Category: Local News

AG orders for arrest of Swiss Embassy staffer

Swiss Embassy local staffer, Garnier Banister Francis, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on the instructions of the Attorney General a short while ago.



Tax on wheat flour reduced from Rs. 36 to Rs. 8

The government has removed the consolidated tax of Rs.36 per kilogram of imported wheat flour and replaced it with the Special Commodity Levy of Rs.8 per kilogram.



Swiss embassy staffer appears before CID again

Swiss Embassy local staffer-Garnier Banister Francis appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) once again this morning to give a statement.



New National Policy Framework published

The Government’s new National Policy Framework titled ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ has been released to the public.



Minister Johnston sees rip-off in scanning containers

Minister of Roads and Highways and Minister of Ports & Shipping, Johnston Fernando yesterday urged the ports officials to scan containers efficiently so that the would not no delays.



Changes to powers and functions of UNP leadership: Ranil asks Marapana to provide details

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed Thilak Marapana to immediately inform him of all necessary changes that need to be made in connection with the powers and functions pertaining to the Party leadership.



Two “White Van” Suspects questioned by CID: ‘Offered Rs.3 million to make-up story’

The two persons who had made controversial statements about the “white van” incidents during a media briefing prior to the Presidential election have allegedly told the CID that they had done so after they were promised Rs.3 million, according Police sources.



EU funds seven projects in Sri Lanka with four million Euro

The European Union (EU) Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives has launched seven new projects to support human rights and civil society in Sri Lanka.These seven projects are funded under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and the Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities (CSO/LA) thematic instrument, the EU said in a statement.



Finance Ministry bans recruitment of minor staff, no jobs for supporters

The Finance Ministry has banned all ministers from recruiting minor staff for their ministries and departments under them – a practice which has helped them to provide jobs for their supporters.



No decision to sign MCC, SOFA, ACSA agreements

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Supreme Court that so far, the government has not taken any decision to sign the controversial Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact, Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and, Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA).



Two ‘White van drivers’ arrested

The CID has arrested the two persons who spoke at the ‘white van’ press conference that was organised by Dr Rajith Senaratne prior to the presidential election, last night, police said.



CEB records Rs. 80 billion loss in 2019 – Amaraweera

Minister of Power Mahinda Amaraweera says the loss incurred by the Ceylon Electricity Board in 2019 is Rs. 80 billion.



Court issues travel ban on Patali Champika

Court has issued an overseas travel ban on Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka & his driver over the case against them regarding a motor accident in 2016.



Government to allocate Rs. 2 million each to villages

The government has decided to allocate Rs.2 million to all villages to encourage speedy development in the country.



Z-Score system to be changed

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to introduce a new school-based scientific method to select students to state universities instead of the current district-based Z-Score system, Education, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.



AIADMK has betrayed Sri Lankan Tamils: DMK chief

Minutes after the AIADMK voted in support of the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in India’s Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, the DMK slammed the ruling party of Tamil Nadu.