PC Elections - EC officials may meet Prez on overcoming snags

Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Desapriya said yesterday EC officials were likely to meet President Maithripala Sirisena this week to discuss the steps that need be taken to clear the ground for conducting the provincial council elections.

Muslim Marriage and Divorce - Muslim politicos agree to amend Act

Muslim politicians are reported to have agreed to amend the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) on four categories including that of increasing the marriageable age to 18, but disagreement over four other categories had hampered the process of enacting the amendments,

Protestors want conserving of Dagaba in Kinniya stopped

A tense situation was reported at the archeological site where the hot water springs are located in Trincomalee after a group of protesters led by TNA MPs S. Sridaran and S. Yogeshwaran attempted to forcibly enter the site in protest of a Dagabo being constructed at the site.

Everyone connected to Easter Sunday attack should be given death sentence: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena said today everyone connected to the Easter Sunday attack was arrested and that they should receive death sentence as there was clear evidence against them.

EC Chief helping to delay presidential poll: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today alleged that Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya was helping to get the presidential election delayed

Price increase of Rs.8 on wheat flour illegal: NMCRP

It is illegal to increase the price of wheat flour because gazette No:1975/68 of July 14, 2016, issued under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No:9 of 2003, had named wheat flour as an essential commodity, National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP) said.

Four youths fall to sea while taking selfie at Rumassala

Four youths aged 20 and 21 fell to the sea while they were attempting to take a selfie at Rumassala, Unawatuna today, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Two cops injured in gambling den raid

A sub-inspector and a police constable were injured after stones were pelted at them when they had raided a gambling den at Dodangoda, Kalutara today, police said.

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.