Return waste material to country of origin: CEA tells importer

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has ordered the Hayleys Free Zone Ltd. also known as Advantis, which had imported several containers of industrial waste to be exported to the country of origin with immediate effect.

Govt. taking steps to bring down Arjuna Mahendran: DSG

Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Priyantha Nawana today informed the High Court Special Trial–at- bar that the Government was taking steps to bring down Central Bank’s former governor Arjuna Mahendran from Singapore under extradition laws.

Nine SSPs promoted as DIGs

Nine Senior Superintendents of Police (SSP) have been promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) with the approval of the National Police Commission.

NPC Secretary remanded till August 2

Former Additional Secretary of Defence and National Police Commission Secretary D.M. Saman Dissanayake, who was arrested by the CID yesterday over the Avant Garde armoury case, was remanded till August 2 by Gangodawila Acting Magistrate Thissa Wijeratne today.

Tree falls killing three in Sooriyawewa

A mother, her daughter and another girl died after a tree had fallen onto a three- wheeler parked near a school in Sooriyawewa this afternoon, Police said.

French investors interested in H’tota Port: Envoy tells MR

French Ambassador Eric Lavertu, who called on Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said French investors were showing a keen interest in investing in the Hambantota port and the plantation sector.

Elephant calf case: AG files indictments against Thilina Gamage

The Attorney General today filed indictments at Colombo High Court against former Magistrate Thilina Gamage and three others over illegally keeping an elephant calf.

Traffic congestion in Town Hall

Traffic congestion was reported in the Town Hall area due to a protest march carried out by the Rajarata University students.

None of the complainants had come for tests at Castle, De Zoysa: DGSH

Though the Kurunegala Magistrate Court has advised over 1,000 women who had lodged complaints against the controversial Gynecologist of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, Dr. Siyabdeen Safi for alleged unlawful sterilization to have tests at De Zoyza and Castle Street women hospitals, not a single complainant had come forward for the tests up to yesterday, Director General - Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Acting IGP directs CCD to probe Kalagedihena incident

The Acting IGP has directed the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) to inquire into the incident where a group of security personnel of a VIP attacked a van at Kalagedihena, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said today.

Avant-Garde case: Suspects further remanded

Rakna Lanka Former Chairman Victor Samaraweera and Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Palitha Fernando were further remanded till August 2 by Galle Chief Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela over Avant-Garde floating armoury case.

Arjun Aloysius and others granted bail by special high court

The special Trial-at-Bar today served indictments against Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) owner Arjun Aloysius and several others and granted bail in connection with the Treasury bond scam.

Agarapathana tragedy: Body of missing girl found

The body of the 11-year-old girl, who went missing after being caught in floods in Agarapathana police area last afternoon, was recovered this morning, Police said.

One killed in landslide in Ginigathhena: 10 shops destroyed

A 64-year-old man was killed after 10 shops in Ginigathhena were destroyed in a landslide this morning, police said.

ICC suspends Zimbabwe over political interference

International cricket chiefs on Thursday suspended Zimbabwe over a failure to keep the sport free from government interference.

VIP security personnel attack van in Kalagedihena

An incident was reported from Kalagedihena yesterday in which security personnel of a VIP motorcade had attacked a van for allegedly not allowing the vehicle convoy of the VIP to proceed.

PM to call for report on wheat flour price hike

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have told a group of UNP MPs that he will call for a report from the relevant authorities on the recent wheat flour prices hike.

Health Ministry to pay Rs.3.5bn for take over of NFTH

The Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine will soon take over the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) at Malabe by paying a sum of Rs. 3.5 billion, Health Ministry Secretary Wasantha Perera said yesterday.

Power disruptions a possibility due to windy conditions: CEB

Power disruptions were reported from several areas in the country yesterday due to the prevailing showery weather and windy conditions, Power and Energy Ministry Media Spokesman and Development Director, Sulakshana Jayawardena said.

PM says will make official statement on death penalty soon

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed junior MPs of his party that he would soon come up with an official statement on the implementation of the death sentence on behalf of the government and the United National Party (UNP).

Court orders BoC to submit bank records on Batti campus

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday ordered the Bank of Ceylon (BoC) Senior Manager to submit the bank records to the FCID with regard to an organisation in Saudi Arabia which had transferred USD 100 million to the controversial Batticaloa Campus.

Court of Appeal sets aside Jaffna HC order prohibiting animal sacrifices

The Court of Appeal yesterday set aside the judgment of the Jaffna High Court which prohibited the animal sacrifice ritual in the Northern Province for the last three years.

Shafi’s wife, Young Journalists Association complain to JSC

The wife of Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen and the Young Journalists Association (YJA) filed two separate complaints with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) alleging bias and misconduct of Kurunegala Magistrate, Sampath Hewawasam.

Landslide warnings issued for 7 districts

The National Building Research Organisation ( NBRO) today issued landslide warnings for Rathnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Kegalle, Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts.

Navy rescues 9 sailors aboard barge swept away by gale

The Navy rescued nine sailors on board a barge which was swept away by gale-force winds that were experienced in the outer harbour of the Galle Port and had started to head towards the seas off Sama Viharaya in Rumassala this evening.

NFC once again blocked from film distribution

The Civil Appellate Court of Colombo today issued an interim injunction preventing the National Film Corporation (NFC) from handling the distribution of films until the final determination of the case.

NPC wants CID withdrawn and SIU to probe

The National Police Commission (NPC) has called for a report from the Acting IGP over the possibility of removing the CID from investigating Dr. Mohammed Shafi’s case and hand it over to the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU).

Return to nearest harbour: Navy advises fishermen

Fishermen in the south, south-western and western seas of Sri Lanka are advised to return to the nearest harbour due to the prevailing adverse weather, Navy Spokesman Isuru Sooriyabandara said.

Heavy shower claims girl in Agarapathana

One girl was killed and another went missing after they were caught in floods in the Agarapathana police area this afternoon, police said.

'Easter Sunday attack child victims still traumatised’

At least some 770 children and adults who have been mentally disturbed as a result of the Easter Sunday bomb blasts in churches are being counselled by the Life Healing Centre that has been set up by the Catholic archdiocese of Colombo, it was revealed on Wednesday.