AG requests CJ to appoint trial-at-bar over Rathupaswala shooting case

The Attorney General had sought the sanction of the Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuirya to indict an Army Brigadier and three other soldiers in a trial –at- bar High Court for the shooting that took place in Rathupaswala on August 1, 2013.

Scores of Easter Sunday attack suspects under interrogation - PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe informed parliament today that 161 suspects were in police custody while another 167 suspects were in remand custody in connection with the Easter Sunday attack.

Anura Kumara calls MR, Sampanthan to support NCM

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today the no-confidence motion brought against the government by them could have easily been won if there were no political games and requested the UPFA-led by opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to support the NCM.

We will not agree to anything that violates SL’s sovereignty- PM

The Status of Force Agreement (SOFA) and Acquisition and Cross Servicing (ACSA) agreements will be only be signed if the USA agrees to the points raised by Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

Fuel price reduced

The retail prices of fuel have been revised with effect from midnight today based on the fuel pricing formula, the Finance Ministry said.

New Zealand stun India by 18 runs to reach World Cup final

New Zealand reached their second World Cup final with a stunning 18-run win over shell-shocked India at Old Trafford today.

Foreign forces behind Easter Sunday attacks, not ISIS: Dayasiri

UPFA MP and SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera who testified before the parliamentary select committee probing the Easter Sunday attacks said an international force is behind the Easter Sunday attacks.

Will field a candidate who can ensure national security: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said a leader who can create a disciplined country, who can ensure the national security and provide security to all Sri Lankans the same would be fielded as the presidential candidate of the opposition.

Trump reiterates counter-terrorism cooperation with SL

US President Donald Trump has reiterated his commitment that the US would stand with Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attacks and expand counter-terrorism, maritime, and border security cooperation with the island nation.

Suspension of Facebook page: Iraj wants Prez to intervene

While reiterating that the government was behind the suspension of his Facebook page, popular musician Iraj Weeraratne today requested President Maithripala Sirisena to intervene into the matter and to carry out an inquiry into the incident.

Another haul of methamphetamine worth Rs. 14.7 mn seized at CME

A week after the arrest of an individual with the largest stock of methamphetamine pills at the Colombo Central Mail Exchange (CME), the Customs today arrested another suspect with methamphetamine pills worth Rs. 14.7 million.

Teachers can admit their children to same schools: Minister

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam today instructed the officials to take immediate action to admit the children of all teachers who had completed more than three years service in National Schools.

Court decision on Pujith, Hemasiri historical - Hirunika

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said today that the court decision given to release former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujith Jayasundara on bail was an example of that the rule of law prevails in the country and no one can intervene with the Judiciary.

Thalatha rejects BASL chief’s allegations

Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Thalatha Atukorale today rejected the remarks allegedly made by Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President Kalinga Indatissa during a discussion with opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa that the minister had no objection for the US Bar Association (USBA) setting up a branch in Sri Lanka.

Dayasiri appears before PSC

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Easter Sunday attack a short while ago.

EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator to visit SL, Maldives

The European Union’s (EU) Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Gilles de Kerchove would visit Sri Lanka and the Maldives from July 11-16, the EU Embassy in Colombo said today.

No confidence debate against govt. begins

The debate on the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) which was submitted against the government commenced a short while ago in parliament.

Visa on arrival programme likely to make comeback

The government plans to revive the recently suspended free visa and visa on arrival programme from August 1 this year for 39 countries.

CEB-CPC agreement on fuel supply: Amount owed to be paid in stages

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) yesterday reached an agreement with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to obtain fuel on credit for the generation of thermal power, CEB spokesman Sulakshana Jayawardane told Daily Mirror and as such would be able to avoid power cuts

Lone wolf attacks cannot be ruled out: Ruwan

Despite the remaining members of the group led by Zahran Hashim that launched the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks having been taken into custody, one cannot rule out the possibility of lone wolf terror attacks as those that took place in Europe, said the State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene.

PM requests EC not to resign

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who had met the Chairman of Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya at the Parliamentary Complex yesterday had requested him not to resign from his post as there are several elections to be contested in the coming months.

Police bust plot to assassinate Prez: Dayasiri

SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said yesterday police intelligence has busted a plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena by convicted drug kingpins now on death row.

Death penalty - SLPP says Prez has no judicial power

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said yesterday President Maithripala Sirisena had no judicial power to pick out four convicts to be executed when there were many others on death row.

Statement on storing paddy at Mattala Airport

Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ajith Dias has been issued a notice to appear before the CID unit attached to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to investigate corruption of the current administration on August 9.

Hazardous material from UK - Re-export containers: CEA tells Customs

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) said yesterday it had directed Sri Lanka Customs to re-export the illegally imported containers filled with industrial waste to the country of origin.

Lands Bill will allow foreigners to buy SL lands: Dayasiri

Although it appears that the State Lands (Special Provisions) Bill is progressive and people-friendly, in reality it is attempt by the government to allow foreigners to buy lands in Sri Lanka, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

I’ve been asked to testify before the PSC: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today he had been called to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday attacks.

Keith Noyar case - Intel. officer Lalith named a suspect

The Attorney General has instructed the CID Director to name Army Intelligence Officer Lalith Rajapaksa as a suspect and record his statements and produce him in court under the Criminal Procedure Code in connection with the Keith Noyer abduction and attempted murder.

Emergence of non-traditional threats a major concern: Ruwan

The emergence of non-traditional threats in the region is a major concern and collective efforts should be made for greater maritime partnerships, State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene said.

Another Zahran’s associate handed over to TID

Shahul Hamid Hizbullah (21), who was arrested on June 15 had been handed over to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) today.