China’s Sinopec sets up fuel oil unit in Sri Lanka

China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, known as Sinopec Corp, said on Monday it has set up a fuel oil company in Sri Lanka as it looks to supply fuel to ships along a major maritime route.

UN expert to visit SL to assess rights to freedom of peaceful assembly

UN Special Rapporteur Clément Nyaletsossi Voule will visit Sri Lanka from July 18 to 26 to assess rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the country, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said today.

Price of wheat flour increased by Rs.8

The price of a kilogramme of wheat flour would be increased by Rs.8 with effect from today, Prima Ceylon (Private) Limited has informed its agents.

48-hour postal strike at CME from this evening

The Joint Postal Trade Union (JPTU) said that they had decided to launch a 48-hour token strike at the Central Mail Exchange (CME), Colombo from this evening over three demands.

CID questions Hemasiri Fernando for nine hours

A nine-hour long statement had been recorded from former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando yesterday in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

I only referred to a ‘handful of monks’: Ranjan

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday said there was no need for him to seek an apology from the Maha Sangha as he had not made any statement insulting the Maha Sangha and said he only spoke about a ‘handful of monks’.

’Aaryawa-Baryawa’ stories no threat to Sajith’s popularity: Harin

Minister Harin Fernando said yesterday that despite social media attempts to destroy Sajith Premadasa’s name and fame fabricating a ‘lady and wife’ story, it would not pose a problem to him because the villagers are with him.

SLPP will move to get P’ment dissolved: GL

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said yesterday that it would work to get two-thirds approval for a resolution to dissolve Parliament once it secured victory for its candidate at the presidential election.

Four arrested for keeping 290 electric detonators in Piliyandala

A father and his two sons were arrested for keeping 290 electric detonators in a house in Hedigama in Piliyandala this evening, the Police Media Spokesperson, SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

It should be there but shouldn’t be implemented: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said the death penalty should be there as a punishment but it shouldn’t be implemented.

EU, SL hold informal counter-terrorism dialogue

The European Union (EU) and Sri Lanka held an informal counter-terrorism dialogue where the EU presented a support package for Sri Lanka focusing on law enforcement, rehabilitation and disengagement, counter-narratives and online radicalisation.

PM calls for Ranjan’s explanation

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in a letter addressed to State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake has called for an explanation from him on the controversial statements he had made on Buddhist monks, before July 20, 2019.

OIC Interdicted over missing T-56 rifles

The officer in-charge of the Panadura (North) Police, Inspector Prabath Paranawithana has been Interdicted today after two T-56 assault rifles went missing from the police station last week.

Not in a hurry to accept portfolios: Rishad

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader and Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said yesterday they were not in a hurry to accept ministerial portfolios and said they would do so on a decision taken by his party.

NTJ Colombo District leader granted bail

Mohamed Farook Mohamed Fawaz, the Colombo District Leader of the National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ), was granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

Father, daughter killed in train collision

A father and daughter were killed when the train travelling from Kankasanthurai to Colombo collided with their motorcycle at an unprotected railway crossing at Wadurawa, in Veyangoda this morning.

Narcotics smuggling in Indian Ocean: India, SL will continue to share intelligence

India and Sri Lanka continue to share intelligence with the Sri Lankan authorities on narcotics smuggling in the Indian Ocean, a spokesman said yesterday.

Questioning of intelligence officers ’in camera’ in future

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that probes the Easter Sunday attack has decided to conduct inquiries from the intelligence officers in camera in the future.

England win maiden World Cup title on boundaries

England won the World Cup for the first time as they beat New Zealand in a Super Over after a nerve-shredding final ended in a tie at Lord’s today.

Final World Cup 2019: England tie with NZ, match goes to Super Over

The final between England and New Zealand will now go to Super Over as the match is tied. England suffered two run outs in the final over as Ben Stokes failed to get required 15 runs in the final over.

Rishad cleared of allegations by CID - Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday said there were as many as 300 allegations against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and a bulk of them were baseless. ’’The CID reports have cleared Mr. Bathiudeen,’’ the Prime Minister said.

Navy commander’s service extended by one year

The service of Navy Commander Vice Admiral Piyal de Silva has been extended by one year by President Maithripala Sirisena with effect from today.

Will present a Cabinet paper to amend MMDA: Faizer

UPFA MP Faizer Mustapha today said all Muslim MPs have unanimously decided to amend the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) and accordingly, a Cabinet paper would be presented to amend it soon.

Our candidate will certainly win: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said the presidential candidate they would field would certainly win the election.

Sajith’s wife speaks as future first lady

Jalani Premadasa, the wife of Sajith Premadasa on Saturday addressing and event said that she appeared before them as the first lady of future leader of the country.

Will declare National Day of Mourning if bill against death penalty presented: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena said today he would declare a National Day of Mourning if a bill to abolish the death penalty was brought before Parliament.

12 youths on way for boat ride arrested with narcotics in Mirissa

A group of 12 youths who were about to leave for a boat ride from the Mirissa Harbour were arrested over the possession of various narcotics on Saturday, police said.

Western Australia earthquake: No tsunami threat to Sri Lanka

There was no tsunami threat to Sri Lanka at present from the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that had hit off the West Australian Coast, the National Tsunami Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department said today.

Death threats: Police launches probe over MP Roshan’s complaint

The Senior DIG of the North Central Province had been instructed to launch a probe into the complaint made by UPFA MP Roshan Ranasinghe that he was threatened by President Maithripala Sirisena’s brother Dudley, police said today.

Army cab topples in Mullaitivu: One killed, eight injured

One soldier was killed and eight others were injured when a cab they were travelling in had veered off the road and toppled this morning at Kepapilau in Mullaitivu , Army Spokesman Brigadier Sumith Atapattu said.