A stock of psychedelic drugs also known as Ecstasy pills worth more than Rs.3.5 million meant for a New Year’s Eve party in Colombo was seized by Colombo Excise Station officials in Thotalanga on Friday.
Monday, December 31, 2018
Mano wants inclusion of Tamil language in signboards
Minister of National Integration, Official Languages and Social Progress Mano Ganesan requested the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka to ensure the inclusion of Tamil language in signboards erected at Chinese funded development projects. He said the signboards had been written in Chinese, English and Sinhala only.
Update: two Bangladeshis arrested with heroin worth Rs.3.3bn
Two Bangladeshi nationals were arrested with a heroin haul of 278 kilogrammes valued at Rs.3.3 billion from Dehiwala today, Police said.
Two Bangladeshis arrested with heroin worth Rs.2.4bn
Two Bangladeshi nationals were arrested with a heroin haul of 200 kilogrammes valued at Rs.2.4 billion from Dehiwala today, Police said.
Corruption in SL cricket points to underworld as well: Minister
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed us that the corruption in Sri Lankan cricket is not limited to betting centres but goes beyond to the underworld as well, Sports Minister Harin Fernando said.
TNA will gain political mileage out of its support to shaky govt: MR
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) should not be allowed to achieve through its support to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government what it could not accomplish in the three-decade long civil war, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said, warning that the country cannot be divided.
R.H.S. Samaratunge appointed Secretary to Finance Ministry
Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunge was appointed as the secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media by President Maithripala Sirisena today, President’s Media Unit said.
Bangladesh election: Sheikh Hasina wins new term as prime minister
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ruling party won Bangladesh’s election with a large majority, the country’s Election Commission said early on Monday, giving Mrs Hasina a third straight term following a vote that the opposition rejected as flawed.
Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva appointed 23rd Navy Commander
Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva has been appointed as new Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy with effect from tomorrow (January 1) by President Maitripala Sirisena.
Indian arrested with hashish at BIA
An Indian national has been arrested on possession of 1.2 kg of hashish worth Rs. 2 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) last night.
Fascinating way to welcome 2019!
A man applies colour to a haircut with the number ‘2019’, depicted to welcome the New Year at a salon in Ahmedabad, India (REUTERS)
Injured Mathews ruled out of New Zealand ODIs
Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand and is also doubtful for the subsequent two Tests against Australia due to a hamstring injury.
Collegial leadership for new UNP-led front
A collegial leadership of ten members is proposed for the new political front to be formed by the United National Party (UNP) along with the like-minded parties such as Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the Jathika Hela Urumya (JHU) and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), it is learnt.
PM did not fulfil his promises-Radhakrishnan
UNP MP V. Radhakrishnan yesterday alleged that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe did not keep his promise to appoint him as a Cabinet Minister.
Vandalizing Buddha statues in Mawanella: Ministry committee to probe
Minister of Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Sajith Premadasa has appointed a committee to investigate into the incidents of vandalizing Buddha statues in Mawanella area.
World leader of the year 2018
World leaders -- whether they come from the US, North Korea or even from Sri Lanka -- are not like us, the ordinary people. They wine and dine on the best of fare, travel in luxury and to some degree are immune from prosecution for the actions they take...
The right to slaughter whales - EDITORIAL
Five days prior to Christmas, Japan announced it was considering to resume commercial whaling. According to reports, Japan is to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and resume commercial whaling next year.
A RELIGIOUS RESPONSE TO CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN NCP
The pathetic situation of the people who are becoming victims of the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in the North Central Province has drawn the attention of the Consecrated persons – the Religious – ministering in the diocese of Anuradhapura.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
COPE members likely to be re-appointed
The existing members of Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) are likely to be re-appointed with JVP parliamentarian Sunil Handunetty as its Chairman, informed sources said.
Minister to bring Cabinet paper to stop tuition on Sunday
Wayamba Development and Buddasasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said he is planning to submit a Cabinet Paper with the signatures of all Cabinet of Ministers to stop private tuition on Sundays and Poya Days to make Daham School Education compulsory for children.
State media comes under Mangala, Prez keeps Police
All State media including, Rupavahini, ITN and Lake House have been gazetted under the Finance and Mass media ministry by President Maithripala Sirisena.
1,099 acres of land used as Army farms to be released
The Army said it would release another 1,099 acres of land used for cultivation in the Northern and Eastern Provinces to civilians.
Cold and dry weather to prevail: Met Dept.
Mainly fair and dry weather with colder nights and mornings is expected over most parts of the Island, the Meteorology Department said.
A/L best results in the Island
Kalani Rajapaksha of Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha has topped the Island ranking in Biology stream while Kasun Wickramarathne of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala has topped island ranking in Commerce at the GCE Advanced Level examination, 2018.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Ministers oppose snap General Election
Responding to the remarks made by Minister Navin Dissanayake, the others ministers are reported to have resolutely opposed the holding of a snap general election.
Tamils disliked MR so voted for MS, SF: Sumanthiran
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran said yesterday that the Tamils voted for former minister Sarath Fonseka in 2010 and for President Maithripala Sirisena in 2015 not because they liked them but because they disliked the other presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa.
2019 Budget in April: UNP
The Cabinet of ministers gave decided to pass the fully-fledged Budget in April for 2019.
