More details will be unveiled soon: MR

More details on the government's move to privatise Central Bank's function of monitoring financial institutions will be unveiled to the people soon, former President and joint opposition MP Mahinda Rajapaksa told Parliament today.

Express ways in the hill country not advisable: Ratana Thera

Construction of express ways in the hill country is not advisable due to environmental reasons, government MP Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera told Parliament today.

Minimum fine targets drunken drivers: Gayantha

The minimum fine of Rs. 2,500 was intended for driving under the influence of liquor and driving without driving licence, Cabinet Co-Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilaka said today.

Govt. committed to fulfill aspiration of people to maximum level: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said today that the Government was committed to fulfill the aspiration of the people to maximum level through comprehensive plans, even though it could not provide instant solutions as some sections of the society expected.

Budget 2017 will shrink, not expand the economy: JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today the 2017 budget was a frugal budget which would shrink the economic process instead of expanding it.

Long distance buses to strike if minimum fine not reduced

Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) today said it they would definitely go on a countrywide bus strike, if the Finance Minister failed to provide a reasonable solution to the proposed increase in the minimum penalty of Rs.2,500 for traffic offences.

Thawheed Jamath's Gen. Sec. remanded till Nov 29

Thawheed Jamath's General Secretary Abdul Razik, arrested on charges of insulting Buddhism and reprimanding Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera in filthy language on social media, was today remanded till November 29 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Chandana Kalansuriya.

SI shot dead: One suspect arrested

Police said they arrested a resident of Moratuwa today in connection with the shooting incident where a Sub Inspector was killed and two constables were injured at Maspotha in Kurunegala last night.

Range Bandara released on bail

State Minister Palitha Range Bandara was released on bail by the Colombo High Court today over allegedly obtaining Rs.5.4 million by dishonestly inducing a person to deliver a vehicle registration permit.

Sarath Weerawansa bailed out under special circumstances

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa's brother Sarath Weerawansa, who was in remand custody on charges of causing a loss of Rs.10.5 million to the government was today released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne under special circumstances.

Thawheed Jamath Secretary arrested

Secretary of the Sri Lanka Thawheed Jamath, Abdul Razik was arrested by the Maligawatta police today on charges of speaking against other religions in an offensive manner during a protest campaign held in Maligawatta on November 3.

JO subjected to unfair treatment during budget debate- Dinesh

Members of the Joint Opposition were subjected to unfair treatment as its MPs were not allocated time to speak within the first two hours of the budget debate which was telecasted live on TV, leader of the group Dinesh Gunawardane told Parliament today.

11 suspects of Aava group re-remanded

The eleven suspects of the Aava group arrested by the TID in connection with committing offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) were ordered to be remanded till November 30 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Aruni Attigalle.  

US rejects ICC ´war crimes´ probe

The United States insisted on Tuesday, its soldiers and spies in Afghanistan are not subject to prosecution by the International Criminal Court and any war crimes probe into their actions would be "unwarranted."

Two Lankans held for drug-running

Two Sri Lankans, trying to board different flights to Chennai, were arrested by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Tuesday at Kolkata airport. Initially, a woman (58) carrying 230 grams heroin worth Rs 23 lakh, was caught and handed over to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

Gunmen kill police officer in Kurunegala

A Sub inspector was shot dead and two other policemen injured when a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire at a police vehicle at Maspotha in Kurunegala last night, police said.

2017 Budget squeezing the necks of the poor: GL

The 2017 Budget as no vision other than including proposals to squeeze the necks of the poor, joint opposition member G.L. Peiris said today.

Wimal usually dodged his summons: FCID

The Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) in a response to claims made by MP Wimal Weerawansa for summoning him on Poya Day to record a statement said they had no other option because the politician keeps dodging his summons saying he was busy with parliamentary affairs.

Power failure in several areas in Kalutara district

The Power supply in several areas in Kalutara, Panadura, Horana, Mathugama and Ambalangoda was disrupted due to the tripping of the Matugama transmission line at the Pannipitiya Grid Substation, Ceylon Electricity Board said (CEB).

India intercepts boat with 2 armed men on tip off from SL Navy

Acting on a tip off from the Sri Lankan Navy, an Indian naval patrol team intercepted a fiberglass boat with two armed men and chased them away when they tried to enter Indian territorial waters.

Cabinet stops water rate hike

The Cabinet has decided to suspend the proposed 30 percent water tariff increase, Minister of Petroleum Chandima Weerakody said today.

Reduce the tax on internet usage for students: WDJS

The 25 per cent internet charges should be reduced for schoolchildren and university students, a government minister told Parliament today.

Mobile brothel raided in Bambalapitiya: four arrested

Four persons including three women were arrested for operating a mobile brothel in Bambalapitiya early this morning.

US may have committed war crimes in Afghanistan: ICC

There is a “reasonable basis” to believe that U.S. soldiers and intelligence agents committed the war crimes of torture and rape in Afghanistan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court says in a report.

Debt Office: JO to file action in Supreme Court

The joint opposition said today it would file action in the Supreme Court with regard to the budget proposal to set up an Independent Debt Office at the General Treasury.

Four Chinese nabbed with cigarettes worth Rs. 3.5 mn

Four Chinese nationals were arrested this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by the airport customs officers while trying to smuggle cigarettes worth Rs. 3.5million into the country, Deputy Customs Director Parakrama Basnayaka said.

Man who photographed VIPs at Amaradewa's funeral re-remanded

The suspect who was arrested for suspicious behavior and impersonation of a journalist at the funeral of veteran musician W.D. Amaradeva at Independence Square, where the President and other VIPs were present, was re-remanded till November 17 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate today.

TN govt. asks Centre to direct SL to release fishing boats

Tamil Nadu Government on Monday requested the Centre to ask the Sri Lankan government to release over 100 fishing boats, which are still in custody of the island nation.

Central Bank’s autonomy challenged in budget 2017

Certain controversial proposals in the budget 2017 are likely to have massive implications on the country’s financial system and the independence of the Monetary Board (MB) of the Central Bank, according to a leading economist in the country.

Price tags for Health and education: FSP

The government has clearly indicated its desire to convert the health and the education sectors into marketable commodities though the 2017 Budget, the Front-line Socialist Party (FSP) said yesterday.