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The new Galle Fish Market reconstructed with the assistance of UN-HABITAT and BASF, was ceremonially opened on January 6 by Chief Minister, Southern Province Shan Wijeyalal de Silva, on the invitation of the Mayor of Galle Methsiri de Silva.

Officials yesterday warned of a sharp increase in the price of vegetables following devastating floods in food-growing areas.

The sudden imposition of Nation Building Tax (NBT) on turnover of luxury hotels which came into effect from January 1, 2011 has sparked a row between two key tourism stakeholders on who should incur the additional cost burden.

Leading business and technology solutions firm, Softlogic Holdings Pvt Ltd has plans to more than triple its consumer electronics retail outlets by expanding from the present 43 outlets to about 150 by the end of 2011.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa Friday categorically denied that the Sri Lankan Navy had shot at Indian fishermen, but promised to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

Vice Admiral. D. W. A. S. Dissanayake assumed duties today as the 17th Comamnder of the Sri Lanka Navy at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo.

Due to a breakdown of the main pipeline from the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant to Colombo certain areas will experience a water cut tomorrow (January 16) from 8 a.m. to 12 midnight, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board announced.

The UN is to launch an appeal for emergency flood aid for Sri Lanka, where at least 32 people have died and more than 300,000 have been displaced.

A man was shot dead by suspected underworld members at mihindu mawatha in Pettah a short while ago.

Reaffirming his commitment to the “13-plus” (13th amendment with additional powers) formula to bring about an amicable political solution to the Tamil question, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa insisted that “the plus” be a product of the hope and aspirations…

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W D J Seneviratne has decided to grant special leave with payment to all public sector employees who have been unable to report to work due to persisting inclement weather and…

The Government has taken steps to refurbish 100 schools damaged by the terrorists during the recent war period. A sum of Rs 141 Million is being funded by the Nippon Foundation in Japan and Seva Lanka foundation, for this project.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that the government is not intending to convert the Colombo Municipal Council and the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council into an authority but are looking at means to make the administrative structure of those local bodies…

The cold temperature being experienced in Sri Lanka will continue until mid February, Meteorology Department Director General G B Samarasinghe said.

A new digital electricity meter manufactured in Sri Lanka would be introduced to electricity consumers shortly, instead of the electro-mechanical meter, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

A Chinese aviation firm will build a 500 million US dollar hotel and shopping complex in the main beachfront of Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, the government said.

Colombo - Citizens Development Business Finance Ltd. (CDB) recently awarded scholarships to the third batch of children of three-wheeler owners who obtained the highest results at the Grade 05 scholarship exam and the GCE O/L examination.

The government is to provide fuel to the public at affordable rates despite the increasing fuel prices in the global market, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

The Power and Energy Ministry is bound to provide electricity to the people at affordable rates and it should strive to give more prominence to what people actually need than think about profits, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

Chaminda Vaas is considering retirement from international cricket after being dropped from Sri Lanka's squad for the World Cup, starting in February.

The government has taken speedy measures to help the people affected by floods and land-slides with an allocation of Rs. 100 million for the welfare of the displaced and affected persons. The relief assistance programme is being carried out through…

The Mahaweli Authority is planning to provide 10,000 employment opportunities to graduates within the next three years, Director General of the Mahaweli Authority D. M. C. Dissanayake said.

Rain continued to wreak havoc yesterday breaching the bunds of 200 irrigation tanks and destroying 100,000 paddy acres, while 832,447 persons have been displaced, 937 houses fully damaged and 4001 houses partly damaged, according the latest updates by the Disaster…

Eleven sports are set to be held at the first ever Beach Games among South Asian Federation countries to be held in Hambantota in August this year.

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari has offered soft-term credit facility to Sri Lanka for importing Pakistani sugar and cement plants.

More than 4000 Muslims who were displaced from the Jaffna Peninsula in 1990 will be resettled in their original homes once a study carried out by a government committee is completed, Jaffna Government Agent Imelda Suhumar said.

The LPBOA says that they intend to postpone the bus strike which was scheduled to take place on January 11. We plan to postpone the strike as the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority has decided to give in to…

A Formula One track is planned for the New Port City to be constructed in the vicinity of the Colombo Port. According to the Chairman, Ports Authority, Dr. Priyath Wickrama an eight lane F1 track will “definitely” be a part…

Former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya, who was just last week omitted from the Sri Lankan World Cup squad, was in for another shock today as he was not picked by any of the teams contesting the Indian Premier League…

Hundreds of Colombo families having valid deeds for their houses and land are being told to be prepared to vacate their homes, as the Urban Development Authority wants more land in the city for new development plans.

