November 25, 2024 9:00 am
Results: 89
Sri Lanka makes 537 after centuries by Perera, Tharanga
Sri Lanka posted 537 all out in the opening innings of the test series against Zimbabwe, with centuries by Kusal Perera and Upul Tharanga putting the visitors in control of the first test. MORE...
Sri Lanka makes 537 after centuries by Perera, Tharanga
Sri Lanka posted 537 all out in the opening innings of the test series against Zimbabwe, with centuries by Kusal Perera and Upul Tharanga putting the visitors in control of the first test. MORE...
Colombo Port City: What You Need To Know In A Nutshell and More
(Feature) Clinching a top priority in the not-very-short list of development projects in Sri Lanka, the Colombo Port City has, indeed, been nudging its way into the limelight. Unsurprisingly, the project has its costs and benefits as well as the arguments that come along with the venture. But how does the new project vary from the old? MORE.....
Lack of transparency in Chinese contracts were the concern – Harsha
Our major concern was the lack of transparency with the way infrastructure projects were originally awarded to the Chinese, Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs Harsha Desilva said in an interview. Speaking to Finance Asia he added that where we could, we were able re-negotiate and restructure the contracts to bring the overall costs down. MORE...
Port City will be eco-friendly - CHEC
The China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) says that according to the recently released Supplementary Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) report, the Colombo Port City (CPC), upon completion of reclamation works, will incorporate solutions for integrated management of energy, water and waste for long‐term environmental sustainability... MORE.
Port City can resume tomorrow if Chinese firm agrees to leasehold - Ravi
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake says that the Sri Lankan government is prepared give the go-ahead for the Colombo Port City project to resume even tomorrow, if the Chinese company agrees to begin the US$1.4 billion project on a 99-year lease. MORE.
Court returns Wimal’s passport
The Negombo Magistrate this morning (28) returned the passport of MP Wimal Weerawansa, Ada Derana reporter says. MORE...
IOC gives Sri Lanka until end of year to revise sports law
The International Olympic Committee has given Sri Lanka until the end of the year to revise its sports legislation or face possible suspension. MORE..
China seeks to rebuild Silk Road trade links
China is increasingly engaging other countries for its ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative to rebuild the historic Silk Road which begins in Fuzhou, China and goes via Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and East Africa to build trade links with Europe, Asia and Africa. MORE...
Democratic Party founder and former SLA Commander Sarath Fonseka, offered himself to face a domestic court of law on allegations against military operations during the Eelam War. MORE...
Govt at risk of claims by Chinese port city project - document
Sri Lanka would be exposed to the risk of claims from the firm managing a suspended Chinese-backed real estate project if the government fails to obtain approvals needed by the project within 60 days, a government document showed on Thursday. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s domestic mechanism to be finalised by January
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera says that the setting up of a four-tier domestic mechanism to investigate allegations of human rights violations will be finalised by January 2016 and implemented within 18 months. MORE..
TNA wants UN probe recommendations in next resolution
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today said that it welcomes the report of the investigation conducted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OISL) and its recommendations. MORE..
Govt assures due attention to UN report
The Sri Lankan Government today said it will ensure that the content and recommendations of the UNHRC report receive due attention of the relevant authorities including the new mechanisms that are envisaged to be set up. MORE..
Flight diverted to Mattala due to bad weather
A SriLankan Airlines flight arriving from London was diverted to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) today due to inclement weather conditions prevalent in Colombo at the time. MORE..
UN report contains legal analysis and recommendations
UN report on Sri Lanka will focus on human rights violations from 2002 to 2011, and it will contain legal analysis and recommendations, it was reported. MORE...
Sri Lankan flight suffers hydraulic problem after landing in Chennai
116 passengers and crew members of a Sri Lankan Airlines flight had a narrow escape on Thursday when the plane suffered a hydraulic problem after landing and got stuck in the runway at the Chennai airport. MORE..
