ATCA suspends its work-to-rule campaign

The air traffic controllers had suspended their work-to-rule campaign, which commenced yesterday after the Subject Minister assured a favourable response for their issues within a week, Air Traffic Controllers’ Association Vice President Tharindu Gajadeera said.

MR rejects President’s claims on Nelum Pokuna

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today rejected the statement made by President Maithripala Sirisena in Polonnaruwa, that the foundation stone originally laid by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga to construct the Nelum Pokuna Theatre had been bulldozed.

SAARC failure compels SL to find other options: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that the failure of SAARC to deliver "acceptable results" for all members would compel Sri Lanka to find other "viable options".

1500-day economic plan another failed project: JO

The Joint Opposition’s economic research unit yesterday charged that the 1,500-day economic plan which was expected to be announced within the next two weeks by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, would be another unsuccessful project of the government.

$170mn to be paid for airbus cancellation: Ravi

Sri Lanka will pay $170 million to AerCap Holdings NV, the world's largest independent aircraft leasing company, for cancelling four A350s ordered by the previous government, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said on Tuesday.

Acting Vice Chancellor appointed to SAITM

The Council of the South Asian Institute of Technology & Medicine, (SAITM) has appointed Prof. Deepal Weerasekera as the Acting Vice Chancellor of SAITM, with effect from 4th October 2016.

US Green Card Lottery 2018 opens for Sri Lankans

The application period for the 2018 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2018) also known as Green Card Lottery offered by the US would be commenced tonight from 9.30 till November 7 same time, for the applicants from Sri Lanka and Maldives, the US Embassy in Colombo said today.  

Amended VAT Bill presented to Parliament

The Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Bill was presented to Parliament by Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella, a short while ago.

ISIS mastermind poisoned by mystery assassin

The ISIS leader was poisoned alongside three of his commanders after all four consumed spiked meals in the Be'aaj district, southwest of Mosul in Iraq, according to Iraqi news agency WAA.

Basil ordered to appear in Court on Oct.7

Former minister Basil Rajapaksa was today ordered to appear in the Pugoda Magistrate’s Court on October 7, to record a statement on the ownership of a house and a 16-acre block of land in Malwana, Magampita.

Ranil arrives in India

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in India today on a three-day official visit.

Cigarette prices up by Rs.7

The prices of all brands of cigarettes were increased by Rs. 7 from last night, the Finance Ministry said today.

No intention to increase electricity tariff: Minister

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has no intention to increase electricity tariff in the foreseeable future despite coal and fuel prices going up dramatically in the last few months in addition to sharp increase of operational cost of the CEB, Power and Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.  

Navy recovers LTTE destroyed passenger ferry ‘Valampuri’

The wreckage of the passenger ferry ‘Valampuri’ which was destroyed by a LTTE suicide boat in 1998 in the seas off Point Pedro, was discovered by the Navy yesterday.

Mihin Lanka merges with SriLankan

All routes of Mihin Lanka would be absorbed to SriLankan Airlines from October 30.

Lion Brewery permitted to import beer without import taxes- FM

The Finance Ministry yesterday said that Lion Brewery Ltd in Biyagama has been permitted to import beer for a period of three months and imposed taxes and other levies equal to that of locally manufactured beer at the point of importation instead of import taxes and other levies.

Mihin Lanka to cease operations on Oct. 30?

The low cost local carrier Mihin Lanka has decided to discontinue all its flights and services with effect from October 30, 2016, a notice sent to airline’s travel partners disclosed.

Appropriation Bill 2017 on Oct.19

The Government has sought a special parliamentary sitting on October 19 to present the 2017 Appropriation Bill ahead of the annual budget debate.

CID search SAITM lab for Thajudeen's body parts

The CID and a team of experts yesterday searched the Laboratory belonging to the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe for Wassim Thajudeen's body parts, which had gone missing after the initial postmortem examination.

The nine provinces were a British creation: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena said the nine provinces were a creation of England's King George and therefore there should be no quarrel over them.

TNA leadership tussle triggered demo: Vasu

The recently held Eluga Tamil demonstration in Jaffna by Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran was a result of internal competition for the TNA leadership led by Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan, MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara said today.

Work to rule campaign by ATCA

Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (ATCA) of Sri Lanka commenced a work to rule campaign with effect from today, the Association said.

'Pakistani' pigeon carrying threat message for Modi in Indian custody

The Punjab Police have said they have "taken into custody" a pigeon that was found near the state's border with Pakistan, carrying a note with a threat message for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Two Bills on Buddhist Affairs to be put off

The Government today decided to shelve two pieces of legislation relating to Buddhist Affairs due to objections from the Mahanayake Theras of the various chapters.

SL issued statement on SAARC at behest of India: PHU

India is behind Sri Lanka's statement that the atmosphere was not conducive to hold the SAARC Summit in Islamabad, Pakistan, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) said today.

Swiss Justice Minister to raise migration issue in SL

Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga will tackle the issue of repatriating Tamil asylum seekers to Sri Lanka during her visit to the country, Swissinfo.ch reported on Sunday.

Thajudeen's missing body parts: CID at SAITM lab

A team of experts, including CID officers, arrived at the lab premises of the SAITM a short while ago, sources said.

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.

Magistrate permits Gota to travel to China

Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today permitted former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to travel to China.

Bank manager and 3 others arrested for attempted robbery

Four suspects including the bank manager of a state bank at Vaikkala, Wennappuwa were arrested on charges of attempted robbery.