India looking forward to sign ETCA: Sitharaman

Visiting Indian Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharamana said yesterday India looked forward to sign the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) and that negotiations had been carried out by both sides with ease and without any pressure on timelines.

Ranjan loses temper, hits video camera

A heated argument between Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake and a journalist from the electronic media ended up with the former hitting a video camera at a media briefing this evening.

Govt. suffering from tax mania: Gemunu

The government is suffering from a tax mania and trying to collect even from private buses, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said.

Miscommunication led to foreign visit: Governor

Central Province Governor Neluka Ekanayaka said today a miscommunication between her and Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka had resulted in 29 PC members travelling to Russia last morning in violation of presidential guidelines.

Govt. must make responsible statement on C.V.’s allegations: JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today the Government must make a responsible statement with regard to the false and baseless statements made by Northern Province Chief Minister on resettlement of Sinhalese in the North and constructing of places of worship without having backbenches to do so.

Foreign visits by PC members: Follow prescribed guidelines: MS

In the wake of 29 Central Provincial Councillors travelling to Russia yesterday using public funds, the Presidential Secretariat directed the nine Provincial Councils to adhere to the guidelines issued by President Maithripala Sirisena when undertaking foreign trips by public officials and PC members.

Welder caught carrying a bullet

A welder with a bullet in his possession was arrested today at the National School of Business Management (NSBM) which is under construction at Pitipana in Homagama, Police said.

JVP condemns 'extremist' remarks made by Wigneswaran

Northern Province Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran has started making radical, extremist statements because of his political bankruptcy, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) charged today.

JO vows to take VAT to SC again

The Joint Opposition today said that it would go to Supreme Court for the second time against the Government’s attempts to introduce the revised VAT, since the Gazette notification on the revision had been printed way before the Cabinet Approval was granted.  

Ramith: Pleads guilty on three counts, says not guilty to DUI

Colombo Additional Magistrate Chandana Kalansooriya today suspended the driving licence of Cricketer Ramith Rambukwella following an accident that occurred at Independence Avenue, Colombo 7 recently.

Police panic as drone flies over Lasantha’s grave

Police today panicked when a drone attached with a camera flew over the grave of murdered Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, when it was being exhumed.

FM says VAT only on taxable goods revenue

The Finance Ministry says despite the value-added tax (VAT) increase proposed through the VAT Amendment Bill, the retail and wholesale merchants, who have opposed the VAT hike, will have to pay a lesser VAT quantum.

Shoe hurled at Rahul Gandhi, he blames it on BJP, RSS

The second phase of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's Kisan Yatra commenced on an unpleasant note with a shoe being hurled at him during his roadshow in Sitapur, which he termed as an act of the BJP and RSS.

A deputy minister facing likely arrest: Ranjan

A deputy minister is expected to be arrested soon because the investigations into his deals have been completed, State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said yesterday.

Lasantha’s body exhumed

The body of murdered Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge was exhumed today at the Borella Cemetery, sources said.

Aluthgamage released on bail

MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who was arrested by the CID on money laundering charges for allegedly purchasing a property worth Rs. 27 Million in Colombo 7, was today released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya.

Two Constables killed in accident

Two Police Constables attached to the Katana Police station had been killed when a motorcycle they were travelling on collided with a container parked beside in Katana on the Divulapitiya Road last night, the Police said.

Minor earth tremor in Galle

A minor earth tremor had been experienced in the Galle area this morning, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Most expensive car imported to SL so far

Recording the most expensive car imported to Sri Lanka, a leading businessman has imported a Rolls Royce super luxury car, worth over Rs. 158 million, customs sources said.

Achchuveli killing; five army personnel remanded

Five army personnel including a Lieutenant Colonel attached to the Achchuveli Camp were remanded till October 10 by Jaffna District Court Judge S. Satheeskaran today on charges of killing two civilians in 1998.

President returns

President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in the country today after concluding his visit to the US. President Sirisena left for the US on September 18 to attend the 71st United Nations General Assembly which was held at the UN Headquarters in New York.

CV has no right to call for removal of Buddhist Temples: Ranjan

Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran has no right to demand the removal of Buddhist temples from the North, State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said today.

Indian Commerce and Industry Minister arrives

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for three-day visit a short while ago in a bid to expand bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

Arrest Wigneswaran: Gammanpila tells FCID

Opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila said today he was looking forward for the arrest of Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran, who spearheaded a demonstration called ‘Eluga Tamil’ (Let Tamils Rise) by violating the Public Property Act.

Lankan in Kuwait arrested for brewing alcohol in apartment

A Sri Lankan man was arrested for brewing alcohol at his apartment in Salmiya, Kuwait, the Kuwait Times reported today.

FCID again seeks int’l warrant on Udayanga

The FCID for the second time requested Court to issue a warrant through Interpol for the arrest of former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga in connection with the inquiry being conducted into the huge financial loss caused to the Government in the purchase of Ukraine-built MIG-27 aircraft in 2006.

Getting harassed by IMF: Ravi

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) appears to be hounding Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in the wake of multiple blunders in attempting to pass the Value Added Tax (VAT) Bill, increasing the taxation rates in recent months.

IMF wants VAT bill in parliament soon

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had asked the government to expedite the legislative process pertaining to Value Added Tax (VAT) amendments, and stressed that any delay in doing so could lead to the postponement of the disbursement of the second tranche of the US $ 1.5 billion three-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) entered into with the government in June.  

Tissa Attanayake noticed to appear in court

The Colombo High Court today noticed former Secretary of the United National Party Tissa Attanayake to appear in court over allegedly publishing a letter with forged signatures of the Common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena and the then Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe during the 2015 Presidential election.

Vaas appointed SL 'A' fast bowling coach for Windies home series

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed former national fast bowling coach Chaminda Vaas as bowling coach of the Sri Lanka 'A' team for the forthcoming West Indies A tour of Sri Lanka.