Sri Lanka has fallen on path of prosperity: Siyambalapitiya

As a country, Sri Lanka has fallen on the path of prosperity, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siambalapitiya said.

EC still awaiting an indication of releasing funds for LG poll

The Election Commission (EC) is still awaiting an indication from the Finance Ministry on a time frame in which necessary funds would be released to the EC to conduct the twice postponed Local Government (LG) polls, chairman Nimal G Punchihewa said yesterday.

Defeat the new terror Bill to protect democracy

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said yesterday that it is a national responsibility for all lawmakers to vote against the proposed Ant-Terrorism Bill (ATB) in parliament and prevent it from becoming law in the country as the consequences of it will be extremely, Inhuman, regrettable and irreversible.

President to call for a national government

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to make a fresh call for a national government on April 25 when Parliament takes up the debate on the IMF extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement.

Sri Lanka gets more time to repay BB’s $200m loan

Bangladesh has extended the repayment period of Sri Lanka’s $200 million loan it had given by six more months.

Heavy influx of pilgrims in Kataragama

A heavy influx of pilgrims was experienced in Kataragama sacred city during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year festive season. Pilgrims from far and near flocked to Kataragama and among them were thousands of Hindu devotees from Jaffna and Batticaloa areas.

A rare hybrid solar eclipse on April 20

A rare hybrid solar eclipse will take place on April 20, Chairman Arthur C Clarke Center for Modern Technologies, Professor Chandana Jayaratne said.

State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya injured in an accident

State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was admitted to the Hospital with minor injuries after his vehicle skidded off the road and crashed against a parapet wall at Karawanella.

Even peacocks should be exported: Range Bandara

Commenting on the proposal to export toque monkeys to China UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said over the weekend that not only monkeys but even peacocks should be exported, if possible.

Several trains cancelled so far due to lack of engine drivers

A total of 34 train services have been cancelled due to lack of operators, the Railways Department said

Schools’ 2nd phase of 1st term begins tomorrow

The Education Ministry today announced that all government and government-assisted private schools will reopen for their second phase of the first school term on Monday (17).

Lightning kills a child, injures two in Ruwanwella

A 12-year-old boy was killed and two more children were hospitalised after being struck by lightning in Ruwanwella.

AI urges Biden to send clear message to RW over SL’s Anti-Terrorism Act

In response to the publication of the draft text of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act by the Sri Lankan government, Amnesty International (AI) Asia Advocacy Director Carolyn Nash said that Biden- administration need to send a clear message to President Ranil Wickremesinghe that this law must be overhauled entirely or scrapped altogether.

Former Indian member of parliament and brother shot dead on live TV

A former Indian politician and his brother were shot dead on live TV on Saturday while flanked by police on the way to a nearby hospital for a checkup after he was jailed for a kidnapping plot.

Deadly fighting between army, paramilitaries in Sudan kills 27

KHARTOUM, April 16 — Fighting in the Sudanese capital raged into the early hours of Sunday after a day of deadly battles between paramilitaries and the regular army that left at least 27 people dead and 170 wounded.

Navy arrests 06 suspects carrying a large quantity of drugs on southern seas

Six suspects were arrested along with a large stock of narcotics during a special search operation carried out by the Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Police and other intelligence agencies on the seas south of Sri Lanka.

Two killed, 23 injured in two accidents at Polonnaruwa and Embilipitiya

Two people were killed and eight others injured following an accident involving a truck and a tractor at Walekade Junction in Polonnaruwa this evening.

Only 34 trains among 210 services cancelled today: Railways Dept

A total of 34 train services out of 210 had been cancelled today, Railway Department Deputy General Manager (Commercial) V.S. Polwattage said.

174 accidents reported during new year

A total of 175 accidents were reported during the new year days and 145 of them involved males, Colombo National Hospital sources said.

We endeavoured to merge UNP, SJB - Mano

Whilst stating that he together with MP Rauff Hakeem initiated an effort to bring UNP and SJB under one umbrella, MP Mano Ganesan said they had to abandon the idea since the SJB leadership did not respond.

SLTB, private bus services till end of festivities

After the completion of the New Year rituals, special bus services have been put into operation from today for the convenience of people returning to Colombo from their home towns, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and the National Transport Commission (NTC) said.

Police operations continue to nab drunk drivers

Officials of the Police Traffic Department have been deployed on major roads from Colombo even today to enforce the law against drivers under the influence of liquor, police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Sri Lanka’s bondholders send debt rework proposal to government

A committee of Sri Lanka’s international private creditors sent its first debt rework proposal to the country’s authorities regarding over $12 billion in bonds outstanding, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Sun directly over Nallur, Paranthan, Chundikkulam today

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it will be directly over the Nallur, Paranthan and Chundikkulam areas at about 12:10 pm, the Meteorology Department said.

Man travelling with two kids shot dead in Ahungalla

A 29-year old man who was travelling on a motorcycle with two kids was shot dead tonight at Middaramulla in Ahungalla.

Magnitude 7.0 earthquake hits Indonesia :no tsunami risk

A strong 7.0-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the sea north of the main Indonesian island of Java, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said on Friday, with no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Considerate on New year’s auspicious times as sun is directly over SJ’Pura: Anura C. Perera

Science writer and astronomer Anura C. Perera today cautioned that the auspicious times of the new year rituals should be observed considering the harsh weather as the sun will be directly over the capital Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte.

North Korea says it tested ’’most powerful’’ missile to date

North Korea says it tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile - its ’’most powerful’’ missile to date.

Limited Buses on roads; trains run as usual today

The bus services are limited on New Year’s Day, but the trains continue to run as usual, according to the timetable, the National Transport Commission (NTC), the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and the Sri Lanka Railway Department said.

SL signs MoU with Japan for employment, investment and tourism

The Government of Sri Lanka and a leading business enterprise in Japan, Pasona Group have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers in Japan, human resource development, bringing Japanese investments to Sri Lanka and promoting tourism.