Mannar Mass Grave Site - Financial assistance from OMP
The Office on Missing Persons (OMP), which assisted the investigation into the human remains at the Mannar mass grave site, said that it would provide financial assistance to carry out carbon dating of the skeletal remains as part of its continued support to the investigation.
Ministerial portfolio - Why have I been overlooked: Wijemanne
UNP Kalutara District MP Lakshman Wijemanne said yesterday said he would take a serious political decision if he was not given a ministerial portfolio.
One killed in elevator collapse at night club
A 24-year-old youth died and two others injured following an elevator collapse at a night club (Green Lanka Tower) at Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 02, in the early hours today, police said.
A white Christmas for several MPs
A considerable number of MPs are reported to have gone abroad to spend their Christmas holidays.
Defeat extremism, abolish executive presidency: Speaker
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has urged all concerned citizens to work towards defeating extremism and the abolishing of the executive presidency in the New Year.
School uniforms vouchers : Action against principals who promote businesses: Akila Viraj
The Education Ministry said yesterday disciplinary action would be taken against principals who were trying to promote certain businesses when giving out free vouchers to purchase school uniforms.
Ravi promises relief to electricity consumers
Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday that electricity consumers would be provided with relief after the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) becomes a profitable venture.
Central Bank holds policy rates steady
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) at the last policy review of the year decided to maintain policy interest rates at their current levels, as the private sector credit growth keeps accelerating and pressure on external reserves continues despite the economy performing below its potential.
CIMOGG COMMITS HARA-KIRI
The Citizens’ Movement for Good Governance (CIMOGG) decided recently to silence its own voice. What follows, for the purposes of record, is a brief summary of what CIMOGG endeavoured to do during the sixteen plus years of its existence.
Finally,elections in the Congo?
The general election has been postponed yet again. Will this country, the largest and potentially the richest in Africa, ever escape from its continuous dictatorship, and its propensity to civil war? It’s not so long ago that Susan Rice, the then US Ambassador to the United Nations, was talking about the Congo as the site of “Africa’s First World War”. Has the UN at long last really pacified this country that has been continuously in a state of unrest since the Belgian
Do unto others what you wish them to do unto you
We live in a world where we often see a negative picture of how political and other leaders have worked with hidden agendas to create a monstrosity where 10% of the super billionaires own more wealth than 90% of the population. But it is inspiring to hear of individuals who work hard and without much publicity to bring about poverty alleviation, helping in the battle against global warming and provide well-paid jobs for
marginalized youth.
WHAT THE “PROFESSIONALS” FORGET
Different people have different ideas regarding what’s ailing Sri Lanka. For some it is the education system. For others it is the cost of living. For still others it is the balance of payments deficit. Regardless of the problem, all of them are agreed on the reason behind it. The political system. That is why editors, commentators, and activists tend to single out politicians. They are, as they always were, responsible for this country’s downfall. Without them, so the saying goes
Friday, December 28, 2018
Govt. wants to create Sinhala-Muslim clash: Wimal
The incumbent government was anticipating a Sinhala-Muslim clash in the country so that it would pave the way for them to fulfil the promises made to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa said today.
Gazette on subject purview of ministers to be released today
The gazette notification specifying the subject areas coming under the purview of newly appointed ministers will be released today, a spokesman of the Department of Government Printing said.
SL student's case - Aussie cricketer Khawaja's brother re-arrested
Arsalan Khawaja, the brother of Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja, has been re-arrested on charges of trying to influence a witness in a case in which a Sri Lankan student was arrested and charges dropped later in a fictitious terrorist plot, foreign media reported.
PM assures foremost place to Buddhism
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today vassured the Ven. Mahanayake Theras of Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters that the government would give the foremost place to Buddhism and that action would be taken against those who vandalized Buddha statues in Mawanella.
Govt. using underworld for its survival
The government is using the underworld for its survival, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today.
Harin clarifies gazette confusion
Minister Harin Fernando -- clearing the confusion caused by Wednesday’s gazette notice issued by the President stating that Telecom, Digital Infrastructure, Foreign Employment Promotion and Sports Minister Harin Fernando and Development Strategies, International Trade, Science, Technology and Research Minister Malik Samarasinghe had resigned from their posts -- said it was only a procedural matter.
Man nabbed with locally-made weapon at Hulftsdorp
A man, found in possession of a locally-made weapon and five cartridges, was arrested by the Keselwatte police near the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, Police said.
Emirates flight makes emergency landing at BIA
Emirates flight A-380,with 420 passengers and 22 crew members on board, flying from Dubai to Melbourne made an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning after a crew member fell ill, BIA Duty Officer said.
SL rupee hits record low of 184.07
The Sri Lankan rupee hit a record low of 184.07 against the US Dollar today. According to the exchange rates of the Central Bank, the selling price of Sri Lankan rupee was recorded as 184.0758, indicative price as 182.2783 and buying price as 180.1015.
UPFA MP Ranjith Zoysa released on bail
UPFA MP Ranjith Zoysa and three others, who were remanded in connection with an assault on a person on December 16 in Godakawela, were granted bail by the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court today.
Sheikha Latifa: Mary Robinson 'backed Dubai version of events'
Former UN rights chief Mary Robinson has been accused of supporting the emirate of Dubai's version of events over a princess who was feared missing.
