News Archive

Nationwide strikes in protest of SAITM today

Nationwide strikes in protest of SAITM today

The GMOA has announced that a series of strikes will be launched across the island today (21), in protest of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine. MORE...

Fire damages three stalls in Pettah

Fire damages three stalls in Pettah

A fire broke out last night (20) at Kumara Veediya in Pettah damaging three shops in the region. MORE...

Cost per kilometer for Highways reduced by Rs.3 Billion – Kiriella

Cost per kilometer for Highways reduced by Rs.3 Billion – Kiriella

Minister of Highways and Higher Education Lakshman Kiriella stated that the current government has been able to reduce the cost of construction for 1 kilometer of all Highway projects by approximately 3 billion rupees. MORE...

Instagram Live video ‘led to murder suspect’s arrest’

Instagram Live video ‘led to murder suspect’s arrest’

US police say an Instagram Live video helped lead to the arrest of a “most wanted” fugitive earlier this week. Christopher Ricardo Gonzalez allegedly streamed footage of himself alongside several guns on the Facebook-owned app. MORE...

PM submits steering committee’s report on new constitution

PM submits steering committee’s report on new constitution

Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe submitted an interim report on the new constitution compiled by the Steering Committee, to the Constitutional Assembly earlier today (21). MORE...

Linkin Park Announce Hollywood Bowl Concert to Honor Chester Bennington

Linkin Park Announce Hollywood Bowl Concert to Honor Chester Bennington

Linkin Park have delivered on the promise to hold a public celebration to honor their late vocalist Chester Bennington and it will take place Friday, Oct. 27 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. MORE...

Sri Lanka to act over adoption racket claims

Sri Lanka to act over adoption racket claims

Sri Lanka is to launch an investigation into adoption fraud following claims that thousands of babies were sold to foreign nationals in the 1980s. MORE..

Alternate syllabus introduced for students unable to pass O/Levels

Alternate syllabus introduced for students unable to pass O/Levels

The Education Ministry will be introducing a new program for the candidates who fail their Ordinary Levels to sit for Advanced Levels under an alternative syllabus. The new syllabus will commence on October 2017, under the thirteen-year continuous education program, said Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. MORE...

Opportunity to create an indivisible Sri Lanka must not be squandered - Sampanthan

Opportunity to create an indivisible Sri Lanka must not be squandered - Sampanthan

Speaking in parliament today (21), Leader of the Opposition R.Sampanthan appealed to the members of the House not to squander the opportunity to create a constitution with a substantial bi-partisan consensus that will be beneficial to every member of the Sri Lankan community creating an indivisible Sri Lanka. MORE...

Suspect convicted for murdering 4 family members sentenced to death

Suspect convicted for murdering 4 family members sentenced to death

A suspect who was convicted for the murder of a family of four at Eppawela in Anuradhapura was sentenced to death by the Anuradhapura High court. MORE...

Indian Government pledges funds for Lankan estate community

Indian Government pledges funds for Lankan estate community

The Indian government agreed to provide funds according to the request made by Minister of Hill Country, New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development Palany Thigambaram who appealed for the provision of funds for the development of the estate community of Sri Lanka. MORE...

GMOA strike action affects patients island-wide

GMOA strike action affects patients island-wide

Health services in a large number of hospitals were interrupted as a result of the strike action launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA). MORE...

Former President condemns government efforts to ‘destroy democratic institutions’

Former President condemns government efforts to ‘destroy democratic institutions’

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has urged the people to unite and oppose the efforts rendered by the current government to destroy democratic institutions within Sri Lanka. MORE...

64-year old woman nabbed for Facebook scam

64-year old woman nabbed for Facebook scam

A woman who had fraudulently obtained money from people through Facebook social network was arrested in Weligama. MORE...

Fonseka was left behind from President’s US delegation – Gammanpila

Fonseka was left behind from President’s US delegation – Gammanpila

MP Udaya Gammanpila stated that that the claim made by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who stated that he was unable to attend the 72nd General Assembly of the UN as he could not obtain a Visa to travel to the Unites States, was a fabrication made to save face in the eyes of the public. MORE...

Board of directors should be in charge of running airline - SriLankan CEO

Board of directors should be in charge of running airline - SriLankan CEO

The Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka’s cash-strapped national carrier Capt. Suren Ratwatte says that addressing four major issues would help SriLankan Airlines return to financial health. MORE..

