Rice imports to end, Finance Ministry officials inform COPF

Rice importation is no longer necessary as adequate stocks are expected from the Maha harvest which is shortly due, officials of Finance Ministry had informed Committee on Public Finance (COPF), a statement from Parliament communication unit said yesterday.

Madiwela parliamentarians’ housing complex: Assess rent value, demands SLPP executive committee member

General Secretary of the Professionals’ Alliance for the Protection of Rights of the Public Ravindra Jayasinghe who is also a executive committee member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna said the monthly rent payable for the parliamentarians’ official residences in Madiwela should also be re-assessed under the government policy.

Colonial Governor Gregory forewent Galle residence for N’Eliya President’s House- his great, great granddaughter

British Governor of Ceylon (1871- 1875) Sir William Gregory’s great, great granddaughter Belenda Hund who was in Sri Lanka with her husband on a visit said she was pleased to see the President’s House in Nuwara-Eliya built by her great, great grandfather.

Don’t panic over foggy conditions, advices medical specialist

In light of the foggy conditions prevailing in many parts of the country, Consultant Respiratory Physician Dr. Neranjan Dissanayake urged the public not to panic, noting that such phenomena is not abnormal and usually transient.

Police horseman loses control of his steed during Independance day rehearsals

A horse from the Sri Lanka Police Mounted division turns in the opposite direction during rehearsals of the February 4 Independence Day celebration.

Current policy rate sufficient to bring inflation back to 5% target: CBSL

In line with widespread expectations, the Central Bank kept its Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) — its new key policy rate — at 8.00 percent at its first policy meeting of the year.

SL defends legality of operations amid India protest

While defending the legality of the Sri Lanka Navy’s conduct amid strong protests with Sri Lanka over an incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) Sampath Thuyacontha said that Sri Lanka will continue to search vessels entering its waters, regardless of their country of origin, in accordance with legal protocols to prevent illegal activities.

323 containers did not belong to WP Governor Hanif Yusoof: SL Customs

The Sri Lanka Customs today denied allegations that the recently released 323 containers belonged to Expolanka Holdings Limited, which is headed by Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof.

WP Governor denies knowledge on container clearance

Western Province Governor Hanif Yusuf today denied any knowledge of 323 containers which were said to have been cleared from the Port without subjecting them to inspection.

Johann Peries - first Sri Lankan to summit tallest mountain in Antarctica

Johann Peries summits the tallest mountain in Antarctica - Mount Vinson - at 4,892 metres, to become the first Sri Lankan to achieve the feat, sources said.

AG files criminal proceedings against Namal over Krrish deal

The Attorney General has filed criminal proceedings in the High Court against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa in connection with the alleged misappropriation of Rs.70 million belonging to the Krrish company.

Justice will prevail: Namal

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has expressed confidence in the judiciary following the Attorney General’s decision to file an indictment against him in connection with the Krrish Company case. Taking to X, Rajapaksa claimed the indictment is part of a political witch hunt by the current government, targeting the Rajapaksa family.

No order to kill it, only to hand it over to goat owner – Mediation Board

In response to reports about a goat-eating dog being killed by hanging, the Justice Ministry said that the Mediation Board did not issue an order to that effect, but facilitated the mutually agreeable solution, which involved handing over the dog to the goat owner after its owner refused responsibility.

Curtailment of former Presidents’ benefits Constitutional bar strikes Government

A constitutional bar stands in the way of the government’s move to prune perks and benefits of former Presidents as observed by the committee appointed to look into it, an informed source said.

Dog executioner netted, remanded till February 3

The woman arrested on suspicion of strangling a dog to death was produced before the Mankulam Magistrate and remanded till February 3.

Yoshitha’s case; Why action is taken after eight years? Asks Magistrate

While ordering the release of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on bail in connection with a money laundering case involving a 31.5-perch property with a house valued at Rs. 34 million in Ratmalana, Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake observed that there was insufficient evidence before the court to justify refusing bail for the suspect.

Gazette issued to resume vehicle imports

An extraordinary gazette notification was issued regarding the import of vehicles yesterday by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, exercising the powers granted to him as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.

Bribery Commission files three corruption cases against Piyankara Jayaratne

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption said it has filed three cases against former Civil Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne. The cases were filed at the Colombo High Court on January 8. One of the charges accuses the former minister of causing a loss of Rs. 128,520 to the Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority by having 3,000 Vesak greeting cards printed at the Authority’s expense.

Former Presidents’ pensions cannot be touched under Constitution, Gammanpila argues

In the wake of debate on the proposed curtailment of perks and privileges of former Heads of State, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila added to further controversy in this regard when he said their pensions could not be reduced or scrapped according to the Constitution and universal legal principles.

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s body should be preserved after death; Former Dy. Speaker

Former Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe has called for the preservation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s body for public display after his demise.

Third-party pulls and pressures should not deter Indo-Lanka ties: Acting Indian High Commissioner

While stressing that both India and Sri Lanka are civilisational partners, sharing history, language, religion and ethos while stories of both countries have intertwined and futures are interlinked, Acting High Commissioner of India Dr. Satyanjal Pandey said the relationship of the two nations should not be unencumbered by third-party pulls and pressures.

Police save 21 year old girl from the clutches of abductors in Hali-ela

A group of young men including a garment employee who abducted a 21 year old young woman attending the nurses training course at the Hali-ela Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau Branch were arrested and the young woman was saved by Hali-ela police yesterday.

To resolve a conflict between two group: Mediation Board says hang a dog and send a photo

The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) yesterday claimed that a mediation board in Oddusuddan in Mullaitivu District has issued a verdict to hang a dog which had bit a goat, in order to resolve a conflict between two groups of people.

Jumbo sprint prompt pandemonium in Thanamalwila

Pandemonium broke loose when a wild elephant roamed into Thanamalwila - Kiwl Ara main road and ran along the road yesterday morning. Villagers said a herd of wild elephants raided the villages and ruined cultivated land and that a rogue elephant that roamed into the village at night started to run along the road.

US $ 9 million paid monthly for three years for three aircraft grounded

Authorities at SriLankan Airlines had paid US $ 9 million (Rs.2.6 billion ) a month for three years as lease for three aircraft despite them being grounded due to lack of engine spare parts, a minister said.

Ella Odyssey ticket fraud: Trishaw driver arrested for selling Rs. 4,000 worth ticket at Rs. 28,000

A trishaw driver who sold two tickets valued at Rs. 4,000 for the Ella Odyssey Express from Kandy to a female tourist for Rs. 28,000 was arrested yesterday by Kandy Division Crime Investigation Unit.

Despite assurances by ministers no paddy purchases are made by PMB

Despite government ministers giving assurances that the government would thwart future rice shortages by creating buffer stocks by Paddy Marketing Board (PMB), no such purchasing has been commenced by the PMB in Dimbulagala Mahaweli Zone where the harvesting season has commenced.

RW’s adviser Rajith Keerthi sends letter of demand to Minister Vidyaratne

Adviser to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that former Governor of the Southern Province Keerthi Thennekoon has sent in a letter of demand to Minister of Plantations Samantha Vidyaratne asking him to pay Rs 100 million as damages for the alleged defamatory statements the latter had made.

Yoshitha housed in a general ward in Welikada Prison

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was arrested on Saturday by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 5 of 2006 has been remanded in a general ward in the Welikada Prison, according to Prisons Spokesman, Prisons Commissioner Gamini B. Dissanayake.

Police clarify why Yoshitha Rajapaksa wasn’t handcuffed

In response to criticism regarding why former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa was not handcuffed during his arrest, the police clarified that it is not necessary to handcuff every suspect who is arrested.