Foreign Secy rings Chinese envoy

In the wake of Chinese Ambassador Yi Xiangliang'a critical remarks on Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake , Foreign Secretary Esala Weerakoon yesterday contacted the envoy over the phone and said the government of Sri Lanka was always prepared and open to discuss any issue of concern, it is learnt.

Some LLRC proposals can be implemented: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that some recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) that could be implemented would be put into practice in the coming years.

Importers say vehicle customs duty up

The customs duty on Toyota Premio, Allion and Honda Vezel has increased between Rs.220,000 to Rs.400,000 fromt November 1, Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka Chariman Dinesh Senanayake said yesterday.

Pensions for disabled soldiers from Feb.'17

Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi yesterday gave a written pledge to pay pensions to disabled soldiers who retire from service prior to completing the 12-year service period similar to the pension paid to soldiers who complete the required service period.

Donald Trump says he is 'last chance' as Hillary Clinton declares a 'moment of reckoning'

As Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton criss-cross the United States in a final, frenzied burst of campaigning, the Republican has said he is the "last chance" to fix a broken country while his Democratic rival has said a "moment of reckoning" has arrived.

LTTE and Southern extremists the same: CBK

Former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said today that there was no difference between LTTE extremism in the North and Sinhala extremism in the South.

Improper to nominate defeated candidates to House: Madduma Bandara

Public Administration Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said Sri Lanka is plagued with a bizarre political situation where even defeated candidates could enter Parliament and that he was opposed to such as these taking place.

3,000 people affected by the heavy rains

More than 3,000 people from 645 families have been affected by the heavy rains which had lashed the country during past few days.

Police tear gas Ravana Balaya at disabled soldiers protest march

The police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a group of monks, who are members of the Ravana Balaya, who attempted to forcefully enter the Presidential Secretariat today.

Magistrate refuses to issue stay order on disabled soldiers protest

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today refused to issue a stay order request by the Police prohibiting the protest march organized by the disabled soldiers opposite the Presidential Secretariat.

Sarath Kumara released on bail

The Negombo Chief Magistrate today released Sarath Kumara Gunaratne, who was a former deputy minister, on a cash bail of Rs.50, 000 with two sureties of Rs.5 lakhs each and banned him from travelling abroad.

Lotus Road closed

The Lotus Road from Galle Face in Colombo is closed temporarily because of a protest march, Police said.

Navy seizes 5 kilos of gold: Two arrested

Two Sri Lankans who had attempted to smuggle out 5 kg of gold to India by a fishing boat were arrested by Navy yesterday evening in the seas off Talaimannar.

Wimal at FICD

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader, MP Wimal Weerawansa arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning to give a statement over alleged financial irregularities, police said.

CCC slams govt. for imposing price controls on high-demand drugs

Sri Lanka’s premier trade chamber, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), yesterday in a strongly-worded statement slammed the government’s move towards introducing price controls for certain medicinal drugs saying it limits the customer choice and distorts the market place. 

SLFP to consult experts on COPE report on CB

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)’s committee working on the Central Bank bond issue, would consult legal and financial experts this week to decide on steps to be taken in this regard, a Minister said yesterday .

SI arrested over jewellery theft

Two men, including a Sub Inspector of Police, were arrested today in connection with a Rs.35 million robbery that had taken place at a jewellery manufacturers in Pettah two months ago.

Six suspected members of 'Aava Gang' arrested

Six persons suspected to be members of the north -based criminal gang named 'Aava Gangsters' have been arrested and kept under interrogation, the Jaffna Police said.

Pension for disabled war heroes

A pension would be paid for war heroes, who delisted on grounds of disability, Army Spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne said.

Mason missing from construction site

A mason (50) working at a construction site had been reported missing, the Moratuwa Police said.

President leaves for New Delhi

President Maithripala Sirisena left for India a short while ago to attend the global anti-tobacco conference organized by the World Health Organization in New Delhi.

SriLankan inducts Mihin Lanka employees

SriLankan Airlines has inducted two batches of Mihin Lanka cabin crew comprising more than 50 employees, the airline announced today.

GL suspended from SLFP

In response to online reports that he has been suspended from    his membership of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), former Minister Prof.  G.L. Peiris said President Maitripala Sirisena was also suspended from party, and later it was revoked.

Heavy rains in the next 18 hours: Met. Dept.

The Meteorology Department today announced that heavy showers, more than 100 mm could be expected at some places in the Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa and the Central Provinces within the next 18 hours.

Germany will help SL get back GSP+

Germany will support Sri Lanka to secure the GSP plus concession it lost in 2011, German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said on Friday.

Motorist using Expressway should be cautious- RDA

Motorists using the Southern Expressway are advised to be cautious as the road would be slippery due heavy rains, the Road Development Authority said today.

‘Avaa’ not backed by military or politicians: Ruwan

State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday dismissed statements that the ‘Aava’ group operating the Northern Province had political and military backing of the government.

Three disabled soldiers hospitalized

Three disabled soldiers who were engaged in a fast outside the Fort Railway Station were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital yesterday.

12-year-old boy goes to police against father

A 12 year-old-boy, had lodged a complaint at the Bandaragama Police Station against his father, who he said has been allegedly assaulting his mother, sister and himself for a long time.  

SL-India to setup Joint Working Group on Fisheries

Sri Lanka and India today agreed on the setting up of a Joint Working Group on Fisheries to meet every three months and a meeting between the Ministers for Fisheries every six months.