Man with gold in rectum held at BIA
Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake have arrested a suspect attempting to smuggle almost 1kg of gold worth over Rs 4.6 million by concealing them in his rectal cavity. MORE..
Dayasiri vows to implement National Sports Policy
The National Sports Policy of Sri Lanka will be implemented within the next two years in a bid to strengthen and develop the sports industry, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara says. MORE...
Notices issued to Mattala airport protesters
The Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (03) issued notices on several persons including the former Chairman of the Lunugamwehera Pradeshiya Sabha for allegedly being a part of a protest held outside the Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport yesterday. MORE...
Indonesian plane missing over Papua region
An Indonesian plane with 54 people on board is missing in Papua region, officials have said. MORE..
Sri Lanka softens stance on China-backed port project
Sri Lanka is offering a compromise that could allow a major Chinese-backed real estate project to restart after months of delays, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Reuters on Monday. MORE...
Minister prohibits use of SLTB buses for election campaigning
The Ministry of Internal Transport has issued a directive to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) not to grant permission for the political parties to use its properties for election campaign purposes. MORE...
Ex-LTTE man held in India while trying to flee
The Indian city police arrested a former LTTE operative while he was attempting to escape to Switzerland on a fake passport at Trichy International Airport, the Times of India reported. Police also registered a case against two more persons from Ramanathapuram and Chennai for helping him obtained the fake passport. One of them was arrested. MORE...
No pressure from India on Port City project - govt
The Sri Lankan government has denied reports that the Indian government is exerting pressure on it to stall the $1.4 billion Colombo Port City Project. MORE..
Indian sailor found dead on ship, police launch probe
The body of an Indian sailor has been found on a ship off the Sri Lankan coast, prompting authorities to ask the captain to dock the vessel at the Colombo Harbour and launch a probe. MORE..
India wanted Sri Lanka to stop Colombo Port City – Gotabaya
Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa says that India’s National Security Advisor had requested the former Sri Lankan government to stop the Chinese-funded Colombo Port City project as it would pose a threat to that country’s security. MORE..
Sri Lankan woman held on charge of smuggling gold
A 33-year-old Sri Lankan woman has been arrested for allegedly smuggling gold worth 5.5 million Indian rupees, Chennai airport officials said on Thursday. MORE..
Sri Lanka cheers end of Iran sanctions
The easing of sanctions on Iran will deliver a much needed pick-me-up to Sri Lanka`s troubled tea industry by allowing the resumption of direct exports to one of its main markets, the government said Wednesday. MORE..
Gold, liquor bottles smuggled from SL seized at airport
Indian Customs officials at the Madurai airport seized 604 grams of raw gold chains (unfinished 24 karat gold chains) and 35 bottles of foreign liquor from 11 persons, all Indian citizens, who arrived from Sri Lanka. MORE..
US report highlights Sri Lankan human rights problems in 2014
There were reports that the Sri Lankan government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings in 2014, the U.S. State Department said in an annual report on Thursday. MORE..
LTTE financial network operated throughout 2014: US report
Despite its military defeat at the hands of the Sri Lankan government in 2009, the LTTE’s international network of sympathizers and financial support persists, the United States says. MORE..
Sri Lanka to treat migrants as ‘victims’ of smugglers
The Government is taking action against human traffickers under due processes while treating migrants as victims of smugglers, Sri Lanka’s envoy to the United Nations Ravinatha Aryasinha said. MORE..
US commends fight against corruption in Lanka
The US called on Sri Lanka to “continue on its path of ensuring accountability and reconciliation” in a statement delivered to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. In an opening statement delivered on Monday, the US said “we commend the people of Sri Lanka for restoring democratic institutions and combatting corruption”. MORE...
UK arrests Lankan asylum seeker; will deport him
UK immigration officials have detained Janahan Sivanathan, a 22-year-old Tamil asylum seeker and political activist from Sri Lanka. MORE...
