VAT increases on alcohol has no effect on consumption – Fitch

Fitch Ratings believes firm demand will absorb higher prices caused by the introduction of value added tax (VAT). The government introduced VAT of 15% on alcoholic beverage manufacturers on November 1, 2016.



Massive Divulapitiya Sand Scam stopped

Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) officials have ordered D.W.L. Appuhamy, the father of MP Indika Anuruddha, to stop soil mining in Ihala Madampella, Divulapitiya



Australia name experimental T20 squad for Sri Lanka series

Australia named uncapped batsman Michael Klinger and bowlers Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner and Billy Stanlake in their Twenty20 squad on Wednesday for their series against Sri Lanka this month.



Trump fires Sally Yates after acting attorney general contradicted travel ban

Donald Trump has fired the acting US attorney general after she told justice department lawyers not to defend his executive order banning entry for people from seven Muslim-majority countries.



SAITM medical degree is lawful – Appellate Court

The South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) is legally eligible to issue medical degrees to the students, the Court of Appeal has ruled on Tuesday.



Presence of Chinese submarines in Sri Lanka purely for economic reasons: Navy chief

Sri Lankan Navy chief Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has assured India that the presence of Chinese nuclear submarines in his country was “purely economic reasons” even as India’s views the development with suspicion.



Regaining GSP Plus, a boost to econmoy : PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that regaining the GSP Plus tariff concession will help boost the country’s economy in a significant manner.



Tax burden to ease once economy improves – Ravi

Tax will be reduced to give relief to the people in the near future once the economy gains momentum through the current strategies, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said.



Discussions are underway to develop Trinco Harbor – PM

Government has planned to develop Trincomalee harbor and discussions are being held with the governments of Japan and India, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.



President summons Ranjan, Divulapitiya DS

Social Empowerment and Welfare Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake and the Divulapitiya Divisional Secretary have been summoned to the Presidential Secretariat today



‘In terms of skills, Pakistan lags behind Sri Lanka and Bangladesh’s garment industries’

In terms of skill base in the garment industry Pakistan lags behind Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Firoz Rasul, the president of the Aga Khan University, said on Saturday.



Dy Minister Thewarapperuma breaks a leg chasing cattle thieves

Internal Affairs and Wayamba Development Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma in a daring chase which broke one of his legs nabbed two cattle rustlers and saved the lives of six oxen stolen from a dairy farm at Yatadola in Matugama on Saturday night.



Colombo city to become best urban centre in Indian Ocean :PM

Colombo city will be developed to the best urban centre in the Indian Ocean within the next decade, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.



Argument breaks out over SAITM

A dispute over the SAITM medical college erupted in Parliament yesterday, with the Opposition questioning the legitimacy of the institution while the government stated that it would ensure that no laws were broken.



Forest density to be increased within next four years – President

President Maithripala Sirisena says his plan as the Minister of Environment is to increase the forest density from the current 27-28% to 32% within next four years.



Proposal for national policy on education presented to President

The proposal for the national policy on general education which includes the proposals on the reforms in the education sector of the country was presented to President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday (Jan. 26) at the President’s Official Residence.