Interim Order preventing collecting Personal Income Tax from judges further extended

The Court of Appeal today further extended its interim order preventing Justice Ministry officials from deducting the Advance Personal Income Tax (APIT) from the monthly salaries of the High Court Judges until February 24.

Postponement of LG polls a dangerous precedent: Cardinal

Postponement of local government elections could be a dangerous precedent as it would eventually push the nation into a dictatorial rule, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Parliament can be dissolved any time now

Sri Lanka can go for a general election anytime now as the present Parliament has completed two and a half years of its term as of midnight on Monday.

Local government polls should not be postponed: MR

Local government elections should not be postponed, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

Plans to remove Kimbulawala street food stalls: Harsha alleges

SJB MP Harsha de Silva said plans are afoot to remove the street food stalls at Kimbulawala in Madiwela and urged the government not proceed with the proposal.

SL soldier dies while serving in UN Peacekeeping mission in Mali

A soldier attached to the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps who was part of the Peacekeeping troops of the UN Multi-dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has died while engaging in duties in Mali.

Those with solutions avoided when needed: Siyambalapitiya

Even though certain parties claimed that they had solutions and answers for the country’s issues avoided at the time they were needed, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

SL asks JICA to resume US$ 2.5 billion worth projects halted due to fiscal crisis

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday urged the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to recommence all projects that are temporarily halted due to fiscal issues.

Chamari sees “one or two more years” with national team, but hopes to build a team for the future

Sri Lanka Women’s team captain Chamari Athapaththu has pledged to continue representing the country for “one or two more years” and hopes that more exposure at international level will help build on the promise of some of the young talent in her team.

Sepal Amarasekara discharged from the case

The Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis today ordered to release of popular Sri Lankan YouTuber Sepal Amarasinghe from the case filed over a statement he made through a Youtube Channel.

Opposition wants Harsha as COPF chairman again

The oppostion requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene to appoint SJB MP Harsha De Silva as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) again.

House adjourned due to opposition protest

Parliament was adjourned by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene till 9.30 am tomorrow due to a tense situation erupted in Parliament a short while ago.

SL only country without Bird Flu, use it to export more poultry products, says Minster

All measures should be taken to promote local chicken and poultry products in the international market using the country’s reputation as the only country not hit by bird flu, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Woman arrested for running over two puppies after video goes viral

A 27-year old woman was arrested by the Mathurata Police after a video showing a vehicle running over two puppies went viral on social media over the weekend.

Electricity tariff hike threatens to burn a hole in Ceylon Tea cup

The tea sector yesterday joined the chorus in warning about the potential consequences of failing to control the situation after a 66 percent increase in electricity prices that went into effect last week.

Government refutes claims on fresh borrowings

While refuting the claims on fresh borrowings during this year, the government yesterday stressed that the borrowings so far during the year have been limited to the roll-over of maturing Treasury bills.

Turkey, Syria rocked again by 6.3M earthquake

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck southern Turkey near the Syrian border late on Monday, setting off panic and further damaging buildings two weeks after the country’s worst earthquake in modern history left tens of thousands dead.

Economic Commission to boost investment opportunities for local and foreign investors: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that an Economic Commission will be formed as early as possible to approve investment opportunity in order to provide more opportunities to local and foreign investors.

Cabinet nod to President’s development project for Kandy city

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to transform the historic city of Kandy into a well-planned, organized and developed city has received unanimous approval from the Cabinet of Ministers, President’s Media Division said.

China already offers Sri Lanka debt extension: Foreign Ministry

The Export-Import Bank of China has provided Sri Lanka with a debt extension, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday, noting that China is willing to negotiate a medium- and long-term debt disposal plan with the country in a friendly manner, and do its best to promote Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability.

Army launches inquiry after two senior military officers engage in a brawl

The Chief Executive Officer of Nelum Pokuna Theater Major General L.S Balachandra and Brigadier Suresh Perera, Brigadier General Staff of SFHQ in Mullaittivu had been removed from their post following a brawl that recently broke out on the road over overtaking a senior’s vehicle, the Army said.

EC says lack of funds obstructs holding LG Poll

The Election Commission today informed the Supreme Court its effort to organize and conduct the Local Government elections has been obstructed since the required funds for the elections are not provided by the Secretary to the Treasury.

Ex-MP Sarana Gunawardena released on strict bail in corruption case

Former Minister Sarana Gunawardena has been released on strict bail conditions by Colombo High Court Judge Damith Totawatte today.

JICA praises Sri Lanka’s economic reform program

Director General of the South Asia Department of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Teruyuki Ito said that Sri Lanka’s economic reform program is progressing positively and that Sri Lanka will be supported in the future through the programs of the International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

SJB protesters tear gassed

The Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the Samaji Jana Balawegaya(SJB) protesters at the Technical Junction in Maradana a short while ago.

Bad weather hampers SJB protest?

The protest which was to be held by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) has been hampered by bad weather, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maduma Bandara said.

Delay in China’s positive response delays IMF bailout: Wijeyadasa

The delay in China’s positive response in restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt has been the only obstacle in securing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout at the moment, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said.

Bodies of two children found in Ratnapura

The bodies of two children lying near a well in a thick jungle area behind the line houses in St.Joachim estate in Karapinch in Ratnapura had been recovered on Sunday afternoon (19) by Kuruvita police.

Some restaurants, hotels serve food unfit for human consumption

A survey conducted by the Public Health Inspectors (PHI) found that 18 percent of restaurants and hotels in Sri Lanka served food unfit for human consumption, Chairman of the Public Health Inspectors Union of Sri Lanka Upul Rohana said.

We seek technical solutions to economic challenges through education: Minister

The entire education system must change, but it is not appropriate to seek technical solutions to the challenges and make unpopular political decisions, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.