Unitary character and devolution: Decision upto Parliament: Kiriella

While stating that no decision had been made in the constitutional process regarding the unitary character or devolution of power, Leader of the House and the member of the Constitution Steering Committee Lakshman Kiriella said today the final decision on these matters will be made by Parliament.

Regulatory authority for three-wheelers and school vans

In order to upgrade the service quality of the passenger transportation in three-wheelers and student transportation in school vans, the Cabinet on Tuesday has approved to establish a regulatory authority, Cabinet spokesman, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Gov.t to amend Firearms Ordinance for security reasons

The government has decided to amend the Firearms Ordinance on account of the timely requirement and for security reasons.

M.P.H. Manatunga appointed Police Commission Chairman

M.P.H. Manatunga has been appointed as the Chairman of the Police Commission by President Maithripala Sirisena today, Presidential Media Division said.

New leasing scheme comes into effect

New leasing scheme for vehicles based on loan to value ratio, which was proposed in the 2017 budget, came into effect from today, the Finance Ministry said.

Croatian national dies while boarding ship off Galle

The Galle Police launched an investigation into the death of a 48-year-old Croatian national who had died when he attempted to board another ship in the seas off Galle last night.

Undergrad assaulted for anti-ragging stance

A 21-year-old undergraduate, who is a son of a High Court Judge, had been allegedly assaulted by a group of second-year university students for voicing against ragging.  

Govt. to take over land leased out for VOA

The Government has decided to terminate the agreement with the American Embassy and take over the block of land which was leased out to the embassy to set up a Voice of America (VOA) transmission station.

Man returning from Homagama court shot dead

A 34-year-old man who was on his way back from the Homagama Magistrate’s Court was shot dead at Pitipana in Homagama this morning by an unidentified gunmen arrived in a motorbike.

Ratifying 27 int’l conventions the criteria for GSP+: EU

The European Union (EU) said today the ratification and implementation of 27 international conventions signed by the Sri Lankan Government was the only criteria to be considered when assessing Sri Lanka's application to re-gain the GSP+ facility.  

Man killed in shootout at Wasgamuwa National Park

A 38-year-old man was killed at the Wasgamuwa National Park during a shootout between wildlife officers and a group of hunters, who had allegedly entered the park last night, Police said.

No grouses with majority community against Tamils: SF

Highlighting the changes taking place in Sri Lanka between the majority and Tamils, Field Marshal turned politician Sarath Fonseka on Tuesday said that there are no grouses with the majority community in the northern Sri Lanka regarding the 13th amendment.  

Sri Lanka agrees to follow KSA recruitment system

A Sri Lankan labor delegation has agreed to follow Saudi Arabia’s Musaned online recruitment system following a meeting with senior officials.

SL will integrate trade in Asian region: PM

Sri Lanka is slated to play a significant role in integrating trade in the Asian region through a number of trade ties which are to be signed, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Cabinet rejects moves to decriminalize homosexuality

The Cabinet is reported to have rejected surreptitious attempts buy some to decriminalize homosexuality.

Omanthai army camp, checkpoint removed: Vavuniya GA

Vavuniya Government Agent M.B.R. Pushpakumara said today the Omanthai Army Camp and Checkpoint on the A-9 Road had been dismatled after 25 years and the land occupied by the Army was officially handed over him to be given to its original owners.

GSP+: We rejected certain EU requests: Lakshman Yapa

The European Union (EU) had made certain requests to be met, which Sri Lanka could not agree under any circumstances-such as the enactment of right to engage in acts of homosexuality- when it considered the Sri Lanka’s application for GSP Plus, State Minister of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane said today.

Underworld figure shot dead in Athurugiriya

A 34-year-old underworld figure, Tranil Bandara Dharmasiri known as Banda, was shot dead in Athurugiriya town a short while ago, Police said.

Board of directors of Lanka Coal Company sacked

The Board of directors of the Lanka Coal Company including its Chairman Maithri Gunaratna was removed by Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyabalapitiya with immediate effect.  

Rs.1.2 Bn profit by SAITM by devious means: JVP

Monetary rewards and politics had resulted in the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) earning an illegal profit more than Rs.1.2 billion, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)said today.

Delimitation reported handed over

Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faizer Mustapha said the much-delayed Delimitation Committee's report with the signatures of all five members was today handed over to him by Committee Chairman Ashoka Peries.

Air Force officer arrested at BIA

A SLAF Flight Lieutenant was today arrested by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), when attempting to smuggle eight bottles of foreign liquor into the country, Airport Customs Deputy Director Parakrama Basnayake said.

JO to take H’tota violence to foreign missions

Both criminal and civil laws had been violated  by IGP Pujith Jayasundara during the Hambantota Protest and it would be brought to the notice of foreign missions in Colombo, former external affairs Minister G.L. Peiris said.

Canada upholds deportation of LTTE fundraiser

An alleged fundraiser for Tamil rebels who has been fighting deportation from Canada for more than two decades has lost a key court battle after a federal judge dismissed his appeal.

Lottery ticket price reversed to Rs. 20

The controversial lottery price issue had come to an end a short while ago as President Maithripala Sirisena had instructed to reverse the price of a lottery ticket back to Rs.20.

Musaeus auditorium fire an act of arson

The fire that broke out at the Musaeus College auditorium in November was determined as an act of arson, sources at the Government Analyst Department said.

MH370 underwater search for missing plane suspended

The underwater search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has been suspended nearly three years after it vanished without a trace over the Indian Ocean, according to a joint statement from Chinese, Australian and Malaysian officials.

Another NFF MP at FCID

National Freedom Front (NFF) MP Padma Udaya Shantha arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning to give a statement over alleged misuse of state vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.

Lankan arrested after arriving in TN by illegal ferry

A 27-year-old Sri Lankan was arrested at Arichal Munai, 15 km from Tamil Nadu on Monday after he arrived by an illegal ferry, four days after another man from the island nation was held from the same area.

Controversial FB page takes down Pix of underage girls

The controversial Facebook page which had published pictures of young girls and lured viewers who were sexually attracted by them, had taken down its photos by yesterday evening, the Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) said.