SL refugee advocate loses son, wife in blaze in New Zealand

A fundraising campaign for a man whose wife, son and mother-in-law perished in a fire yesterday has amassed thousands of dollars within 12 hours, the New Zealand Herald reported today.

Metal object washed ashore in Kalawanchikudi

A metal object of about 15 feet suspected to be a part of an aircraft had been found washed ashore in Kaludaweli beach in Kalawanchikudi this morning, Police said.

CB stance on Perpetual Treasuries queried

State Minister and SLFP media spokesman Dilan Perera yesterday questioned as to how and why the controversial Primary Dealer Perpetual Treasuries Ltd.still remained in the Bond Market if the Central Bank conducted an internal inquiry on its conduct and took action accordingly.

Containers released without collecting new levy

Fourteen containers of white sugar had been released from the Customs clearance without the new levy (which was imposed from Tuesday night) being collected, Customs sources said yesterday.

PM office dismisses Handunnetti's claims

The Prime Minister's office yesterday dismissed Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman Sunil Handunnetti's allegation that referring the COPE report on the bond scam to the Attorney General was wrong.

To leave or remain in unity govt.

The Unity Government is 15 months old now and the SLFP Central Committee (CC) is expected to review the performance of the government in September next year and decide whether to remain further in the unity government or leave if not satisfied, Minister and SLFP media spokesman Dilan Perera said.

BIA runway closed for renovation

The main runway at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will be closed for renovation for three months from January 6, 2017, said Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, yesterday.

Separate lanes for buses: Finance Minister

The Colombo Municipal Council in collaboration with the Road Development Authority would soon to introduce separate lanes for commuter buses within the city limits, the Finance Ministry said today.

Ban Ki-moon calls President

Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon telephoned President Maithripala Sirisena and had expressed his best wishes to Sri Lanka.

Illicit foreign liquor worth Rs.1mn seized in Colombo

A stock of illicit foreign liquor worth approximately Rs. 1 million was seized by the Special Task Force and Excise Department official during a raid in Colombo this afternoon.

Social media has critical role to play: GL

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), at the launch of its Facebook page, stressed that the media including social media had a critical role to play in educating the masses today.

Drought results in dwindling water levels at reservoirs

The prevailing drought had resulted in dwindling water levels fast dwindling in several reservoirs that feed the Kotmale, Upper Kotmale, Laxapana, New Laxapana, Canyon, Wimalasurendra and Polpitiya hydro-power plants due to the prevailing drought.

Govt. must reveal MoU on H'tota with Chinese firm: JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today the government should reveal the MoU signed with a Chinese Company to lease the Hambantota port and claimed that the government was bound to do as it was appointed to uphold good governance not only in political sector but in the economic sector as well.

Nine UPC members reject Dev. (Special Prov.) Bill

The controversial Development (Special Provisions) Bill, was rejected by a majority of members in the Uva Provincial Council today.

68 schools closed for O/L paper evaluation

Sixty eight schools including Thurstan College and Asoka Vidyalaya in Colombo will be closed from January 2 to 13 for the first stage of the 2016 GCE O/L paper evaluation, while a few classes in 19 other schools will also be closed during the same period, the Examinations Department said today.

Customs seize aprons with Buddha images

A stock of 5,424 sets of kitchen apparels with printed images of the Buddha was seized today by the Customs in a container in transshipment, Customs Spokesman Dharmasena Kahandawa said.

Two RTI officers receive appointment letters

Two officers appointed to the Right to Information (RTI) Commission received their appointment letters from President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat today.

PM prays at Tirumala temple

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today prayed at the Lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirumala, the Indian Express reported.

Herath named in ICC Test team of the year

Spin-wizard Rangana Herath was named in the ICC Test team of the year 2016 captained by Englishman Alastair Cook. He is the only Sri Lankan to be named in either Test or ODI team announced by the International Cricket Council today as no other Sri Lanka had impressed the selection panel.

Shashi Welgama re-remanded

Former SLTB Chairman Shashi Welgama, who was arrested over a financial misappropriation of Rs. 125 million at the SLTB, was further remanded till December 26 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris today.

Fire in emergency ward destroys medical equipment

A fire which had broken out in the emergency ward of the Ambalangoda District Hospital this morning resulted in the medical equipment in the ward being destroyed.

Heavy fine on illegal fishing is a EU requirement: Fisheries Ministry

Imposition of a heavy fine on those who indulge in illegal fishing is a European Union (EU) requirement, and therefore, there is no way Sri Lanka can exempt Tamil Nadu fishermen from being fined heavily for poaching in Sri Lankan waters and using banned methods of fishing, the Secretary to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Fishing, Mrs.W.M.M.R.  Adhikari, told Express on Wednesday.

TN fishermen announce indefinite strike from today

The fishermen from Pamban, Tamil Nadu have announced indefinite strike from today urging the immediate release of fellow fishermen lodged in Sri Lankan jail.

58 MPs want Nimal Bopage out

Fifty Eight MPs are to hand over petitions to the President and the Prime Minister asking them to remove Nimal Bopage, the Secretary to the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media from his post with immediate effect.

New entrance open to Yala National Park

A new entrance to the Yala National Park was open for the public at Maw-aara through the Lunugamvehera National Park, Wildlife Department said yesterday.

EC willing to conduct LG polls before April 10

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday his office was willing to conduct the local authorities’ election before April 10 as otherwise it would be difficult for candidates to be in the fray during the festive season.

There is some truth in the audio: MR

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that there was some truth in the audio of a telephone conversation between himself and former Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickramatunga which is circulating in the social media. He said he could not remember whether he said exactly what was in the audio.

New Development Bill: All SLFP CMs to protest: Devapriya

Western Province Chief Minister Isuru Devapriya today said that all Chief Ministers of the SLFP will protest the Development (Special Provisions) Bill as the Bill proposes to snatch certain powers away from Chief Ministers vested in them under the Constitution (13th Amendment).

Govt. to set up Development Zone in Trinco with India's assistance

Along with the development of Hambantota under assistance from China, the government is to implement a development programme on similar lines in Trincomalee including the operation of the Port there with India's assistance, a Minister said today.

Thewarapperuma in protest fast over rubber factory

Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma staged a protest fast near Kobowaka Bo-Tree today in protest of a rubber factory in Bulathsinhala, Kobowaka.