Arrest of Patali legal: Acting IGP informs NPC

Acting IGP C.D.Wickramaratne has informed the National Police Commission (NPC) that the arrest of former minister Patali Champika Ranawaka was done in a legal manner in accordance with procedures, the NPC said.

UNP defends decision

Justifying the decision to provide an official residence to TNA leader R. Sampanthan, UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara said yesterday his party took this line of thinking upholding its policy of standing up against racial discrimination.

Sajith loyalists mull broad opposition alliance

The faction supporting MP Sajith Premadasa is contemplating to form a broad opposition alliance if he were not given UNP leadership, MP Harin Fernando told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Portuguese aircraft leased by former Govt. ‘not airworthy’

The previous government that bought an aircraft on a monthly lease of USD 585,000 from an airline in Portugal is not airworthy as brought to the notice of Civil Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga by trade union leaders yesterday.

New Wanni DIG - Dhammika Priyantha

DIG of the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FICD) and the Criminal Investigation Department Dhammika Priyantha has been transferred as the DIG of the Wanni District. He is due to assume duties tomorrow (31).

Prez underscores need to form a centralised data platform

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has paid attention to see the possibility of collecting personal data such as national identity cards, driving licences, immigration and emigration documents, registration of births and deaths under one entity.

Six middlemen arrested accepting bribes at DMT Werahera branch

Six middlemen were arrested at the Department of Motor Traffic Werahera branch (DMT) today by the officers attached to the Special Police Investigation Unit while accepting a bribe, a senior police officer said.

Fire breaks out inside PM Modi’s residential premises

A fire broke out in an electrical unit inside the Prime Minister’s house in Lutyens, Delhi on Monday evening, after which nine fire tenders were pressed into action.

NTC instructed to ensure jarring music banned in buses

Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera today instructed the National Transport Commission (NTC) to take immediate measures to stop jarring music and videos from being played in passenger buses from January 1.

Two teen girls drown in Badulu Oya

Two 15-year-old girls of three, who had gone bathing in the Badulu Oya, had drowned this evening, police said.

P.S.M. Charles appointed NP Governor

Former Customs Director-General P.S.M.Charles was appointed as the Governor of the Northern Province by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today.

Thisara Perera joins Army

Cricketer Thisara Perera has joined the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force as a Major, following an invitation of Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.

CID grills Rishad

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today recorded a statement from former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen for over three hours, sources said.

Swiss Embassy local staffer released on bail

Swiss Embassy local staffer Garnier Banister Francis was released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

CDS to retire tomorrow

Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne is to retire from the post of Chief of Defence Staff tomorrow (December 31).

Rajitha granted bail with two sureties of Rs.500,000 each

MP Rajitha Senaratne who was remanded on the charges of organising a ‘white van’ press conference prior to the presidential election was today granted bail with two sureties of Rs.500,000 each by the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

Garnier produced before court

Swiss embassy local staffer Garnier Banister Francis, who is in the remand custody, was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officers a short while ago.

India offers to commence flight connectivity with Batticaloa

As part of its measures for further improving air connectivity with Sri Lanka, India has offered to develop the Batticaloa Airport for flight operations between regional destinations, Daily Mirror learns.

Former Govt gives luxury residence in Colombo 7 for Sampanthan

The previous government had taken a decision to allow former Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan to use his official residence in Mahagamasekara Mawatha, Colombo, as long as he remains the leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

20,000 tourist hotels operate without registration: Tourism Minister

Industrial Exports, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said 20,000 tourist hotels had not been registered with the government and added there were only 2000 hotels which had been registered with the government at the moment.

Mistress of Mankandure Madush arrested at BIA

The officers of the Criminal Investigations Department ( CID) arrested the mistress of notorious underworld leader Makandure Madush when she arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Saturday from Dubai.

Will work for victory at general elections : Sajith

New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said over the weekend that he is willing to dedicate himself for the victory of all UNP MPs and organisers at the next general elections.

Investigate information revealed by the two persons : Mujibur

An investigation should be carried out on the information revealed by two persons at a press conference arranged by MP Rajitha Senaratne, a UNP MP said today.

11 SSPs promoted as DIGs

Eleven Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) have been promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) by the National Police Commission (NPC).

Fine, imprisonment for illegal user of water : Minister

Those who obtain pipe-borne water illegally are to be prosecuted and jailed, and the relevant act would be amended accordingly, Minister of State Vasudeva Nanayakkara said.

Move to transfer Rajitha to Prison Hospital suspended

Transfer of former Minister Rajitha Senaratne from Lanka Hospital to the Prisons Hospital has been suspended, sources said.

Rajitha transferred to Prisons Hospital

MP Rajitha Senaratne who was under police custody at the Lanka Hospital has been transferred to the Prisons Hospital, the Prison Department said.

Maga Neguma to take more projects to make it profitable: Minister Johnston

Steps would be taken to integrate more new projects into Maga Neguma to make Maga Neguma a profitable venture, Minister of Roads & Highways Johnston Fernando said.

Government to launch US $ 250 million mixed project

The Ministry of Finance, Economy and Policy Development said today that the first foreign investment under the new government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would be launched soon.

14 Indian fishers arrested for poaching in SL waters

Fourteen Indian fishermen were arrested by the Navy along with three fishing trawlers for poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters yesterday, the Navy said.