Sri Lanka’s new government Thursday announced hefty taxes on top companies in a bid to raise revenue, accusing the previous regime of fudging the figures and leaving the economy in a “sad state”.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament yesterday that the need to remove Mohan Peiris from the post of Chief Justice did not arise as he was not duly appointed. The Prime Minister said he would make a full statement in this connection in Parliament today.

Salaries of Government servant will be increased by Rs.10,000. Rs.5000 will be given in February while the balance will be given in June.

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s sons Yoshitha and Rohitha are to be removed from the captaincy of the Rugby teams of the Navy and Army respectively, on the instructions of a highly placed official, informed sources said yesterday.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his son MP Namal Rajapaksa should take legal action if they can prove that they are being wrongfully accused of corruption, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Western Provincial Councillor, Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Entitlement to wearing of all decorations of General Sarath Fonseka, former Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, has been restored, following the full Presidential amnesty granted by President Maithripala Sirisena.

The Government has removed all obstacles for Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayaka to hold her position as the 43rd Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, Bar Association President Upul Jayasuriya said. She has assumed duites and will retire from her post tomorrow, Jayasuriya added.

The UK Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire is paying a second visit to Sri Lanka from 28-30 January, shortly after the formation of a new government, the UK High Commission in Colombo said in a release today.

Peshala Jayaratne was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the North Central Province before the North Central Provincial Governor P.B. Dissanayaka, a short-while ago.

A group of 157 Sri Lankan asylum seekers were legally detained at sea by Australian authorities last year, the High Court finds.

The President of the United States, Barack Obama, notes that there is new hope for democracy in Sri Lanka and that India can help countries like Sri Lanka forge a better future.

The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) yesterday requested Chief Justice (CJ) Mohan Peiris to step down from his post with dignity.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday alleged that a concerted effort was being made to tarnish his image and that of his family as well as the previous UPFA government.

Police have obtained a court order to investigate financial accounts of Colombo District Parliamentarian Duminda Silva.

Bus fares will be reduced by 8-10% from February 1, the Minister of Internal Transport Ranjith Maddumabandara announced a short while ago. Maddumabandara added that the minimum fare has been reduced from Rs. 9 to Rs. 8.