At least seven people were killed and four others are missing following heavy rain, mudslides and floods since early this morning in several parts of the country mostly the eastern, central and north central provinces.

Rosie Senanayake, MP, said yesterday that she did not belong to any group in the UNP and was only working towards the party’s victory at future elections.

The first meeting for the new year between the special committees of the Government and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to explore ways and means to find a solution for the grievances of the people living in…

There were attempts by certain elements to create a rift between the President and the Chief Justice, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Commissioner of Elections Dayananda Dissanayake yesterday announced that nominations from political Parties and Independent groups for the forthcoming local government elections would be accepted from Thursday, Jan. 20 to 12 noon on Jan. 27. Nominations from independent groups would be…

Sri Lankan all-rounder Dilshan was bought by Vijay Mallya’s Royal Challengers for $650,000 whereas Kochi team bagged Mahela Jayawardene for $1.5 million in the Indian Premier League auction in Bangalore a short while ago.

Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vass have been excluded from the 15 member Sri Lanka cricket squad for the 2011 World Cup, Sri Lanka Cricket board officials said said a short while ago.

The Army began marketing vegetables at reasonable prices in 14 centres in Colombo and suburbs yesterday.

The Private Bus Operators Association yesterday said it would go ahead with the proposed all-island private bus strike on January 11 since talks with the Transport Ministry failed to resolve the fare hike issue.

A UNP frontliner yesterday embroiled himself in a heated argument with government legislators including Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem over the alleged rift between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chief Justice Ashoka de Silva.

A survey conducted by the Central Environment Authority (CEA) has revealed that a large number of industries in the country were operating without an Environment Protection Licence (EPL) which could pose a danger to the environment and even affect public…

Train cargo transportation will be upgraded by 50 percent, said Transport Minister Kumara Welgama addressing the opening ceremony of the refurbished Kelaniya Railway Station yesterday morning.

Close on the heels of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of Sri Lanka’s rehabilitation, reconstruction and re-settlement efforts in the post-war era, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says that Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in South India…

Close on the heels of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of Sri Lanka’s rehabilitation, reconstruction and re-settlement efforts in the post-war era, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says that Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in South India…

Laugfs Gas Ltd will invest Rs.500 million in Mini Hydro Projects under Laugfs Power Ltd which is a fully owned subsidiary of the company.

Army will be purchasing vegetables from the farmers to sell them at a concessionary rate in Colombo in a bid to control the prices of vegetables. This programme was implemented under the directions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary…

Army will be purchasing vegetables from the farmers to sell them at a concessionary rate in Colombo in a bid to control the prices of vegetables. This programme was implemented under the directions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary…

The Highways Ministry has to play a major role to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people by making the development program a reality, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa presiding over a special conference held at the Highways Ministry yesterday….

The Highways Ministry has to play a major role to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people by making the development program a reality, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa presiding over a special conference held at the Highways Ministry yesterday….

The proposed reduction on the Telecommunication levy to 20 percent was implemented as of January 1 this year as the government lowered certain taxes and imposed one block levy.

World record holder Muttiah Muralitharan became the only Sri Lankan among in the Greatest All time One Day International Team chosen by cricket fans around the globe in a vote conducted by the International Cricket Council to coincide with the…

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has promised to introduce several new amendments to the controversial Sports Law (No25) of 1973, which currently governs Sri Lanka’s sports, as early as February.

The United States had threatened Sri Lanka in 2009 with costly sanctions if weapons deals were carried out with both Iran and North Korea during the final stage of the war, a secret US cable revealed.

Discussions are underway to repatriate over 300 Sri Lankans who have been apprehended in Indonesia for entering the country illegally.

Several former UNP parliamentarians have pledged their support to UNP Hambantota District parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa to take over the party leadership and called on the UNP Leader to step down.

Sri Lankans who invest in high-risk, high-return unauthorised investment schemes will not be bailed out at tax payer expense if they lose money in future, central bank governor Nivard Cabraal said.

Some government members yesterday demanded of Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane that they be given quotas with regards to the admission of children to Grade I classes at popular schools.

The CID has busted a major ATM scam involving some 14 million rupees with the arrest of two suspects, the police said.