United States GSP program expires on Dec 31

The United States’ Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program expires on December 31, 2017. The United States Congress did not re-authorize GSP before adjourning for the year.



‘Pledge for Freedom’ launching ceremony under President’s patronage

President Maithripala Sirisena said he will not consider political differences or relative relationships in his journey to build a clean and pure political culture for the future of the nation.



Over Rs. 130 Million worth heroin seized this year – Minister Sagala

The Special Task Force and the Police Narcotics and Organized Crimes Division has been able to seize heroin stocks valued over Rs. 130 million this year and going by this record



Sri Lanka releases 69 Tamil Nadu fishermen

The Sri Lankan courts in Jaffna and Vavunia today ordered the release of 69 Tamil Nadu fishermen lodged in prisons there, an official said here.



2017 A/L exam: Best results in the island

The Department of Examinations says that a total of 163,104 students who sat for the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination this year have gained entrance to universities, as per the results released online last night.



To form majority in LG bodies SLFP-SLPP coalition needs 55% Susil

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will obtain 55 per cent of the votes in the coming Local Government (LG) Election and will enter into coalition to form a majority in many LG bodies, Minister Susil Premajayantha said.



Russian team to visit Sri Lanka to examine quarantine procedures after lifting tea ban

A team of technical experts from Russia will visit Sri Lanka in January to examine plant quarantine procedures in the island country, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.



Colombo could be like Delhi soon

Colombo could face air pollution issue like New Delhi soon, Central Environment Trust Director Sajeewa Chamikara said yesterday.



Cabinet approves US$ 175 Million for National Carrier

Cabinet has approved US$ 175 million to be obtained from Credit Suisse to give a much-needed lifeline to the cash-strapped, ailing national carrier SriLankan Airlines, State Minister of Public Enterprise Development, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.



Remembering lives swept away by the deadly waves in 2004

It’s been thirteen years since the tsunami wave that hit the country and left behind a trail of devastation, with thousands of lives lost in the catastrophe.



Russian watchdog to resume tea imports from Sri Lanka: RIA

MOSCOW – Russia’s agriculture safety watchdog will resume imports of tea from Sri Lanka, RIA news agency cited its head Sergey Dankvert as saying on Monday.



CHRISTMAS MESSAGES

President Maithripala Sirisena extended his warmest greetings for a happy Christmas to all Christians who are devoted heirs of this magnificent universal festivity.



India appears threatened by Chinese projects in Sri Lanka: experts

India has launched fierce attacks against Chinese commercial activities in Sri Lanka in recent weeks, and moved to secure more projects in Sri Lanka with Japan, in what appears to be desperate moves to maintain its declining influence in Sri Lanka.



India beat Sri Lanka to wrap up T20 series sweep

India completed a 3-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka on Sunday following their five-wicket victory in the final Twenty20 International at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.



Priority should be given to uplift economic standard of low-income families in 2018 development plans – President

President Maithripala Sirisena says in the year 2018, priority should be given for the projects which focused on uplifting of the economic status of underprivileged people while developing their livelihoods.



GMOA opposes ‘sale’ of SAITM medical school to SLIIT

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday said it would give the government time till next Sunday (31) to withdraw its decision to hand over the Medical Faculty of the South Asian Institute of Medicine (SAITM) to the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) and provide a justifiable solution to the medical undergraduates and graduates of SAITM.