Ravi K justifies cash withdrawal tax

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said today the budget proposal to impose a levy on cash withdrawals was meant to encourage the use of bank drafts and cheques for the transferring of cash.

Faulty part caused 2014 AirAsia crash; investigators

A fault with the rudder control system and crew actions were today blamed for the AirAsia jet crash that killed all 162 people on board in the Java Sea last year, Daily Mail reported today.

India offers more military aid to Sri Lanka

India on Monday has offered to provide technical assistance to the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) for “upgrading” its military requirements, the Hindu reported.

Severe weather warning

The Meteorology Department today said heavy rains and strong winds would occur due to an atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka.

Dambulla fixing; mystery deepens

Daily Mirror has obtained an exclusive copy of a letter which was written by Sri Lanka Cricket’s then security consultant Major General Lawrence Fernando to the manager of the visiting Indian cricket team in 2010 which claims that not only had one player entertained a female guest for an entire night in his room, but another player had also entertained a male guest in his room for a night while staying at a hotel in Dambulla.

Rs. 125mn bribe: Customs officers released on bail

The three Customs officers who were in remand custody over soliciting a bribe of Rs. 125 million, were released by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today.

17 including two foreigners injured in accident

At least 17 passengers including two foreign women were injured when a private bus skidded off the road and plunged 80 feet down a precipice at Aruppala in Kandy last night.

'Kotadeniyawa OIC, 4 others guilty of illegal detention'

A special team comprising high ranking police officers has found that five police officers including the Kotadeniyawa OIC and the Crimes OIC were responsible for the alleged illegal detention of a teenage student and a father of one over the killing of five-year old Seya sadevmi.

Special Excise Unit robs Rs.2.5mn from suspect?

Controversy surrounds a shocking incident relating to the Colombo Excise Department where members of its special branch had allegedly assaulted and threatened a businessman in Mannar at gunpoint and robbed his cash amounting to Rs.2.5 million, informed sources disclosed.

CID to check tax reports of Udayanthi

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya yesterday permitted the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to examine income tax reports of 20 persons including tele drama actress Udayanthi Kulatunga, who had been allegedly paid by drug kingpin Gampola Vidanage Samantha Kumara alias ‘Wele Suda.’

President tells developed nations to be thoughtful

While claiming that as a developing country and a tropical island nation, Sri Lanka is highly exposed to the impact of climate change, President Maithripala Sirisena emphasized the need to have deep cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions by developed countries considering the historical responsibility.

Bar surprised over HC Judge’s charge

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) the pioneering body comprising all lawyers in the country expressed its surprise over the incident where the Galle High Court Judge had filed a case against former Solicitor General and President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne after his phone started ringing inside the court house.

Will not compromise national security: President

President Maithripala Sirisena assured that he would not take any decision under any circumstances that would compromise the national security when he met the Sri Lankan community in France today.

Case filed after phone rings in Court

A court case was filed today against former solicitor general and President’s Counsel (PC) Rienzie Arsecularatne whose mobile phone had reportedly rung insidethe Galle High Court while a case was in progress.

Bribery case: Counsel wants N’pita Police OIC arrested

Bribery Commission officials today told the Magistrate they were awaiting the Commission's advice on arresting the Narahenpita Police OIC when the Crimes OIC's lawyer told Court that the OIC should also be arrested.

Seminars, tuition targeting O/L banned from Dec. 02

Conducting of tuition classes, seminars and workshops targeting the coming G.C.E Ordinary Level has been prohibited with effect from December 02 midnight till December 17, Examination Department announced.

PHU condemns SIU probe on alleged fraud

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya today condemned the manner in which the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) was investigating the fraud alleged to have been committed by PHU General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila.

Bandula raps withdrawal tax

UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardane today criticised the budget proposal to impose charges on cash withdrawals by bank customers. The government through in the 2016 budget has proposed to impose charges on cash withdrawals which exceed Rs.1 million.

Maritime, aviation key aspects to economy: Defence Sec.

Sri Lanka’s maritime and aviation aspects had become key pillars of economic development due to the peaceful environment after the conflict, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said today.

IOM praises SL for creating better environment for migrants

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has commended the leadership that Sri Lanka has provided for the Colombo Process (CP) - the Regional Consultative Process on the management of overseas employment and contractual labour for countries of origins in Asia.

Two bodies found in Beira Lake, Nawala Canal

The bodies of two males had been found in two separate places in Colombo- one in the Beira Lake and the other in a canal by the Open University in Nawala- this morning, Police said.

Asylum seeker on Nauru jailed after attemping suicide

Refugee advocates are concerned for a Sri Lankan asylum seeker on Nauru who has been jailed after he attempted to commit suicide at the detention centre there.

Jewellery worth Rs.3.5m stolen from Sanoja's car

Jewellery worth Rs.3.5 million belonging to film and teledrama actress Sanoja Bibile had been stolen last evening from her car, police said.

Land clearing in North snd East still continuing

At least 17 reserved forests in five districts in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces are being cleared with the initiative of several Muslim ministers representing the receptive areas, an environmental lobby group charged.

UNFGG proposes special grant as sop to purchase vehicles

The United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) parliamentary group which met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Bentota today had come up with a proposal to provide a special grant to public servants to purchase vehicles.

MS invites IOM to host a global consultation in SL

President Maithripala Sirisena has invited the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to host a global consultation in Sri Lanka, on the lessons learnt in advancing the health of migrants, Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva said in a statement.

Northern PC members claim a security withdrawal

Personal security officers providing security to three Northern provincial councillors including the Opposition Leader have been withdrawn without an earlier notice, Northern Provincial Councillor Anandi Sashidaran claimed today.

Indian Army Chief arrives in SL

Indian Army chief General Dalbir Singh arrived in Sri Lanka a short while ago.

Foot-board travel on long distance trains banned

Long distance train passengers will be banned from travelling on foot-board with effect from December 01 as a preventive measure of possible accidents, Railway Department said today.

Canada lauds delisting some Diaspora groups

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that delisting of some Diaspora groups was a good sign and it gives the correct signal that the government wants to build a new era based on friendship and goodwill.