Sri Lanka has reversed a decision to award a $300-million housing deal to China in favour of a joint venture with an Indian company, the government said, ahead of a visit by the prime minister to its South Asian neighbour.

Ports and Shipping Minister and SLFP spokesman Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday alleged a deliberate attempt by a member or some members of the Cabinet to cause unprecedented rift between President Maithripala Sirisena and India.

Sri Lanka’s much-talked about Fuel Pricing Formula was revealed in detail to the media by Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera, at a press conference in Colombo today (18).

UNP Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar claims the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has split into several factions.

Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama today said the Board of Directors of the Board of Investment (BOI) comprised of highly respected professionals, who functioned with utmost responsibility and Integrity.

Mawanella SLFP Organizer Imitiaz Cader had been arrested by the STF this morning with three weapons including a MP5K weapon used only for VIP protection in Sri Lanka, a T-56 rifle, a repeater and rounds of ammunition, STF sources said.

The Boards of Directors of the People’s Bank, Bank of Ceylon (BOC) and Board of Investment (BoI) have been dissolved by President Maithripala Sirisena with effect from last night.

President Maithripala Sirisena and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation last evening (Oct 17).

NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday called PM Narendra Modi to deny reports that he had accused India’s external intelligence agency RAW of plotting to assassinate him and a former defence secretary.

Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara has recommended the National Police Commission (NPC) to suspend DIG Nalaka Silva, based on the ongoing investigation into the alleged plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Former Minister and UPFA MP Johnston Fernando and two other defendants who were remanded for the misuse of Sathosa material were acquitted and released by the Kurunegala High Court.

Hours after President Maithripala Sirisena met and donated Rs.1 million to the family members of Police sergeant Sanath Gunawardena who was suspended following his violent behavior with a T-56 in the Thebuwana area on October 3, he has been reinstated by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara last evening.

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had a heated argument, at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, over the East Terminal of the Colombo port to India, according to well informed sources.

The Chairman of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), K.A. Ansar said a Cabinet Subcommittee has been appointed to introduce a tariff for the units of water used by consumers, as water bills have not been amended since 2012.