Air India captain may have shut off fuel ahead of deadly crash: Reports

Dialogue heard on a cockpit voice recording indicates that the captain of the Air India flight that crashed in June, killing 260 people, may have turned off the fuel just after takeoff, prompting the first officer to panic, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited sources familiar with U.S. official’s early assessment.

Galle Face Hotel says no order of kitchen closure by CMC; guests’ safety a priority

Following the Daily Mirror article on the Public Health Inspectors’ (PHIs) visit to Galle Face Hotel, the Hotel, in a statement, said that there had been no order to close their kitchen by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) or any other regulatory authority, and that they remained focused on providing a safe and comfortable environment for every guest.

Court rejects Rajitha’s anticipatory bail application

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by former Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

Average Israeli tourist spends approximately USD 150

An average Israeli tourist spends approximately 150 US Dollars which is a comparatively high amount, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said.

Underage schoolgirl abducted by lover

A young man who had abducted an underage schoolgirl and had kept her at a house in the Haputale area was arrested by the Lindula Police last night.

KPMG official who conducted CPSTL forensic audit involved in deleting data: Dayasiri

An official of KPMG Sri Lanka that conducted the forensic audit over the fuel distribution of the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) has been involved in deleting the data regarding fuel ditribution, SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara revealed today.

Talks on export tariff cuts to be held online

A group of Sri Lankan officials, led by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, is set to hold a virtual discussion with officials of the U.S. Trade Agency regarding the reduction of tariffs on Sri Lankan exports.

Over 3,200 suspects arrested in island-wide drug raids

Sri Lanka Police arrested 3,283 suspects involved in drug trafficking and related crimes during a special operation that began on July 11.

Six elephants released into Udawalawe Maw-Ara forest reserve

Six elephants cared for at the “Ath Athuru Sevana” (Elephant Transit Home) were released into the Udawalawe Maw-Ara Forest Reserve yesterday.

SLTB calls for applications to fill 750 driver and conductor vacancies

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has announced the recruitment of drivers and conductors on a contract basis, inviting applications from eligible individuals across the country.

Connie Francis: Pretty Little Baby singer dies at 87

Connie Francis, who was at one time the world’s biggest-selling female artist, has died at the age of 87.

One injured in Dehiwala shooting

A shooting incident was reported near the Dehiwala Railway Station, targeting an individual.

Former Deputy Minister Chandrasena further remanded

Former Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Special Projects, Samarakoon Mudiyanselage Chandrasena was ordered to be remanded further by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga till August 1 over allegations of misusing state resources during the 2015 Presidential Election.

PHIs visit Galle Face Hotel after food poisoning complaints

A section of the main kitchen at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo was temporarily ordered to be closed by the Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) following complaints of suspected food poisoning.

Strong wind advisory issued for 15 districts amid active South-West monsoon

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a strong wind advisory for 15 districts across the country, citing the active south-west monsoonal condition.

Half-naked Thai tourist transitioned from male to female four years ago

The Thai woman who made headlines for walking topless near a hotel in Arugam Bay, had undergone a sex reassignment surgery four years ago, transitioning from male to female.

Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling, White House says

The White House said on Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump is experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand, after photographs emerged of Trump with swollen ankles and makeup covering the afflicted part of his hand.

Newborn baby found abandoned in paddy field at Mawathagama

A newborn baby was found abandoned in a paddy field at Sinhapurapara, Mawathagama, Kurunegala yesterday.

Wild elephant killed by train in Gallella

A wild elephant was killed early this morning (18) after being struck by a train traveling from Colombo to Batticaloa. The accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. in the Gallella area.

Public decency laws outlaw nudity in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, public nudity for both men and women is prohibited under several laws and regulations. Public nudity remains strictly prohibited under a combination of criminal statutes and public morality laws.

Why roll the dice on foreign casino investors when locals are ready to play?

The speculated opening of a foreign owned casino centre in Colombo’s ‘City of Dreams’ has raised serious questions as to why a foreign based gaming giant was awarded the contract when local expertise was available for years.

Historic Rs. 474 million lottery prize awarded to winner from Gokarella

In a landmark moment for Sri Lanka’s lottery history, the National Lotteries Board (NLB) yesterday (17) presented a cheque worth Rs. 474 million to the winner of the largest-ever lottery jackpot in the country.

Minister witnesses minor blast, Questions lack of safety gear

Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake witnessed a minor explosion during an inspection tour of the Ratmalana railway yard today, drawing attention to serious safety concerns faced by workers.

Use special routes for special criminal suspects, Minister tells IGP

Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure maximum security when transporting high-profile criminal suspects through airports, stressing the need to use a special route to avoid public disruption and potential security risks.

SJBers will soon start struggle for leadership change: Diana

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members will soon start a struggle for a leadership change to put the party on a winning path, former MP Diana Gamage said today.

Sri Lanka should use ISB debt resettlement as leverage for U.S. tariff concessions: Ranil

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka should leverage the resettlement of international sovereign bond (ISB) debt in negotiations with the United States to seek relief from the 30 percent tariff currently imposed on its exports.

Court reserves order on petition seeking STF removal from Boossa Prison

The Court of Appeal today reserved its order until September 1 on a writ petition seeking the removal of Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel from Boossa Prison.

Air India first officer asked captain why he turned off fuel switches

A cockpit voice recording of doomed Air India Flight 171 indicates that it was the younger co-pilot who asked his more experienced colleague why he turned off the plane’s fuel-supply switches, according to people familiar with the matter.

ASPI down slightly as market shows mixed momentum

The Colombo Stock Exchange closed on a mixed note today, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) declining by 8.11 points (-0.04%) to end at 18,876.85. The index saw a sharp drop of nearly 180 points early in the session before rebounding around 100 points by mid-day.

Three subjects made mandatory under new education reforms: PM

Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has firmly rejected claims that History and Aesthetics have been removed from the school curriculum, stating that these subjects, along with Vocational Studies, have been made mandatory under the new education reforms.