Pakistan suspends trade, downgrades diplomatic ties with India

Pakistan has decided to suspend bilateral trade and downgrade diplomatic relations with India after a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday as a response to India’s move to revoke the special status to the Indian-controlled Kashmir, according to the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement.

Assault on Rivira Editor: Six military men to be released from case

Criminal Investigation Department officials today informed the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court that the Attorney General’s Department has no plans to take legal action against six military officers including Major Prabhath Bulathwatta, in connection with the assault on former Rivira Newspaper Editor, Upali Tennakoon and his wife.

Rumesh Ratnayake to be appointed interim head coach

Former fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake would be appointed as the interim head coach of the Sri Lanka Cricket team, the SLC announced today.

Three more JMI activists arrested

Three members of the banned Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) Organisation have been arrested by the Ampara Police today.

C’wealth Chief thanks Sanga for commitment to deliver ’Peace at the Crease’

Commonwealth Secretary- General Patricia Scotland yesterday thanked Kumar Sangakkara for his commitment to working with the Commonwealth to deliver ‘Peace at the Crease’.

Protesting HNDA students tear gassed

Police used water cannons and fired teargas to disperse the protesting Higher National Diploma in Accountancy (HNDA) students at the Lotus Road in Colombo a short while ago.

TID Chief and PMSD Chief among eight DIGs transferred

Eight Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs), including W. S. E. Jayasundara, the Director of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID), has been transferred, police said.

Shantha Bandara resigns

UPFA national list MP Shantha Bandara today submitted his resignation to the Secretary-General of Parliament and resigned as an MP.

President arrives in Cambodia on a four-day visit

President Maithripala Sirisena reached the Phnom Penh International Airport in Cambodia today commencing a four-day visit to the Kingdom at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni, the President’s Media Division said.

Former Chief JMO Samarasekara indicted

Former Chief Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) of Colombo, Dr. Ananda Samarasekara, was indicted by the Attorney General in the Colombo High Court for concealing evidence on the murder case of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen, the Attorney General’s Department said today.

Welambada Acting OIC interdicted

Acting OIC of the Welambada Police, Inspector Bandula Bandara has been interdicted for attempting to return 76 Manna knives and 13 axes from police custody, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Fmr Navy and Air Force commanders awarded highest military ranks

Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and the former Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke had been awarded highest military ranks by President Maithripala Sirisena.

SLFPers won’t attend SLPP convention: Dayasiri

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said yesterday that the SLFP MPs would not be attending the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) convention this Sunday.

India’s former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj dies at 67

Sushma Swaraj, India’s former external affairs minister and a senior member of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has died at the age of 67.

Entire Govt. responsible for mistakes and lapses: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that the entire government and cabinet of ministers are responsible for the mistakes and lapses which led the terror group to launch successful attacks on Easter Sunday.

Power purchase from mid-sea power plants - MS tells Ravi to submit proof

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have asked Power, Energy and Business Development Minister Ravi Karunanayake to submit proof that the Attorney General and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) had approved the purchase of electricity from two barge-mounted power plants.

There should be a permanent Law and Order Minister: Maddumabandara

Former Law and Order Minister Ranjith Maddubandara yesterday said he functioned as the Law and Order Minister only for seven months and said there should be a permanent minister and a secretary for law and order so as to work effectively in matters related to national security.

I was not informed of prior warnings

State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday said that intelligence services and his personal security officers did not convey the information regarding the prior warnings of Easter Sunday attacks to him.

UNP candidate - It’s PM’s right to reveal his intentions: Mayantha

UNP MP Mayantha Dissanayake said that at the party’s parliamentary group meeting he had only said it was Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s prerogative as party leader to reveal his intentions on the presidential candidate.

I was first informed of NTJ activities in 2016: Sagala

Former Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake testifying before the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) appointed to probe Easter Sunday attack said yesterday he had received 13 intelligence reports on the activities of ISIS locally and Internationally during his tenure and that activities of National Thawheed Jama’at (NTJ) was first informed to him on November 12, 2016.

Dr. Shafi contests arrest and detention

The Supreme Court yesterday re-fixed to September 27 for granting of leave to proceed with the fundamental right petition filed on behalf of Dr. Mohamed Shafi Shihabdeen of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital.

MS tells Ravi to submit proof

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have asked Power, Energy and Business Development Minister Ravi Karunanayake to submit proof that the Attorney General and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) had approved the purchase of electricity from two barge-mounted power plants.

Dr. Shafi contests arrest and detention

The Supreme Court today re-fixed to September 27 for granting of leave to proceed with the fundamental right petition filed on behalf of Dr. Mohamed Shafi Shihabdeen of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital.

Presidential election: SLFP stance after talks between MS-MR

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) stance on the presidential election will be decided after the second round of discussions between President Maithripala Sirisena and SLPP and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

Sri Lanka Electricity Amendment Bill withdrawn

The Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill which was to be taken up for debate in parliament was withdrawn by House Leader and Minister, Lakshman Kiriella after the Attorney General had informed that some sections of the Bill were inconsistent with the Constitution.

Five nabbed over Rs. 30mn gem, cash, jewellery heist in Pelmadulla

Five suspects, including two school teachers and two retired army soldiers, have been arrested today over alleged theft of gems, cash and gold worth more than Rs.30 million in Pelmadulla on July 27 night, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

19 Ruhunu Uni students remanded till Aug.19

The Matara Magistrate today remanded 19 students of the Ruhunu University till August 19 when they were produced in the court on charges of threatening the Dean of the Science Faculty, police said.

PM testifies before PSC

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe commenced giving evidence before the Parliamentary Select Committee probing on the Easter Sunday Attacks.

PM notes first Buddhist majority State in India

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in a twitter message, noted the creation of the first Indian state with a Buddhist majority by way of enacting a Bill.

Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara before PSC

Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara is currently giving evidence before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the Easter Sunday attacks.