Sri Lankan held for travelling on fake passport
The immigration staff of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad arrested a Sri Lankan passenger during the custom checkup for travelling using a fake passport. MORE..
Vienna airport security staff smuggled Lankan migrants to US, UK
Austrian police have arrested several security employees at Vienna airport over their alleged role in smuggling illegal immigrants to Britain and the US, officials confirmed on Tuesday. MORE..
We don’t know who to believe now – Rajapaksa
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that certain members of the government who had accused him of corruption in the constructing of the Colombo Port City project, during the Presidential Election, are now saying no such thing has taken place. MORE..
Criminal action over Sri Lanka cricket sex-bribe scandal
Sri Lankan authorities on Saturday said they would initiate criminal action against two men managing the women’s cricket team following allegations they demanded sexual favours from team members to guarantee their positions. MORE..
Tense situation during protest near Hambantota Port
A tense situation was reported during a protest near the Hambantota Port this morning, when a police jeep collided with one of the protesters. MORE..
Shashi Weerawansa’s passport and NIC forged: CID informs court
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today informed court that the diplomatic passport and National Identity Card (NIC) of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife Shashi Weerawansa, have been forged. MORE..
SLC election in January 2016 - Sports Minister
The elections for the Sri Lanka Cricket Board will be held prior to January 2016, says Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake. MORE..
FCID grills Maj Gen Nanda Mallawaarachchi
The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) is currently recording a statement from the former Secretary to the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Law and Order, Major General Nanda Mallawaarachchi, regarding alleged financial irregularities. MORE..
Sri Lankan gang arrested over fake passport racket
The Q branch of the Tamil Nadu police busted on Wednesday, a fake passport racket run by a Sri Lankan gang which had been ‘issuing’ fake Indian passports and fake visas to Sri Lankan refugees after collecting huge amounts and helping them to go to Europe and Canada via Nepal. MORE..
Sri Lanka economy grows 7.4% in 2014: CB Report
Sri Lanka’s economy grew by 7.4% (Agriculture 0.3%, Industry 11.4%, service 6.5%) last year, according to the Annual Report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2014 which was launched today. MORE..
Import tax on potatoes and big onions increased
The import tax on potatoes has been increased from Rs 40 to Rs 55 per kilogram and big onions increased from Rs 10 to Rs 30 per kilogram with effect from today, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said.
Sri Lanka ranks 132 on global happiness index
Sri Lanka has climbed 5 places in a global ranking of the happiest nations, coming in at the 132nd spot out of 158 countries on the index that took into account GDP per capita, life expectancy, social support and freedom to make life choices as indicators of happiness. MORE..
CCCSL maintains Southern Railway project built on low costs
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (CCCSL) on Friday rejected the accusation by the new government that the Southern Railway project in the island nation was constructed on a higher cost than the Northern Railway project. MORE..
Sangakkara honoured at Asian Awards 2015 in London
Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara was presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport at the fifth Annual Asian Awards held in London last night. MORE..
HRC helps Lankan maid to return home after accident
A Sri Lankan maid who was in hospital for three years following an accident in Saudi Arabia has flown back home with a smile, thanks to the Human Rights Commission. MORE..
Canadian court halts deportation of former LTTE tax collector
A federal judge has stopped the Canadian government from deporting a Sri Lankan war criminal, ruling the former member of the Tamil Tigers could be at risk if forced to return to his home country. MORE..
Sri Lanka fires fresh salvo at Chinese firm
The Chinese company involved in the controversial US$1.4 billion Colombo Port City project has failed to furnish the necessary documents within the two-week deadline set by the new government, which is also reviewing other Chinese projects including a high-profile telecommunications tower, Sri Lanka’s finance minister said. MORE..
Won’t do anything that requires referendum – Ranil
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe today expressed confidence that the 19th Amendment to the Constitution will be passed in Parliament with sufficient backing, despite objections voiced by certain parties including the JHU - a key partner of the government – and calls for a referendum. MORE..