SLMC to boycott discussion with Harsha’s committee

SLMC to boycott discussion with Harsha’s committee

The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) has decided to boycott the discussion that will be held tomorrow (22) with the Presidential Committee headed by Deputy Minister Harsha De Silva. MORE..

PC polls amendment Bill -50/50 basis amended

In PC polls amendment Bill 40% preferential- 60% electorate basis amended to a 50/50 basis on request of some parties,Minister Faizer Mustapha said. MORE...

Trespasser arrested at Mahinda’s Colombo residence

Trespasser arrested at Mahinda’s Colombo residence

An individual who had attempted to forcibly enter the premises of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence in Colombo has been arrested by security personnel and handed over to police. MORE..

Aluthmawatha Road in Kotahena to be closed

Aluthmawatha Road in Kotahena to be closed

Aluthmawatha Road in Kotahena will be closed from 9.00pm tomorrow (22) to 5.00am on Monday (Sep. 25), police announced today. MORE..

Two nabbed with foreign and local currency worth Rs 88 million at BIA

Two nabbed with foreign and local currency worth Rs 88 million at BIA

Two youths including female have been arrested with foreign and local currency with an estimated value of Rs 88 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake this evening. MORE..

President urges world to support forward march of Sri Lanka

President urges world to support forward march of Sri Lanka

President Maithripala Sirisena called upon the international community to seriously consider the tremendous progress made by the government towards reconciliation, restoration of democratic freedoms, human rights and the rule of law and extend the fullest support to the slow, but the steady forward march of Sri Lanka. MORE..

More than 130 dead as earthquake hits Mexico

More than 130 dead as earthquake hits Mexico

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake stunned central Mexico on Tuesday, killing at least 139 people as buildings collapsed in plumes of dust. Thousands fled into the streets in panic, and many stayed to help rescue those trapped. MORE..

Sri Lanka qualify for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Sri Lanka qualify for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Sri Lanka have qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 after the Windies lost the first ODI against England at Old Trafford on Tuesday. MORE..

Railway strike from midnight today

Railway strike from midnight today

Railway Employees attached to 11 grades including railway drivers, station masters, and guards have decided to engage in a strike action with effect from midnight today (20).

CEB employees to protest tomorrow

CEB employees to protest tomorrow

A massive protest will be staged tomorrow (21) if the government fails to address their issues before 12 noon today (20), announced the Ceylon Electricity Board Employees’ Union (CEBEU). MORE...

Consumers would not be hindered - Siyambalapitiya

Consumers would not be hindered - Siyambalapitiya

A regular supply of electricity would be maintained throughout the country, without causing any hindrance to consumers due to the CEB strike action, Power and Renewable Energy Ministry affirmed. MORE...

Mahendran appears before the bond Commission for the second consecutive day

Mahendran appears before the bond Commission for the second consecutive day

Central Bank former Governor Arjuna Mahendran appeared before the Presidential Commission of inquiry today (20), for the second consecutive day. MORE..

Parliament Road closed due to protest over disappearance bill

Parliament Road closed due to protest over disappearance bill

Parliament Road has been closed for traffic from Parliament Roundabout due to a protest, Ada Derana reporter said. MORE..

Parliament adjourned due to uproar over PC polls bill

Parliament adjourned due to uproar over PC polls bill

Parliament has been adjourned until 12 noon following a tense situation during the debate on the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Bill. MORE..

GMOA to stage 24-hour strike

GMOA to stage 24-hour strike

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to launch a 24-hour strike action tomorrow (21), with the participation of several other trade unions. MORE..

Lalith Weeratunga and Anusha Palpita granted bail

Lalith Weeratunga and Anusha Palpita granted bail

Former Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and former Director General of the TRC Anusha Palpita, who were sentenced over the ‘Sil Cloth’ case, have been granted conditional bail by the Colombo High Court. MORE..

CEB Employees issued final warnings to report back to work

CEB Employees issued final warnings to report back to work

The Power and Renewable Energy ministry issued final warnings to CEB employees on casual and probation basis to report to work before noon tomorrow (21) or face the consequences. MORE...

Railway strike called off

Railway strike called off

The railway strike which was scheduled to be launched from midnight today (20) has been called off by the trade unions after the discussions held with the Prime Minister’s secretary. MORE...

Pakistan’s new PM assures continued assistance to Sri Lanka

Pakistan’s new PM assures continued assistance to Sri Lanka

Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has assured President Maithripala Sirisena that Pakistan would continue the assistance provided to Sri Lanka. MORE..

