Category: Local News

Sarath Fonseka to be bestowed with Field Marshal Title

The Government has decided to award the Field Marshal title to former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka for the yeoman service rendered by him, achieving the victory over terrorism.



Ravi reveals shocking ethanol import figures

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament yesterday that there were four sitting MPs who had been involved in ethanol business under the previous regime.



Sri Lanka says Rajapaksa officials stashed over $2 billion in Dubai

Sri Lankan investigators have located more than $2 billion that was secretly transferred to accounts in Dubai by figures close to the administration of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, the government said on Thursday.



Sri Lanka plans to lift ‘terrorist’ ban on Tamil groups

Sri Lanka’s new government has announced plans to remove 16 groups and hundreds of Tamils from a list of “foreign terrorists” as part of reconciliation with its largest ethnic minority.



EU delegation to arrive in Sri Lanka to discuss GSP plus

A high-level delegation from the EU will arrive in Sri Lanka next week to hold discussions with the Sri Lankan government on the GSP plus trade concessions which has been withdrawn from Sri Lanka during the previous regime, the Sri Lankan government said on Wednesday.



Unity Plaza on fire

A sudden fire has erupted in Unity Plaza shopping complex in Bambalapitiya this morning.



Executive presidency must be abolished

President Maithripala Sirisena has reiretated his commitment to abolishing the executive presidential system. This assurance was given at his first meeting with editors of national newspapers at the President’s House on Wednesday.



Madras HC confirms conviction for attempting to smuggle heroin to Sri Lanka

The Madras High Court Bench here has confirmed the conviction and 12 years of rigorous imprisonment imposed on four individuals for attempting to smuggle 17.384 kg of heroin to Sri Lanka through Pudumadam seashore near Uchipuli in Ramanathapuram district.



President Sirisena allows singing of Lankan national anthem in Tamil

In a major reconciliatory move, Sri Lankan President Mathripala Sirisena will be sending a circular to all institutions saying that there is no bar on singing the Lankan national anthem in Tamil, the New Indian Express said on Wednesday (18).



Arjuna joins SLFP

Democratic National Alliance (DNA) MP Arjuna Ranatunga says that he has accepted the membership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).



Voters need one year to study new electoral system – Polls Chief

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya informed party leaders yesterday it was not consistent with democracy to introduce a new electoral system and then conduct an election under it immediately afterwards.



President tells MR: Allow me to conduct affairs of SLFP

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday told his predecessor, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to let him conduct the affairs of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), as its Chairman, without any interference.



State Minister Rajiva Wijesinha joins the opposition

Former State Minister Rajiva Wijesinha on Tuesday (17) defected and sat in the opposition side of the Parliament citing several issues including the 19th amendment and removal of the Chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC).



FIB grills ex-Economic Development secretary

The former Secretary of the Economic Development Ministry Dr Y.D. Nihal Jayathilaka and former Director of People’s Leasing & Finance Mr P. Kudabalage are being questioned by the Fraud Investigations Bureau (FIB).



Gazette on 19th Amendment published – Govt Printer

The Gazette notification on the 19th Amendment to the Constitution has been published and public are allowed to submit their concern within two weeks, the Government Information Department said.



President instructs cancellation of 349 liquor licenses

President Maithripala Sirisena has ordered the Excise Commissioner to cancel with immediate effect the liquor licenses issued to 349 liquor shops/bars for running them illegally, violating the rules and regulations of the Excise Act.