Strong earthquake hits Tajikistan; tremors felt in India, Pakistan

Strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Tajikistan on Monday with tremors being felt in North India. Tremors were also felt in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, Zee News reported today.

Teachers won’t sign vouchers from next year: Union

The Government Teachers’ and Principals’ Union said today that from next year, teachers belonging to the Union would refrain from signing cash vouchers to purchase school uniforms.

HIV testing for A/L, university students

University and GCE Advanced Level students will be tested for HIV and all other diseases in future, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne informed Parliament today.

Collusion between GMOA and Avant Garde backers? - Champika

The government should investigate whether there was a connection between the island-wide strike launched last week by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) and some other professional groups, and the Avant Garde issue, said Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, yesterday.

Dr. Godahewa arrested

Former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa has been arrested by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning.

Admisssion to grade one: new method irks police, armed forces

Members of the police and armed forces disapprove of changes made by the Education Department regarding the admission of children to grade one of popular schools.

Nalaka Godahewa arrives at FCID

Former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa arrived at the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning.

Dayasiri and Akila had ironed out their differences

Ministers Dayasiri Jayasekera and Akila Viraj Kariyawasam who were at loggerheads with each other since the days they were in the United National Party (UNP) had ironed out their differences, political sources said.

JHU pledges to stay with govt.till 2020

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday averred that the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)’s support which was extended to President Maithripala Sirisena and the current coalition government would continue until 2020, even if the government had to face problems in the future.

Six killed in four motorcycle accidents

Six persons including a young couple were killed in four separate motorcycle accidents in Tangalle, Gokarella, Gampaha and Puthukudiiruppu yesterday.

Travel agency allegedly cheated pilgrims

The Police Fraud Investigation Bureau has commenced an inquiry into a case where over one hundred local pilgrims who went on a pilgrimage to India were allegedly deceived by the travel agency that sent them.

Police, Navy launch search on mysterious boat with bodies

The Navy and Police launched a joint search operation this evening after receiving information of a mysterious boat carrying several bodies being drifted on the seas off Trincomalee.

Stranded pilgrims return to the country

About 222 pilgrims who were reported to have been stranded in Dambadiva pilgrimage returned to the country this evening.

Bread prices may rise

Prices of bread and other bakery products could be increased in the near future, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association warned today.

MR has only 102 military personnel for his security

While claiming that 500 soldiers had not been assigned to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at all as reported, his spokesman said that Mr. Rajapaksa was in need for  500 more military personnel for his security as his life was in danger, instead of current strength of 102.

​Minor flood situation remains

A minor flood situation remained in several parts of the country with sluice gates of almost all major reservoirs opened after the water levels reached spill level.

Youth hit by train in Maradana, dies

A 20-year-old man had been knocked down and killed by a train plying from Maradana to Fort railway station last night.

Sri Lanka is committed to world peace: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said Sri Lanka is committed to world peace. He expressed these views when he met a group of representatives of the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test –Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) at the President’s Official Residence.

Chennai airport resumes commercial flight operations after 4 days

Commercial flight operations resumed today at the Chennai airport that was shut on Tuesday (Dec.1) evening due to excessive water-logging. As the flood crisis in the Tamil Nadu capital eased after days of torrential rain, train services also resumed this morning after being halted for four days.

Lane laws strictly implemented on more roads

Police said today the lane law regulation which was already in effect in Colombo would be strictly implemented along Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Duplication Road and Highlevel Road from Nugegoda to Colombo from tomorrow (Dec 7).

Foreign investor may get 5,000 acres on lease in SL: FM

Land to a foreign investor up to a maximum of 5,000 acres and relax the criteria in respect of projects which are “labour intensive with the focus on job creation,” Finance Minister, Ravi Karunanayake, told The Hindu.

​SL ready to resume Port City project -China

The Sri Lankan Government has expressed its willingness to resume the suspended Colombo Port City Project, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. South Asian Division Counsellor and Director Chen Feng told Sri Lankan journalists visiting China that the Chinese Government welcomed the SL Government’s decision to resume the project.

More SriLankan flights canceled

SriLankan Airlines said more flights have been cancelled following the announcement by the Indian aviation authorities that the aerodrome of the Chennai Airport would be closed for commercial operations till December 8.

SriLankan to bring back stranded pilgrims in Bodh Gaya

SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka have arranged a special flight tomorrow to bring back a group of 120 pilgrims who were stranded in the Buddhist holy city of Bodh Gaya (Buddha Gaya) due to the floods in India, a spokesman for the SriLankan Airlines said

Polonnaruwa-Somawathiya Road closed due to floods

The Polonnaruwa-Somawathiya Road was under water and impassable since this morning due to floods at Sungavila, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Heavy rains exceeding 150 mm: Met Dep.

The Meteorology Department said today heavy rains exceeding 100 mm were expected at some places as the atmospheric disturbance was still persisting in the vicinity of Sri Lanka.

Ex-SEC Chairman says unable to attend FCID today

Former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nalaka Godahewa, who was summoned to the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) today had informed that he was unable to attend the FCID today, the Police said.

Ex- SEC official remanded

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) former Deputy Director General Dhammika Manjira Perera and an agent identified as Roni Abraham who were arrested by the FCID yesterday were remanded till December 07.

MR and Ranil hold closed-door meeting

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe held a one-on-one meeting in the Prime Minister's office in the Parliamentary complex yesterday.

SL in talks with India and Pakistan to bolster military

The government is holding discussions with several countries, including India and Pakistan, to strengthen Sri Lanka's military, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene informed Parliament yesterday.