Ready to face any pressure - MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that his government was quite capable of dealing with any pressure that comes from Geneva, New York or Washington.

'Continue to bid for mega sports events'

The sports minister in Sri Lanka has vowed to continue bidding for more international sporting events despite the failure to secure 2018 Commonwealth Games in Hambantota.

Search ops to trace LTTE

Security forces have begun search operations in the Eastern Province in search of LTTE cadres who are suspected to have returned to the country, illegal weapons and other armed gangs hiding in the area, military sources said today.

US question close of fruit processing plant

The US Embassy in Colombo had expressed concern over the closure of the fruit processing factory situated within the premises of Sevanagala Sugar Industries Ltd which was taken over by the government under the ‘Revival of the Underperforming and Underutilized Assets Bill’

Bajaj Auto fall 2% as SL raises tax

Bajaj Auto shares fell 2 per cent after Sri Lanka raised import tariff on petrol and diesel powered three wheelers. The import duty on petrol powered three wheelers was raised to 100 per cent against 51 per cent previously

Villagers detain 5 Lankans in Malaysia

More than 20 villagers nabbed 24 foreigners including 5 Sri Lankans in Malaysia,  whom they believe  entered the country illegally. The foreigners were handed over to the police, recently

Committee report prejudiced: Karu

Former UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya today said the report submitted by the committee headed by Srinath Perera P.C. to look into the attack on party  headquarters ‘Sirikotha’ was a culmination of a pre-conceived partial course of action.

They are the real war criminals -MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today, that the real war criminals are the countries that contribute to global warming.“All plants and animal species could be wiped out by global warming

EPDP murder by LTTE?

Investigations are underway to ascertain if the three suspects arrested in connection with the murder of a member of the EPDP in Kuchchaveli, were former members of the LTTE

Abducted businessman's son rescued

The 22 year old son of a prominent businessman who was abducted last week was rescued last night by the Serunuwara police following a special operation

1200 houses damaged, 15 injured

The Disaster Management Centre said today that over 1200 houses have been damaged by strong winds that hit Vavuniya last evening.  The winds had hit the Settikulam area in Vavuniya last evening amidst torrential rains UPDATE

Four killed in accidents

Four persons were killed in two separate accidents this morning in Kegalle and Kaduwela. Two persons were killed in Kegalle at 5.45am, while the other accident which also claimed the lives of two was reported at 7.00 am Police spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said

Increase, to meet IMF conditions; UNP

Economist and UNP MP Dr. Harsha De Silva said today that the increase in taxes that were announced by the Ministry of Finance and Planning was in order to meet conditions stipulated by the IMF. “The IMF board will meet on Monday and the loan that is suspended will be taken up then

Tax on Motor vehicles also hiked

Tax on Motor vehicles which include cars, vans, trishaws and motor bicycles have been increased with immediate effect. The Ministry of Finance and Planning announced today that the increase was made to ensure a drop in the vehicles imported to the country

3 Bn. Income from booze and cigarette hike

The Ministry of Finance and Planning said today that the estimated revenue from the increase of tax on alcohol and cigarettes would be close to 3 Billion rupees.The Ministry announced today that the price of all brands of cigarettes will be increased

Join hands to observe earth day:MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa requested all citizens of the country to join hands with him to observe earth hour 2012 by switching off non essential lights this evening from 8.30 to 9.30 PM the Government Information department said

GTF to take action against Hague

The Global Tamil Forum widely seen as a front organisation representing the defeated LTTE is taking legal action against William Hague over the Foreign Office's failure to confront a senior Sri Lankan diplomat accused of complicity in crimes against humanity, The Guardian reports

Businessman's son abducted

A gang which abducted the 22-year-old son of a millionaire in Vakarai is demanding Rs. 30 million to free him, police said.

Premier hospitalized

Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne was admitted to the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital last evening, and he is now receiving treatment at the Preliminary Care Unit (PCU) of the hospital.

Remanded for assaulting PSD

Five policemen attached to the Rangala Police were remanded till the 2nd of April for assaulting 11 officers of the Presidential Security Division. The assaulted officers included a Captain for  the Army.

SL victim of western media: MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that Sri Lankla has become a victim of the western media stating that there is a clear distinction between what is portrayed in the media and the truth.

I’m ready: Mervyn

Minister Mervyn Silva said that he is ready to face any inquiry held against him as he has done no wrong. “I’m ready to face any inquiry against me because i know I haven’t done anything wrong. What I said was that I trust that the President would not take any decision that would cause injustice. That is true,

Govt. makes official stand on UNHRC

Making an official statement of the Government, with regard to the UNHRC resolution  Minister of External Affairs Prof.G.L.Peiris said that said Sri Lanka would not allow any foreign intervention at any time. Speaking in Parliament today, he said Sri Lanka’s stand on the issue was consistent

No salvaging of wrecks

The Ministry of Fisheries together with the National Aquatic Research and Development Agency are to strictly implement the law against any form of salvaging of ship wrecks. Deputy Minister of Fisheries Susantha Punchinilame said that the strict implementation will serve two purposes. “Salvaging of

Indian delegation to visit SL

In less than a month after India voted for a UNHRC resolution against Sri Lanka, an all-party parliamentary delegation is likely to visit Colombo

SLFP to take disciplinary action against Mervyn

The central committee of the SLFP yesterday unanimously decided to take disciplinary action against Minister Mervyn Silva over a statement that the minister had made asserting that no one could touch him while President Mahinda Rajapaksa was in power

Scandalous video clip rocks Kotte MC

The Kotte Municipal Council is in the midst of a scandal with Deputy Mayor Madura Vithanage suing Mayor Janaka Ranawaka for Rs. 20 million as damages for allegedly showing a “doctored’ video clip of the Deputy Mayor in a compromising position

500 Kms of railway to be added

Acting cabinet spokesman Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said today that the government would add 500 kilometers of new railway lines to the existing lines in the next five years, for the first time in railway history

US double standards - Minister

The government today accused the US of double standards when dealing with human rights stating that it maintains one policy for Israel and another for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka beat England by 75 runs

Sri Lanka beat England by 75 runs on the fourth day of the first test on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series