Presenting Virusara Privilege cards

Plans to disconnect traffic lights from main grid

We are contemplating whether to disconnect traffic lights from the national grid and connect them to an independent source to prevent traffic congestion that occur during a power failures similar to what happened last Thursday, Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Stopping Port City Project has affected credit rating: Gammanpila

The Government move to halt the Port City Project funded by the Chinese Government which is considered the fastest growing economy in Asia has resulted in downgrading Sri Lanka's sovereign credit rating to ‘B+’ from ‘BB-’ by Fitch Ratings, opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila claimed today.

H.W. Gunadasa appointed PRECIFAC Secretary

H.W. Gunadasa has been appointed as secretary to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) today, Presidential Media Unit said.

Joint Opp. to complain to Police Commission on Rajitha

The joint opposition said today it would complain to the Police Commission tomorrow against the then fisheries minister Rajitha Senaratne based on several charges including that of handing over of the Modera Fisheries Harbour to a private company without Cabinet approval.

PRECIFAC Secretary Lacille removed

Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) Secretary Lacille De Silva has been removed from the post with immediate effect, sources said.  

UNP attempting to destroy SLFP: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today UNP was attempting to destroy the SLFP completely and that President Maithripala Sirisena as the SLFP chairman had not acted to look after the party rank and file, uphold party policies and protect the identity of the SLFP as expected.

Indian ambulance service to commence mid 2016: Harsha

The Indian aided ambulance service would be commenced from mid this year, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Harsha de Silva today said. 

Kumar Gunaratnam re-remanded

Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Politburo member Kumar Gunaratnam was further remanded till March 14 by the Kegalle Magistrate’s Court today.

Protest at Homagama Court; six monks released on bail

Six monks and five civilians who were arrested on charges of contempt of court and obstructing police officers at Homagama Magistrate’s Court premises on January 26, were released on bail today.

FR petition against arrest of Yoshitha

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed at the Supreme Court today on behalf of Yoshitha Rajapaksa and three others against their arrest and being kept in remand custody.

Return remaining lands swiftly-US to SL

While expressing support to Sri Lanka in fully implementing the commitments as agreed in the Human Rights Council resolution, the US has urged the Sri Lankan government to return remaining lands to rightful owners swiftly.

Singapore to help SL in restructuring its foreign ministry

Singapore will provide help to Sri Lanka as its government undergoes restructuring, said Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday (Feb 29).

Commodity tax on potatoes, big onions increased by Rs. 20 per kilo

Special commodity tax on imported potatoes and big onions had been increased by Rs.20 per kilo with effect from today, the Finance Ministry said.

Two attempt self-immolation during demo against SL

High drama was witnessed during protest by state’s fishermen pressing a-three-point-charter of demands against the Sri Lankan government on Monday at Nungambakkam after two participants attempted self-immolation.

Joint Opp. won't form new party-Vasu

Parliamentarian Vasudewa Nanayakkara said that after the announcement of the forthcoming local government elections, the joint opposition would contest the election under a symbol belonging to one of the six parties in the joint opposition.

Kiriella’s letter to Uni; Ministry justifies

The Higher Education and Highways Ministry yesterday justified Minister Lakshman Kiriella’s letter to the Kelaniya University requesting to appoint an individual as a Temporary Lecturer.

Kiriella should resign: FUTA

Former Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasri yesterday said the Minister of Higher Education and Highways, Lakshman Kiriella should resign as he had no right to influence the appointment of a university lecturer.

Courts issues stern warning to Hirunika

The three-member trial-at-bar bench hearing the case involving the Bharatha Lakshman killing, today issued a stern warning to parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra over her irresponsible conduct in courts, saying she would be charged for contempt of court if she tarnished the dignity of the court.

Strange animal species found in Sinharaja

A new animal species was discovered in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve this evening by Wildlife officials, the Sustainable Development and Wildlife Ministry said.

Ball of snot dripping during live telecast

As the race for the presidential nominations hots up, reporters are also having to up their game. It means they have to ignore distractions and anything that could put them off on live TV.

Norochcholai back to normal: Siyambalapitiya

The Norochcholai coal power plant would supply its full electricity capacity of 900 MW to the national grid from today, Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

CV asks Indian help for federal solution

India might ‘intervene’ again in Sri Lanka to help the Tamil minority and provide a federal solution to the ethnic reconciliation problem, a media report quoted Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran as saying.

Four children killed in accident

Three boys and a girl aged between 6 and 19 years were killed when the three-wheeler they were travelling in collided head-on with a tipper truck at Welmilla in Bandaragama this evening, Police said.

Dual citizenship for 2,500 applicants on Mar.15

The Immigration and Emigration Department said today that dual citizenship certificates will be issued to 2,500 Sri Lankans living abroad by Internal Affairs Minister S.B. Navinne at a ceremony at the BMICH on March 15.  

Dawood calls for lasting solution for adversity faced by Muslims

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Chairman Basheer Segu Dawood said today that Muslim political leaders should provide a permanent and a lasting solution for the discrimination and adversity faced by the community.

DiCaprio finally wins best actor Oscar

Leonardo DiCaprio has finally won his first Oscar for survival epic The Revenant, after six nominations, the BBC reported today.

Import levy on potatoes, big onions increased

President Maithripala Sirisena had instructed relevant authorities to increase the import levy on potatoes and big onions with effect from midnight today, the President’s Media Division said.  

MS reduces price of fertilizer to farmers

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed to limit the price of a 50 Kg pack of fertilizer given to farmers to Rs.2, 500, the presidential media announced today.

Fire on mountain at Udawalawe

A fire broke out at the Komarika Kanda in Udawalawe this morning, Police said. They said no casualties were reported and cause of the fire was being probed.