Sigiriya frescoes photographing prohibited

Photographing the Sigiriya Frescoes has been prohibited from today, Central Cultural Fund Director General Dr. Prishantha Gunawardana said.

Disgruntled Enrique concert goer sends Rs.22m letter of demand to Live Events

A lawyer and his wife have sent a letter of demand to Live Events demanding Rs.22 million for “loss, damage and mental stress” experienced during the Enrique Iglesias concert held recently.

Lankan envoy clears up ‘misunderstandings’

In a statement to clear any misunderstanding that the Sri Lankan mission in the Kingdom was not involved in seeking clemency for the Sri Lankan maid, who was recently spared from being sentenced to death for adultery, Azmi Thassim, Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Kingdom, said that the Lankan embassy in Riyadh played a major role in the appeal.

Five killed, 22 injured in road tragedy

Five persons were killed and seven others injured when a bus collided head-on with a van travelling from Kalmunai to Colombo at Dummaladeniya Junction on the Warakapola-Colombo Main Road this morning, the Police said.

Action soon against saboteurs: Rajitha

President Maithripala Sirisena and the leaders of the political parties in the ruling alliance had decided to take firm action against those who were planning to sabotage the Government’s plans to even go beyond Yahapalanaya (Good Governance) policies, a senior Minister said yesterday.

Grade 1 admission threshold raised for 2016

The number of students being admitted to grade one at government schools would be increased to 40 for next year, and the process to cut the number to 35 would start from 2017, the Education Ministry yesterday said.

No ban on foreign artistes

The president and the government have no intention of banning foreign artistes from performing in Sri Lanka, though some have tried to give a wrong interpretation to President Maithripala Sirisena’s statement regarding the Enrique Iglesias concert, the government said today.

Abduction case: Two more suspects surrender

Two more suspects, wanted by the police, in connection with the abduction of a drapery store employee in Dematagoda last week, surrendered to the Colombo Crime Division this evening and were placed under arrest.

BASL condemns Meethotamulla attack

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) tothe head of a Local Government authority, on a group of protesters, who were protesting against the garbage dump at Kolonnawa on Sunday (27) night and demanded that the assailants be immediately apprehended and dealt with according to law, irrespective of their status

Govt. hiding report on ISIS threat: BBS

Two foreign countries had warned the State intelligence of spreading Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorism in Sri Lanka, the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said today.

Can’t turn to Borella at DS Junction from 31

A special traffic plan would be implemented in Borella for vehicles, except buses, commencing on 31st Thursday from 7.30 am to 8.45 am during weekdays, the Police said.  

2015 marked significant democratic gains in SL: Kerry

The year-2015 marked important democratic gains in countries such as Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Burma and Venezuela, US State Secretary John Kerry has said.

CM takes over WPC Health Ministry

Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya today took over the Health Ministry of the Provincial Council, which was previously held by Provincial Councilor Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe.

JVP wants LG polls right away

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today opposed to the Presidential move to extend the tenure of some Local Government (LG) bodies by six months and urged the government to hold the elections for these bodies forthwith under the existing electoral system.

Won't let people walk naked on road: President

Though he was highly criticised in the social media for making statements on country’s values, President Maithripala Sirisena today said that he wouldn't allow people, who had influenced by foreign cultures, to walk naked on the road.

Rajitha: LG polls in June

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne today said that the elections for the Local Government bodies would be held in June under the mixed electoral system.

Abduction: Police seek AG’s advice on Hirunika

Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said today the Attorney General’s advice would be sought on the action to be taken in connection with UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra’s involvement in the incident where a man was said to have been abducted and assaulted by some of her supporters.

NWSDB workers call off strike

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) Joint Trade Union Alliance called off its countrywide strike at 11.00 am today, Trade Union Leader Upali Ratnayaka said.

Families of Indian fishermen detained by SL on hunger strike

Angered over the inaction of the Puducherry Government to rescue the 10 fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy, families of detained Indian fishermen went on hunger strike on Monday, The Hindu reported.

CEB records Rs.7bn cash flow

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has recorded a positive cash flow of Rs.7 billion during the first seven months of this year and remains out of red with much of its debts being paid because of the favourable oil prices in the global market, the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) said yesterday.

RDA slaps biggest ever fine for damaging E01

A fine of Rs. 2.18 million was recovered by the Road Development Authority for the damage caused to the protective fence of the Southern Expressway by a heavy vehicle transporting gas cylinders recently.

Why can't Hirunika kidnap Duminda?: Madhu

Popular singer Madhumadawa Aravinda today asked MP Hirunika Premachandra to kidnap former UPFA MP Duminda Silva in her black defender to hear the case of her father Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra’s murder in her own court in her own style if she had courage to stand against his father’s murderer as claimed by her.

Enrique show: Udaya asks MS to whip the organisers

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila today asked President Maithripala Sirisena to order the whipping of the organisers of the recent Enrique Iglesias concert.

GMOA tells Finance Minister to resign

Government doctors today called for the resignation of Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayaka in the wake of even President Maithripala Sirisena reportedly saying that the budget proposals had placed the government in a difficult position.

Duminda Silva noticed over non-declaration of assets

The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today noticed former UPFA parliamentarian Duminda Silva to appear in Court on January 13 on charges of non-declaration of assets in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Two MPs give statements at PRECIFAC

Former Coconut Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara and Moneragala District MP Padma Udayashantha Gunasekera today gave statements to the PRECIFAC in connection with two separate financial irregularities alleged to have taken place at the Coconut Research Institute and the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA).

BC files case against Duminda

A law suit was filed today against former UPFA MP Duminda Silva by the Bribery Commission (BC) in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court for not declaring his assets.

Strike by NWSDB workers intensifies

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) Joint Trade Union Alliance has intensified its countrywide trade union action with even those providing emergency and breakdown services joining the strike.

Two arrested over murder of 78-year-old man

Two suspects aged 29 and 39 had been arrested today on charges of killing a 78-year-old man at Kotawila in Weligama last night, Police said.They said the 29-year-old suspect had been staying at the victim’s house as a boarder.

Mahela, Sanga to compensate fans

Former Cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena who are the board members of Live Events Sri Lanka, have decided to compensate the fans due to the shortcomings at the Enrique Iglesias concert recently staged in Colombo.