombo fire brigade sources said.

Police remove MR cutouts at A'pura

The police have removed the cutouts and posters bearing the image of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa from a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) office in Medawachchiya on the basis that it was unlawful to keep such items with the image of someone not belonging to the party.

Political parties 'discriminate' own female-candidates: CaFFE

Female candidates contesting the upcoming Local Government (LG) election are seen subjected to maltreatment by their own political parties, the election watchdog- Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) said today.

Four suspects arrested while in possession of conch shell

Four suspects were arrested by the Wattala police with a left-curved conch shell called “Valampuri” valued Rs.40 million while on the way to be sold at Mabola,Wattala.

TRC raids illegal FM radio station at D'gala

An illegal FM radio station broadcasting from Deraniyagala was raided Sunday by Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) personnel.

6% increase in New Year accidents: CNH

A total of 512 cases were reported to the Colombo National Hospital (CNH) on the New Year's Eve and the day before, which is a six percent increase, compared to last year, National Hospital Coordinator Pushpa Ramyani de Soysa said.

JVP to request Prez. Sec. for copy of PCoI report

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today it would request the Presidential Secretariat for a copy of the PCoI report on the Central Bank bond scam under the Right to Information Act (RTI).

Bond report: President to make special statement

President Maithripala Sirisena will make a special statement to the media on Wednesday in connection with the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report on the Central Bank bond issue, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said today.

Fire at Meethotamulla garbage dump

A fire broke out at a section of the massive garbage pile at Meethotamulla this morning, the Police said.