PS chairman held in bribery case

[July 05 2013]

Walallawita Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Udeni Atukorala was arrested by Bribery Commission officials for allegedly soliciting a Rs 1.5 million bribe from the Bentara Paradeshiya Sabha chairman. It is reported that he had accepted the bribe to provide a permit to transport soil.

Anti-Dengue programmes in Kelaniya schools

[July 01 2013]

Public Health Inspectors attached to the Kelaniya MOH Office have taken steps to launch anti-Dengue programmes in 20 schools under the purview of the Kelaniya MOH Office. The programme will be conducted on the instructions of Kelaniya MOH Dr Wasantha Rajapaksa.

Principal dies during training

[June 30 2013]

Raddolugama Pagnananda Madya Maha Vidyalaya Principal W.A.S. Wickramasinghe died following a stroke while exercising in the morning at the Rantambe Cadet Camp. Wickremesinghe, 52, was among the 97 participants in the month long military leadership training programme for school Principals.

Senior Minister leaves for Geneva

[June 28 2013]

Senior Minister for International Monetary Co-operation and Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning Dr. Sarath Amunugama will leave for Geneva tomorrow to represent the Sri Lankan Government at the Annual Ministerial Review of the Economic & Social Council of the United Nations

President unveils Buddha statue

[June 25 2013]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa unveiled a six feet Samadhi Buddha statue erected at the entrance to the Mihintale sacred area concurrent to the 2320 Mihindu Jayanthi commemoration. The President performed the first flower and oil lamp offering to the statue constructed by the Civil Defence Force (CSD).

Train crashes into parked lorry, one dead

[June 24 2013]

One died and four passengers were seriously injured when a train bound for Galle crashed into a lorry at Angulana . According to Police sources, the train was packed with rush hour passengers knocked the train when it was parked close to the railway track.

Man nabbed with ganja in bag

[June 21 2013]

A 31-year-old male, resident in Paththinigama, Galnewa was arrested by Galnewa Police on afternoon while carrying 1.508 kgs of ganja hidden in a travelling bag after alighting from a Colombo-Anuradhapura bus at Paththinigama junction.

The Railway Department yesterday inaugurated a luxury train service from the BIA in Katunayaka to the Colombo Fort Secretariat Halt in preparation for the 11th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards ceremony to be held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. Here Transport Minister Kumara Welgama, Ports and Aviation Deputy Ministers Rohitha Abeygunawardhana and Dayashritha Tissera, Hambantota District Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and Gampaha District Parliamentarian Dr. (Mrs) Sudarshini Fernandopulle on the inaugural train ride yesterday. Picture by Nalin Hewapathirana

Richard Pieris Group in record profits

Richard Pieris Group reported healthy results despite the many challenges faced both in the world and local environment. The Group made a net profit before tax of Rs 1.1 billion which was the highest profit achieved in the last five years. Group borrowings reduced by Rs 1.6 billion to Rs 5.2 billion thereby further strengthening its Balance Sheet.

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President declares tax concessions

In a major step towards simplifying and broad basing the tax structure, President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Fiance and Planning Minister has removed the 15 percent surcharge on custom duty with effect from yesterday. The 2.5 percent import duty on most raw materials, plant and machinery has also been abolished to provide a boost to the rapidly recovering post conflict economy. Multiplicity of custom duty structure has been simplified with a four band duty structure of 0, 5, 15 and 30 percent, Finance and Planning Ministry states in a release.

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Special luxury train service begins

A special super luxury intercity train yesterday began its maiden journey from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to the Secretariat Halt opposite Colombo Hilton for tourists visiting the country for Videocon IIFA Weekend and Micromax IIFA Awards.

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