Category: Local News

Doctors to launch 24-hour countrywide strike today

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) will begin a 24-hour token strike island-wide over several demands from 8 this morning.



We are a sovereign country – MP Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday (21) told Parliament that the USA has no power to order Sri Lanka as to who the Commander of the Tri-Forces should be or should not be.



National carrier has become a drain on economy – COPE

SriLankan had become a drain on the economy, and the situation had been exacerbated by compensation paid for terminating an airbus deal, Parliament was told, yesterday.



Cabinet approval to amend Muslim Marriage & Divorce Act

The joint proposal tabled by Minister of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Abdul Haleem and Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms Thalatha Atukorale to amend the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act has received the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers.



The UNP lacks discipline – Arjuna

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Arjuna Ranathunga speaking with journalists after the conclusion of a media briefing held at Temple Trees said that it was his view that the UNP lacked discipline.



Sri Lanka rejects criticism of army chief’s appointment

Sri Lanka’s government on Tuesday hit out at foreign criticism of its appointment of a general accused of war abuses as the new army commander.



Government policies helped increase per capita income – PM

Sri Lanka’s per capital income had increased by between 50% and 100% due to the right economic policies of the government, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said, at meetig in Mawathagama.



Shavendra Silva’s appointment as Army Commander ‘deeply troubling’ – UN human rights chief

The appointment of Sri Lankan Lieutenant-General Shavendra Silva as Commander of the country’s army is deeply troubling, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said in a statement released on Monday, adding that the military leader had been given the role despite “serious allegations of gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law against him and his troops during the war”.



Special Forces soldier dies in parachute training

An Army Special Forces soldier who had been on parachute training at the Uhana Air Force Base in Ampara has died of a sudden fall, the Army said.



“UNP will name candidate after Election is called” – Ranjan

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake says the United National Party will name its candidate after a Presidential Election is called.



No discussions on the candidate at the UNP group meeting

Non – cabinet Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva says that the Prime Minister said that he would discuss tomorrow with party seniors regarding the request 55 UNP MPs had made.



TNA unhappy with Lieutenant General Shavendra as Army Commander

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday expressed its disapproval of the appointment of Lt. General Shavendra Silva as the new Army Commander.



Ravi asks for Rs. 50 billion to settle CEB debts

Power, Energy and Business Development Ministry has requested Rs. 50 billion from the Treasury to settle a part of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) debt, a top official said.



Sri Lanka names war veteran as army chief, U.S. critical of decision

Sri Lanka’s President on Monday named war veteran Shavendra Silva as its army chief, drawing sharp criticism from the United States over the appointment of an officer who has been accused of human rights violations.



Government medical officers to launch a strike

Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) announces that a strike will be launched island wide on the 22nd based one several demands.



Two more JMI members arrested in Ampara

Two more members of the banned organization, Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI), had allegedly undergone weapons training from the terrorist leader Zahran Hashim have been arrested by police.