China offers Sri Lanka olive branch and warnings
President Xi Jinping worked to mend relations with Sri Lanka on Thursday as Chinese state-run media warned the island nation’s new government against shutting off billions in investments from Beijing, AFP reports. MORE...
Sirisena meets China’s President amid new look at ties
Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena has held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping amid efforts to recalibrate his predecessor’s strongly pro-China policies. MORE..
President Sirisena leaves for Beijing
President Maithripala Sirisena today left for Beijing commencing a four-day state visit on the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. MORE..
Sri Lanka call for US $ 1.4b Chinese project to continue
Ahead of Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena’s first visit to China a local organisation called for China’s largest investment project to resume, an official said on Tuesday. MORE...
Port city issue should not hinder bilateral ties: China
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao says that the temporarily suspended port city development should not hinder the strengthening the friendly relationship between Sri Lanka and China. MORE...
Will Chinese investors quit if Port City comes to a standstill?
The temporary suspension of the Port City project in Colombo has put lot of Chinese investors in uncertainty regarding the Sri Lankan investment policy. MORE..
Government grants approval to construct breakwater of Colombo Port City
Sri Lanka’s cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of a breakwater for a Chinese funded port city project which had been suspended by the government earlier this month. MORE...
Chinese PM to discuss suspended project with the President
Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang is likely to have friendly discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena who is scheduled to visit China later this month and negotiations with respect to the suspended Colombo Port City Project (CPCP) will be a high priority topic, Ada Derana learns. MORE...
China urges Sri Lanka to protect interests of investors
China on Tuesday urged Sri Lanka to protect the interests of Chinese investors and promote bilateral economic ties following the suspension of a China-funded port project in Colombo. MORE...
Restraining order on Harbour protesters
The Colombo Magistrate on Tuesday (17) issued a restraining order on the officials of Harbour Container Transport Union preventing them from blocking the entrance to the Harbour. MORE...
11 more trade unions join container truck drivers’ strike
Eleven more trade unions have today joined to the strike action launched by container truck drivers at the entrance to the Colombo Port. MORE..
Sri Lanka-China tensions rise over suspended port project
The Sri Lankan government’s decision to review, and in effect suspend, the $US1.4 billion, Chinese-backed Colombo Port City (CPC) project has strained relations between Beijing and Colombo. MORE...
Court issues notice on six including Finance Minister
The Appeal Court today (12 March) issued notices on six including Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Secretary to the Treasury, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury and Director General of Customs. MORE..
‘If this is good governance, then god bless Sri Lanka’
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that politicians have now started to say things which should be said by the IGP or Attorney General and that politicians are the ones announcing who will be remanded, who will be arrested and within how many days. MORE..
Sri Lanka is not anti-China but mainland firms won’t get ‘carte blanche’: Ravi
Sri Lanka’s new leadership is not targeting China and only wants its help to fight corrupt deals orchestrated by the last government, the island nation’s finance minister said, even as he ratcheted up rhetoric against Chinese companies he said were once given “carte blanche” in his country. MORE...
China asks Sri Lanka to protect interests of investors
China has urged Sri Lanka to respect bilateral agreements and business contracts, and protect the interests of its investors following the suspension of a multi- billion-U.S. dollar project, the Chinese Embassy said on Saturday. MORE...
Chinese firm confirms suspension of Colombo Port City project
China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), the ultimate investor in the Colombo Port City Project, says that it will fully cooperate with the Government of Sri Lanka and continue to adhere to the procedures and conditions stipulated in the agreement entered into with the government. MORE..
Colombo Port City project suspended
The cabinet has decided to suspend the Colombo Port City project temporarily, Cabinet Spokesman Rajith Senaratne said. MORE...
