The Defence Ministry said that Iran had apprised Sri Lanka about training opportunities that could be offered to Sri Lankan Police and Armed Forces personnel in Iran.

Referring to the leakage, which had occurred in the main dam of the Moragahakanda reservoir, Project Engineer P.B. Wijerathna asked the general public not to panic over the situation.

The UNF parliamentary group today decided to name former Chief Government Whip Gayantha Karunatilleke as the new Chief Opposition Whip while MPs Ajith P. Perera, Ranjith Aluvihare and J. C. Alawathuwala were named as his deputies.

The government parliamentary group which met today has nominated Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardane as the Leader of the House.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Sri Jayewardenepura University, Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunga has been appointed as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

While criticizing the government move to lease a plot of three-acre land in Colombo to Singapore’s Perennial Real Estate for US$ 43 million, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said yesterday the decision should be withdrawn as it was against its mandate.

The helicopter was carrying military personnel to an event in northeastern Taiwan when it went down on a wooded mountainside.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended New Year greeting to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, a statement said.

The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) was looking at resuming international flights through the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), AASL Chairman Major General (Rtd.) G. A. Chandrasiri said.

Army Commander Shavendra Silva assumed duties as Acting Chief of Defence Staff a short while ago.

A man was shot dead by an unidentified gunman at Kandaliyadda Paluwa in Ragama last night, police said.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the grace period granted for High Commissioners and Ambassadors – who were politically-appointed during the last regime – has been extended by two weeks.

SP Jaliya Senaratne yesterday assumed duties as the new Police Media Director, the police media division said.

Instead of appointing separate chairmen for related state institutions, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided to place them under the purview of a single Head for better coordination of work and cost reduction, an official said yesterday.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will pay an official visit to China this month, his second overseas visit since assuming office in November, a government source told Daily Mirror yesterday.

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe might step down from party leadership to be succeeded by former deputy leader Sajith Premadasa, MP Ajith P. Perera said.

Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday requested all bus drivers to stop irritating music and videos from being played in passenger buses from January 15.

Retired Major General Sumedha Perera tipped to be appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) soon, after amending the CDS Act, informed sources said.

In addition to severe difficulties which are being faced by the public, they may have to face a serious fuel price hike around the month of May, former UNP Minister Vajira Abeywardena said.

The supply disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions has resulted in the wholesale and retail prices of several varieties of commonly used vegetables increasing, economic centres said.

UNF Parliamentary group will meet at 3.00 pm at Parliamentary complex tomorrow.

Attorneys representing MP Rajitha Senaratne today informed Daily Mirror that they will seek to remove the travel ban imposed on the former minister.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today said its new year resolution and ambition is to win the general election with a two thirds majority to fully capitalize on the presidential election victory.

A leakage has reportedly occurred in the main dam of the Moragahakanda reservoir, which began to appear at a point on upper part of the dam with water level of the reservoir reaching maximum capacity.

Army Commander Shavendra Silva today urged the troops to be ready to face any internal or external threats.

Former minister Rajitha Senaratne, who was receiving medical treatment at the Lanka Hospitals, has been transferred to the normal ward of the hospital this afternoon.

The air quality in the Colombo city is to remain unhealthy during night hours in next three days and thus, sensitive people are warned to be cautious of this situation, National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Senior Scientist H.D Sarath Premas

The Government suspended the import of ethanol for liquor manufacturing with immediate effect, the Ministry of Finance, economic and policy development Ministry said today.

The 96-kilometer stretch of the Southern Expressway between Matara and Hambantota will be completely opened in the first quarter of 2020, Road and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said today.

Former minister Rajitha Senaratne was still receiving medical treatment at the Lanka Hospitals by yesterday afternoon even after he was released on bail.