The legislation which makes it compulsory to carry pictorial warnings covering 80 per cent of cigarette packs was unanimously passed in Parliament Friday.

Current Chief of Staff of the Army Major General Krishantha de Silva has been appointed as the 21st Commander of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Arjuna Ranatunga today expressed dismay at the delay in punishing of corrupt officials charged with misconduct under the previous regime.

Two individuals were drown when their boat capsized in Buduruwagala reservoir yesterday (19) after-noon. Police said that these two individuals were brothers and residents of Koslanda on an excursion with some others.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Sri Lanka between March 13 and 15, Cabinet spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said.

Charges of corruption had been levelled against 61 politicians, including members of Parliament and ministers, Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Dilrukshi Wickremasinghe, said yesterday (19).

Sri Lanka is in talks with Pakistan to explore cooperation on nuclear energy, Power Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said, days after India and the island nation reached a civil nuclear agreement in New Delhi. The Sri Lankan government has readied a memorandum of understanding to be signed with Pakistan to improve “technical capacities and human capacities.”

The Sri Lankan rupee edged down on Thursday, after ending flat for seven straight sessions as the central bank allowed the local currency to depreciate by 10 cents amid downward pressure due to tepid dollar demand from importers, dealers said.

The election of Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) renegade Maithripala Sirisena as the 6th Executive President of the Sri Lanka and the formation of a government under the moderate Political leader, Ranil Wickramasinghe of the United National Party (UNP) as the 17th Prime Minister augers well for the country

Newly appointed national organizer of the SLFP Susil Premajayantha who assumed duties in his post today said the SLFP will not remain in the Opposition following the forthcoming General Election.

Four Sri Lankan nationals have been returned home after being intercepted by an Australian border protection vessel off the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

The Colombo High Court today granted permission to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to interrogate notorious drug baron Samantha Kumara alias ‘Wele Suda’ under detention orders till March 23.

A Supreme Court bench presided over by Chief Justice K. Sripavan yesterday issued notice on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa returnable on March 31.

Sri Lanka’s prime minister said on Wednesday a $1.5 billion luxury real estate deal with China was signed without cabinet approval and without following procedures, and launched a new investigation to uncover any corruption.

Former minister and UPFA Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa was permitted to not attend Parliament for the next three months.

Remanded UNP parliamentarian Palitha Thewarapperuma was released on bail by the Matugama Magistrate’s Court today.