PSC on Easter Sunday attacks: Deputy Solicitor-Generals to testify today

Deputy Solicitor-Generals Dileepa Peiris and N.H.M. Nawawi are expected to testify today before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Shangri-La bomber’s telecon proves April 21 a retaliatory attack: Ruwan

A telephone conversation between the Shangri-La Hotel bomber and his wife on April 21 reveals the series of explosions had been carried out in retaliation to Christchurch Mosque shootings and harassment against Muslims, State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene told parliament yesterday.

New passport issued to Gota on May 7: Immigration Chief

Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, R. M. P. S. B. Rathnayake yesterday said a new passport was issued to former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on May 7 this year. However, he said the issuance of passport doesn’t necessarily mean a citizen has or has not renounced their dual citizenship.

’Prez told not to invite IGP to Oct. 2018 SC meeting’

Former Defence Secretary Kapila Wadiyaratne today said President Maithripala Sirisena informed him not to invite IGP Pujith Jayasundara to the Security Council meeting on October 2018.

AG Dept’s failure to ban NTJ questionable: Bimal

JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake today questioned as to what action the government intends taking about the failure on the part of the Attorney General’s Department to take steps to ban National Thowheed Jama’at when the Terrorist Investigation Unit made requests to this effect twice.

Tough task for UNP to win votes in South: Naveen

While saying that he was ready to fulfil the upcountry people’s dream of presidency, Plantation Industries Minister Naveen Dissanayake said it was indeed hard for the UNP to get the votes from the Southern Province.

Dayasiri, Weerakumara blame Dilan for backstabbing SLFP

General Secretary of the SLFP Dayasiri Jayasekara and Trade Union Organiser Weerakumara Dissanayaka today slammed Badulla District UPFA Parliamentarian Dilan Perera and warned him not to act like a nincompoop and betray the SLFP.

It’s a fake doc, I have the original: Gota

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said the document which is being circulated on social media sites purporting that he has renounced his US citizenship was fake and that he was in possession of the original certificate.

Soldier commits suicide by shooting himself

A soldier attached to the Anuradhapura 212 Brigade Headquarters has allegedly shot himself with his weapon, the Anuradhapura police said.

Ruhuna Science Faculty closed indefinitely

The Science Faculty of the Ruhuna University has been closed from today until further notice as a result of a group of students threatening the Dean, the University Office said.

Asian countries turning back wealthy world’s waste

Several Southeast Asian countries, sick of being the wealthy world’s rubbish dump, have in recent weeks turned back container-loads of waste from foreign shores, the AFP reported yesterday.

Airman on duty at diplomat’s residence shoots himself

An airman who was on duty at the Swiss Ambassador’s official residence in Colombo died after he allegedly shot himself today, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Won’t meet presidential hopefuls if probe not expedited: Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said today that he will not meet any presidential candidate until justice is meted out to the Easter Sunday bomb victims.

Lankan tourist drowns on holiday in Switzerland

A 22-year-old Sri Lankan man drowned in a pond on Tuesday in the northeastern Swiss city of St Gallen.

Galle Road closed due to protest

The Galle Road from Ceramic Junction towards the NSA Roundabout has been closed following a protest march carried out by a group of unemployed graduates, police said.

Army Commander before PSC for the second time

Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake commenced giving evidence before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to look into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks a short while ago for the second time.

Interim order issued preventing transportation of garbage containers

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order preventing the transportation of garbage containers inside the country until September 20.

Hathurusingha given deadline to quit: Harin

Sri Lanka was considering applications from three “top international cricket coaches” to replace incumbent Chandika Hathurusingha, who has until mid-August to step down, Sports Minister Harin Fernando said Tuesday.

Mysterious death of a student

A grade 12 student of the Sapugaskanda Maha Vidyalaya, who had suddenly fallen ill while practising at the school sports ground, was pronounced dead on admission to the Kiribathgoda Hospital yesterday, police said.

Banning face veils in public: Thalatha seeks Cabinet approval

Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorale is reported to have yesterday sought Cabinet approval to impose regulations banning the wearing of face veils in public places.

Easter Sunday bomb attacks: I was not aware of prior warnings: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said the Easter Sunday bomb attacks could have been prevented had the officers attached to defence establishments informed him about the prior warnings they have received in early April.

Assets of Batticaloa Campus cannot be taken over under any law: Hisbullah

Former Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hisbullah said yesterday there was no legal provision to take over the assets of the Batticaloa Campus (Pvt) Ltd to the government as suggested by certain people.

Face developing world - By changing SL’s political & economic outlook: PM

Sri Lanka’s political, social and economic outlook should be changed if the country hopes to face a developing world, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday at a ceremony held to distribute appointment letters to graduates in the state sector.

Writ petition on garbage shipments: No waste imported: Hayleys PLC

Romesh de Silva PC, appearing for the Hayleys PLC, informed the court that his client as a company, which runs a hub operation in Katunayaka, had not violated any law as it had only done a separating process for re-exportation of containers of mattresses, which cannot be regarded as waste.

Ecstasy pills worth Rs. 15 mn seized

A parcel with 3050 ecstasy pills worth over Rs. 15 million was seized by Customs officers at the Central Mail Exchange in Colombo today, Customs said.

Duminda makes a statement to PCoI police unit

Former agriculture minister Duminda Dissanayake today made a statement to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) Police Unit on corruption in the current administration with regard to the renting out of the D.P.A. Jayasinghe building by his Ministry in 2017.

Proposed amendments to MLA detrimental: Opposition

The Opposition today said the proposed amendments to the Monetary Law Act (MLA) were detrimental to the economy and that it would go to the Supreme Court if and when the draft bill was presented to parliament.

Ban on sale of imported liquor without foolproof sticker

The Excise Department has banned the sale of all brands of imported liquor without its new foolproof sticker introduced recently.

Farewell speech: Some people slinging mud at Malinga: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that some people were slinging mud at cricketer Lasith Malinga following his farewell speech made at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Gota’s alleged US renunciation certificate circulating in social media a forgery

A certificate distributed yesterday purporting to show that former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has renounced his US citizenship has been debunked as a forgery, the Daily Mirror learns.