Presidency: Gota not finalized, Basil won’t contest: MR

A conclusive decision had not yet been taken regarding former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa contesting as a candidate at the upcoming Presidential Election, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said.



Nadeemal Perera deported to Sri Lanka

Singer Nadeemal Perera and a prison officer, who were arrested along with the drug kingpin “Makandure Madush” have been deported from Dubai and arrived in Sri Lanka.



President appoints three-member committee

With Sri Lanka imposing power cuts once again, inconveniencing the public, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday (26), appointed a three-member committee to look into the power cuts and find solutions to the on-going power crisis.



Country’s foreign debt jumps by Rs. 626 billion due to depreciation

Sri Lanka’s total foreign debt burden had increased by over Rs 626 billion due to the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar between January 2015 and November 2017, Parliament was told yesterday.



Exclusive: Tea label giants vow probe after Sri Lanka labor abuse expose

Plantations in Sri Lanka that supply tea stamped slavery-free to top global companies are under investigation by ethical label groups after an expose found illegal wage deductions that have left some workers ill and unable to afford healthcare.



Private buses in WP should be painted blue after April 1

Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority said yesterday new laws would be introduced from April 1 to make it compulsory to paint private buses in blue.



Ship with Sri Lankan crew detained in Australia

Australia’s maritime safety watchdog has detained a German-owned cargo ship on the NSW south coast while it investigates several complaints from its crew about working conditions.



Government decides not to hold Grade 5 Scholarship Exam in future

President Maithripala Sirisena says the government has decided not to hold the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination in future.



Nurses launch two-day token strike

Government nurses have launched a two-day token strike at government hospitals across the island.



Rs. 25,000 fine for seven traffic offences

The Government has identified seven traffic offences and intends to impose the Rs.25,000 fine for these offences. This is with the aim of reducing the road accidents in the country, Transport and Civil Aviation State Minister Ashok Abeysinghe said.



Sri Lanka’s drought, failure to raise power capacity force nationwide power cuts

Sri Lanka’s state-run power firm has imposed daily power cuts for the first time in more than two years as a drought has slashed hydro-power output, highlighting the government’s failure to build new power plants, officials said on Monday.



Geoffrey Aloysius and others remanded

Former Deputy Governor of Central Bank Sri Lanka P. Samarasiri, Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Chairman Geoffrey Aloysius and three directors of PTL were remanded till April 5 by Colombo Chief Magistrate.



Perpetual Treasuries Chairman Geoffrey Aloysius arrested

Geoffrey Aloysius, the Chairman of the Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department in connection with the Central bank Bond scam.



Tissa Attanayake case ends on settlement

The defence and the prosecution in the case filed against former Parliamentarian Tissa Attanayake, for forging the signatures of the then-common candidate Maithripala Sirisena and Leader of the United National Party Ranil Wickresminghe, have agreed to conclude judicial proceedings amicably.



UNP Working committee to decide the next Presidential candidate

Minister Gayantha Karunatileka says the working committee and the parliamentary group will decide on the next United National Party Presidential candidate.



Four including former CBSL Deputy Governor arrested over bond scam

Former Deputy Governor of Central Bank P. Samarasiri and three Directors of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) have been arrested over the bond scam, the police spokesperson said.