Plane crashes in Cuba killing more than 100, investigation underway

More than 100 people were killed when a Boeing 737 crashed soon after taking off from Havana in what appeared to be Cuba’s worst air disaster in nearly 30 years, and there were only three survivors, officials and state media said on Friday.



Historic ‘Aaloka Pooja’ at Kelaniya Sets to Kindle 28,619 Lamps for Commemoration of Fallen War Heroes

Parallel arrangements have been finalized by the Army with the cooperation of sister services, Police and Civil Security Department to commemorate all fallen War Heroes who laid their precious lives against LTTE terrorism in a fitting mega ‘Aaloka Pooja’ (lighting) ceremony at Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya on Saturday (19) evening to coincide with the main ceremony on National War Heroes’ Day (May 19) at Battaramulla.



Country in a debt trap due to flaws of Rajapaksa regime – PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that the country was trapped in a vicious cycle of debt due to flaws in the economic management and policies of the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa regime.



Man fined Rs.10,120 for not paying 30-rupee parking fee

A man who failed to pay a parking fee of Rs. 30 at a parking slot in Wellawatte, has been fined Rs. 10,120 after a lapse of 13 days.



Lankan Airlines passengers to arrive the airport 3 hours early

SriLankan Airlines wish to inform all passengers, to arrive at the airport three hours prior to the departure time effective today, 17th May 2018, 12.00pm onwards until further notice.



Bus owners get fare hike, call off strike

The All Ceylon Private Bus Association yesterday announced that it had called off the bus strike which was scheduled to commence today as the Transport Ministry had agreed to a 12.5 percent bus fare increase and a minimum fare of Rs.12. The bus operators demanded a 15 percent increase and a Rs.15 minimum fare.



Sri Lanka aims to control drought, floods through Chinese technology

Sri Lanka is looking at the possibility of controlling droughts and floods through the use of Chinese technology, local media quoting Minister of Primary Industries and Social Welfare Daya Gamage said on Wednesday.



Iran agrees to build new refinery for Sri Lanka -govt spokesman

Iran has agreed to build a new oil refinery for Sri Lanka in addition to upgrading its ageing 50,000 barrel per day (bpd) state-owned refinery, Sri Lankan cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said on Wednesday.



Prices of goods and services are rising due to fuel price hike – Mahinda Rajapaksa

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has made a press release on recent fuel price hike by stating “Following the recent increase in fuel prices, transport costs and the prices of goods and services have started rising.”



Keith Noyahr saved because of my intervention: Karu

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday that senior journalist Keith Noyahr’s life was saved because of his intervention when Keith was abducted and he is prepared any moment to give a statement on this incident.



Anuruddha Polgampola arrested by CID

Former State Timber Corporation (STC) Chairman Anuruddha Polgampola was arrested last night by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Police said.



JVP comes out blazing against government

The JVP yesterday called on people to take to the streets against the exploitation by the government of the masses to cover the cost of its extravagance and frauds.



‘Sri Lanka is the only country that has eradicated terrorism’

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake took over as the 22nd Commander of the Sri Lankan Army in June 2017. The conduct of the army in the past, during the island’s civil war that it ended by defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009, and its contentious presence and role in the country’s Tamil-majority north and east since then continue to dominate the discourse around post-war resettlement and reconciliation.



Cabinet approves 6.56% hike in bus fares

The Cabinet approval was granted today to increase bus fares by 6.56 per cent with effect from tomorrow.



Country recorded highest FDI, exports in 2017 – PM

Sri Lanka recorded its highest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of USD 1900 million in 2017, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday.



World Bank withdraws US$ 200M waste projects due to corruption

The World Bank (WB) last month withdrew US$ 200 million in funds, which were earmarked for a garbage disposal project and Kelani River Flood Protection work, alleging corrupt practice in the awarding of contracts, reliable sources told this reporter recently.