President returns from Rome

President Maithripala Sirisena who was in Rome for a two-day official visit arrived in the country a short while ago.During the visit, the President met Pope Francis and a host of other leaders.

Returning SL refugee baggage increased to 60 kg

In a move that would benefit Sri Lankan refugees living in camps across the State who intend to return to the island-nation voluntarily, the UNHCR has assisted the Sri Lankan government in increasing the flight baggage allowance for repatriating refugees by 20 kg. Now, the total entitlement is 60 kg per person.

Four women arrested at a brothel

Police yesterday arrested three women including the manager of a brothel being operated in the guise of an Ayurvedic Medical Centre on Kanatta Road in Battaramulla.

NFF calls on people to oppose amendments

The Code of Criminal Procedure and Penal Code amendments proposed by the government to ban hate speeches would only intensify disharmony amongst different ethnic and religious groups, National Freedom Front (NFF) National Organiser MP Jayantha Samaraweera charged today.

"Release Army intelligence officers as done to ex-LTTEers"

Family members of Army intelligence officers who were arrested and detained under the PTA in connection with the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda today requested the government to release their loved ones similar to the way in which ex-LTTE detainees were released.

SL ranked 73rd in Human Development Index

Sri Lanka has maintained its rank in the 'high human development category' at 73rd place according to the Human Development Report (HDR) 2015 released yesterday in Ethiopia by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

SL will be an example to rest of the world-US Envoy

The efforts taken by Sri Lanka to successfully rebuild the country and to reconcile its people would set an example to the rest of the world which is burdened with conflict today, visiting US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs-Designate Thomas Shannon said today.

Don't amend Penal Code: BBS

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today objected to the amending of the Criminal Justice Procedure Code and the Penal Code.

Withdraw Penal Code Amend -TNA

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has called for the withdrawal of the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, placed on the Order Paper, citing that its provisions were identical to those of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), it is learnt.

SAITM to get clinical training at Avissawella Hospital

The Health Ministry today gave an undertaking to the Supreme Court to provide clinical training to the students of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) at the Avissawella Base Hospital and the Kaduwela MOH.

Eknaligoda probe won’t affect intelligence officers: Ruwan

State Minister for Defense, Ruwan Wijewardene today assured that the probe on the alleged abduction and killing of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda would be carried out in a manner which would not affect any intelligence officers.

Suspect’s DNA matches with six killings in Kotakethana

The CID informed the Pelmadulla Magistrate today that the results of the DNA tests had proved that the 35-year-old man arrested on Friday was involved in the killings of six of the seven women at Kotakethana and Kahawatta.

Johnston granted bail

Former Minister Johnston Fernando was granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate over cases filed by the Bribery Commission for not declaring assets.

Heavy traffic in Colombo Fort

Heavy traffic is reported in Fort area, Colombo due to a protest held by a group of bank employees in front of the Fort Railway Station.

Parliament to be made Constitutional Assembly

President Maithripala Sirisena is to present a motion to convert the Parliament into a Constitutional Assembly on January 9, 2016, informed sources said yesterday.

Farmers to protest in ‘amude’

The Govijana Association yesterday said the farmer community was ready to come to President’s House on the 17th with their farming equipment and mud on the body, wearing span cloth (Amude) to express their protest for curtailing the fertilizer subsidy and reducing the guaranteed price for rice.

US-SL annual ‘Partnership Dialogue’ next year

In a bid to strengthen bilateral ties between the US and Sri Lanka, an annual Partnership Dialogue organised by the US and Sri Lankan governments will start by late February, next year in Washington, visiting US Under Secretary of State (Designate) for Political Affairs Ambassador Thomas Shannon said today.

Jeewan Kumaranatunga quizzed by FCID

Former postal services minister, Jeewan Kumaranatunga was quizzed by the Police Financial Crime Investigation Division today, over the misuse of state funds for the construction of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Diyagama, Homagama.

Pope-MS discuss reconciliation in SL

President Maithripala Sirisena who met with Pope Francis in Vatican today, held discussion on the process of peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, the Vatican said.

Countrywide strike called off

The government, semi-government and private sector trade unions collective has called off the countrywide strike scheduled for tomorrow after the Prime Minister’s statement in Parliament today, Ceylon Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

PM announces more amendments to budget

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today pledged to add the Rs. 10,000 salary increment of government servants to the basic salary in three stages with Rs. 2,500 added in January next year and announced several amendments to budget proposals providing some tax reliefs while assuring more in the near future.

US blocks visa for Field Marshal Fonseka

The US Embassy has yet not given approval to the visa application submitted by Democratic Party Leader Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka two weeks ago, sources close to Field Marshal Fonseka said today.

Ex-Navy Commander at BC

Former Navy Commander Somathilake Dissanayake arrived at the Bribery Commission (BC) this morning to give a statement in connection with several allegations levelled against him.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall due to celebrations

Heavy traffic has been reported in the Town Hall area in Colombo 7 because the F.R. Senanayake Mawatha has been temporarily closed in view of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Colombo Municipality, Police said.  

Gayoom meets MS on Dubai-bound flight

Former Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom yesterday met President Maithripala Sirisena while he was on his way to Rome on board a Dubai-bound flight.

Strike will not affect O/L exams: EC

Trade Union action scheduled to be launched tomorrow will not postpone ongoing GCE O/L exams Examinations Commissioner General Jayantha Pushpakumara said today.

Top UN official encouraged by SL progress on human rights

UN Special Rapporteur on extra judicial, summary or arbitrary executions Christof Heyns said he was encouraged by the Sri Lankan government's progress on human rights and that he was hoping to visit the country as it has become more ‘receptive’ to working with the world body, Economic Times Reported today.

Pervert secretly videotaped women bathing

Police are investigating an incident where a youth allegedly hid a mobile phone in the bathroom of a women’s hostel to secretly record its inhabitants in Watupitiwala.

Forty nine stranded migrant workers return

Forty nine Sri Lankan migrant workers stranded in Saudi Arabia and Qatar were brought back this morning by the Foreign Employment Bureau.

Nalaka Godahewa re-remanded

Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, former Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) who was arrested in connection with an alleged fraud at the SEC in 2013, was further remanded till December 23 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage.