15-hour water cut in Colombo this Sunday

The water supply will be interrupted for 15 hours from 9 a.m. to 12 midnight in Colombo 02, 03, 07, 08 and 10 this Sunday (14), the National Water Supply and Distribution Board said today.

Range Bandara’s son’s vehicle met with accident again

A luxury motorcar belonging to former parliamentarian Palitha Range Bandar’s son Yasodha Range Bandara met with an accident last night at Thonigala in Anamaduwa, Police said.

Ragging victim Pasindu Hirushan discharged from hospital

Pasindu Hirushan, who was undergoing treatment at the National Hospital, Colombo following a ragging incident in March, was recovered and discharged from the hospital.

Niluka Ekanayake withdraws from contesting under SJB

Former Governor Niluka Ekanayake, who was set to contest the general election from Samagi Jana Balawegaya for Ratnapura District, has withdrawn from contesting the election.

225 Lankans return from Philippine, Japan

A total of 225 Sri Lankans including two naval officials who were stranded in Philippine and Japan due to COVID-19 pandemic, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning, the Airport Duty Manager said.

Man found dead at independence square; suspected suicide

A letter purported to be a suicide note of the man found dead at Independence Square this morning, has indicated that he had taken his life due to multiple health issues.

Senior DIG says he was doubtful about content in warning letter

Senior DIG Nandana Munasinghe, who was the Senior DIG of the Western Province in April 2019, yesterday informed the PCoI into Easter Sunday attacks that he has never contacted IGP Pujith Jayasundara, who is currently on compulsory leave, after receiving a top secret intelligence letter on April 09, 2019, mentioning a warning of an Islamic extremist terror attack.

ETI Investments; Central Bank has failed in its duty-Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday said that the Central Bank has failed in its duty and cannot evade its responsibility with regard to the alleged irregularities in the ETI Investments, the Presidential Media Division said.

Hirunika hails Namal’s stance

SJB Colombo District candidate and former MP Hirunika Premachandra yesterday said she is happy about the stand of former Parliament colleague Namal Rajapaksa with regard to the Mount Lavinia beach project.

Considering of bail for prisoners through video technology

The Cabinet gave the green light on Wednesday to go ahead with a project proposed by Justice and Law Reforms Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva to consider granting of bail through video technology while the accused remains in prison.

No more arrests of protesters by Police: Govt.

The Police will refrain from arresting protesters at public venues unless there is an extreme situation that would lead to serious violation of law and order causing public unrest but all those involved would be referred to a spell of quarantine, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today.

If fail to implement guidelines, won’t hesitate to sack CB or State Bank officials: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today warned that he would not hesitate to remove officials of the Central Bank (CB) or State Banks from their positions if they fail to take steps to implement the guidelines formulated by the government.

Pavithra rejects RW’s remarks, says WHO released only USD 1.9mn & not USD 230mn

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi today rejected remarks made by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had released USD 230 million to Sri Lanka for COVID-19 operations.

Norochcholai Unit 2 breaks down

Unit 2 of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant has experienced a breakdown following a steam leak. Lakvijaya Plant Manager Indrasiri Gallage said that it would take around four days to cool down. “After four days, we will repair it and it can be completed within two days.’’

India’s tour of SL called off

The India National Team Tour of Sri Lanka, which was scheduled to take place during the month of June, 2020 will not go ahead as scheduled, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said today.

Weapon used in Soysapura shooting recovered from Piliyandala

A T-56 weapon which was allegedly used in the Soysapura shooting, was recovered from a forest behind a house at Suwarapola in Piliyandala today, police said.

Need to install mobile jammers to make phones useless in prisons: Upuldeniya

The Prisons Department is expected to introduce a new mobile jamming system to prevent inmates from using mobile phones while in prisons, Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya said.

Man hacked to death by son-in-law

A 57-year old man was hacked to death by his son-in-law at Oruwala in Athurugiriya last night, police said.

Doctor who stole cash from National Hospital, remanded

The 33-year-old doctor who was arrested for stealing Rs.7.9 million worth of cash brought to the National Hospital, Colombo, was remanded until June 24 by the court today.

SL-born BBC presenter reveals cancer has spread to his lungs

Sri Lanka-born BBC presenter George Alagiah has confirmed his bowel cancer has spread to his lungs.

Dates fixed for postal voting

The National Elections Commission today announced the dates for postal voting for the 2020 General election starting from July 13.

DIG Jayasundara assumed duties as STF Commandant

DIG Waruna Jayasundara today assumed duties as 13th Commandant of the Special Task Force of Police (STF).

BCCI following ‘wait and watch’ policy for Sri Lanka tour in August

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said that they are still following the ‘wait and watch policy when it comes to the tour of Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series in August.

30 police officers including Kollupitiya OIC sent for quarantine

At least 30 police officers including the Kollupitiya Police OIC, who were on duties near the US embassy in Colombo to disperse the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) protesters, have been sent for quarantine, the Police said.

Three-wheeler Association Chairman murdered over ‘leasing mafia’

Chairman of Self-Employed Professionals’ Three-Wheeler Association, Sunil Jayawardhana, was killed after he was assaulted by a group of employee of a finance company in Mirihana Wednesday evening, police said.

SJB Galle District candidate resigns, pledges support to MR

Denat Paniyandoowage, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate contesting the General Elections from Galle District has withdrawn from contesting and pledged his support to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

All inbound DPL staff should adhere to local health guidelines: US Embassy

The US diplomatic staff adhere carefully to Sri Lankan COVID-19 guidelines including quarantine restrictions in close coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Relations, a US Embassy spokesman said.

Releasing of two suspects arrested by CID was a mistake: OIC of SIU

The release of two of the four suspects who were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for keeping explosives in possession at Lacktowatta in the Wanathawilluwa area in January, 2019, was a mistake, OIC of the Special Investigation Unit at the CID Janaka Marasinghe said.

Cabinet nod for 4% interest loans to pay tourism industry salaries: Minister

The Cabinet approval was given today to issue loans at the interest of four percent for the payment of salaries to the employees of the tourist hotels and guest houses registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) by March, 2019, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

Investigate assault on protesters: Namal

While condemning the Tuesday’s assault on Frontline Socialist Party protesters by the police, former MP Namal Rajapaksa said proper action should to be taken over the incident following an investigation.