New members appointed to National Sports Council
Minister of Tourism and Sports Navin Dissanayake has appointed Members of the National Sports Council to advise him on matters pertaining to development of sports for a period of three years. MORE..
Protest against Colombo Port City causes traffic jam
Severe traffic congestion has been reported around York Street Fort in Colombo due to a protest against the Colombo Port City Project by environmental groups, police said.
China says Sri Lanka loans made “based on consensus”
China’s loans to Sri Lanka were made based on consensus through talks between the two countries and at Sri Lanka’s request, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday, after Sri Lanka’s foreign minister expressed concern about the loans. MORE...
Sri Lanka says China to be consulted on any project re-think
Sri Lanka will not make any decision on Chinese projects it is reviewing until it consults China, Sri Lanka’s foreign minister said on Friday, pledging that his new government would welcome Chinese investors. MORE..
Minister to order probe into match-fixing incident
Sports minister Navin Dissanayake has been urged to order a probe into a match-fixing incident involving an Indian player during the Asia Cup tournament held in the country in June 2010. MORE...
Minister Dissanayake vows actions against absent officials
Minister of Tourism and Sports Navin Dissanayake has said that stern action will be taken against some key officials who did not attend a meeting between the Minister of Sports and the Heads of the National Sports Associations which was held this afternoon (25) at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Auditorium. MORE...
AI slams Sri Lanka on unlawful detentions, torture
Sri Lankan authorities continued to threaten, harass and arrest human rights defenders, including lawyers, family members of the disappeared and other activists last year, according to Amnesty International. MORE..
Sri Lanka says China port city broke rules
Sri Lanka’s prime minister said on Wednesday a $1.5 billion luxury real estate deal with China was signed without cabinet approval and without following procedures, and launched a new investigation to uncover any corruption. MORE...
Sri Lankan jailed for raping woman he met in nightclub
A Sri Lankan man who raped a woman he met in a club will be deported back to Sri Lanka after serving his five-and-a-half year sentence in England. MORE..
Mangala meets U.N. chief, urges war crimes report delay
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister met with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, and U.N. diplomatic sources said he pressed his government’s desire to delay the release of a U.N. report on alleged war crimes during his country’s civil war. MORE..
Karunanidhi wants India to move resolution against Sri Lanka
DMK president M Karunanidhi on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider moving a resolution in the UNHRC against Sri Lanka over alleged genocide and wanted India to support adoption of a human rights violation report in the world body. MORE..
China official says Colombo Port City project going ahead
The China-funded port city project in Colombo was going ahead, a top Chinese official from the company executing it said Wednesday, days after the new Sri Lankan government claimed the deal was still being assessed. MORE..
Iran naval flotilla docks at Port of Colombo
The Iranian Navy’s 33rd naval fleet has docked at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka as the Islamic Republic seeks to expand its naval presence in international waters. MORE...
China welcomes decision to go ahead with Port City Project
China today welcomed new Sri Lankan government’s decision to go ahead with the controversial USD 1.5 billion Colombo Port City project funded by it, calling the country an important partner in implementing its mega Maritime Silk Road project in South Asia. MORE..
Sri Lanka to go ahead with China-backed Port City Project
The Cabinet has decided to continue with the Chinese-assisted Colombo Port City Project, cabinet spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratna said today. MORE..
State Minister Faizer Mustapha resigns?
Parliamentarian Faizer Mustapha has tendered his resignation as State Minister of Aviation and has flown overseas, this afternoon, a source close to the Government said.
Bus fares to be reduced from Feb 1 – Minister
Bus fares will be reduced by 8-10% from February 1, the Minister of Internal Transport Ranjith Maddumabandara announced a short while ago. Maddumabandara added that the minimum fare has been reduced from Rs. 9 to Rs. 8. MORE...
Mahindananda’s passport to be impounded
The Bribery Commission has instructed immigration authorities to impound the passport of former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage for a period of 3 months, pending an investigation into a complaint against him. MORE..