Russian plane crash leaves 27 dead

An IL-18 aeroplane belonging to the Russian defence ministry has crashed in Yakutia in Siberia with at least 27 fatalities, local media report.



Illegal pills on their way to Sri Lanka seized in India

Ramanathapuram Town police in India have seized about 123,000 tablets, mostly pain killers and pregnancy termination tablets, and arrested a person



Undeclared monies in foreign banks can be brought home

The Government will allow Sri Lankans holding undeclared funds in foreign banks to transfer them to Colombo, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday.



10 dead following an accident in Jaffna

At least 10 persons were killed and several others wounded following an accident involving a van and a bus in Chavakachcheri, Jaffna.



Higher tax on cigarettes yields desired results: CTC admits fag price hike hurts, won’t give money to President’s Fund

Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) yesterday said it wouldn’t provide funds to the government outside the current tax regime under any circumstances.



Malaysia to explore new investment opportunities in Sri Lanka

Malaysia is ready to explore new investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said.



Vaiko urges India to stop Sri Lanka from amending maritime law

MDMK chief Vaiko on Thursday urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use diplomatic channels to ensure the Sri Lankan government does not add tough penal provisions to a 1979 law that could affect the lives of Tamil fishermen crossing maritime borders.



Fifty investment projects to enter Lanka in January: Enabling environment to attract more FDIs into country

Sri Lanka can expect large-scale investments across various sectors next year and around 50 investment projects will come Sri Lanka’s in January, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said.



China Merchant Company will absorb H’tota workers: PM

The China Merchant Company will absorb all workers of the Hambantota Port after the take over on January 7 next year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.



Navy used to sabotage a strike for the first time – Mahinda

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the recent incident at the Hambantota Port can be seen as the first instance of the navy being used to sabotage a strike action.



Arjuna issues ultimatum to strikers: Report today or lose jobs

Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunge yesterday set an ultimatum to the employees who are carrying out a protest at the Hambantota port to report to work by 2.00 p.m today (Thursday) or be treated as having vacated their posts.



Future generation to equip with professional & technical knowledge – President

President Maithripala Sirisena said the Government is taking steps to provide ample resources and the requisite guidance in building the future generation of our country as human resources equipped with high professional and technical knowledge.



IFJ demands action against Sri Lanka Navy chief

The International Federation of Journalists today demanded “immediate action” against Sri Lankan Navy chief who allegedly assaulted a journalist who was covering a strike by port workers in the country’s southern Hambantota port.



Navy assists the routine work of the Port of Hambantota

Naval personnel on Tuesday (13th Dec.) rendered assistance to load 1,086 cars and jeeps onboard a South Korean Vehicles Carrier, ‘Glovis Phoenix’, which arrived at the outer harbor of Hambantota on 11th December.



Laws needed to regulate social media: PM

The government is keeping a close watch on the activities of certain websites in social media, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.



President to sign MoUs during Malaysian visit

President Mathripala Sirisena who is scheduled to visit Malaysia from December 15 to 17 is scheduled to sign several bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian government.