Hambantota Port deal beneficial to both parties – PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe while defending Chinese investment in the Hambantota Port yesterday said this project with 15 industries, will transform the Hambantota district.



Gas cylinder price reduced by Rs. 138

The price of a 12.5 kg domestic LP gas cylinder will be reduced by Rs 138 from midnight today (29), the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.



More and better jobs critical for Sri Lanka to reach upper-middle income status: WB

The World Bank says that despite natural disasters, Sri Lanka is reaping the benefits of improved revenue collection and managed expenditures and, has thus recorded a primary fiscal surplus for the first time in decades.



President inspects construction work of National Nephrology Hospital in Polonnaruwa

President Maithripala Sirisena made an inspection tour of the construction site of the National Nephrology Hospital in Polonnaruwa, which is a gift from China, yesterday (28).



5 dead in shooting at newspaper building in Maryland

Five people were killed Thursday in a shooting at a local newspaper building in Maryland, and several others were wounded, officials in Annapolis said. A law enforcement official tells CBS News the suspect has been identified as Jarrod Ramos, 38, of Laurel, Maryland.



Deputy Minister takes tipper driver’s side in Suriyawewa

An argument erupted between Wildlife Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma and Police Special Task Force officials at Suriyawewa after tipper drivers complained to the Deputy Minister that STF personnel in civvies are in the habit of confiscating their mobile phones.



Sri Lankan rupee eases on dollar demand from banks, importers

The Sri Lankan rupee closed marginally weaker on Thursday as dollar demand from importers and banks in late trade surpassed selling of the U.S. currency in early trade and inward remittances, dealers said.



Cabraal says New York Times article is ‘fake’ news

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, has refuted the allegations made in a recent article published by The New York Times, referring to it as ‘fake’ news which has violated the truth and a gross misrepresentation of facts.



Suspect arrested with Heroin, Ice and Hashish at BIA

A 57-year-old Sri Lankan was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning while attempting to smuggle drugs including heroin, crystal methamphetamine (ice) and hashish worth Rs.4.7 million into the country, Police said.



Udayanga would return on my request: MR

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who the government has named as a fugitive, would return to Sri Lanka in a month on my request, Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.



Sri Lankan national arrested in India, two others escape

A Sri Lankan national, was arrested at Uchipuli Valangapuri coast near Rameswaram while two others escaped into a nearby forest, Tamil Nadu police said today.



Arjuna wants probe on bookies

World Cup winning Captain and Minister Arjuna Ranatunga yesterday said that he would soon formally request Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera to examine profits made by bookies on days the national cricket team lost international matches under controversial and arguable circumstances.



How China got Sri Lanka to cough up Hambantota Port – Report

China’s acquisition of the strategic Hambantota port from Sri Lanka has given it “control of a territory” just a few 100 miles off the shores of India, highlighting its “debt trap” and ambitious use of loans to gain influence around the world, a media report has said.



Postal strike suspended

The Joint Postal Trade Unions Front (JPTUF) yesterday announced that it would together with 24 of its unions, suspend the postal strike which has lasted for the past 16 days.



Bribery case: Bail rejected for Mahanama and Dissanayaka

Colombo Chief Magistrate rejects bail application filed by President’s former Chief of Staff and former Chairman of the State Timber Corporation (STC) over the Rs 20 million bribe case.



Kusal Janith Perera injured

Sri Lankan cricketer Kusal Janith Perera was injured during the third test match against West Indies. He sustained the injury when fielding.