Windy conditions may continue till tomorrow: Met

The windy conditions prevailing in the Northwestern, Western, Southwestern and the Southern sea areas of the island will likely to continue until the tomorrow morning, the Meteorology Department said today.

Four remanded over attack on a van at Kalagedihena

Four suspects who were arrested over attack on a van at Kalagedihena, have been remanded till July 22 by the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

One ‘Awa’ member killed during a clash with police in Manipai

An individual was killed after police opened fire at suspected members of the ‘Awa’ group when they tried to attack a group of police officers at Manipai in Jaffna last night, police said.

Removing Dr. Shafi’s probe from CID: Acting IGP says ’not possible’ to NPC

The Acting IGP has written to the National Police Commission (NPC) yesterday saying it is not possible to remove the CID from investigating Dr. Mohammed Shafi’s case and hand it over to the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU).

Aftermath of April 21 attacks - UN expert lauds SL efforts to ensure rule of law

The visiting UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly has appreciated the fact that Sri Lanka was able to recover and ensure the rule of law in the aftermath of the April 21 tragedy, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Govt. has not signed SOFA: PM tells BASAL

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told a delegation from the Sri Lanka Bar Association that the government had not signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States.

Batticaloa Campus - Sectoral Committee calls for forensic audit

Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Education under the parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education and Human Resources Development, Ashu Marasinghe yesterday called for a forensic audit on the Batticaloa Campus.

Ranjan’s remarks - Reveal decision taken at disciplinary inquiry: Ven. Omalpe

Leading Buddhist monk Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera yesterday urged the government to reveal the decision taken after the disciplinary inquiry conducted on State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake over his controversial remarks on the Buddhist clergy.

SL politics should cater to aspirations of youth - PM

Sri Lanka’s politics should change in order to cater to the aspirations of youth, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Soldier killed, five others including Major injured in accident

One soldier was killed and five others including a Major were injured when their cab vehicle crashed into a tree after hitting a three-wheeler on the A-20 Road at Rambewa in Anuradhapura last evening, police said.

Inclement weather easing slightly

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today the inclement weather in the country had improved to some extent though risks still prevailed.

Defender jeep connected to VIP security personnel attack found

The Defender jeep (CAD-8850) connected to VIP security personnel attack on a van at Kalagedihena, was found from Elhena Road Maharagama today, police said.

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.