Sri Lankan fugitive faces Sh253.3 million theft charge in Kenya

Sri Lankan fugitive faces Sh253.3 million theft charge in Kenya

Moshin Ranatunga, who entered Kenya on a 90-day visa, was charged last year with stealing USD 2,450,377 (Kenyan Sh 253.3 million) from his employer, a tea exporter in Kenya, between July 2012 and September 2015. MORE..

Man hacked to death in font of son by motorcycle gang in Jaffna

Man hacked to death in font of son by motorcycle gang in Jaffna

One person in Navalar, Jaffna had been hacked and murdered using sharp weapons by a gang of eight in four motor bikes. MORE..

PC Elections Amendment Bill requires 2/3 majority in Parliament - AG

PC Elections Amendment Bill requires 2/3 majority in Parliament - AG

The Attorney General has informed the Speaker of Parliament that the Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Bill needs to be passed by a two-thirds majority of votes in Parliament. MORE..

Provincial Council Elections Amendment Bill passed in Parliament

Provincial Council Elections Amendment Bill passed in Parliament

The Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament with a two-thirds majority, a short while ago. MORE..

CEB trade unions end strike

CEB trade unions end strike

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) trade unions decide to suspend their strike action after discussions with the Labour Minister this evening. MORE>.

Derana wins at Sumathi Tele Awards 2017

Derana wins at Sumathi Tele Awards 2017

Ada Derana won the award for Best Investigative News Reporting for Television in 2016 at the Sumathi Tele Awards 2017 held at Nelum Pokuna Theatre today (20). MORE..

Uma-Oya project will be transformed into a viable resource – Amaraweera

Uma-Oya project will be transformed into a viable resource – Amaraweera

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Development Mahinda Amaraweera stated that the Uma-oya project which has morphed into a misfortune that has plagued the residents of the Uva region will be transformed into a viable resource for the public. MORE...

Arjuna Mahendran to appear before Bond Commission today

Arjuna Mahendran to appear before Bond Commission today

Former Governor of the Central Bank Arjuna Mahendran is scheduled to appear before the Presidential Commission of inquiry today (19), to submit evidence for the ongoing inquiry on the dealings of Perpetual Treasuries Limited. MORE...

51 year old nabbed with precious metals at BIA

51 year old nabbed with precious metals at BIA

The Customs Narcotic Control unit of the Bandaranaike International Airport was able to apprehend a 51 year old Sri Lankan who was attempting to smuggle several high value precious metals into the country earlier today (19).

Students unable to pass O/Levels to be granted entry to A/Levels

Students unable to pass O/Levels to be granted entry to A/Levels

The Ministry of Education has taken steps to launch a pilot project to enable students who failed their GCE Ordinary Level Examinations, to gain entry to the GCE Advanced Level Examination that is scheduled to commence in October. MORE...

Data missing from Arjuna Mahendran’s mobile phones

Data missing from Arjuna Mahendran’s mobile phones

A considerable amount of data has been missing from the two mobile phones handed over by former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, probing the controversial treasury bond scam. MORE..

Central Province also green-lights 20th amendment

Central Province also green-lights 20th amendment

The 20th Amendment to the Constitution, to hold elections for all Provincial Councils in the same day, has been passed in the Central Provincial Council with amendments. MORE..

Dwindling numbers cannot halt an island wide power cut – CEB Trade Unions

Dwindling numbers cannot halt an island wide power cut – CEB Trade Unions

CEB Trade Union members stated that the present dwindling number of electrical engineers and CEB employees who are attempting to keep the power grid afloat will not be able to prevent a nationwide power loss should the main power generation unit malfunction.

Exercise Cormorant Strike to commence in Mattala today

Exercise Cormorant Strike to commence in Mattala today

The Joint Field Training Exercise (FTX), Exercise Cormorant Strike VII – 2017 organized by the Sri Lanka Army for the 8th year will be conducted within the Mattala Airport premises at 4.30pm today (19). MORE...

Fonseka laments over missed opportunity to attend UN General Assembly

Fonseka laments over missed opportunity to attend UN General Assembly

Minister of Regional Development Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka stated that he was not able to obtain a VISA to travel with President Maithripala Sirisena to attend the 72nd General Assembly of the United Nations, due to war crimes committed by several Sri Lankan Military officials. MORE..