Cricketers refuse to sign contract ahead of Zimbabwe tour

Sri Lanka’s National cricketers and their Board are squaring off for a stand-off over a fresh contract, with the players firmly rejecting to sign the new performance-based agreements on offer.

Court extends injunction order on 'Usawiya Nihandai'

The Colombo District Court today extended the injunction order halting the screening of 'Usawiya Nihandai' until October 20.

No power cuts if Norochcholai is operational tomorrow

If one of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant’s is operational by tomorrow there would be no need for power cuts, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

Protest demanding removal of restraining order on 'Usawiya Nihandai'

A collective of media and civil organizations are currently carrying out a protest campaign outside the Colombo District Court where a case regarding the film 'Usawiya Nihandai' will be taken up for hearing today.

Use headlights on highways- RDA

The Road Development Authority today advised motorists using expressways to switch on headlights when travelling in the heavy rain.

Members of five commissions meet Speaker

The members of five independent commissions met Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday.

Dilrukshi still in office

The government has so far not issued an official statement regarding the acceptance of the letter of resignation of Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, the director general of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

President discusses his remarks with Cabinet

President Maitripala Sirisena yesterday briefed the Cabinet on his controversial remarks and stressed that he should be apprised prior to the arrest of military personnel, Daily Mirror learns.

EU promises Euro 210 M. to SL

The European Union announced in Brussels today that it would provide a sum of Euro 210 million (the equivalent of Rs. 34 billion) to Sri Lanka for its development up to year 2020.

SL close to regaining GSP+ facility: EC

Sri Lanka has come very close to regaining the GSP plus facility which the country lost in 2010, European Council (EC) President Donland Tusk said on Monday when he met visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

PUCSL investigating Norochcholai breakdown

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said today it was carrying out an investigation into the breakdown at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.

Sajith Premadasa responds to video on FB

Responding to a video showing Minister Sajith Premadasa providing jobs reportedly to those who worked for him at last year's general election, he said today he was providing a few jobs in the private sector to resolve huge unemployment in Hambantota.

Estate workers’ daily wage increased to Rs.730

Collective agreements signed between trade unions and employers to increase the daily wages of estate workers up to Rs. 730 from today, Ceylon Workers Congress Secretary MP Arumugam Thondaman said a short while ago.

Police SIU search Welgama’s house

A group of officers from the Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU) today searched UPFA MP Kumara Welgama’s residence at Horawala, Mathugama for bulletproof state vehicles.

Draft of National Trade Policy given to GMOA

A draft of the much-awaited National Trade Policy had been given yesterday to the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) for their opinion, by International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama.

Samsung Note 7 banned aboard SriLankan, Mihin

SriLankan Airlines today banned passengers and crew members from using and carrying Samsung Note 7 phones on board SriLankan and Mihin Lanka aircraft with immediate effect.

Not the President but somebody else ruling SL: PHU

The recent statement by President Maithripala Sirisena on the manner in which the FCID, CID and the Bribery Commission function indicates that the country was not governed by the democratically elected President but by someone else, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) today said.  

Traffic around Lotus Roundabout

Heavy traffic was reported around the Lotus Roundabout in Colombo due to a protest march carried out by a group of fishermen urging the ban of illegal fishing methods.

NFF calls for IGP’s resignation

The National Freedom Front (NFF) today asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to resign from his post because he was the one who was responsible for politicizing the independent institutions including the CID, FCID and the Bribery Commission.

Avant Garde case: Senadhipathi seeks permission to travel abroad

Avant Garde Chairman, Nissanka Senadhipathi, today sought court permission to travel to Singapore for medical treatment.

Fmr. Army Lt. compensates family of dead LTTE suspect

Former Army Lieutenant, who was convicted for the death of a LTTE suspect, when he was attempting to escape military custody in 1998, today paid Rs. two million to the victim’s family as compensation.

Adhil Bakeer Markar’s death not suspicious: Scotland Yard

The Scotland Yard is treating the death of Adhil Bakeer Markar, son of Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, as unexplained but not suspicious, the London Evening Standard reported.

Sri Lanka ranks 87th in Hunger Index

Sri Lanka ranked 87th among developing countries in the Global Hunger index indicating the country had some levels of poverty and malnutrition to combat.

Independent Commissions: Speaker underlines stance of President, PM

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has informed members of independent commissions that neither President Maithripala Sirisena nor Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had negative attitudes towards any of the said commissions.

Don't change provisions on NF, NA, Buddhism: JO

In its proposals to the Steering Committee on Constitutional Reforms, the joint opposition (JO) has said the constitutional provisions on matters such as the National Flag (NF) and National Anthem (NA)and the status accorded to Buddhism should in no way be compromised.

President' statement twisted by trouble makers: Minister

President Maithripala Sirisena has no intention of abolishing or disrupting the investigations being carried out by the independent commissions, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said yesterday.

MR says surprised over President's FCID remark

Former President and Kurunegala district MP Mahinda Rajapaksa said he was surprised to note that President Maithripala Sirisena was unaware of the action of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).

Japanese firm withdraws from third stage construction of the Central Expressway

The Japanese firm which was to be given the contract to carry out the third stage of the Central Expressway is said to have withdrawn, thus compelling the government to search for another construction company.

Bribery Com. DG resigned to avoid action on bond scam culprits: JHU

Yesterday’s resignation of Bribery Commission (BC) Director General Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe is a move to avoid possible action against the culprits of the Central Bank (CB) bond scam, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today

Two men, woman killed in road tragedy

Two men and a woman, travelling in a private bus from Colombo to Moneragala, were killed and ten others injured in a head-on collision with a tipper truck travelling in the opposite direction in Udawalawe today.