Rs.100,000 allowance for MPs approved

The two proposals, one to grant a monthly allowance of Rs.100,000 to all MPs and another to increase the daily allowance for parliamentary attendance to Rs.2,500, have been reportedly approved by the Cabinet today.

Update: Colombia plane crash carrying footballers kills 76

Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense were on board a plane carrying 81 people that crashed in Colombia killing 76 people, police said today.

Railway employees on token strike on Dec.1

The Railway Employees’ Trade Union Federation (RETUF) today decided to launch a 24-hour countrywide token strike from midnight on December 1 over several demands

GMOA island-wide strike tomorrow

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today announced it would launch a 24-hour island-wide strike tomorrow.

Thawheed Jamath's Gen. Sec. re-remanded

Thawheed Jamath's General Secretary Abdul Razik, remanded on charges of insulting Buddhism and reprimanding Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera in filthy language on social media, was today further remanded till December 9 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Chandana Kalansuriya.

Karuna remanded

Former Minister Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan, also known as Karuna Amman, who was arrested on charges of misusing a state vehicle by the FCID, was ordered to be remanded till December 7 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today.

Magistrate refuses to issue stay order on Uni. students' protest

Colombo Additional Magistrate Chandana Kalansooriya today refused to issue a stay order, requested by the Welikada Police to prevent the protest march organised by the Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) entering the high security zone near Parliament.

Cambodian PM cancels visit to SL

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has canceled his tentative plan to visit Sri Lanka and other three countries including Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand, the Cambodian Prime Minister’s office announced yesterday.

Protest near Parliament causes traffic disruption

A protest is underway at Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla near the Parliament by Samurdhi Officers on several demands.

FCID arrests Karuna for misuse of vehicle

Former Minister Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman was arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) a short while ago in connection with alleged misuse of a state vehicle, Police said.

Plane with Brazilian soccer team crashes in Colombia

Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense were on board a plane carrying 81 people that crashed in Colombia, police said today.

Three Sri Lankans steal Dh1 mn worth valuables from Dubai villa

Three Sri Lankan men were sentenced to a year in jail each for breaking into a villa in Dubai and stealing valuables worth Dh1 million while the owner was overseas on holiday, the National UAE reported on Monday.

Tense situ. at Nat’l Transport Medical Institute, Nugegoda

A tense situation was prevailed at the National Transport Medical Institute, Nugegoda which was today over-crowded with people who were seeking medical reports for driving licenses.

Karuna Amman at FCID

Former Minister Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning to give a statement in connection with alleged misuse of a state vehicle, Police said.

ETCA in the balance?

The Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India is unlikely to be signed this year though another round of talks is scheduled to take place soon.

Govt. likely to amend increased traffic fines: Minister

The government will look into the possibility of amending the budget proposal to increase traffic fines following a feedback study, Transport Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said today.

SL hopes to regain maritime glory: Ruwan

State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene today said that Sri Lanka's strategic location in the Indian Ocean had been a connecting point of the East and West and the country is looking at the future with great expectations to regain our maritime glory in the Indian Ocean by mainly promoting trade and tourism.

Top brewer says Lankans now consume more hard liquor and toddy

The rashness demonstrated by the new regime in making tax policies has not only made the business of brewing tougher than ever but also pushed the people towards hard liquor, which is arguably more detrimental to health.

Attack on media: Dangerous trend by Govt.: JVP

The present government has set in motion a dangerous trend by threatening and attacking the media, Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today.

Lankan jumbo's life in danger in a Pakistani Zoo

Now that winter has set in, the management of the Marghazar Zoo is worried about the fate of Kaavan, the lone elephant, who requires special arrangements during the winter months.

Partnerships should be strengthened: US Admiral

Partnerships of like-minded nations should be strengthened to uphold the rules-based global system to continue along a prosperous path, Admiral Harry B. Harris of the US Navy said in his key note speech at the Galle Dialogue 2016, held in Colombo today.

Johnston: records statement at PRECIFAC

Former Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando has been summoned to the PRECIFAC today to record a statement in connection with a road accident occurred in Southern Province, when he was the Minister of Internal Trade.

MPs given Rs.100,000 to help constituents: PM

The monthly payment of Rs.100,000 to be given to each MP is not a take-home allowance but one which will be used to help the people in their constituencies, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

SL, 46 countries moving to fossil free energy

Sri Lanka and 46 other countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives, which represent the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) had discussed the need to skip fossil fuel stage and move directly on to green energy, the Independent reported.

Govt. suffering from vehicle mania: Gammanpila

The supplementary estimate presented in Parliament on Saturday seeking Rs. 790 million as expenditures for vehicles and foreign tours showed the Government was suffering from a ‘vehicle mania’ (Ratha Gaya) and a ‘foreign tour mania’ (Rata Gaya), the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) said today.

Ex-STF Commandant released on bail

Security Director of Sri Lanka Cricket and Former Special Task Force (STF) Commandant DIG K. L. M. Sarathchandra, who was arrested on charges of misusing a vehicle attached to the STF, was released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today.

Indian Navy chief in SL to boost maritime cooperation

Indian Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba arrived in Colombo yesterday on a five day bilateral visit aimed at consolidating and enhance the bilateral maritime security relations between India and Sri Lanka.

MRIA development: Govt. objects to China's nominee

The government has objected to the conditions stipulated by the party first nominated by China for the development of the Mattala International Airport, it is said.

MPs allowances to double soon

The Government was mulling an increase the office rent allowance up to Rs. 100, 000 per month each on offices maintained by 225 Members of Parliament.

Ranil: Trump’s entry not end to US domination

Outlining Sri Lanka’s foreign policy in the wake of new global situation, the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday said the election of Donald Trump as the US’s new President would not be the end of the USA’s aim of dominating the world.