LLRC report to be submitted to Parliament next month

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will submit the LLRC report to Parliament next month, President's Media Director General, Bandula Jayasekara stated

Arrest warrant issued against Uvatenne Thera

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today issued a warrant for the arrest of Ven. Uvatenne Sumana Thera for not being present in Court in connection with an alleged defrauding of a businessman of Rs.3 million on the promise of providing him with a plot of land in Madampe

Ratwatte hospitalised

Former Deputy Defence Minister, Anuruddha Ratwatte was hospitalised earlier today after he sustained critical injuries after falling at his residence, Kandy hospital sources said

Doubts over govt. statement on need for opposition

UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya today expressed the party’s doubts regarding the honesty and sincerity of the statement of the government which say that they need an opposition, if they continue to assault those who express opposing views. Issuing a statement Mr. Jayasuriya stated

Cricket-ICC chief executive Lorgat to step down in June 2012

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat will step down after a four-year tenure in June 2012, the governing body said on Tuesday.

10% pay hike only as an allowance

The proposed 10% pay hike for public servants, announced in the Budget for 2012, will be added only as an allowance to their salaries, Minister Sarath Amunugama said

Make LLRC report public: UK Foreign Office

UK Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt yesterday called on the Sri Lankan government to release publicly the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Committee's (LLRC) report on post conflict issues in Sri Lanka

Pay hike insufficient: UNP

The main opposition UNP today decried the proposed ten-per cent pay hike in the budget saying that it would be totally insufficient given the high cost of living

Inquiry to be conducted into commotion in Parliament

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today said that he would conduct an inquiry into the circumstances that led to a commotion in Parliament during the budget speech on Monday

Protest in Dematagoda over abduction

The alleged abduction of a prominent Peliyagoda businessman by two men in camouflage military uniforms this morning has resulted in protests in the area UPDATE

‘Sea Budget’ for SL: Rajitha

If Sri Lanka was able to exploit the sea to its full potential it will be able to present a ‘Sea  Budget’ and refrain from obtaining loans from global financial agencies and donors, Fisheries and  Aquatic Resources Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said. 

Suspect in bombing Pakistani High Commissioner discharged

A Colombo Court discharged a youth today, who was in remand custody on charges of having been  involved in a plot to kill the Pakistan High Commissioner in Kollupitiya on August 14, 2006.

Shroff embezzled stamp money

A former shroff of the Southern Province Inland Revenue Department who pleaded guilty of fraud  involving Rs.100,000 was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment, suspended for ten years and  fined Rs.10,000 by the Galle High Court Judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardene.

Disappointed Dilshan considers Sri Lanka future

Tillakaratne Dilshan said on Monday he would like to continue as Sri Lanka captain for another tour before deciding about his future after losing his third one-day series in a row.

SLR to equip fleet with modern safety devices

The entire fleet of trains of the Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) is to be equipped with modern safety  devices including Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to ensure the safety of passengers and crew and  minimise accidents, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said.

Court orders arrests Japanese national

A Colombo Court today ordered the Slave Island police to arrest a Japanese national and a Sri Lankan who were alleged to have organised a foreign job racket by defrauding several youth of millions of rupees on the pretext of finding them jobs in Japan.

Postal unions call off strike

Postal Department unions called off a week long strike today after they received assurance from the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry that department’s Post Master General will be removed from his position after further investigation

Unruly govt. MPs try to manhandle UNP members during budget

Parliamentary business was relegated to rowdy levels today during the budget speech of President Mahinda Rajapaksa with some unruly government MPs trying to manhandle and rough up UNP members who held aloft placards critical of the 2012 budget. UPDATE

Budget 2012 - UNP unite: MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the UNP should be united and support the government for its good work towards developing the country

Budget 2012 – 10% salary increase for govt. servants and security forces personnel

A 10% salary increase for government servants and security forces personnel will come into effect from next year

Nine Lankan fishermen held

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) personnel of Kakinada caught nine Sri Lankan fishermen who entered into Indian sea waters for illegally fishing on Saturday and handed them over to the marine police on Sunday. They were caught with nearly 3,500 kilos of fish on board and the two boats were seized

Budget 2012 – Devalue rupee by 3%

President Mahinda Rajapaksa presenting the Budget for 2012 proposed to depreciate the value of the rupee by three per cent in line with the regional currencies

Budget 2012 – Increase in vehicle registration charges

Budget 2012 - UNP walks out

After a physical confrontation broke out between some government MPs which included Chamika Buddhadasa, Lohan Ratwatte and Ranjith Soysa, UNP parliamentarians left the chambers. The President continues to read the speech for the Budget for 2012

MR meets Cabinet

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who met the cabinet a short while ago obtained the approval of the cabinet for the budget proposal for 2012

Budget 2012 - Live Blogging

Thank you for being with us and participating in Sri Lanka's first ever Live Blog on the Budget for 2012. The debate on the Second Reading of the budget is currently taking place.

LeT sending LTTE and BKI militants to do its dirty work

The Maharashtra and Mumbai police have received an alarming alert from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) warning them of possible presence of sleeper cells and militants of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in and around Mumbai, especially in the Navi Mumbai area

2012 budget to be presented today

Sri Lanka's 65th budget is to be presented to Parliament today. It will be the third budget of the seventh Parliament and will be presented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning

JVP Dissidents to part ways officially

JVP dissidents will officially break ranks with the party next month after the formation of a new leftist movement by summoning a special convention, the Daily Mirror learns.

Action on Iran will cause third WW: Wimal

Any military strike on Iran would bring about a third world war, Minister Construction and Common Amenities Wimal Weerawansa said today assuring that Sri Lanka is ready to face any consequence of it