‘Super Minister’ could undermine President’s authority: GL

The government’s move to create the post of ‘Super Minister’ with omnipotent-like powers could even undermine the authority of President Maithripala Sirisena, the joint opposition said.

India allows 100 TN pilgrims to attend Katchatheevu ceremony

The Indian Government has given its nod for participation of 100 fishermen pilgrims from Tamil Nadu in the December 23 consecration ceremony of St Antony's Church at Katchatheevu, Sri Lanka, the PTI reported today.

President leaves for Malaysia

President Maithripala Sirisena left for Malaysia with 15 member delegation for a three-day official visit, President’s Media Division said today.

Navy Commander did not attack journalist: SF

Minister Sarath Fonseka said yesterday the Navy Commander had not attacked a journalist but he had only pushed him away from the security circle and that everything had happened in an acceptable manner.

Salary hike for techies: PM

The Government yesterday hinted out a salary hike to attract skilled technologically competent people.

Elements against peace working: Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera

The Chief Incumbent of the Gangarama Vihara Hunupitiya Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera yesterday said the recent incidents regarding the Navy Commander and the IGP were ones that were carefully brewed to destabilize the administration of the country by interested persons.

CID probes suspicious vehicle which chased Thajudeen’s car

Deputy Solicitor General Dilan Rathnayake yesterday told court that the CID was conducting a broad investigation into a suspicious vehicle that was believed to have chased Thajudeen’s vehicle on the day the victim was found dead.

‘Vardha’ cyclone doubles revenue generated by overflight charges

As a result of the ‘Vardha’ cyclone that hit the South Eastern Indian region, the number of aircraft compelled to fly over Sri Lankan airspace had marked a steep increase, and thus doubled the revenue generated by overflight charges during the past three days, the Sri Lanka Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (SLATCA) said yesterday.

Teenager faking his abduction arrested

A 17-year-old boy, who tried to cheat his father by staging an abduction drama and demanding that a sum of Rs.77.5 million be paid to his 'abductors' to buy his release, was arrested yesterday by the Dankotuwa Police, along with two others.

Minister Atukorale rejects JO’s complaint of Rs.1, 500M embezzlement

While rejecting the complaint made by the joint opposition over a financial misappropriation of a whopping Rs.1, 500 million, Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Atukorale today referred a letter to the Bribery Commission (BC) requesting an immediate investigation on the complaint.

Report on Hambantota port incident handed over

The Navy had handed over its report on the Saturday’s incident at the Hambantota Port, where the Navy Commander had allegedly attacked a journalist, to Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi today.

Maj. Gen. Channa Goonetilleke new Army Chief of Staff

Major General Channa Goonetilleke has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and Major General Renaka Udawatte has been appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Military Spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne said.

US MCC selects SL as ‘compact’

Sri Lanka has been selected as a ‘compact’ by the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) based on the country’s improved score-card performance, the MCC said.

Report to work before 2 p.m. tomorrow: Arjuna

The government had decided to consider the employees of the Hambantota Port, who were staging a protest as having vacated the post, if they failed to report to work before 2.00 p.m. today.

Court order on protesting employees at H’tota port

The Hambantota Magistrate’s Court today issued an order containing seven conditions to stop the protest and Satayagraha by the Hambantota Port employees as it hampered the activities of the Port.

Pokémon Go finally arrives in Sri Lanka

Smash-hit smartphone game ‘Pokémon Go’ has officially arrived in Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

Petition on SLFP Chairman taken up

The petition filed in Colombo District Court demanding the reinstatement of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as party Chairman was taken up for consideration today.

Was President informed of Port sale? JO

The Joint Opposition (JO) today questioned whether President Maithripala Sirisena was informed of the agreement signed to sell 80 percent of shares of the Hambantota Port to a Chinese firm.

H’tota residents block Colombo- Kataragama Road

Residents in Hambantota launched a protest campaign against the sale of their lands to Chinese companies. The protestors have blocked the Colombo – Kataragama road at the Mirijjawila junction.

World Fast Chess Gold for Ehsha

Ehsha Michela Pallie of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo has won the first place in the under 9 age group in Blitz (fast chess) at the 2016 World Schools Chess Championship concluded in Sochi, Russia.

EXCLUSIVE-Neo Liberal policies are the cause for world strife: Prof. Noam Chomsky

The world’s leading public intellectual, Prof. Noam Chomsky in an exclusive interview with Daily Mirror, spoke on many issues that have pervaded the current political scenario.

Five missing pilgrims rescued

Five pilgrims who went missing in the Nallathanni forest in the Sri Pada reserve on Monday were rescued by the Police Special Task Force (STF) today after they were located by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) yesterday, Military Spokesman Brigadier Roshan Senavirathne said.

I can treat Dengue, says Ayurvedic doctor

Dr. D. D. A. Hettiarachchi, a traditional ayurvedic doctor hailing from Galle in Ganemulla, claims to have found cure for Dengue and several Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) including Herpes and HIV/AIDS, and says he has saved hundreds of lives in his over 50 years’ service.

Pictorial warnings on beedi and cigars: Rajitha

The Health Ministry will introduce pictorial warnings on beedi and cigars similar to the pictorial warnings on cigarette packets, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

Five missing pilgrims located

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) rescue team deployed in a Bell 412 helicopter managed to locate the five persons went missing since last night in Nallathanniya forest.

Public transport still operated under an SLFP Govt: Gemunu

Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association President Gemunu Wijeratne today charged that the public transportation was still under the administration of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) except in the North.

Swift involvement reduced potential losses to port: Navy

The Navy today assisted to load 1,086 cars and jeeps onboard a South Korean Vehicles Carrier, ‘Glovis Phoenix’ which arrived at the Hambantota port for the loading of vehicles, the Navy said.

Tajikistan keen to learn from Sri Lanka: President Rahmon

Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, who was on a state visit to Sri Lanka, said today Tajikistan was keen to learn from Sri Lanka in areas of youth development, tourism, gem industry, and apparel industry.

President to sign several MoUs with Malaysia

President Mathripala Sirisena will sign several bilateral Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Malaysia during his visit to Malaysia from December 15– 17, Presidential Media Division said.

Portugal's Guterres sworn in as next U.N. secretary-general

Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres was sworn in on Monday as the ninth United Nations Secretary-General, pledging to personally help broker peace in various conflicts and reform the 71-year old world body to become more effective.