MS wants int’l telecom levy reconsidered

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday requested the Cabinet to reconsider the Budget proposal to do away with the international telecommunication levy as otherwise it would deprive the State of revenue amounting to Rs.6 billion.

WTC owners freed from trespassing and mischief charges

Fort Magistrate Court freed Messrs, Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC and the owner of World Trade Centre (WTC), from alleged offences punishable for criminal trespassing and mischief charges framed against them.

First SL nurse leaves for the US

A nurse of the Kandy General Hospital has left for the USA, being the first ever Sri Lankan female nurse to work in a US hospital, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) said.

Hit and run accident: Borella Traffic OIC succumbs to injuries

Traffic OIC of the Borella Police, IP Sarathchandra, who was injured in a hit and run accident involving a Defender vehicle in Bambalapitiya, succumbed to his injuries yesterday, police said.

25 UNP backbenchers to defeat President’s expenditure head

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said yesterday more than 25 UNP backbenchers were prepared to defeat the President’s expenditure head.

The law should apply to Karannagoda: SF

The law should apply to former navy commander Wasantha Karannangoda if he had done anything wrong, Field Marshal and MP Sarath Fonseka said today during the debate on the second reading of the Budget.

Heat weather warning revised for fourteen districts

The Department of Meteorology today issued a heat weather advisory for tomorrow, warning people in 14 districts to be extremely cautious of the hot weather.

Report reveals bone samples belong to 1499-1719 AD era

The carbon dating report from the Beta Analytic Institute of Florida, USA, has revealed that the skeletal remains found in the Mannar mass grave to date back to a period between 1499 and 1719 AD (Anno Domini).

Prez’s delegation to Geneva shows he has no faith in govt.: Dinesh

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a separate three-member delegation to represent the country at the forthcoming UNHRC sessions in Geneva as he does not have confidence in the government, MEP MP front liner Dinesh Gunawardana said yesterday. Mr. Gunawaerdana said.

U.K. top court rules in favour of Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seeker

Britain’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of a Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seeker’s claim that the Home Office was wrong to reject his contention that he was tortured back in Sri Lanka, and asked the Upper Tribunal to look at the case afresh, in what is considered a landmark judgment, the Hindu reported.

Vehicle prices up after Budget

Due to the revision of Excise Duty on motor vehicles and implementation of the luxury tax on the recent budget proposal, the local vehicle prices would be increased by a minimum of Rs.150,000, Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) Chairman Ranjan Peiris said.

Ban lifted on ’Angampora’: Wellessa heroes honoured

The Cabinet decided today to lift the ban imposed by the British rulers in 1818 on the indigenous marshal art called ‘Angampora’.

Court orders CID to file summary of evidence

Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today directed the CID to file a summary of evidence on the next hearing as to ascertain whether there is sufficient evidence against former DIG Nalaka de Silva over the alleged assassination plot of VIPs. Ps.

SLC to host LPL in September

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will host the Lanka Premier League (LPL) this year in the month of September. This was revealed yesterday by the new President of SLC Shammi Silva.

Concessions to security forces

Media Minister Ruwan Wijewardene said he was happy that the Finance Minister had focused on the needs of the security forces. ’’Concessions have been given while focusing on debt servicing.

Budget aims at a liberal outward-oriented economy

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera today presented the 2019 Budget aimed at ‘growth powered by private enterprise’ and is determined ‘to pursue a liberal outward-oriented economy.’

Scrap PC system if polls further delayed: EC

It is advisable to scrap the entire Provincial Council (PC) system if the government is not willing to conduct elections forthwith, Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday.

I don’t have a single white van: Gota

Former Defence Secretary and Eliya Organisation head Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that he doesn’t own a single white van as claimed by opposing factions.

I am not worthy of Nobel Peace Prize: PM Khan

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, responding to calls by his supporters on social media and in his government to award him a Nobel Peace Prize for ’’de-escalating tensions’’ with India, tweeted on Monday: ’’I am not worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize.’’

Budget 2019 to promote open market policies, liberalisation: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday that the government’s maiden budget for 2019 is to be presented in parliament tomorrow (5) and will further open market policies and liberalisation

UNP backbenchers to vote against President’s expenditure head

UNP backbenchers are planning to vote against the expenditure head of President Maithripala Sirisena when it is taken up at the coming budget, UNP MP Mujibur Rahaman said.

Sri Lanka regains ICC Status

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) regained its ICC Status, after nine months of being relegated to observer status, SLC President Shammi Silva tweeted.

Lalkantha remanded

JVP Politbureau member K.D. Lalkantha, who was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of liquor, was remanded till March 14 today.

Lalkantha arrested for drunk driving

JVP politbureau member K.D. Lalkantha was arrested this afternoon on charges of driving under the influence of liquor after his vehicle had met with an accident injuring two women in Anuradhapura, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Portuguese couple slammed for hanging out of moving train in SL

A Portuguese travelling couple has defended themselves after they were slammed for hanging out of a moving train in Sri Lanka just so they could capture the perfect picture for Instagram, Daily Mail reported.

Amal Perera, son, others remanded for one month in Dubai

Singer Amal Perera, his son and others who were under Dubai Police custody, have been ordered to be remanded for one month after they were produced to before the Dubai Court today, Sri Lankan Counsel Shabdika Wellappili said.

An American among 102 applied for hangman's post

A total of 102 applicants, including an American citizen, had applied for the position of hangman, the Prisons Department said.

Almost had Obama here in 2016: Mangala

The Government of Sri Lanka almost pulled off the impossible by having President Barack Obama in Sri Lanka in 2016, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Tuesday.

SriLankan flights to Karachi and Lahore cancelled

SriLankan Airlines cancelled its flights to the Pakistani cities of Karachi and Lahore scheduled for Thursday (28) following the temporary closure of Pakistani airspace by the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan.

Ensure stability of entire region: SL tells India, Pakistan

India and Pakistan should act in a manner that ensures the security, peace and stability of the entire region, the Government of Sri Lanka said today.