Veteran actress Chandra Kaluarachchi passes away

Veteran actress Chandra Kaluarachchi has passed away at the age of 76 at her residence this evening, Sri Lanka Singers Association (SLASA) President Janaka Wickramasinghe said.

No statement issued by Cardinal on MCC

The Cardinal’s office yesterday rejected the reports that the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has issued a statement over the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) pact.

Country’s Prez should rise above party politics: CBC

While saying that the citizens of the country should discern wisely and courageously on the choice of the presidential candidate, the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) of Sri Lanka said the President of the country should rise above party politics.

Three arrested with 25,000 kgs of refuse tea

Special Task Force personnel arrested three men and seized 25,000 kgs of refuse tea from a factory at Uswetakeiyawa today while being prepared to be exported, police said

Record statements from Sri Ranga & submit extracts: AG to police

Noting the inaction of the police, the Attorney General has instructed the Acting IGP to record statements from Sri Ranga and former DIG Amarasiri Senaratne and submit complete extracts of the investigation within three days, the Attorney General’s Coordinating Officer said.

Parliament have time to review MCC pact once it’s signed: US

The parliament will have ample opportunity to review the MCC grant assistance agreement once it is signed, the US Embassy today said.

PNB gets robots to inspect drugs at BIA

The Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) attached to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today conducted drugs and narcotics inspections with the use of two robots for the first time in police history.

Agreement to form DNF signed

The agreement for the formation of the Democratic National Front (DNF) was today signed by several political parties including the United National Party (UNP), the ’Api Sri Lanka movement’ led by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and several other civil society groups.

Jaffna-Chennai air services from Nov.10: CAA

Commercial air services between Jaffna International Airport (JAF) and Chennai International Airport (MAA) will commence from November 10, the Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority said.

14 Lankans nabbed with gold jewellery worth more than Rs.30mn

Fourteen Sri Lankan passengers were arrested with gold Jewellery worth more than Rs.30million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning while attempting to smuggle them into the country, Customs Additional Director General media spokesman Sunil Jayarathne said.

Denuwara Menike marks first journey to Badulla

The imported new luxury S14 Chinese Power set named ‘Denuwara Menike’ made its first journey to Badulla this morning, the Railways Department said.

Sajith’s manifesto pledges building of strong nation

New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa in his election manifesto launched yesterday, pledged to bring in a new constitution which will build a strong nation, to create a democratic pluralistic society and to devolve maximum power to provinces.

Most politicians instigating racism and extremism: Liyanage

Most of the current politicians are attempting to instigate racism and extremism to stabilise politically, Sri Lanka Labour Party Presidential Candidate A. S. P. Liyanage said yesterday.

Dreaded torture chamber operator nabbed in Wennappuwa

An accomplice of ’Olu Mara’ who is alleged to have maintained a torture chamber in a house in Sirigampola, Wennapuwa, identified as ’Ran Chamara’, has been taken into custody on suspicion by a team of Wennappuwa police officers on Wednesday in the Kirimetiyana area.

Prez assures that MCC won’t be signed before Nov. 16

President Maithripala Sirisena had today assured that the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) agreement will not be signed before November 16.

EC says final results could be announced by Nov. 17 morning

The Elections Commission (EC) would be able to announce the winner of the presidential poll 2019 in the morning of November 17 and if the top two candidates fail to obtain 50%+ votes for an absolute majority, the releasing of the final results would be delayed till the dinner time of the same day, Chairman of the EC, Mahinda Deshapriya said today.

UNF to sign agreement with CBK tomorrow

The United National Front (UNF) led by United National Party (UNP) would sign a memorandum of understanding with former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga tomorrow, the UNP said.

MCC drafted with the consent of AG: FM

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement was drafted with the consent of the Attorney General and would be presented in parliament, the Finance Ministry said today.

MCC Pact shouldn’t be signed hurriedly before poll: MR

SLPP and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said no agreement including the MCC Pact should be hurriedly signed with a foreign government just days before a decisive presidential election.

Court upholds former JMO’s objections over indictment

Colombo High Court upheld a preliminary objection raised against the indictments framed in court by the Attorney General accusing former Chief Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) Ananda Samarasekara for concealing evidence in the killing of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen.

Four complaints over sharing marked ballot papers on social media: ITSSL

Four complaints have been received to the Information Technology Society of Sri Lanka (ITSSL) in connection with sharing marked postal ballot papers on social media.

MCC Champion County match to be held in Sri Lanka in 2020

Marylebone Cricket Club has today announced that next season’s Champion County match against Essex will be held in Sri Lanka.

Twitter to ban all political advertising

Twitter is to ban all political advertising worldwide, saying that the reach of such messages ’’should be earned, not bought’’.

Gota’s stay order confirmed despite objections

The Court of Appeal today confirmed its order: granting a stay order till December 3 in favour of Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa preventing him being summoned as a witness to the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court.

At least 70 dead after fire on Pakistan passenger train

At least 70 people have died and dozens have been injured after a fire broke out on a passenger train in Pakistan.

Sajith’s manifesto launched

Election manifesto of New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa was launched in Kandy a short while ago.

Two arrested with drugs worth Rs.20 mn

Two persons who were engaged in drug smuggling were arrested with Rs.20 million worth drugs by the Special Task Force (STF) in Wellampitiya this morning.

Agreement signed to form Podujana Nidahas Sandhanaya

Seventeen political parties including the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) signed an agreement to form Sri Lanka People’s Freedom Alliance (SLPFA) or Sri Lanka Podujana Nidahas Sandhanaya at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute a short while ago

102 SPs promoted as SSPs

A total of 102 superintendents of police (SP) have been promoted as senior superintendents of police (SSP).

Postal voting for Prez polls underway

Postal voting for the presidential election commenced this morning and will continue till 4.00 pm this afternoon.