Complaint lodged against Gammanpila

Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday ordered several media organisations to issue visuals of the video footage of the Press Conference held by UPFA Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila on January 11, after a complaint claiming that some comments made by the MP over the release of MP Hirunika Premachandra by the Court, was contempt of court.

Hot and cold over the Island

Dry and chill weather would prevail in most part of the country during the first two months of the year, the Meteorology Department said yesterday

If it does not get 2/3 majority the process will fail

The resolution to convert Parliament into a Constitutional Assembly had not received cabinet approval and if it failed to secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament, due to a lack of consensus among the political parties, the entire process would fail, said Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faizer Mustapha.

Mangala's move to close mission in Iraq shelved

Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera had to shelve his move to close the Sri Lankan mission in Baghdad, Iraq due to objections by a group of cabinet ministers, it is learnt.

CID after Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera

CID officers went to a leading private hospital in Colombo this evening to record the statement of the Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera regarding his possession of an elephant without having a permit to do so. The thera had been asked to report to the CID this morning but failed to do so.

GL says Govt. bankrupt

The move by the Finance Ministry to get hold of 1 billion USDs from a ‘mystery’ investor to defend Sri Lankan rupee was not acceptable in anyway and reflected the degree of desperation of the government as well as its bankruptcy, the Joint Opposition said today.

Vehicle prices will go further up, say importers

Following the new budget proposals taxes on vehicles would increase by 20 percent, the Chairman of Lanka Vehicle Importers' Association Mahinda Sarathchandra said today.

Behaviour of cricketers: No comments, says Manager

Sri Lanka Cricket team manager Jerry Woutersz refused to comment on reports of misconduct and indiscipline by members of the national cricket team during the recent New Zealand tour but said a report would be handed over to the Minister within the next few days.

ASP Liyanage writes to IGP to probe “gold and cash” rumour

Sri Lanka Labour Party leader and businessman A.S.P. Liyanage has urged the IGP to launch an investigation with regard to reports that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had stashed away gold and cash packed in polythene bags inside a swimming pool at the Peacock Mansion in Rajagiriya, which belongs to Mr. Liyanage.

​Govt. backtracks on NBT, VAT revisions

The amendments proposed to Value Added Tax (VAT) and Nation Building Tax (NBT) Proposed in the Budget 2016 would not be implemented until the relevant legislative enactments were passed by Parliament, Finance Ministry yesterday said in a statement. 

SF challenges MS, RW to remove Wijeyadasa

Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka today challenged President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to remove Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from the government, if they wanted to maintain ‘Good Governance’ in the country.

Alagaratnam re-elected as BASL President

President’s Counsel Geoffrey Alagaratnam was re-elected uncontested as President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) for 2016/2017, the BASL announced today.

Customs to release motor vehicles by March end

Sri Lanka Customs said today they had decided to release motor vehicles imported by individuals for personal use on a Letter of Credit opened before the effective date of the 2016 Budget.

Heavy traffic in Colombo

Heavy traffic was reported in Colombo because of a protest march by university medical students from the Fort Railway Station to the Finance Ministry, Police said.

FEB brings back 90 housemaids from Kuwait

Ninety housemaids who were provided alternative shelter by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Kuwait arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport today.

Strict instructions to arrest Indian fishermen

The Navy and Coast Guard will be given strict instructions to arrest Indian fishermen engaged in poaching in Sri Lankan waters, Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Body recovered from Badovita Canal

The body of a 57-year-old man was recovered from the Badovita Canal in Attidiya, police said. They said the body with the hands tied was identified as that of a tailor.

Rtd. Navy officer arrested for photographing AF Chief

A retired Lieutenant of the Navy was arrested for photographing the Air Force Commander Gagan Bulathsinghala when he was travelling in his vehicle convoy.

Swedish tourist dies in accident

A 28-year-old Swedish national was killed when his motorcycle collided with a van at Pelana, Weligama early this morning, Police said.

Bribery cases: Duminda released on bail

Former MP Duminda Silva was released on bail in the three cases that had been filed by the Bribery Commission against him on charges of non-declaration of assets in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

SL to allow Chinese Port City project after delay

Sri Lanka is to go ahead with a $1.4 billion Chinese-backed real estate project after some changes to its terms, a minister said on Tuesday, signalling readiness to accept more Chinese investment in the face of a balance-of-payment crisis.

SLC sack U19 manager ahead of World Cup

In an unprecedented move, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday sacked Under 19 team manager Shane Fernando just three days ahead of the team’s schedule departure to the U19 World Cup in Bangladesh.

Theravadi Bhikkhu Kathikawath Bill presented

The Theravadi Bhikkhu Kathikawath Bill, which provides for every Bhikkhu to act in compliance with the registered Chapter which relates to such Bhilkkhu, was presented in parliament yesterday.

Giritale Army Int. Camp sealed by Army Chief

After the Homagama Magistrate observed, on Monday, that the Army Commander could be arrested and charged if he did not cooperate with probe into the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, the Military Intelligence Corps camp at Giritale (3 MIC) was sealed by Army Commander Crishantha de Silva last morning to provide conditions conducive the investigation, informed sources said.

Avant Garde sues Navy for Rs.2B

Avant Garde Maritime Services Ltd has sent a letter of demand seeking a sum of Rs. 2 billion from the Sri Lanka Navy, stating that serious losses and damage had been caused to Avant Garde after the navy took over the Galle floating armoury unlawfully on November 13, 2015, Counsel for Avant Garde, Nishan Premathiratne said yesterday.

Bread up by one rupee

The price of a 450 g of loaf of bread will be increased by Re.1.00 with effect from midnight tomorrow, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association Chairman N.K.Jayawardana said.

Now Ananda College principal under a cloud

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam today ordered that a fresh investigation be launched into allegations made against Ananda College Principal Kithsiri Liyanagamage that he had violated ministry circulars on grade-1 admissions.

Minister to inquire into poor performance in NZ

Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera will meet the national team’s top management on their return to the island from New Zealand to unearth the factors which may have contributed to team’s shocking performance.

Rs. 3,500 more for private sector employees

The government on Tuesday presented an amendment paving the way to grant private sector employees a salary increment of Rs.3,500.The regulation on the salary increment is being submitted by Labour Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne under Section 63 of the Wages Board Ordinance.

Dematagoda abduction: Video footage to be sent to Moratuwa Uni

Colombo Additional Magistrate Mohamed Mihar today directed the Wellampitiya Police to forward the CCTV footage of the abduction of a drapery shop employee at Dematagoda to the Moratuwa University for examination.