Government to ban batik, handloom imports to help local industry

State Minister of Batik, Handloom Fabric and Local Apparel Products Dayasiri Jayasekera yesterday said the Government plans to ban the import of printed batik cloth rolls and handloom textiles to support the local industry.



Rs. 3.4 billion bill for New Diamond oil spill

Attorney General Dappula de Livera has submitted documents related to the marine pollution claim for Rs.3.423 Billion (19.022 Million USD) to the lawyers of the owners of the crude oil tanker ‘MT New Diamond’ vessel in respect of the oil spill.



Reveal companies that sell toxic food – SJB

The government should immediately publish a list of food items that contain carcinogens, national organiser of the SJB, MP Tissa Attanayake says.



Mrs. World Caroline Jurie says ready to hand over her crown

Mrs. World Caroline Jurie, today said she was ready to hand over her crown stating that she stood by her values even if she has to stand alone.



April 12 declared a special government holiday

The 12th of April (Monday) has been declared a special government holiday, says the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration.



Ajith Mannaperuma sworn in as Member of Parliament

Former State Minister Ajith Mannapperuma was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena this morning (April 09) to fill the vacancy left by Ranjan Ramanayake a short while ago.



LTTE uniform incident: Jaffna Mayor arrested

The Mayor of Jaffna Visvalingam Manivannan was arrested this morning by the Jaffna police for allowing five men to wear uniforms similar to the de facto LTTE policemen, the Police said.



India, Sri Lanka agree to jointly work against terror groups, fugitives

India and Sri Lanka on Thursday agreed to work jointly against terrorist groups and fugitives wherever they are present and active, and emphasised on sharing real time intelligence.



Bowsers seized at Dankotuwa: Aflatoxin Found in Oil Samples – Customs

The tests conducted on the samples obtained from two bowsers containing coconut oil, which were recently seized from Dankotuwa area by the Police, had indicated the presence of Aflatoxin



National health system with equal benefits for everyone and every area – President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that a robust national health system would be implemented to benefit all people irrespective of their social status and to cover all parts of the country.



Sri Lanka Cricket appoints new Selection Committee

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday (08) announced the appointment of a new Selection Committee chaired by former Sri Lankan cricketer Pramodya Wickramasinghe.



Sri Lankan Rupee further depreciates against US Dollar

The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated to the lowest value against the US dollar in history today (08).



Reigning Mrs World released on bail over incident at Sri Lanka pageant

Reigning Mrs World Caroline Jurie was released on bail after being arrested earlier on Thursday after a fracas at the Mrs Sri Lanka pageant over the weekend, a police spokesman said.



Parliament heated over Ranjan Ramanayake

Parliament proceedings were adjourned for five minutes this morning after a tense situation broke out over Ranjan Ramanayake’s seat in Parliament.



Two arrested for propagating extremism to students after O/L exam

Two persons have been arrested for propagating extremism to students after G.C.E Ordinary Level examination, says the Police Spokesman.



Man arrested for operating bank account with Rs. 136 million sent by ‘Darme’

A 27-year-old man has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on charges of Money Laundering after Rs. 136 million was deposited in the suspect’s favour by underworld figure Dharmasiri Perera alias Dharme, who operates his criminal activities from Dubai.