265 BOC, 272 People’s Bank branches operational despite strike: PMD

BOC General Manager Russel Fonseka confirmed that 265 Bank Of Ceylon (BOC) branches including the Head Office and all divisions are operating, as usual, to serve the public with banking services despite the ongoing strike, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Air traffic controllers to launch work-to-rule campaign from noon today

Air traffic controllers have decided to launch a work-to-rule campaign from noon today, Sri Lanka Air Traffic Controllers Association Secretary Rajitha Senviratne said.

Over 300 loads of 6,600 litres of petrol, diesel processed to maintain normal operations: CPC

More than 300 loads of 6,600 litres of petrol and diesel have been processed so far to maintain normal operations, President’s Media Division (PMD) said citing CPC Chairman M.U. Mohamed.

Govt.’s responsibility to hold LG polls as scheduled: Prelates

Claiming that the postponement of Local Government elections had created unrest among the people, the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwattu and Asgiri Chapters said that it was the responsibility of the Government to conduct the LG polls as scheduled.

COPE raps CID and Sri Lanka Insurance

Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has requested Sri Lanka Insurance to inquire into the fate of a complaint made to CID on fake insurance brokers in 2009 after it was revealed that nothing has been done about it, the Parliament media unit said today.

Wimal thrashes Namal, ’’He is a premature broiler chicken’’

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa thrashed SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa calling him a broiler chicken who was pumped up without any experience or political knowledge.

WP term tests postponed to March 21, 22

The Western Provincial Education Zone has taken steps to postpone the third-term tests, which were scheduled to be held tomorrow.

Continuous strikes in SL are plotted by international forces: Vajira

NPP member K. D. Lalkantha has understood the reality and is correct in opposing continuous strikes, Presidential Advisor and UNP MP Vajira Abeywardene said today.

TU action held to sabotage IMF bailout: Bandula

The main objective of the strike launched by a cross-section of trade unions is not to win demands but to sabotage the program to obtain an Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of US$ 2.9 billion from the IMF, cabinet Spokesman, Media, Transport and Highways Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said today.

NPP goes before Supreme Court demanding LG Poll

The National People’s Power (NPP) today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court seeking an order directing the authorities to hold a free and fair Local Government Election.

NCPA proposes to establish Infant Receiving Centres in Hospitals

The Child Protection Authority has proposed to establish Infant Receiving Centres in Hospitals in all nine provinces where parents could hand over their new born infants without claiming their identity, Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority Udaya Kumara Amarasinghe said today.

Special centre to care, safeguard destitute children: Geetha

The government was planning to establish a special centre to safeguard and take care of the destitute children, State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Geetha Kumarasinghe said today.

Cardinal calls on govt. to resign and hold snap general elections

Government MPs should resign and create an opportunity for the people to elect a new government, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Appreciation of rupee is artificial: Hadunnetti

The appreciation of the rupee against the US Dollar was an artificial situation that has been created with a political agenda, former JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti said today.

Oscars 2023: RRR’s Naatu Naatu wins best original song

The song Naatu Naatu from the hit Telugu-language film RRR has made history by becoming the first Indian film song to win an Oscar.

It is unlikely that Finance Ministry would release sufficient funds: EC

A highly disappointed chairman of the Election Commission (EC) Nimal G. Punchihewa yesterday lamented that it is unlikely that the Finance Ministry would release sufficient funds to the EC to conduct Local Council (LC) polls as ordered by the highest court in the country and therefore the only remedy is to seek redress from the Supreme Court once again as a last resort.

Personal assets of those who strike to be confiscated?

Personal assets of those who strike if they commit an offence will be confiscated under the Essential Services Act No 61 of 1979, a Member of Parliament said yesterday.

LG polls are so ‘critical’ – US Ambassador

While urging Sri Lanka’s legal community to be a strong and steady force for the rule of law and justice for all, US Ambassador Julie Chung yesterday said that the Local Government elections are so ‘critical’ for Sri Lanka.

Rupee appreciated due to contraction of economy: AKD

Claiming that the country could not be developed only through the appreciation of the rupee against the US Dollar, National People’s Power MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday an overall transformation was needed to develop the country.

Navy seize two trawlers with 16 Indians in SL waters

The Sri Lanka Navy seized two Indian trawlers with 16 Indian nationals poaching in Sri Lankan waters northeast of Vetrilaikkerni and off the Analaitivu Island this morning, the Navy said.

Pension of 11 former JVP MPs credited to party’s Common Fund: Nalinda Jayatissa

Refuting media reports that former JVP MPs have obtained pensions amounting to Rs.240 million for the past 13 years, former JVP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today pension of 11 former JVP MPs were credited to party’s Common Fund.

ADB, WB,USAID, JICA ready to assist restructuring of CEB : Kanchana

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank (WB), USAID and JICA have assured their assistance for the restructuring process of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

BASL urges Govt. not to interfere with the judiciary

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has urged the government to refrain from undermining the independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka.

Military groups with sticks to control protesters could be Avant-Garde para-military: AKD

The military groups that came carrying weapons and sticks (Kurundu Polu) to control protesters could be para-military maintained by the Avant-Garde, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Namal appointed Chairman of Oversight Committee on International Relations

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has been appointed Chairman of the Oversight Committee on International Relations, Parliament media unit said.

Lawyer disbarred by Supreme Court for professional misconduct

The Supreme Court today ordered to remove a lawyer from the position of the Attorney-at-Law after he was found guilty of professional misconduct.

Gazette issued by District Returning officers to conduct LG polls on April 25

The District Returning officers of respective districts have issued gazette notifications to hold the Local Government election on April 25, 2023 as per the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance, the Elections Commission announced today.

Shortage of medicines to end in two weeks: Keheliya

The shortage of medicines in Sri Lanka will end in two weeks, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella informed Parliament today.

Govt. requests not to act on SC interim order on LG polls

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe requested Deputy Speaker to advise relevant authorities not to proceed and take any action on the interim order given by the Supreme Court with regard to the Local Government election until the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges concludes its hearing on the privilege issue raised by MP Premanath C Dollewatte.

People will attack protesters soon: Diana

State Minister Diana Gamage was engaged in a showdown with SJB MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena in Parliament yesterday where the former said SJB MPs will not remain in the House for long.