Pujith, Hemasiri further remanded

Former IGP Pujith Jayasundera and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were further remanded until January 20 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today.

‘I said something about his wife’: Irfan Pathan reveals ‘nasty’ sledging episode with Sanga

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Saturday, spoke about an episode with Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara and recalled a sledging incident which took place in Delhi during a Test match.

Special probe for leaving the country by IP Nishantha

Police Headquarters has started a special investigation over Inspector Nishantha de Silva for abruptly leaving the country for Switzerland without obtaining permission from the Police Department.

Cabinet approval sought for scrapping FCID

The government has withheld approval for a Cabinet paper seeking to abolish the Police Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) till the Supreme Court rules on its legality, a Minister said yesterday.

Angoda Lokka’s main accomplice ’Cheeti’ arrested in STF raid

The Special Task Force (STF) has arrested Sarath Kumara alias ’Cheeti’, the main accomplice of underworld criminal ‘Angoda Lokka’, in Mulleriyawa yesterday.

Arresting MP Ramanayke violate norms: Mujibur

Arresting MP Ranjan Ramanayke without proper charges is a dangerous trend which could even affect media, UNP MP Mujibur Rahman said yesterday.

Conspiracy behind Ranjan’s arrest : Semasinghe

State Minister for Development Banks and Loan Schemes Shehan Semasinghe said there may be a conspiracy behind the arrest of United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake to defame the President and it is worthy to inquire as to who is behind this course of action.

Mangala demands investigation on tenure as Finance Minister

While accusing Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa of getting Buddhist monks to criticize him, former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday demanded an investigation on his tenure as the Minister.

Protest by Baticaloa Prison inmates

Twenty eight prison inmates of Batticaloa Prison climbed onto the roof of the prison and began a protest yesterday afternoon demanding a probe over the mysterious death of an inmate.

Won’t sideline any UNPers if I get party leadership : Sajith

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said over the weekend that he will not sideline anyone in the UNP if he is given the leadership of the party.

Ranjan released on bail

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested yesterday, has been granted bail by the Nugegoda Magistrate Court this evening.

Arrest gambling centre operators too: Consumer Rights Group

National Movement for Consumer Right today said that police should arrest MPs who own illegal betting and gambling centres rather than apprehending others to victimize them politically

Mourners flood the streets as body returns to Iran

A sea of mourners swept into the Iranian city of Ahvaz early on Sunday morning to receive the remains of Qasem Soleimani, the general killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad last week.

Sacked coach Hathurusingha demands $5 million in compensation

Sacked coach Chandika Hathurusingha has demanded $5 million in compensation from Sri Lanka Cricket over the premature termination of his contract, an official said Sunday.

BIA worker arrested with 6.5kgs gold

A 41-year-old employee at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) had been arrested with 6.5 kgs of gold biscuits worth Rs. 58 million by officers attached to Customs Narcotics Unit, Customs Spokesman said.

US ’targeting’ 52 Iranian sites if Tehran attacks

President Trump has warned the US is ’’targeting’’ 52 Iranian sites and will strike ’’very fast and very hard’’ if Tehran attacks Americans or US assets.

‘Would never mind retiring anytime after that’: Malinga

Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga won’t mind walking into the sunset if his team qualifies for the knockout stage at this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

Ranjan to be produced in court today

UNP Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake who was arrested by the Colombo (South) Crimes Division yesterday, would be produced in the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today after recording a statement, Police said.

I don’t agree with the Police action-Kanchana

State Minister for Tea Industry Development Kanchana Wijesekera said that although the President and the government were on the right track, the Police and their investigations are on the wrong track.

Water cut for 24 hrs in suburbs of Colombo

National Water Supply and Drainage Board said that there will be an interruption of water supply to the following areas for 24 hours commencing 9.00 a.m. on Tuesday (January 07) till 9.00 a.m. the next day due to essential maintenance work to be carried out on the main pipeline supplying water to areas between Kalatuwawa and Maharagama.

Ranjan Ramanayaka arrested

UNP Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake has been arrested by the police over possession of a pistol without a valid license.

Assault on teenager with cricket bat; three remanded

Three suspects-father, step mother and a female Grama Niladhari- who were arrested for allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old girl(suspect’s daughter) in Nikaweratiya, were remanded until January 16, by the Nikaweratiya Magistrate Court today.

Swiss Embassy staffer case: BASL condemns Swiss Govt.’s statement

Referring to the statement issued by the Government of Switzerland on judicial proceedings pending in court involving an employee of the Swiss Embassy, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said yesterday, it creates a wrong and misconceived impression about the role of the judiciary in Sri Lanka and the concept of “due process” as referred to in the statement.

Police search Ranjan’s house

A special Police team is currently conducting a search operation at UNP Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayaka’s residence at Madiwela.

Lankans nabbed for stealing crude oil in Nigeria

Nigerian Navy has arrested seven Sri Lankans 11 Nigerians for stealing crude oil worth billions of US dollars in Lagos(largest city in Nigeria), vanguard news agency reported.

National Day parade participants to be reduced by 30%

The Government’s attention has been drawn to reduce the number of participants at the National Day Parade by 30 per cent compared to last year, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Eight parliament records three opposition leaders

Sri Lanka’s eighth Parliament went down in the history yesterday by becoming the first to have appointed three leaders of opposition throughout its term.

Cabinet approval to withdraw Counter-Terrorism Bill

The Cabinet yesterday approved the withdrawal the Counter-Terrorism Bill, Cabinet spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday.

Seal gone missing since Dec.18

The seal which was seen resting among the rocks in the sea off Bambalapitiya has gone missing since December 18, the Wildlife Conservation Department said.

FM to visit India on Jan.9

Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardane will visit India on January 9 as his first official visit abroad and would be there only for a couple of days.