UNHCR asylum seeker found dead in Negombo

A 49-year-old asylum seeker registered with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), was found dead in Negombo last night, Negombo police said.

SC Justice Prasanna Jayawardena passes away

Supreme Court Justice Prasanna Jayawardena PC, passed away today while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

No prorogation after fourth parliamentary session

There will be no prorogation after the fourth session of the eighth Parliament is conducted on January 3 for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to make his maiden speech, a party leader who wished to remain anonymous said yesterday.

National anthem will be sung only in Sinhala

The 72nd Independence Day celebrations will be held on February 4 at Independence Square in Colombo on a grand scale, the Public Administration Ministry said, adding that the national anthem would be sung only in Sinhala.

Will reduce potato prices if import duty slashed: EFCITA

The Essential Food Commodities Importers and Traders Association (EFCITA) said the market prices of potatoes as the main consumer item could be reduced if the government slashed import duty.

Champika spends time reading in remand prison

Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, who is now being remanded at the M Ward of the Colombo Remand Prison, is spending his time reading books and newspapers, prison sources said.

Arrest of Champika violated parliamentary traditions: Speaker’s office

Representatives of all parties at yesterday’s party leaders meeting were of the view that the arrest of former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka had violated parliamentary tradition so far followed, sources from the speaker’s office said.

Hakeem slams “politically-motivated” allegations

While unreservedly refuting allegations levelled against him over the dastardly Easter Sunday attacks, MP Rauff Hakeem said yesterday he had nothing to hide and would willingly provide any statement needed for investigations.

Patali’s case: Court orders CCD to record statement from IGP

Colombo Additional Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama yesterday allowed the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to record a statement from IGP Pujith Jayasundara over a motor accident which took place at Rajagiriya in 2016.

Prez should intervene to eliminate monopoly of rice market: MP Sunil Handunnetti

Legal action should be taken against the two main millers, who were key members of the rice mafia, Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti said at a media conference.

Three Indians including woman, van driver killed

At least three Indians including a woman and a Sri Lankan driver (67) were killed following a container lorry and van collision on the Southern Expressway (E-01) in Kurundugahahetekma this evening, the expressway police said.

Rainy weather to dissipate by tomorrow: Met Dept.

The prevailing showery condition is likely to continue over the Northern, Eastern and North-Central Provinces today, but will fairly dissipate by tomorrow, the Meteorology Department said today.

Downpour in catchments spikes hydro-power generation

Hydro-power generation has soared to 68.34 per cent of the total capacity owing to heavy rainfall in catchment areas, a spokesman of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said today.

Foreign travel ban imposed on Rajitha

Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage today issued an order preventing former minister Rajitha Senaratne from travelling abroad.

Five sentenced to death over Khashoggi murder

Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor said on Monday that five people had been sentenced to death over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in October last year while two top figures investigated over the killing have been exonerated, Al Jazeera reported.

Prison authorities ordered to allow CCD to record statement from Pujith

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today directed the prison authorities to allow the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to record a statement from IGP Pujith Jayasundara over the Rajagiriya accident case.

Rajitha’s anticipatory bail application fixed for Dec. 30

The anticipatory bail application filed by former minister Rajitha Senaratne was fixed for hearing on December 30 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

Prez wants immediate remedial action on flood victims

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa today instructed the officials to inspect the damages caused to houses in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts due to the floods and take immediate remedial action, Presidential Media Unit said.

Easter attack: CID to grill Rishad and Hakeem

The CID will record statements from former Ministers Rishad Bathiudeen and Rauff Hakeem over the Easter Sunday attacks, Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dlieepa Peiris informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

Oxford Uni. student raises £350,000 in memory of Easter Sunday attack siblings

An Oxford University student whose brother and sister died in the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka has raised £350,000 for the country’s health service.

Rajitha files third anticipatory bail application

MP Rajitha Senaratne today filed an anticipatory bail application for the third time in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court seeking an order to prevent his arrest in connection with the ‘white van news conference’ held on November 10.

Pujith, Hemasiri further remanded

Former IGP Pujith Jayasundera and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were further remanded until January 6 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage today.

Anticipatory bail application: Rajitha arrives at court

Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne arrived at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s court a short while ago for his second anticipatory bail application, which is to be taken up for consideration.

Around 350 elephant deaths reported so far

The Department of Wildlife Conservation said the number of elephant deaths has increased during this year.

Govt. should abolish International agreements as per mandate : Sajith

All international agreements including the MCC, ACSA and SOFA should be abolished as per the mandate given by the Sri Lankan people to the present government at the last presidential election, National Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa said over the weekend.

CID begins recording fresh evidence from hospital

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has commenced recording evidence for the second time from the staff of Kurunegala Teaching Hospital with regards to the fresh investigation launched against Doctor Shafi Shihabdeen who worked at the hospital’s Gynecology and Obstetrician Unit.

Govt. didn’t receive mandate to arrest Oppositions MPs - SF

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka questioned whether the government received the mandate in November to arrest opposition parliamentarians.

Legislation to punish those who obtain water illegally: Vasu

The government will enact a piece of legislation to impose a jail term for having illegal water connections, State Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Vasudeva Nanayakkara said yesterday.

Prorogation of Parliament: UNP has majority to prevent it - Ashu

Alleging that there is a move to prorogue Parliament after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa makes the policy statement on January 3, 2020, UNP yesterday said it will use the majority it currently enjoys to prevent such a situation.

Rice mill owners support to sell rice at controlled price: Dudley Sirisena

Araliya Group of Companies Chairman Dudley Sirisena said large-scale rice mill owners had taken steps to release rice to shops to sell Nadu rice at the maximum retail price of Rs 98 per kilogram and Samba rice at Rs 99, and therefore he requested consumers not to pay more than that when buying rice.