Regulation banning Al-Qaida in Parliament

The Government today presented the regulation under the United Nations Act to locally ratify the ban on Al- Qaida or Taliban as a global terrorist outfit.

SLFP to support mini-budget

The main opposition, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said today it would support the interim budget presented by the new government with a host of measures to give relief to the people.

Two groups of students of J’Pura Uni clash

At least seven students were injured in a clash that erupted between two groups at the Sri Jayewardenepura University this evening, the Police said.

Veteran industrialist Nihal Jinesena no more

Veteran industrialist and motor racing enthusiast Dr.Nihal Jinesena has passed away on February 2 at the age of 75.

Rs. 130 M if SL wins Cricket World Cup

The Cabinet yesterday approved a payment of Rs. 130 million as an inducement to the national cricket team in the event they won the 2015 ODI World Cup to be held in New Zealand and Australia later this month.

More taxes on CSN of Rajapaksa sons

Carlton Sports Network (CSN), a dedicated sports channel operated by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s sons, is among the companies to be levied under the Super Gain Tax introduced by the Government, Parliament was informed today.

Wele Suda not in court for security reasons: SC

Colombo High Court Judge Devika De Livera Tennakoon today directed the CID to produce heroin kingpin Samantha Kumara Vithanage alias Wele Suda in court on February 19 to face charges of money laundering.

Video: Govt. to proceed with Colombo Port City Project

The Government said today it would go ahead with the Chinese-funded Colombo Port City Project saying that the initial studies on the project including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report were found in order.

Video: Govt. called exiles back to arrest them – FSP

Charging that the government had gone back on its stance to bring back those who were politically exiled, Propaganda Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party Pubudu Jagoda yesterday said that government officials were hounding its leader Kumar Gunaratnam who had come back to engage in politics.

Policeman shot and injured in Vavuniya

A police officer attached to the Settikulama police station was injured when he was shot at while patrolling at Ulukkkulama in Vavuniya early this morning, police said.

Video: Protest against Bribery Chief

Video: Cabinet approval for National Medicinal Drugs Policy

The Cabinet on Thursday unanimously approved the long-awaited National Medicinal Drugs Policy (NMDP) or the amended Senaka Bibile Drugs Policy to be presented in parliament to regulate and reduce the prices of drugs in the country.

Protest at Defence School

Choksy no more

Former Finance Minister and constitutional lawyer President’s Counsel K.N. Choksy passed away at the age of 82.

Tissa allowed to attend Parliament

Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage today directed prison authorities to make arrangements for former minister TissaAttanayake to participate in parliamentary sessions.

KP can’t leave the country

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order directing the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to prevent Kumaran Pathmanadan alias KP from leaving the country.

Video: Protest at Defence School

A group of about 100 parents of the students of the Defence School were protesting in front of the School in Slave Island against its Principal, the Police said.

Why don’t the police arrest Wimal’s wife? - Buddhadasa

Kaduwela mayor G.H. Buddhadasa said that the law should be applied equally to all, including the wife of MP Wimal Weerawansa.

Upul Jayasuriya new BOI chairman

Top lawyer and outgoing Bar Association President Upul Jayasuriya has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Investments of Sri Lanka.

Water supply disrupted in Colombo suburbs

Water supply has been disrupted in Dehiwala, Mount Lavinia, Ratmalana, Kohuwala, Nugegoda, Wellawatta, Pamankada and Kirulapone due to an urgent repair of the main pipeline carrying water from Ambatale to Dehiwala, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said.

Ministry refutes Dy. Min. Wedaarachchi’s claims

Contradicting Fisheries State Minister Dilip Wedaarachchi’s statement on the suspension of the European Union’s ban on the export of fisheries products for six months, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Fisheries said that they had not received any such news.

557 prisoners released

Prisons Spokesman Thushara Upuldeniya said that 557 prisoners had been released island wide today on presidential pardon to mark the 67th Independence Day.

67th Independence Day

Fatal accident

Navy salute

Lot of work to be done for SL-Biswal

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal, who just concluded her two-day visit to Sri Lanka, said there was a lot of work to be done for Sri Lanka to pursue a future that is peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous.

Four killed in train-jeep collision

At least four people were killed when a jeep collided with a train travelling from Matara to Vavuniya at the Batuwatte Railway Crossing in Ragama, a short while ago.

Paris bound SriLankan flight diverted to Tehran

SriLankan Airline flight UL563 bound for Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris from Bandaranaike International airport Colombo was diverted to Tehran Khomeini International Airport, Iran for an urgent medical emergency of a passenger.

Remembering the first PM

Sisira passes away

Veteran vocalist and musician Sisira Senaratne passed away a short while ago, family sources said.