No US GSP for SL, other countries from 2018

The US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program for Sri Lanka and other beneficiary countries would expire on December 31, 2017, as the US Congress did not re-authorize GSP before adjourning for the year, the US Embassy said today.

Three suspects nabbed with hashish at Southern Expressway

Three suspects were arrested by the officials of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) with more than 800 grammes of hashish at the Kadawatha Exit Point of the Southern Expressway last night, Police said.

SLC hires Australian psychologist

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has hired an Australian psychologist for the National Team, according to reliable sources.

Decision on Unity Govt. after poll: SLFP

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said yesterday it would decide whether to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the United National Party (UNP) on the Unity Government after the Local Government (LG) elections.

CEA to construct 4 sanitary landfills

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) is hoping to construct four large-scale sanitary landfills across the country as a measure to resolve the solid waste issue.

Underground sea road: Study to be completed by March 2018

The feasibility study for the proposed construction project on underground sea road extension via Marine Drive which would be connected to the Port City’s proposed elevated highway will be completed in March 2018, the Director of the Port City project Nihal Fernando said yesterday.

Won't hesitate to use sword: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said today he would not hesitate to use the ‘sword’ on his relatives, friends or party supporters in his journey to create a clean, unstained and a people-friendly political culture.

Fertilizer shortage: Govt. should compensate farmers - Wimal

The government should provide compensation to the farmers, who were affected following the prevailing shortage of fertilizer, leader of National Freedom Front (NFF), Wimal Weerawansa said today.

Wijeyadasa resigns from CC

Former justice minister and UNP MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has decided to resign from the Constitutional Council (CC).It was reported that he had tendered his letter of resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena today.

JO member Somaweera Chandrasiri joins President

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Vice Chairman Somaweera Chandrasiri, who was a member of the joint opposition, today pledged his support to President Maithripala Sirisena.

SL releases 69 Tamil Nadu fishermen

The Sri Lankan courts in Jaffna and Vavunia on Thursday ordered the release of 69 Tamil Nadu fishermen lodged in prisons in Sri Lanka, the Deccan Chronicle reported.

‘Ginger’ injured in accident

Popular songstress Judith White also known as ‘Ginger ‘and three others were hospitalized when the car they were travelling in plunged down a precipice at Diyadawa on the Deniyaya-Akuressa Road early this morning, Police said.

Central Bank absolutely corrupt and inefficient: Ravi

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake, in an interview with Daily Mirror, said that the Central Bank is absolutely corrupt and inefficient. MP Karunanayake, who resigned from his ministerial portfolio over allegations related to the Central Bank bond scam, said the truth will prevail after the report is out.

Piyasena Gamage sworn in as State Minister

UPFA MP Piyasena Gamage was sworn in as State Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development before President Maithripala Sirisena this morning.

Mechanism in place to bring back underworld figures from abroad

A mechanism has been put in place to arrest and bring back the underworld gang leaders who are operating from overseas, Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake said.

Lanza to support JO

Former Deputy Minister Nimal Lanza today said he would support the joint opposition led by former President Mahinda Rajapakse.

Japanese FM to visit SL

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono will visit Sri Lanka from January 4 to 6, 2018, a statement from the Japanese embassy here said yesterday.

A/L best results in the Island

Dilini Sadunika Palihakkara of Sujatha Balika Vidyalaya, Matara has topped the Island ranking in Biology stream while Sridharan Duwarakan of Hartley College, Point Pedro has topped island ranking in Physical Science stream at the GCE Advanced Level examination, 2017.

EC at a loss to work out modalities at polling centres

The Election Commission is at a loss to work out modalities for providing security to vote counting at the polling stations at the local government polls, it is learnt.

SL had supported CIA in several abductions: Gammanpila

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) yesterday said that Sri Lanka had allegedly supported the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in several abductions.

A/L results released

The results of the GCE Advance Level Examination 2017 were released, the Examinations Department announced. Results could be obtained through www.doenets.lk/exam or www. results.exams.gov.lk

Will resign, If proved I felled trees at Wilpathu: Range Bandara

State Minister of Irrigation Palitha Range Bandara today said he is ready to resign from his post and go out of politics if it is proved that he had felled trees at Wilapthu Wildlife Park.

Possibility that SLFP would join SLPP

The possibility is that the SLFP would join with the SLPP to establish the administration of any local government body in the event the SLFP coming first but short of an absolute majority on the result of the LG polls, a senior Cabinet Minister said today.

“Ten Second Car” worth Rs.100 mn in Colombo

A “Ten Second” sports car, bought down at a cost of Rs. 100 million (including taxes) which is said to go from 0 km/h to 200 km/h in just 8.7 seconds, was seen at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) earlier this week, Customs sources said.

‘Economic crisis’: JO requests early convening of Parliament

The Joint Opposition (JO) today requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to convene Parliament before the previously scheduled date in January, to find solutions to current ‘economic crisis’.

Lenient marking for O/L Math paper: Exams Commissioner

The GCE O/L Examination Mathematics paper was not extraordinarily difficult as claimed but steps had been taken to make amendments to the marking scheme to provide justice to the students as there were certain sections of questions deemed difficult, Commissioner General of Examinations Sanath Pujitha said today.

Lankan jailed for life over Christmas murder in Dubai

A Sri Lankan worker was sentenced to life in jail for stabbing a compatriot to death during Christmas in Dubai last year.

More priority to Jerusalem than UNHRC: Sarath

While stating that the government had given additional priority in voting against Donald Trump’s declaration to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital at the UN, former MP and retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera said it had turned a blind eye on the UNHRC resolution in which the Sri Lankan soldiers have been accused.

Committee on regional correspondents' issues

President Maithripala Sirisena has given instructions to appoint a special committee to look into the professional issues of the regional news correspondents of media institutions and to submit recommendations regarding the solutions for those issues. 

Solve SAITM issue without delay: MR

The SAITM issue, which has already come to the attention of the medical authorities in countries like the UK and Australia, should be resolved in a just and reasonable manner without further delay, former president MP Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.