India, Sri Lanka mull resumption of ferry services

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today discussed with her Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera, the possibility of resuming ferry services between the two countries.

Video: PM Ranil justifies shooting of Indian fishermen by SL Navy

The Sri Lankan navy is only acting as per law when it fires at Indian fishermen entering Lankan waters and therefore they should keep away, said Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramesinghe in an interview to a Tamil news channel.

Legal elephant owners to get licenses, microchip

Sports and Tourism Ministry has requested the CID to check the validity of the licences issued to those who were rearing elephants on a private basis and to submit a report on this matter

Six SL fishermen arrested

The Indian Coast Guard has detained six Sri Lankan fishermen on the charge of poaching into Indian waters, 128 nautical miles off Nagapattinam coast yesterday.

Constitutional reforms ready by next week

The draft bill, providing for constitutional amendments, will be ready next week to be presented in Parliament, informed sources said yesterday.

US and India want Port City project stopped - Wimal

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa claimed yesterday that it was the US and the India that wanted to stop the Port City project and that the present government was attempting to do it.

MS leaves for London

President Maithripala Sirisena will leave on a five-day state visit to London this morning.

MR sends message to Kandy rally

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa sent a message to be read at the Kandy rally held today urging that Mr. Rajapaksa be fielded as the UPFA prime ministerial candidate.

Sushma arrives in SL

Dr. Nonis appointed Presidential Advisor

Former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Chris Nonis has been appointed as the Presidential Advisor on international affairs, the president’s media division said. 

Sushma arrives

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Sri Lanka on official visit a short while ago.

Student protest outside Education Ministry

Reginold summoned to BC

The Bribery Commission (BC) had summoned UPFA Kalutara District MP Reginold Cooray to record a statement this afternoon.

Medicinal drugs bill passed

The National Medicinal Drugs Regulatory Authority Bill which provides for the implementation of a medicinal drugs policy was today passed in Parliament with amendments.

Yoshitha transferred to Navy Headquarters

Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who was earlier assigned to the security detail of his father, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been transferred to the Navy Headquarters from Monday(9), the Navy said.

Johnston summoned to Bribery Commission

UPFA MP and former internal trade and co-operatives minister Johnston Fernando was summoned to the Bribery Commission a short while ago to make a statement on his assets and liabilities.   

True SLFP with me: MR

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said today the true Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was with him and that he was the one who protected its policies.

SL keen on Indian investment: Mahendran

Signalling potentially closer economic ties with India, Sri Lanka has invited several top Indian companies to invest in major projects in the island, particularly for collaborations in the manufacturing sector.

Prasanna in Australia: unable to attend Kandy meeting

The Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga had suddenly left for Australia on Wednesday night.

Two Dummalasuriya cops interdicted over suspect’s death

A sergeant and a constable, attached to the Dummalasuriya Police, were interdicted on charges connected to the death of a suspect while in police custody, police said today.

Harrison Ford injured in plane crash

Film star Harrison Ford was injured on Thursday when the "Star Wars" actor crashed his vintage plane on a Los Angeles golf course shortly after taking off from a nearby airport, his publicist said.

Ensure past failures aren't repeated – UN HR chief

UN Human Rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein has called upon the government of Sri Lanka to ensure that failures of the past are not repeated

Govt. to issue statement on controversial CB bonds

The Economic Affairs and Policy Planning Ministry will issue a statement today regarding a controversial bond issue of the Central Bank.

China hopes SL will resolve Port City project

Concerned over Sri Lanka's decision to temporarily suspend the controversial USD 1.5 billion Chinese port city project in Colombo, a wary China today hoped the country's new government would properly resolve the issue keeping in mind the bilateral friendly relations.

Meetiyagoda double murder: OIC interdicted

Meetiyagoda Police OIC has been interdicted following investigations into the killingof a couple in Meetiyagoda on Sunday (1).

Video: Allowance for pregnant mothers from March 21

The proposed provision of nutritional food worth Rs. 20,000 for expectant mothers will be provided under the maternal health programme from this month, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Karunaratne out of World Cup with broken finger

Sri Lanka batsman Dimuth Karunaratne has been ruled out of the World Cup after a fracturing the little finger on his left hand at practice in Sydney.

Video: Ex-ministers yet to return 300 vehicles

Ministers of the previous government are yet to return some 300 vehicles used by them, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today.

No presidential residence in KKS: MR

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that no presidential residence was being built in Kankesanthurai for his exclusive use as reported in the media.

Video: General Elections under new electoral system: Rajitha

The government today announced that the next general elections would be held under a new electoral system- a mix of the First Past the Post System and the Proportional Representation - replacing the current preferential vote based electoral system.