Media freedom changed after this govt. took office: Eran

Since this government was elected to power two months ago, the atmosphere in the media circles has changed for the worse, UNP MP Eran Wickramaratne told journalists at the Opposition Leader’s office yesterday.

Five member police committee to probe Judge Gihan Pilapitiya case excerpts

Acting IGP C. D. Wickramaratne has appointed a special five-member committee to study the excerpts of an investigation into interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya over the phone recording case and make a recommendation to arrest him as per the Attorney General’s instructions.

President says police should act without fear in discharging duties

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said law enforcement officers should carry out their duties without any fear or favour, but their actions should strictly be in compliance with the law.

Legal action against those behind signing agreement: State Minister

While assuring to shift the Agricultural Ministry from the rented out DPJ building to the Govi Jana Mandiraya, Agriculture State Minister Vidura Wickramanayake said today legal action would be taken against officials and politicians involved in signing the agreement to rent out the building in Welikada, Rajagiriya.

Can’t come to conclusion without annexures: UNP MPs

It is not possible to come up with a stand on the forensic audit report carried out on the bond scam without the annexures, some UNP MPs said today.

Ranjan took back CDs following legal advice: Harsha

Clarifying the position with regard to the tabling of CDs containing phone conversations of MP Ranjan Ramanayake , UNP MP Harsha De Silva today said the former had to take the clips back after tabling it following legal advice.

AG directs CCD to arrest interdicted Judge Gihan Pilapitiya

The Attorney General has directed the CCD Director to obtain a warrant, arrest and produce interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya in court for allegedly conspiring with MP Ranjan Ramanayaka to fabricate false evidence.

Ranjan’s voice test postponed

The Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court informed the Magazine Prison not to produce MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who is in remand custody, before the Government Analyst for a voice test today but to produce on another date when informed by court.

Access CB Forensic Audit final report here

The final report of the Forensic Audit on the issuance of treasury bonds during the period of January 1, 2002, to February 28, 2015, can be viewed as given below.

Edu Director sentenced to 10 years RI

Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige sentenced a female Education Regional Director to ten years rigorous imprisonment (RI) for soliciting a bribe from a female undergraduate promising a job in a state bank.

Income tax bonanza for sin industries

The tax changes included in the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill propose to make major revisions to Sri Lanka’s corporate tax structure and interestingly, to substantially reduce the income tax rate on the so-called sin industries.

12 injured as lorry crashes with Black Maria

Twelve people including nine suspects had been injured in an accident involving a Black Maria and a lorry at Kaluwilapathana, Ambanpola this morning, the Police said.

Rishad’s brother Rifkhan remanded

Rifkhan Bathiudeen, the brother of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) was remanded until February 06 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.

NO CDs given by Ranjan, says Deputy Speaker

Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri today informed Parliament that MP Ranjan Ramanayake had not submitted any CDs containing voice clips as reported in some media.

Magistrate Kanishka to be appointed new Bribery DG

Ampara Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne is to be appointed as the new Director-General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Three nabbed with gold biscuits worth Rs.50 mn

Three suspects including a 16-year-old boy was arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with gold biscuits worth more than Rs.50 million this morning, airport senior official said.

Shani Abeysekara arrives at CID

Former CID Director Shani Abeysekara arrived at the CID to give a statement with regard to the investigations carried out on the incident into the alleged abduction of Swiss Embassy local staffer Garnier Banister Francis.

Wolbachia’ bacteria to be released on Feb 17

A pilot project to combat Dengue by means of Wolbachia, is to be launched on February 17’’ in Dematagoda and Nugegoda areas, National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) Director Dr. Anura Jayasekera said.

Import of milk powder to be limited: Minister

Action would be taken to look into the possibility of curtailing the importation of milk powder into the country, Health and Indigenous Medicine, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Prez, PM’s attention drawn to appraise CYPETCO defaulters

Power, Energy and Commuter Transport Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday said he would appraise President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the cabinet on the colossal amount of money defaulted to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CYPETCO) which is running into Rs. 155 billion by several key state establishments.

UNP wants Speaker to upload report in P’ment website

UNP MP Karunaratne Paranavithana yesterday requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to upload the forensic audit report of the Central Bank bond scam in the Parliament website.

Bond scam Forensic Audit report held back on AG’s orders

The annexures of the Forensic Audit report conducted on the bond scam has been held back by Parliament following an order of the Attorney General, UNP MP Harsha de Silva told Parliament today.

Sumathipala slams Ranjan’s match-fixing allegations

Refuting match-fixing allegations levelled by MP Ranjan Ramanayake, MP Thilanga Sumathipala told Parliament yesterday that none including the International Cricket Council (ICC) made such remarks.

AG orders bond scam Forensic Audit report held back

The annexures of the Forensic Audit report conducted on the bond scam has been held back by Parliament following an order of the Attorney General, UNP MP Harsha de Silva told Parliament today.

No CDs tabled by Ranjan: Kanchana

It was transpired in Parliament today that MP Ranjan Ramanayake had not tabled any CDs on Tuesday though he claimed he did so.

Bribery DG resigns

Director-General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne has resigned from the post.

UNP names Saman Rathnapriya as National List MP

The United National Party (UNP) today named Saman Rathnapriya to fill the National List MP post fell vacant by the resignation of Dr. Jayampathi Wickremaratne

Politicians shouldn’t chase after positions: Kiriella

Referring to the prevailing UNP leadership crisis, MP Lakshman Kiriella said they, as politicians, should not chase after positions, but positions should come in search of them, if they had worked properly.

Gazette on maintaining public order issued

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification directing the military to maintain public order in the country with effect from today.

Govt. to continue Digana Airport building project

The new government will continue the Digana Airport building project considering the needs, Minister of Aviation and Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga told Parliament today.