Pavithra retaliates at Minister John

UPFA MP Pavithra Wanniarachchi today rejected claims made by SLFP Senior Minister John Seneviratne with regard to the refusal to release the Seevali Grounds in Ratnapura for the joint opposition rally on Saturday.

National development projects: Programme to recall retired military personnel

A programme to recruit retired military personnel in national development endeavours would be launched under the aegis of President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat on October 11, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

Won’t allow any Chinese naval bases in H’tota: PM

In an interview with CNBC in India, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka would not permit China to set up a naval base or a monitoring facility in Hambantota.

Basil’s Pugoda property: Court to contemplate issuing forfeit order

Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige requested the Pugoda Magistrate’s Court to issue an order to forfeit the property in Malwana which former minister Basil Rajapaksa rejected ownership.

Petition for army deployment against SL dismissed

The Madras high court on Thursday had dismissed a public interest litigation filed two years ago by an advocate seeking deployment of armed forces to protect Tamil Nadu fishermen from the Sri Lankan navy.

Hiring Helicopters: No payments due from ministers: Ruwan

State Minister of Defense, Ruwan Wijewardene today confirmed that there were no payments due from any minister or professional for hiring helicopters from the Sri Lanka Air force.

Colombian President Santos wins Nobel Peace Prize

The 2016 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos for his efforts to end Colombia's long-running civil war with the FARC guerrilla group, CNN reported today.  

Sri Lanka didn’t boycott SAARC Summit: Mangala

Sri Lanka has no intention of pulling out of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nor did it boycott the Summit, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera told Parliament today.

K’gama Devalaya’s 'Bhanu' taken over by wildlife Dept.

The elephant 'Bhanu' at the Kataragama Devalaya was taken into the custody by the Wildlife Department this morning on charges that it was being kept there without a valid license, sources said.

A.H.M. Fowzie noticed

Minister A.H.M. Fowzie was today noticed to appear in court on October 28 by Colombo Chief Magistrate over misusing a vehicle belonged to Disaster Management Ministry between 2011 and 2014 incurring a loss Rs. 1.7 million to the government.

Chanuka Ratwatte, four others re-remanded

Chanuka Ratwatte and four others, who were arrested by the FCID in connection with an alleged misappropriation of Rs. 4.2 billion government funds, were ordered to be re-remanded till October 21 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.

Sri Lankan teen lured to Singapore to be prostitute

A 16-year-old Sri Lankan, whose family was having financial woes, was recruited by her neighbours to work in Singapore as a prostitute.

In line with House of Commons: New post created in Parliament

A new post called the ‘Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister' has been created in keeping with the tradition of the House of Commons for Government MP Jayampathi Wickramaratne, it is learnt.

Hurricane Matthew kills at least 283 in Haiti

Hurricane Matthew has killed at least 283 people in Haiti, including dozens in one coastal town that authorities and rescue workers were only beginning to reach days after the powerful storm, officials said on Thursday.

President leaves for Thailand to attend Asia Cooperation Dialogue

President Maithripala Sirisena left for Bangkok, Thailand this morning on a four day official visit to attend the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) meeting, the President’s Media Division said.

Clearance given to transfer Tea Board cess fund to Treasury

The Cabinet Sub Committee on Economic Affairs has given clearance to transfer the Cess Fund of the Sri Lanka Tea Board to the Treasury, a move which was opposed by Plantation Minister Navin Dissanayake.

BIA closure: Airlines reschedule, curtail flights

While some airlines have rescheduled flights from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) during the first quarter of 2017, other airlines have taken measures to reduce the number of flights temporarily.

SLATCA call off work-to-rule campaign

The Sri Lanka Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (SLATCA) said today they had received a favourable reply from Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and as such had decided to call off its work-to-rule campaign, SLATCA Vice President Tharindu Gajadeera said.

Muslims will be protected: MR

Former President and Kurunegala District Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa, who initiated engagements with leaders of the Muslim community after the defeat at the Presidential Election last year, said Muslims would be protected and given all their rights.

Pavithra is lying, alleges Minister John

SLFP Senior Minister John Seneviratne today rejected claims made by UPFA MP Pavithra Wanniarachchi regarding not releasing the Seevali Ground in Ratnapura for the Joint Opposition rally on Saturday.

Security Council unanimously picks Guterres as UN Chief

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday unanimously nominated former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres to be the next Secretary-General, recommending that the 193-member General Assembly appoint him for five years from Jan. 1, 2017.

Meteor showers across Sri Lankan sky

Several meteor showers could be expected in the night skies above Sri Lanka in the upcoming days, Science, Technology and Research Ministry said today.  

India, Pakistan should find a way of working together: SL

Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama, who is in India on an official visit, advocated the need for India and Pakistan to find a way of working together if SAARC is keen to create regional economic population, PTI reported today.  

Suspect in several killings arrested

A 27-year-old suspect wanted in connection with several murders in Welipenna, Ambalangoda and Uragaha areas was arrested by the police today.

Appropriation Bill for 2017 on Oct. 20: Budget speech on Nov. 10

Party leaders today decided to present the Appropriation Bill to Parliament on October 20 and to hold the Budget speech on November 10, sources said today.

Nimal Lewke President's Security Adviser

Retired senior DIG Nimal Lewke has been appointed as the Adviser to Presidential Security, President’s Media Unit said.

Rejecting Anticipatory Bail application: Ex- Chief JMO goes to HC

Former Chief JMO Ananda Samarasekara today filed a revision application in Colombo High Court over rejecting his anticipatory bail application filed in the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court, in the expectation of preventing him being arrested over the inquiry conducted into the missing body parts of the late Wasim Thajudeen.

ETCA to be signed end of this year: Ranil

India and Sri Lanka will sign the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) by the end of this year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today as both countries look to cement ties further.

Serving indictments on Tiran, three others postponed

Colombo High Court Judge Kusala Sarojani Weerawardena today postponed the serving of indictments to former MP Tiran Alles and three others to November 2, since the clarification from the Supreme Court over its Interim Order was pending.

Cabraal at FCID

Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) this morning to give a statement regarding an alleged financial misappropriation.