Category: Local News

Forces, integral part of country’s development – President

Today our tri-forces are not just engaged in national security but they are also an integral part of our development and social activities, President Maithripala Sirisena said addressing the eighth National Ranaviru (War Heroes) commemoration yesterday.



Sri Lanka to study debt levels among N-E Tamils

Sri Lanka’s central bank will study the growing indebtedness in Tamil-majority north and east, its Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said.



Sri Lanka to demolish 10,000 buildings after collapse

Sri Lanka said on Friday it will demolish an estimated 10,000 illegally built homes and offices in Colombo, a day after a seven-storey wedding hall collapsed, killing one and wounding 23.



Building collapse in Wellawatta: search operations in progress

The search operation for the victims of the building collapse in Wellawatta is still ongoing, Police say.



Nation pays tribute to war dead

The National War Heroes Day marking the eighth anniversary of the end of the country’s 30-year civil war will be held at the War Heroes Memorial near the Parliament Grounds, graced by President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening.



Eight remanded after student protest

Eight people including a Buddhist Monk who behaved in an unlawful manner during yesterday’s Inter University Students’ Federation(IUSF) protest at Town Hall were arrested, the Police said.



China hopes Sri Lanka fosters good atmosphere for projects

China hopes that Sri Lanka can create a good legal, security and public opinion environment for its investment projects in the Indian Ocean country, Premier Li Keqiang told his visiting Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe.



India, Sri Lanka likely to finalise ETCA by year end

India and Sri Lanka are expected to finalise the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) agreement by this year’s end with some headway being made during negotiations.



Sri Lanka PM courts increased infrastructure investment from China: Xinhua

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday that he welcomed increased Chinese investment in Sri Lanka’s major infrastructure projects, Chinese state media said.



Sri Lanka regains EU trade concession it lost over rights concerns

Sri Lanka has regained a lucrative EU trade concession it lost over concerns about human rights, mainly benefiting its garments export industry, but it will be subject to vigorous monitoring, the European Union said on Tuesday.



Software engineer arrested for possession of drugs worth Rs. 7 million

The Special Operation Bureau under the Department of Excise arrested an individual yesterday (16) for the possession of illegal drugs worth approximately Rs. 7 million.



GMOA puts Government in the dock in SAITM case

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday urged the Government to make the Supreme Court aware of its stance on the Malabe South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM), without further delay.



Hong Kong rejects asylum for refugees who sheltered Snowden

Hong Kong authorities have rejected asylum requests from a group of refugees who sheltered Edward Snowden four years ago, in what their lawyer said is retaliation for helping the former NSA contractor.



SriLankan Airlines’ search for a new partner turns desperate

Sri Lankan officials are getting increasingly desperate to find a private-sector partner to share the burden of rehabilitating flag carrier SriLankan Airlines.



Government well within borrowing limits – Ravi Karunanayake

The Government was well within borrowing limits in 2016 and about 22% of the approved borrowings were not utilized, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday.



Ending white van culture earned GSP + for Sri Lanka: Eran

Sri Lanka secured the GSP Plus trade concession to boost its exports to the European Union member states because the country ended its white-van culture, Deputy Enterprise Minister Eran Wickramaratne said.