Pakistan hopes for joint investment company

Pakistan was investigating the possibility of setting up a joint investment company and a currency swap agreement with Sri Lanka, said visiting Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif yesterday.

University intake to increase by 10%

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to increase the university intake by ten per cent for the next academic year based on the results of the 2015 GCE Advanced Level Examination released this week, officials said yesterday.

Postpone signing of agreement: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA), today, requested President Maithripala Sirisena to postpone the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement until a national policy on trade agreements was worked out.

SL likely to sign FTA with US: PM

Sri Lanka hopes to sign a Free Trade Agreement with the US in the future, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Warnasinghe prevented from making statement

When Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe, the former Minister of Health, Indigenous Medicine, Social Welfare, Probation, Child Care and Women’s Affairs in the Western Provincial Council attempted to make a statement today at the Council sessions was shouted down by both government and opposition members.

Why is police not arresting Hirunika: BBS

The Police are behaving like kids in the case where a man was allegedly abducted and assaulted by supporters of parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said today.

Thajudeen's killing: UCSC recommends video footage be sent to FBI

Although the CCTV footage showed a vehicle in the vicinity of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen's killing, its license number could not be matched with the licence No: WP KU6543 supplied by the CID, the Colombo University's School Of Computing (UCSC) said today.

Ready to consider SL as the most favoured nation for trade: Sharif

Visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawasz Sharif today said Pakistan was ready to give Sri Lanka the most favoured nation (MFN) status in trade.

Senadipathi at PRECIFAC for second day

Avant Garde Maritime Company Chairman Nissanka Senadipathi reported to the PRECIFAC this morning for the second consecutive day to record further statements in connection with the alleged purchase of weapons from the Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Security Company.

Parking wardens for Colombo

Parking wardens have been deployed to 1,600 parking units in Colombo City for the next six months until parking meters are fixed in the city, the Colombo Municipality yesterday said.

World's largest blue sapphire found in Sri Lanka

The largest blue star sapphire yet has been discovered in a mine at Ratnapura, the BBC reported today.The gemology institute has certified that the gem weighs 1404.49 carats and that it had not certified anything larger.

Train crashes into Police Cab at Ambalangoda

A train from Colombo to Galle has crashed into a Police Cab that was on patrol duty at Ambalangoda this morning, Police said.Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said the vehicle had suddenly stalled while at the unprotected Railway crossing at Kapu Ela in Amabalangoda.

Live Events to provide details to CMC in 4 days

Live Events Ltd which organised the controversial Enrique Iglesias concert, and is facing an allegation of non-payment of entertainment taxes and are yet to produce the documents pertaining to the printing and sales of the tickets, had assured to provide all details to the Colombo Municipal Council within four days, sources close to Colombo Mayor A. J. M. Muzammil said yesterday

Put it to the people prior to referendum: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday a draft constitution prepared by the Constitutional Assembly should be first placed before the people so that they could comment on the proposals before proceeding with a referendum.

Crown Witness alleges Navy officials involved in Raviraj killing

While giving evidence relating to the inquiry on the killing of former TNA Jaffna District MP Nadaraja Raviraj led by the DSG, the crown witness of the inquiry, Sampath Prithiviraj, revealed that the alleged killing was planned by officials attached to the Navy intelligence office located in the Gangarama, Laundrywatta area at that time.

Thilanga threatens legal action against Arjuna

The newly elected Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala said today he would take legal action against former SLC President Arjuna Ranatunga over certain statements Ranatunga had allegedly made.

PHU holds 'black' news conference

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila, who earlier requested the people to display black flags to oppose the actions of the government, today organised a ‘black’ news conference and said Sri Lanka was experiencing one of the darkest eras of its history under the reign of the present government.

Govt. protecting female MP in abduction case: JVP

The Government is protecting a particular female parliamentarian who was charged with the abduction and assault of a man recently in Dematagoda, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) claimed today.

Meethotamulla protest: Lawyers, Police clash compels court to adjourn

Court adjourned for ten minutes amid heated arguments between the Police and the lawyers for the aggrieved party when the case, on the attack on those protesting against the dumping of garbage at Meetotamulla, was taken up for inquiry today.

My wife threatened to divorce me if I gave my Peacock Mansion to MR

My wife threatened to divorce me if I gave my Peacock Mansion to former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka Labour Party Leader and Entrepreneur A.S.P. Liyanage said today.

HRC calls for abolishing death penalty

The Human Rights Commission today said that it had recommend President Maithripala Sirisena to abolish the death penalty in Sri Lanka in keeping with the country’s commitment to a more humane society consonant with the human rights principles and values.

Sharif arrives in SL

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Colombo, a short while ago.This will be Sharif's first visit to Sri Lanka since President Maithripala Sirisena took office a year ago.

Be stake holders in SL's development: PM to critics

The government is endeavouring to obtain the support of its opponents to make its 2016 social and economic development programme a success, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

36 Sri Lankans gone to Syria; some to join ISIS: Def. Secy.

At least 36 Sri Lankans are reported to have gone to Syria with some of them having joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said today.

Eight suspects re-remanded over Dematagoda abduction

The eight suspects who were in remand custody on charges of allegedly abducting a person of a Dematagoda drapery store on December 21, were further remanded till January 6 by Colombo Magistrate’s Court today.

Road closure due to Nawaz Sharif visit

Vehicle movement from Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to Colombo along the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway would be restricted between 4.00pm to 6.00pm today (04) due to the arrival of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Senadipathi comes before PRECIFAC

The chairman of the Avant Garde Company, Nissanka Senadipathi has arrived at the PRECIFAC this morning to give a statement in connection with the  alleged purchase of weapons from the Rakna Lanka Security Company.

Maldives says SL didn't blacklist top diplomat, MP

The Maldivian Government denied Sunday reports that authorities of Sri Lanka had confiscated passports of two high ranking Maldivian officials after they were blacklisted "by mistake."

‘Will not act in haste on special court’: President

The  Sri Lankan government would not act “in haste” on the issue of setting up a special court on allegations of violations of human rights in the last stages of the civil war, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.

Abduction case: AG's Dept. considering what to do

A senior official of the Attorney General's Department said it was considering the action to be taken against MP Hirunika Premachandra over the recent kidnapping of a youth in the Dematagoda area.