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.

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe in one-day series

Upul Tharanga and Kusal Mendis struck half centuries as Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by six wickets to clinch the triangular series trophy at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo today.

President speaks about Articles in Constitution regarding Buddhism

President Maithripala Sirisena today affirmed that he would respect all the Articles in Constitution regarding protecting and enriching the Buddha Sasana and would fulfill his responsibilities as a Buddhist.

Castro struggled for freedom: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that though the United National Party (UNP) followed a line of policies that was different from the one that followed by Fidel Castro, his policies were hailed world over.

Five die in a deadly car-train crash

Five persons died in a crash today involving a car and a train at a railway level crossing at Pothupitiya, the Wadduwa Police said.

Lohan Ratwatte’s wife, daughter injured in accident

Three women, including the wife, and a daughter of MP Lohan Ratwatte, had been admitted to the Karapitiya Hospital, when two vehicles collided head-on at Yakgaha near the Pinnaduwa point of entry on E01 last night, the Police said.

Penal Code Amendments to keep kids out of punishment

No action would be considered an offence punishable under the Penal Code if it was committed by a child younger than 12-years old according a new amendment in the Penal Code tabled in Parliament last week.

India's neighbours struggle after shock currency move

India's surprise move to get scrap 500 and 1,000 rupee notes to target hidden stashes of "black money" has affected the country's immediate neighbours, which all have long-standing trade, tourism and family links.

Still no trace on Lasantha’s assailant

The Police today released a sketch of a suspect in connection with the murder of former Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickremetunga, for the third time seeking public help.

President to ask Trump to drop human rights accountability charges

President Maithripala Sirisena hopes US President-elect Donald Trump would grant Sri Lanka redress by not pursuing the human rights accountability charges against the country.

Prabakaran’s birthday commemorated in Jaffna

The 62nd birth anniversary of slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was on Saturday celebrated at a university in Jaffna.

Rs.2.7mn silver seized at BIA

39-year-old Sri Lankan was arrested while attempting to smuggle 30 kilos of silver worth Rs.2.7 million into country from Dubai at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday.

LTTE chief’s birth anniversary celebrated in Chennai

Pro-LTTE organizations in Tamil Nadu have celebrated the 62nd birth anniversary of Late LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on Saturday in Chennai, the Indian Express reported.

13 hospitalised following wasp attack

At least thirteen people including eight foreigners were hospitalised following a wasp attack at Rangiri Dambulla Temple this morning.

Sri Lanka condoles over death of Fidel Castro

Sri Lankan Government extended its condolences to Cuban President Raul Castro and the people of Cuba on the demise of revolutionary leader and former President Fidel Castro.

Human trafficking syndicate busted in Malaysia: 5 Lankans rescued

Malaysian Police have busted a human trafficking syndicate operating for the past 8 months and rescued 30 victims from India and another five from Sri Lanka.

Ex-Cuban president Fidel Castro dies aged 90

Fidel Castro, Cuba's former president and leader of the Communist revolution, has died aged 90, state TV has announced.

Woman killed, four injured in accident

A 58-year-old woman was killed and four others injured in a collision of a bus, three-wheeler and a motorcycle at Wellabada in Ahungalla last night, Police said.

President appoints Special Committee for poverty alleviation

President Maithripala Sirisena appointed a Special Committee to implement and oversee the approaches and programmes on poverty alleviation as the Government has declared 2017 as the year of alleviating poverty from the country.

Govt. to amend Criminal Procedure Code

The Government is expected to amend the Criminal Procedure Code to dispel concerns by the European Union when it comes to regaining the GSP plus trade facility for Sri Lanka.

Will ask PM to discuss reforms with MR: MS to TNA

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have told the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) that he would request Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to initiate a dialogue with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa on formulating the new constitution.

‘Reveal actions against accidents involving VIP vehicles’

National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection today urged the Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva to reveal what actions the government had taken to minimize the road accidents involving vehicles of VIPs and vehicles attached to VIPs’ security divisions.

We shouldn’t live like frogs in well: Mangala

Sri Lankans must not live like frogs in a well, as we have done in the past, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

Court calls for medical report on Basil

Acceding to the Attorney General’s request, Colombo High Court Judge Padmini N. Ranakwa today directed the Colombo Chief Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) to submit a medical report on former minister Basil Rajapaksa to Court before December 7.

Upul’s defamation case: Ranjan to file objections

The Colombo District Court today fixed January 20 for Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake to file preliminary objections in a defamation suit filed against him by Southern Provincial Council Minister D.V. Upul claiming Rs.500 million as damages.