Tense situ in Hambantota

Police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse a group of people including Joint Opposition MPs, who are staging a protest in Hambantota where the foundation stone for the Hambantota Industrial Zone was laid.

President rejects foreign judges

In the wake of the Consultative Task Force calling for foreign judges to hear war crime charges, a government minister said yesterday that President Maithripala Sirisena categorically ruled out the participation of foreign judges to hear or inquire into war crime allegations.

A/L results released

The results of the GCE Advance Level Examination 2016 were released, the Examinations Department announced. Results could be obtained through www.doenets.lk/exam or www. results.exams.gov.lk

Govt. reduces tariffs on imported rice

The government decided to reduce the tariffs on imported rice with effect from midnight today (6) in a bid to ease difficulties faced by the people due to the severe drought condition prevailing in many parts of the country, .

I have no confidence in the CTF: Wijeyadasa

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today said he had no confidence in the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms (CTF) appointed by the Prime Minister.

Court order banning protests in H’tota

The Hambantota Magistrate has issued a court order banning all protests in the Hambantota area within the course of the day.

Wele Suda’s mother, relative remanded till Jan. 19

Drug kingpin Samantha Kumara alias Wele Suda’s mother (60) and her relative (28), who were taken into custody by the officers of the Excise Department last night for possessing 20g of heroin

Port workers protest over Hambantota Port deal

A JVP-affiliated trade union attached to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) had demonstrated against the plan to hand over a 80 per cent stake of the Hambantota Port to a Chinese company to operate.

Wele Suda’s mother arrested with heroin

The 60-year-old mother of Samantha Kumara alias Wele Suda, who was sentenced to death for possessing heroin, was arrested by the Excise Department Officers on charges of possessing 10 grams of heroin in Wellawatte.

GSP+ next week: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said today that Sri Lanka would definitely receive the GSP+ concession from the European Union by next week.

Unidentified person travelled in Thajudeen’s car: DSG

Deputy Solicitor General Dilan Ratnayake today told court today that investigations had revealed that an unidentified person had travelled in the back seat of Wasim Thajudeen's vehicle on the day he was found dead.  

Send firm message to SL over fishermen arrests, OPS to Modi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam had written another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urging him to send a firm message to Sri Lanka against continuing arrests of Indian fishermen.

BIA main runway closure: passengers asked to be present five hours early

Passengers using the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) were requested to be present at the airport five hours prior to the departure time, Deputy Transport Minister Ashoka Abeysinghe said.

Man lights cigarette with twenty rupee note

A story is circulating in Kataragama about a devotee who had used a twenty rupee note to light his cigarette.

Parliamentary debate on Constitutional proposals postponed

The three-day parliamentary debate on constitutional proposals was postponed yesterday because some political parties sought further time to come up their stands, it is learnt.

Toppling govt. will remain a mere dream: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday the dreams to topple the government would remain as mere dreams, and that there would be no room to change the present administration.

Govt. engaged in daylight robbery

While accusing former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Cabinet for mega deals and corruption, former Minister Johnston Fernando said yesterday the government was engaged in daylight robbery.

Police Commission Chairman tenders resignation

National Police Commission (NPC) Chairman Prof. Siri Hettige has tendered his resignation letter from the post to the Constitutional Council (CC).

No agreement on Hambantota Harbour: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday that the government had not reached an agreement over the Hambantota Harbour and the Industrial Zone.

H’tota port deal: no delay, hope to finalise within Jan.- Malik

Rejecting reports that there was a delay in signing agreements with the China Merchant Port Holdings over the Hambantota port, Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama said yesterday that they hoped to finalise and sign agreements in January.

No Volkswagen plant in SL: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that the Volkswagen Company had not invested in the Kuliyapitiya vehicle assembly plant.

Justice C. G. Weeramantry passes away

Justice C. G. Weeramantry, one of the world’s most eminent jurists, passed away today at the age of 90.

Copies of H'tota port agreements to Parliament: PM

Copies of agreements on the Hambantota Port and the industry zone will be presented to Parliament soon, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinge said today.

Ravi calls CB Governor a hospital attendant

If Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy has said the economy is clearly in the hospital today, it was in the ICU during the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government and governor Coomaraswamy was an attendant to it, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake today said.

Kuliyapitiya plant has to be operational within 2 years: Akila

The Kuliyapitiya assembly plant will assemble European brands of vehicles, Minister and UNP Deputy General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

Put a black flag as FB profile pic on Jan 8: Gammanpila

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) today requested all Sri Lankan Facebook users to put a black flag as the profile picture on January 8 as a protest to this government which is completing two years.

Christmas tree: SL yet to apply for ratification- Guinness

Despite the claim that the-construction-halted-and-then-resumed-Christmas tree at Galle Face Green is the world’s tallest artificial Christmas tree, the management at the Guinness World Record told the Daily Mirror that it had not yet received an application from Sri Lanka for this attempt.

SA beats SL, wins 3-match test series

Kagiso Rabada stole the show as he took four wickets on day four to help South Africa claim a 282-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test in Cape Town.

Police 119 to go silent on Jan.9 for 2 hours

Police Emergency hotline, 119 will not function for two hours on January 9 from 4.00 am to 6.00 am because of maintenance work, the Police Department said today.

Countrywide lottery agent’s protest called off

The lottery agents’ countrywide protest which was held from the beginning of the year has been called off today after a discussion with the President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential secretariat premises.