UN Secretary-General António Guterres yesterday called on all political actors in Sri Lanka to seize the opportunity of the appointment of the new Cabinet to resolve outstanding political differences.

Fuel prices would be reduced with effect from midnight today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe announced in parliament a short while ago.

The Vote on Account to cover the expenditures of the first four months of 2019 was presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera today.

UPFA MP Roshan Ranasinghe yesterday said they have only applied for the membership of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) but they have not yet received the membership.

A fight broke out in Ukrainian Parliament after a bill was passed demanding that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church explicitly indicate its link to the Moscow Patriarchate in its name, the Independent reported this morning.

SriLankan Airlines management had assigned former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) S. A. Chandrasekara to formulate two business plans in 2008 and 2010 but none of the recommendations made through the business plans had been implemented, former CFO S. A

Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardene said yesterday that a dispute arose as to how Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, as a retired military officer, could work with President Maithripala Sirisena as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

Japan, as a long-standing friend, has said, it welcomes the recent development towards political stability in Sri Lanka including the appointment of the new Cabinet through due process in accordance with the law.

A 32-year-old man was arrested by the STF while transporting 153 kilogrammes of Kerala ganja worth Rs.23 million on a motorcycle in Kilinochchi this evening, police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

The hydrographic survey ship “Jamuna’ of the Indian Navy arrived at the Colombo harbour today to undertake hydrographic surveys in Sri Lankan waters, the Navy said.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna, today, remanded the OIC of the Police Field Force Headquarters until 2 January, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs.50,000 to provide a recommendation letter to reinstate an Inspector of Police who had been

Three Russian Naval ships; Varyag, Admiral Panteleev and Boris Butoma arrived at the Colombo Port today on a four-day goodwill visit, the Navy said.

UPFA MP Ranjith Zoysa and three others were remanded till January 1 in connection with an assault on a person on December 16 in Godakawela, police said.

Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesting university students outside the Colombo Fort, police said.

Heavy traffic was reported in and around Colombo Fort and Technical Junction due to a protest march carried out by the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF), police said.

Fuel prices are to be reviewed tomorrow by comparing prices in the world market, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have decided to retain the Law and Order ministry under the defense ministry, Government sources said.

The Vote on Account to cover the expenditures of the first four months of 2019 will be presented in Parliament tomorrow, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today.

The new Cabinet of Ministers took their oaths before President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s office this morning.

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam was sworn in as Minister of Education while P. Harrison as Minister of Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Livestock Development, Irrigation and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development.

Daya Gamage was sworn in as Minister of Labour, Trade Union Relations, and Social Empowerment while Mano Ganesan was sworn in as Minister of National Integration, Official Languages, Social Progress and Hindu Religious Affairs.

Kabir  Hashim was sworn in as Minister of Highways, Road Development and Petroleum Resources Development while Ranjith Maddumabandara as Public Administration & Disaster Management.

Mangala Samaraweera was sworn in as Minister of Finance and Mass Media and Thalatha Athukorala was sworn in as Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms.

Rishad Bathiudeen was sworn in as Minister of Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons and Co-operative Development while John Amaratunga was sworn in as the Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious

Rajitha Senaratne was sworn in as the Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine while Ravi Karunanayake was sworn in as the Minister of Power, Energy and Enterprise Development before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Sec

Patali Champika Ranawaka was sworn in as Minister of Megapolis and Western Development while Navin Dissanayake was sworn in as Minister of Plantation Industries.

Rauff Hakeem was sworn in as the Minister of City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education while Thilak Marapana was sworn in as the Minister of Foreign Affairs before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ag

Gayantha Karunatilake was sworn in as Minister of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms while Arjuna Ranatunga was sworn in as Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.

Harin Fernando was sworn in as the Minister of Telecommunications, Digital Infrastructure, Foreign Employment & Sports before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago.

Gamini Jayawickrama Perera was sworn in as the Minister of Buddhasasana & Wayamba Development while Lakshman Kiriella was sworn in as the Minister of Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage & Kandy Development, before President Maithripala Sirise