Budget aims at a liberal outward-oriented economy

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera today presented the 2019 Budget aimed at ‘growth powered by private enterprise’ and is determined ‘to pursue a liberal outward-oriented economy.’

Scrap PC system if polls further delayed: EC

It is advisable to scrap the entire Provincial Council (PC) system if the government is not willing to conduct elections forthwith, Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday.

I don’t have a single white van: Gota

Former Defence Secretary and Eliya Organisation head Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that he doesn’t own a single white van as claimed by opposing factions.

I am not worthy of Nobel Peace Prize: PM Khan

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, responding to calls by his supporters on social media and in his government to award him a Nobel Peace Prize for ’’de-escalating tensions’’ with India, tweeted on Monday: ’’I am not worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize.’’

Budget 2019 to promote open market policies, liberalisation: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday that the government’s maiden budget for 2019 is to be presented in parliament tomorrow (5) and will further open market policies and liberalisation

UNP backbenchers to vote against President’s expenditure head

UNP backbenchers are planning to vote against the expenditure head of President Maithripala Sirisena when it is taken up at the coming budget, UNP MP Mujibur Rahaman said.

Sri Lanka regains ICC Status

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) regained its ICC Status, after nine months of being relegated to observer status, SLC President Shammi Silva tweeted.

Lalkantha remanded

JVP Politbureau member K.D. Lalkantha, who was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of liquor, was remanded till March 14 today.

Lalkantha arrested for drunk driving

JVP politbureau member K.D. Lalkantha was arrested this afternoon on charges of driving under the influence of liquor after his vehicle had met with an accident injuring two women in Anuradhapura, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Portuguese couple slammed for hanging out of moving train in SL

A Portuguese travelling couple has defended themselves after they were slammed for hanging out of a moving train in Sri Lanka just so they could capture the perfect picture for Instagram, Daily Mail reported.

Amal Perera, son, others remanded for one month in Dubai

Singer Amal Perera, his son and others who were under Dubai Police custody, have been ordered to be remanded for one month after they were produced to before the Dubai Court today, Sri Lankan Counsel Shabdika Wellappili said.

An American among 102 applied for hangman's post

A total of 102 applicants, including an American citizen, had applied for the position of hangman, the Prisons Department said.

Almost had Obama here in 2016: Mangala

The Government of Sri Lanka almost pulled off the impossible by having President Barack Obama in Sri Lanka in 2016, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Tuesday.

SriLankan flights to Karachi and Lahore cancelled

SriLankan Airlines cancelled its flights to the Pakistani cities of Karachi and Lahore scheduled for Thursday (28) following the temporary closure of Pakistani airspace by the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan.

Ensure stability of entire region: SL tells India, Pakistan

India and Pakistan should act in a manner that ensures the security, peace and stability of the entire region, the Government of Sri Lanka said today.

Sri Lanka asks IMF for 1-yr loan extension

Sri Lanka has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to extend a $1.5 billion loan by another year and relax its tight spending targets ahead of key elections, two government sources close to the negotiations told Reuters on Tuesday.

PCoI told ex-CEO took over pricing of tickets

In 2007 former Mihin Lanka CEO Sajin Vass Gunawardena had informed the then Commercial Division’s head Sugathadasa Rajapakse that he, the CEO, would decide on the prices of air tickets and this had led to his resignation from Mihin Lanka, it was revealed at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on SriLankan, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka today.

Sanath Jayasuriya banned from all cricket for 2 years

Former Sri Lanka Cricket Chair of Selectors, Sanath Jayasuriya has been banned from all cricket for two years after admitting breaching two counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, the ICC said in a statement today.

Even a woman politico into drugs: Ranjan

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said today a women politician was also among the politicians using cocaine.

Tamil community want SL-born Harrow Mayor to resign

Campaigners have called on the Mayor of Harrow, Kareema Marikar, to resign after she was pictured with senior military figures during a visit to Sri Lanka, Harrow Times reported on Monday.

Military, LTTE personnel accused of war crimes: Cabinet memo submitted seeking amnesty

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said he submitted a Cabinet memorandum asking for general amnesty to all those who are accused of war crimes – both from the armed forces and the LTTE.

Karannagoda files FR against arrest

Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda today filed a fundamental rights (FR) petition in the Supreme Court (SC) seeking an interim order preventing him from being arrested in connection with the investigations into the abduction and killing of 11 youths in 2008-2009.

Eight including CMC Councillor, MP’s son arrested

Eight individuals, including Colombo Municipal Councillor Duminda Sudammika Attygalle and the son of MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage, were arrested by the police in connection with the hit-and-run accident on Sunday morning at Bambalapitiya in which Borella Traffic Police OIC Inspector Sagara Sarathchandra sustained injuries.

Prez extends gratitude to PNB, STF for seizing largest ever heroin haul

President Maithripala Sirisena today extended his gratitude to the officials of the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) and the Special Task Force (STF) for seizing the largest ever heroin haul in Sri Lanka.

Largest ever heroin haul worth Rs. 3.5 billion seized

A mammoth heroin haul weighing 294.4 kilogrammes valued at more than Rs. 3,533 million, the largest heroin detection ever made in Sri Lanka, was seized by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) and the Special Task Force (STF) officials this morning.

Rathgama businessmen killed, bodies burnt: police

The two businessmen who were reported to have gone missing from Boossa in Rathgama have been killed at Akmeemana and their bodies burnt at the Kanumuldeniya-Megdagamgoda Forest Reserve in Walasmulla, the police revealed today.

Olympic Committee suspends India from hosting events

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has suspended all Indian applications to host future events and urged international sports federations not to stage competitions in the country after two Pakistanis were denied visas to compete in New Delhi, Reuters said.

Delay in PC polls: EC says Legislature, SC should address concerns

It is up to the legislature and the Supreme Court (SC) to sort out the imbroglio over the delay in conducting Provincial Council (PC) polls, Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said. He said the Elections Commission could not take a decision on under what electoral law the PC polls

Parliament to get sophisticated elevators

Steps have been taken to replace elevators in parliament with sophisticated ones following the recommendations of the committee appointed to look into the malfunctioning of an elevator recently, deputy speaker Ananda Kumarasiri informed parliament today.

SLC election to go ahead after parties agreed on a settlement

Sri Lanka Cricket election will be held tomorrow as scheduled after all parties came to an amicable settlement before the Court of Appeal. Accordingly, Mohan de Silva and Ravin Wickremaratne were allowed to contest for posts despite being disqualified by the Appeal’s Advisory Committee.