Resign: Suresh P. tells Sampanthan, Sumanthiran

Former TNA MP Suresh Premachandran has demanded that the Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan who is also the leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran should resign from the Constitution Steering Committee and begin fresh talks with the government.

Volkswagen begins construction work

The world-renowned automobile manufacturer Volkswagen AG is all set to start work on the much-awaited vehicle assembly plant at Kulliyapitiya with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe laying the foundation stone at 3.00 p.m.

FCID Director transferred to Monaragala

The sudden and unexpected transfer, based on promotion, of the director of the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), with immediate effect, to Monaragala District last week had raised eyebrows in many political circles, Daily Mirror learns.

Imported rice unfit for human consumption is circulating in the market

The All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) along with the Lanka Self Employees’ Association yesterday said that imported rice which was unfit for human consumption that was sold for the purpose of animal food has been circulating in the market.

More ministers intend resigning: Jayaratne

Parliamentarian Piyankara Jayaratne, who gave up his portfolio of State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government recently, revealed yesterday that some SLFP MPs who are holding Ministerial and State Ministerial posts in the Unity Government were planing to resign their portfolios.

Grade 1 admissions: Ministry to inquire

The Education Ministry has decided to launch a special investigation into the admission of the students to Grade 1 of popular schools in 2017, after receiving complaints that irregularities had taken place in the admissions.

Train derails in Galle

Train services on the coastal line have come to a standstill this evening due to a derailment near the Galle railway station, the railway Control Room said.

SLPP to contest polls in alliance with JO

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today it would contest the next elections in alliance with the parties in the joint opposition.

Rs.25,000 fine soon after discussions: IGP

The Rs.25,000 fine imposed for seven traffic offences would be implemented soon after the ongoing discussions are completed, Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara said today.

Minister refuses to accept Delimitation Report

Minister of Local Governments and Provincial Councils Faiszer Mustapha has refused to accept the Delimitation Report as it was not signed by two Committee members.

Govt. has planned to make 2017, 'Year of betrayal': Gammanpila

While claiming that 2017 would not be a prosperous year, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) today charged the government had already planned to make 2017 the ‘Year of Betrayal’.

Let MR do what he wants when I am away: PM

Responding to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's threat to topple the government this year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he would be visiting Switzerland on January 17 and that the former president could do whatever he wanted when he was away.

One dead 9 injured in bus accident

A bus collided with a lorry on the Colombo - Kandy main road killing one and injuring nine, Kegalle Police said.

Sarath Kumara Gunaratne remanded

Former deputy minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne, arrested by the CID on charges of misappropriating Rs.12 million belonging the Negombo Fisheries Harbour Corporation, was today remanded till January 9 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lal Bandara.

SL's “Tell the President” facility will be using mobile app

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama, Sri Lanka’s “Tell the President” will be using a special IT app to enable citizens communicating with the Presidential Secretariat to track action taken on their requests through the ministries and departments of the Central government in Colombo, Coordinating Secretary to the President Shiral Lakthilaka told Express on Monday.

MP’s daughter fined for speeding

MP Lohan Ratwatte’s daughter, Yohana Geethanjalee Ratwatte was fined Rs.5,000 by the Attanagalle Magistrate Dinesh Lakmal Perera for exceeding the speed limit and disobeying police orders.

Jaliya Wickramasuriya further remanded

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the USA Jaliya Wickramasuriya, who was arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) over a financial fraud, further remanded till January 11 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today.

Sarath Kumara Gunaratne arrested

Former Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Sarath Kumara Gunaratne was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) a short while ago for the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 12 million.

Supreme Court removes BCCI President Anurag Thakur, Secretary Ajay Shirke

India's Supreme Court has today removed Anurag Thakur as president of the BCCI with a show cause notice issued in regards to charges of perjury and contempt of court. Anurag Thakur has until January 19 to reply to the Supreme Court's charges, as does Ajay Shirke, the BCCI secretary, the Times of India reported.

Swimming coach and six others arrested with drugs

A swimming coach attached to a well-known girls’ school in Colombo and six others were yesterday arrested for the possession of drugs at a hotel in Mirissa, Weligama by the Police Narcotics Bureau in Matara.

Unlucky strike

Lottery ticket sales agents in many parts of the country boycotted sales yesterday protesting against the price increase of tickets to Rs. 30.

Govt. finds it impossible to acquire 15,000 acres from H'tota at once for Chinese investment

The government has found it impossible to acquire 15,000 acres of land at once in Hambantota or in the adjoining Districts for Chinese investments, it is learnt.

370 foreigners deported in 2016: India, China and Pakistan top the list

A total of 370 foreign nationals from more than 40 countries, who were living in Sri Lanka defying visa regulations had been deported by the Department of Immigration and Emigration during last year, Immigration officials said.

SLMC opposed to new electoral system

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), backed by some other minority parties, is opposed to the proposed new electoral system, officials said yesterday.

Range Bandara says he wants work

There was no point in remaining as a State Minister if a situation was not created for such Ministers to play an active role in the New Year, one of the State Ministers Palitha Range Bandara said over the week end.

Pakistani arrested with over 2 kg of heroin at BIA

A 46-year-old Pakistani national was arrested for possessing Kg 2.136 of heroin at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) this evening (1), police said.

Killing at the dawn of the New Year

A brother in-Law of a Police Constable (PC) had been arrested by the Kuliyapitiya Police for allegedly clubbing a PC to death who was boiling milk at the dawn of the New Year, the Police said.

NPC to stop toddy from outside NP

The Northern Provincial Council has adopted a motion prohibiting bottled toddy produced in the south from being transported and sold within the Northern Province.

8.7 kg gold smuggled from SL seized in India

One person was arrested after the Chennai Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 8.7 kg of gold worth Rs 2.44 crore smuggled from Sri Lanka at Mandapam near Rameswaram in India.

SL committed to work closely with the UN: Mangala

Welcoming the new Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres and committing to continue to work closely with the UN, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera emphasized the relevance of the Secretary-General’s message for a shared New Year’s resolution “to put peace first”, for the entire world community, and for Sri Lanka.