Category: Local News

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera will today present the Government’s Budget for 2019 under the theme ‘Empowering the People, Nurturing the Poor,’ which will set critical policies and priorities for an election year.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in conversation with Treasury Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga while putting the final touches to the Budget – 2019 at the Minister’s “Rainbow End” private residence at Gorakana- Panadura yesterday. Minister Mangala Samaraweera will present the Budget – 2019 at 1.30 pm on Tuesday in Parliament.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Anuradhapura sacred city yesterday morning (03).

President Maithripala Sirisena has stressed the need for the establishment of a special court to hear cases related to drug crimes and plans to discuss this matter at the next Cabinet meeting.

A delegation consisting of representatives of at least four Tamil political parties is scheduled to head for Geneva to lobby the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for an international mechanism to speed up investigations into alleged human rights violations and accountability issues.

Sanka Shirantha alias Bloemandhal Sanka, a notorious criminal and 2 others have been arrested from Rameshwaram – Tamilnadu – India.

President Maithripala Sirisena has failed to secure crucial support of the breakaway faction of his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) dimming prospects of a snap presidential election, according to seniors on both sides.

Opposition MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday charged that the much-touted ‘Suraksha Insurance Scheme’ launched for 4.5 million students has defrauded Rs.2,300 million in 2018 and as such it was proper for President Maithripala Sirisena to suspend the insurance scheme.

Joint Opposition member Gamini Lokuge, MP said, yesterday, that State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake’s allegations that some MPs were addicted to cocaine was a stage-managed act to distract public attention from the bond scams and other such issues.

Leader of the House, Public Enterprise and Kandy Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella says, “some of our people criticised the President publicly and later begged for his forgiveness.”

JVP Politbureau member K.D. Lal Kantha has been arrested for drunk driving and causing a motor accident today (01).

Venerable Uduwe Dhammaloka thera has been acquitted of all charges related to the case filed against the possession of an elephant calf without a valid license.

The Colombo Magistrate directed the Police to request Interpol assistance to arrest the five main suspects involved in the largest heroin haul valued at more than Rs. 3,533 million which was seized last Sunday (24).

The International Monetary Fund has agreed to extend Sri Lanka’s $1.5 billion loan program by one year and has reached staff level agreement to disburse the sixth tranche of the loan, government and diplomatic sources told Reuters on Friday.

The group which includes underworld gang leader Maakandurey Madhush, vocalist Amal Perera and his son Nadeemaal, who were arrested by Dubai police are to be detained for another month.

President Maithripala Sirisena said that the government would facilitate multi-national companies such as Maersk A/S to expand container transshipment through the Port of Colombo as that would be of immense help to Sri Lankan economy.