State Minister of Batik, Handloom Fabric and Local Apparel Products Dayasiri Jayasekera yesterday said the Government plans to ban the import of printed batik cloth rolls and handloom textiles to support the local industry.

Attorney General Dappula de Livera has submitted documents related to the marine pollution claim for Rs.3.423 Billion (19.022 Million USD) to the lawyers of the owners of the crude oil tanker ‘MT New Diamond’ vessel in respect of the oil spill.

The government should immediately publish a list of food items that contain carcinogens, national organiser of the SJB, MP Tissa Attanayake says.

Mrs. World Caroline Jurie, today said she was ready to hand over her crown stating that she stood by her values even if she has to stand alone.

The 12th of April (Monday) has been declared a special government holiday, says the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration.

Former State Minister Ajith Mannapperuma was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena this morning (April 09) to fill the vacancy left by Ranjan Ramanayake a short while ago.

The Mayor of Jaffna Visvalingam Manivannan was arrested this morning by the Jaffna police for allowing five men to wear uniforms similar to the de facto LTTE policemen, the Police said.

India and Sri Lanka on Thursday agreed to work jointly against terrorist groups and fugitives wherever they are present and active, and emphasised on sharing real time intelligence.

The tests conducted on the samples obtained from two bowsers containing coconut oil, which were recently seized from Dankotuwa area by the Police, had indicated the presence of Aflatoxin

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that a robust national health system would be implemented to benefit all people irrespective of their social status and to cover all parts of the country.

The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated to the lowest value against the US dollar in history today (08).

Reigning Mrs World Caroline Jurie was released on bail after being arrested earlier on Thursday after a fracas at the Mrs Sri Lanka pageant over the weekend, a police spokesman said.

Parliament proceedings were adjourned for five minutes this morning after a tense situation broke out over Ranjan Ramanayake’s seat in Parliament.

Two persons have been arrested for propagating extremism to students after G.C.E Ordinary Level examination, says the Police Spokesman.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on charges of Money Laundering after Rs. 136 million was deposited in the suspect’s favour by underworld figure Dharmasiri Perera alias Dharme, who operates his criminal activities from Dubai.

Measures will be taken to uplift local oil production and the coconut industry, minimizing the expenses for imports of palm oil, Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said in Parliament yesterday (07).