NIA files chargesheet against 13 in India, Sri Lanka for attempting to revive LTTE

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge sheet against 13 people, including 10 Sri Lankan nationals and three Indians, in connection to its probe into the illegal drugs and arms trade case relating to attempts to revive the activities of Sri Lankan Tamil separatist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in India and Sri Lanka, the agency said on Friday.

Air pollution triggered heart diseases visible in Sri Lanka : Expert

Air pollution has increased the risk of heart disease in Sri Lanka like elsewhere in the world, a top cardiologist said.

Pastor Jerome Fernando under probe for Money Laundering

The Attorney General today informed the Court of Appeal that the CID is conducting investigations against Pastor Jerome Fernando under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act apart from the charges levelled under ICCPR Act and Penal Code.

US$ rate reaches Rs.300; in-depth study on vehicle imports stressed: Siyambalapitiya

In a situation where the US dollar, which is overvalued by 78%, has been devalued by about 20%, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that the proposal to give permission to import vehicles should be studied in depth.

SC gives landmark judgment on ownership and copyright

The Supreme Court recently gave a landmark judgment with regard to the ownership of the copyright of a work of renowned Chef Publis Silva, which is relevant to authors, publishers and all other connected parties in the respective field.

Monks, MPs, a catholic priest requested MS to free Shramantha Jude

Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera, former MPs Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thera, Sarath Kongahage, a Catholic priest and several others had met then President Maithripala Sirisena and pleaded to grant presidential pardon to Shramantha Jude Jayamaha, who was convicted for the killing of a young woman in Royal Park, it was revealed before the Supreme Court through a letter submitted by a then presidential assistant secretary, yesterday.

Cork teacher injured in cycling holiday accident in SL can sue in Ireland, High Court rules

A Cork woman who was injured in an accident on a cycling holiday in Sri Lanka can sue the UK-based organisers in the Irish courts, the High Court has ruled.

Seven Sri Lankan fugitives under INTERPOL red notice list

Seven Sri Lankan fugitives are among 6,872 fugitives listed under the INTERPOL’s red notice list, recent statistics have shown.    

UL returns Airbus A 330-200 after lease expiry

The first A 330-200 aircraft of the Sri Lankan Airline leased from France 23 years ago is to be returned to the company of origin on the expiry of the lease.

SL Rupee depreciates against USD

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) has depreciated against the US Dollar (USD) today compared to last week, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Keheliya admits Govt.’s failure in drug price reduction

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said while expressing his protest and disappointment over the exorbitant price of medicinal drugs in the market despite sharp and steady depreciation of the dollar against the rupee admitted that the government or the health ministry were helpless to do anything about it.

Sri Lanka to fulfill IMF agreements by September

Sri Lanka will fulfill the agreements reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by September, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyamabalapitiya said.

Automated Border Control to be established at BIA

An agreement was signed to establish an Automated Border Control (ABC) system at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to provide an efficient service to passengers.

Nihal Jayawardene appointed as HNB Chairman; he takes over after Chairperson Aruni Goonetilleke resigns

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) yesterday announced the resignation of its Chairperson Aruni Goonetilleke and the subsequent appointment of Nihal Jayawardene PC as its new Chairman.

Parliamentary committee recommends not to privatise SLT

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security has recommended not to privatise Sri Lanka Telecom as it could pose a threat to national security.

Value of a perch in Galle Fort increased to Rs. 22mn

More than one hundred buildings, located within the Galle Fort, have been purchased by foreigners, increasing the value of one perch to Rs 22 million, the Galle Heritage Foundation said.

GR gets new luxury state bungalow in Colombo 07

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was forced out of office in June last year has been allocated a new luxury bungalow sponsored by the State situated in Stanmore Crescent which is usually assigned to the Foreign Minister, Daily Mirror learns.

Gota given new residence at Stanmore Crescent: MP Rasamanickam alleges

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabri has provided a new official residence at Stanmore Crescent to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, MP Shanakiya Rasamanickam alleged today in Parliament.

Govt. to boost tax revenue by removing VAT exemptions

The government is planning to boost tax revenue by 1.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by removing most of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) exemptions and abolishing the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) methodology.

Fixed range for fuel price as Sinopec enters

The government will introduce a floor and ceiling price for fuel with the launch of business operations by Sinopec, a leading international petroleum company, in the country shortly, a top source said.

Several opposition parties decide to oppose proposed Broadcasting Authority Bill

Several political parties including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the group led by MP G.L. Peiris today decided to oppose the proposed new Broadcasting Authority Bill.

No single political party commands majority voter base, despite cross-party collaboration in Parliament: RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said although all political parties in Parliament are united, none of them currently possess a 50% voter base.

LRT Project: Japanese embassy says Project loans depend on debt restructuring

In response to a query about the restart of the Japan-financed Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, the Japanese embassy in Colombo said the resumption of loan projects and the launch of a new loan project will depend on the progress of the debt restructuring process.

MIT, Harvard show interest to collaborate with SL’s Climate Change University

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that efforts are underway to establish a Climate Change University in Sri Lanka next year and prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT have expressed interest to collaborate with it.

Indian company ordered to recall contaminated eye drops after SL raises complaint

India’s Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil ) which is part of the Ministry of Commerce has asked Gujarat-based pharma company-- Indiana Ophthalmics to recall Methylprednisolone linked to causing eye infections in more than 30 people after Sri Lankan Ministry of Health raised a complaint to the Indian government.

It was not Dinesh who caused delay for Ajahn Brahm Thera at BIA but Nimal Siripala de Silva

Despite initial reports that Ven. Ajahn Brahm was held back at the BIA due to the presence of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardane at the airport, sources clarified that it was not due to the Prime Minister that caused the delay but it was instead because of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

BIA bumps Ven. Ajahn Brahmawanso Thera from Bangkok flight to make way for Dinesh

Ven. Ajahn Brahmawanso Thera, who arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), to leave for Bangkok had been kept waiting at the airport for 12 hours as Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardane was also set to leave for Thailand on the same flight.

Journalist Jamila Husain appointed as Editor In Chief of Daily Mirror

Senior Journalist Jamila Husain has been appointed as the new Editor in Chief of Daily Mirror from today (June 1).

When will this racism end?: Ven. Gnanasara asks

’’We have been talking about this racial and religious differences since the time we understood it. So when will this come to an end? Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera questioned.

Sri Lanka welcomes US$ 350mn ADB loan to stabilise economy

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe welcomed Asian Development Bank’s approval of US$ 350 million loan to Sri Lanka for the stabilisation of the economy.