Bountiful harvest from lands irrigated by Moragahakanda: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena wishing all the Sri Lankans a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year, said the people would get a rich harvest from the agricultural lands irrigated by the silver, blue waters of the Moragahakanda reservoir in the New Year.

Media Ethics: PM to sign proposal tomorrow

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will sign the proposal to present the gazette notification on media ethics to Parliament tomorrow, the prime minister's office said.  

Nuclear button is on my desk: Kim Jong-un

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has said he has a nuclear launch button on his desk at all times so the US "will never be able to start a war".

Jaffna, Mullaitivu deaths from natural cause: Epidemiology unit

Recently reported suspecious deaths in Jaffna and Mullaitivu districts have occurred due to natural cause, and there is no mystery surrounding them, according to an inquiry conducted by the Epidemiology Unit said yesterday.

Publish Bond report immediately: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday said President Maithripala Sirisena should publish findings of the Bond Commission report immediately.  

New Year dawns with brighter, bigger Full Moon

New Year dawns with a full moon which is 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than some of the full moons seen in the past, Director of Astronomy and Space Science Unit Dr. Chandana Jayaratne said in a statement yesterday.

President to forward Bond report to AG

The government sources said that President Maithripala Sirisena would forward the report of the Bond Commission to the Attorney General for prosecuting the accused.

PM extends wishes for 2018, says restored economic stability

Extending wishes for the New Year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government was able to steer forward in restoring economic stability and a process of sustainable development amidst great challenges.

Over 25,000 foreign professionals working in SL

China and India top the list which gives details of more than 25,000 foreign professionals who are being permitted to work in Sri Lanka in various fields on resident visas, Immigration and Emigration Controller General, Nihal Ranasinghe disclosed.

Present Bond report to Parliament: Ministers to Prez

Several Cabinet Ministers are reported to have requested President Maithripala Sirisena to publish the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report on the Central Bank bond issue.

LG Polls; Govt. officials asked not to promote candidates

The Elections Commission has decided to take stern action against government officials involved in the distribution of various items during this festive season as a means of promoting the candidates contesting the local government polls.

MoU signed between SLFP and UNP expires today

The time stipulated for a Unity Government between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP) has been elapsed today.

More taxes on soft drinks likely

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne hinted at the likelihood of further increasing tax on soft drinks containing sweeteners and would not apply to bottles of milk.

UNP to hold party convention on Jan.7

The United National Party (UNP) will hold a party convention on January 7, party sources said today.

SLMC chairman using post to promote SAITM agenda: PUMS

The Parents’ Union of the Medical Students (PUMS) today expressed its displeasure over moves by Chairman of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Professor Colvin Gunaratne to use the office he holds to push forward the agenda of SAITM.

625 Qurans seized; later released

The Kalpitiya Police today seized 625 Qurans on that suspicion that they were meant to be distributed among the mosques in the area during the election period.

Fire at storage complex in Wellampitiya

A fire broke out at a storage complex near the Orugodawatta Bridge in Wellampitiya a short while ago, the Fire Brigade said.

President instructs CB to extend currency exchange deadline

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed the Central Bank to extend the deadline to return mutilated currency notes until March 31,2018, the President’s Media Division said yesterday.

SL Navy arrests 13 Indian fishermen

Thirteen Indian fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for engaging in illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan territorial waters in the seas off Katchativu Island this morning.

Man shot dead by two gunmen in Kadawatha

A 37-year-old man was killed when two unidentified gunmen arrived in a motorcycle opened fired at him at Ranmuthugala in Kadawatha last night.

I will explain various steps for Sri Lanka success: Jauncey

On a tour to Bangladesh next month, Sri Lankan team will not only be benefited with the appointment of Chandika Hathurusinghe (Head Coach) and Thilan Samarweera (batting coach) but also Dr. Phil Jauncey (psychologist) because all three have worked with the Bangladesh team.

SLFP-SLPP coalition possible at LG bodies: Isura

Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya yesterday said that there is a prospect of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) joining the Joint Opposition backed Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) in order to maintain a majority at Local Government (LG) government bodies

1,041 labourers to remove posters, cutouts

Additional labourers had been deployed to every Police station across the country to remove posters and cutouts put up for the upcoming Local Government elections, the Police said yesterday.

Chandrika can't comment on UNP-SLFP MoU - Susil

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga who did not support the UPFA during the previous parliamentary election has no right whatsoever to decide on extending the term of national government, senior minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Bulldozing stupa in Sampur: suspects get bail

Two suspects, who had been apprehended over bulldozing the Sudaikuda stupa in Sampur had been released on bail by the Muttur Magistrate Court yesterday, the Police said.

Bond report handed over to President

The final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Bond Issuance of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has been handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena today.

Politicos may cross over; not people - MR

While claiming that it was unavoidable to stop the political party members crossing over, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that many of these members would be standing against the Government.

Alleged clearing of forests -- Environmentalist wants matter probed

Environmentalist and Environmental Conservation Trust Director Sajeewa Chamikara yesterday requested President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint a Commission to probe the alleged clearing of forests by State Minister Palitha Range Bandara.

Archaeology Dept. to take over Sampur Chetiya area for preservation

The entire land area, where the Sudaikuda Chetiya at Sampur in Trincomalee was located would be taken over by the Archaeology Department shortly for preservation, Director General of Archeology Prof. P.B. Mandawela said yesterday.

Next party leader will be an educated, intelligent youth: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday he would hand over the leadership of the SLFP not to a member of his family but to an educated and intelligent youth who engaged in clean, decent and corruption-free politics.