Software engineer arrested for possession of drugs worth Rs. 7 million

The Special Operation Bureau under the Department of Excise arrested an individual yesterday (16) for the possession of illegal drugs worth approximately Rs. 7 million.



GMOA puts Government in the dock in SAITM case

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday urged the Government to make the Supreme Court aware of its stance on the Malabe South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM), without further delay.



Hong Kong rejects asylum for refugees who sheltered Snowden

Hong Kong authorities have rejected asylum requests from a group of refugees who sheltered Edward Snowden four years ago, in what their lawyer said is retaliation for helping the former NSA contractor.



SriLankan Airlines’ search for a new partner turns desperate

Sri Lankan officials are getting increasingly desperate to find a private-sector partner to share the burden of rehabilitating flag carrier SriLankan Airlines.



Government well within borrowing limits – Ravi Karunanayake

The Government was well within borrowing limits in 2016 and about 22% of the approved borrowings were not utilized, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday.



Ending white van culture earned GSP + for Sri Lanka: Eran

Sri Lanka secured the GSP Plus trade concession to boost its exports to the European Union member states because the country ended its white-van culture, Deputy Enterprise Minister Eran Wickramaratne said.



Technical glitch stops one of Narendra Modi’s choppers in Sri Lanka

A helicopter, which was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s entourage on his two-day Sri Lanka visit, remains grounded in Kandy after it developed a technical problem, officials said today.



Indian 1990 ambulance service

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said that the 1990 emergency ambulance service, provided by his Government and which is currently operating in the Western and Southern Provinces will be expanded throughout the entire country.



China defends military ties with Sri Lanka after submarine visit blocked

China defended its military relationship with Sri Lanka as good for regional peace and stability after Sri Lanka rejected a request from China to dock one of its submarines in Colombo this month.



PM Narendra Modi in Sri Lanka on two-day trip, visits oldest Buddhist temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Colombo on a two-day visit aimed at reinforcing the traditional connect between India and Sri Lanka at a time when China seeks to make inroads into the island nation.



Sri Lanka rejects Chinese request for submarine visit: sources

Sri Lanka has rejected China’s request to dock one of its submarines in Colombo this month, two senior government officials said on Thursday as the Indian prime minister landed in the island nation.



DMK “demands” PM Modi to talk on fisherman issue in Sri Lanka

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi departs today to attend the International Vesak Day celebrations in Sri Lanka as the chief guest, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has requested him to talk on fisherman issue during his visit.



Wasp nests removed in Sri Lanka ahead of Indian PM visit

Sri Lankan authorities have removed thousands of wasps from a tea growing region ahead of a visit this week by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.



China to build Colombo CBD under ‘Belt and Road Initiative’

China is building a new city along Colombo’s coastline that will become the city’s central business district by 2030, creating 80,000 jobs for Sri Lankans, under the mainland’s “Belt and Road Initiative”.



Prime Minister’s Vesak Message

The thrice blessed day of Wesak dawns with spiritual significance for all Buddhists; in observing Wesak, we find the time to engage in activities of piety and sharing of alms with those in need.



President’s Vesak Message

The year 2561 B.C. dawns, marking the commencement of the golden era in the Buddhist history of Sri Lanka. I believe it is an incomparable prestige that our Motherland, as a place where the Buddha visited on three occasions, receives the opportunity to hold the United Nations International Vesak Festival.