SL could reach Upper Middle Income status: WB

If the policy reforms in the areas of fiscal operations, competitiveness and governance which the Government of Sri Lanka indicated as necessary, are successfully implemented it could help the country to reach Upper Middle Income status in the medium term, the World Bank said in a recent statement.

Swiss to assist SL in strengthening parliamentary democracy

President of the Switzerland National Council Christa Markwalder said Switzerland stands ready to assist in strengthening parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka including providing technology, training and capacity building.

Harsha: Ajith’s suggestions not in COPE report

Despite all the COPE members agreed with MP Ajith P. Perera’s suggestions that Perpetual Treasuries should be held responsible in the controversial Central Bank bond issue and the Police should conduct an investigation, the suggestions were not included in final COPE report, Deputy Minister Harsha De Silva said today.

Powerful quake hits central Italy

A strong earthquake has struck near Norcia in central Italy, following last week's damaging tremors, experts report.

SriLankan flies to 11 new destinations

SriLankan Airlines announced today that it will operate direct flights from Colombo to 11 new destinations such as Lahore, Jakarta, Dhaka, Muscat, Kolkata, Madurai, Varanasi and Bodh Gaya in India, Bahrain, Seychelles and Gan in Maldives.

All-rounder Jeevan Mendis signs for Derbyshire

English country side Derbyshire have signed Sri Lanka all-rounder Jeevan Mendis for the first half of next summer.

Australia plans to ban asylum seekers from ever visiting

Australia on Sunday announced plans to ratchet up its tough policy against refugees by banning any asylum seeker who attempts to reach its shores by boat from ever visiting the country.

Fire destroys textile shop in Bambalapitiya

A fire had broken out in a textile shop in Havelock Road, Bambalapitya last night, police said.  

Two cops killed in head-on collision

Two Police constables attached to the Negombo Police station were killed in a head-on collision of a motorcycle and a motor car at South Pitipana, Negombo on the Negombo-Pamunugama Road last night.

SL ranks 31st in Global Youth Development Index

Sri Lanka ranked 31st in the Global Youth Development Index (YDI) 2016 which was compiled by the Commonwealth Secretariat based on a country’s condition for the youth in terms of employment, education, health, civic and political spheres.

War history should be added to syllabus: MR

Books written on war history such as ‘War Heroes Killed in Action’ by Retd. General Gerry De Silva and ‘Road to Nandikadal’ by Major General Kamal Gunaratne should be named as recommended books for the school syllabi, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said.  

No separate lanes for buses: Police

The Director of Police Traffic Division in Colombo, SP Sumith Nissanka said yesterday that no discussions were held so far with regard to a decision about a separate lane for buses during peak hours from Battaramulla to Colombo Fort from December 1, in a bid to reduce the extreme traffic congestion in the area.  

High possibility of thundershowers: Met Dept.

The Meteorology Department said that there is a high possibility of evening thundershowers over the island today and tomorrow.

Concrete panel collapses injuring constable

A concrete panel of an old building which houses the Panadura Police had collapsed today injuring a constable who was on duty.

Four injured in van-train collision

Four people were injured when the van they were travelling in collided with a service train at a railway crossing in Nagawilluwa, Puttalam today.  

Body found on Moratuwa Uni premises

The body of a 43-year-old man was found under a mango tree at the Moratuwa University premises this morning, Police said.  

Six inmates escape from Dalupotha Prison

Six inmates detained in connection with burglary and drug abuse have escaped from the Dalupotha Prison in Negombo this morning, Police said.

COPE report softer than expected: Ajith

Power and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera yesterday said he had expected a tough report from the COPE in which former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran was held responsible for the Central Bank Bond sale scam.

COPE report tells who robbed, who covered up: Handunnetti

COPE Chairman and JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti, in his note with regard to the report on the Central Bank bond scam, urged the people, students and professionals to study it in-depth to understand who plundered public wealth and who covered up for them.  

COPE report shows strength of Yahapalanaya - Harsha

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Harsha de Silva yesterday said he considered the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) report in which former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran was held responsible for the controversial Central Bank Bond sale scam, as a giant step of ‘Yahapalana’ Government.  

Plane catches fire at Chicago Airport injuring 20

Twenty people were hospitalized with minor injuries after an American Airlines plane caught fire at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport last evening, ABC News reported.

Holiday resort not within Sri Pada area

A holiday resort would be built in a private land near the Sri Pada sacred area but not within its precincts, officials and Buddhist clergy yesterday confirmed.

COPE report was born amid much labour: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today COPE had to overcome numerous problems and obstacles in its investigation into the Central Bank bond scam with the Central Bank refusing to provide certain documents to the Auditor General.

GSP+: Euro Parliament members to visit SL

A four-member delegation from the European Parliament will be in Sri Lanka from October 31 to November 3 to check out the ground situation as a precursor for a successful GSP+ application, the Office of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives said.

7,500 detonators detected at Mannar

Nearly 7,500 detonators today when two youths were searched after their motorcycle was stopped at the Pallimunai checkpoint the on the Thalaimannar – Mannar Road, Mannar Police said.

Youth's death; Wimal rejects comments on social media

Rejecting the comments made on social media against his family in connection with the death of a youth, who was a close family friend, MP Wimal Weerawansa said it was appalling to note that his political rivals were trying to score points through such an unfortunate tragedy.

Journos who reported on COPE should be summoned: Sujeewa

State Minister of International Trade and Development Strategies Sujeewa Senasinghe today suggested that all journalists who reported on the proceedings of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) should be summoned to Parliament to determine as to how information was leaked.

Indian boss gives 1,260 cars, 400 flats as Diwali bonus

A diamond tycoon in India has once again given away hundreds of cars and flats to his employees as a bonus for meeting company targets, the Guardian reported today.

Myanmar investigators dismiss missing plane reports, end search

Myanmar has halted an investigation into unconfirmed reports of an aircraft crashing into the sea off the country's west coast on Friday, a senior official with the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) said.

JO wants debate on COPE report

The joint opposition (JO) today called for a debate on the report of the parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) presented in Parliament this morning.