Fmr UNP Councillor Royce Fernando arrested over assault

Former Western Provincial Councillor (UNP) Royce Vijitha Fernando had been arrested today over an alleged assault of an individual in Katana, the police said.

769 drunk drivers arrested in two days

Following the implementation of special operation to arrest drunk drivers, the Police have arrested a total of 796 drunk drivers within two days.

Jaffna Catholic Lawyers urge President to drop death penalty stance

The Jaffna Diocesan Catholic Lawyers Association (JDCLA) in a memorandum solicited to the President drop his decision to re-implement death penalty, instead of effecting a series of strong and long term policies, aimed at addressing serious crimes including drug trafficking.

Saudi Arabia increases Sri Lanka’s Hajj quota

The Saudi government has increased the Hajj quota for Sri Lankan pilgrims by adding 500 visas to the existing number, bringing the total to 4,000 from this year, Azmi Thassim, the island’s ambassador in Riyadh, told Arab News on Saturday.

BCCI files complaint after anti-India banners fly during Ind-SL clas

The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday filed a written complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the aircraft that flew over the Headingley cricket ground during India’s ICC World Cup 2019 match with Sri Lanka at Leeds.

First Model Village built with Indian assistance inaugurated

The first Model Village built with Indian assistance under the Model Villages Program of the Ministry of Housing and Construction & Cultural Affairs was inaugurated at Ranidugama in Gampaha yesterday and the completed houses were handed over to the beneficiaries.

Will not allow to sign any agreement harmful to SL-Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena today said that he will not allow to sign any foreign agreement which is a challenge to the country’s independence and sovereignty with any world power during his tenure.

Some ministers in powwow with Prez. - PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have told the Cabinet Ministers that some of the ministers were in powwow with President Maithripala Sirisena.

PCoI on Govt. frauds - Northsea Ltd. imported low-quality threads for fishing nets

A government-owned fishing net manufacturer, the Northsea Limited, methodically has imported low-quality material from India, it was revealed at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to investigate corruption in the current administration.

Don’t trust army- Sritharan to N.school children

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP S. Sritharan, who was critical of military security provided to schools in the North, said such activities had been orchestrated only to protect personnel despite their complicity in the killings of Tamil civilians.

Land projects under MCC - Will ensure tenure security and tradability

The land projects envisaged in the agreement to receive US$480 million grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the United States will enhance tenure security and tradability of land for smallholders, women, and firms, a spokesman said.

I am ready: Sajith

If the people trust me and place their confidence in my philosophy and mission, I am ready to serve the nation unlike any former Sri Lankan leader, United National Party (UNP) Sajith Premadasa said.

Don’t depend on others to rebuild SL: PM

Sri Lankans should build their nation on their own because no other country will help us in this endeavor, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Cable car system to link N’ Eliya and Nanu Oya

The tourist paradise in Sri Lanka, Nuwara –Eliya will get the much-anticipated cable car system linking Nuwara – Eliya Racecourse with the Nanu Oya railway station and Single Tree hill top with each other.

Construction of Colombo Light Rail (CLR) to start in 2020

The construction of the Colombo Light Rail (CLR) Project is expected to commence in 2020, after the completion of detail design and tender process, the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry said.

CID to question Pujith over lift incident

Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today permitted the CID to record a statement from IGP Pujith Jayasundare who has been remanded in connection with the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, over a complaint lodged by the lift operator of the Police headquarters.

Avant Garde Case - Acting IGP directs CID to arrest 8 suspects

Acting IGP C.D. Wickramaratne had directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to take necessary action against Avant-Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi and 7 others on the directions of the Attorney General, Police said today.

Shooting in Akmeemana: Army soldier detained

The Army soldier who was arrested over the shooting incident in Akmeemana yesterday, had been handed over to the Army’s 581 Brigade Command Headquarters, Boossa today, Police said.

CBSL extends suspension on PTL

The Central Bank Monetary Board has extended the suspension imposed on Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the businesses and activities of a primary dealer for a further period of six months today with effect from 4.30 p.m. on July 5, 2019, so as to continue the investigations being conducted by the CBSL.

Revolver taken away form cop found

The revolver of one on duty traffic policemen which was taken away by an individual while two other policemen had tried to take an unlicensed motorcycle to the Police Station in Puttur yesterday in Batticaloa, had been found today, police said.

No decision yet on UNP’s presidential candidate: Kabir Hashim​

The United National Party (UNP) has still not decided on its candidate for the presidency, Party Chairman Kabir Hashim said today.

Vaiko sentenced to one-year jail for pro-LTTE speech

A special court in Chennai on Friday sentenced MDMK general secretary Vaiko to one-year in jail and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 for his 2009 speech in support of the banned LTTE.

Avant Garde Case - AG tells IGP to take action against 8 suspects

The Attorney General has instructed the acting IGP to produce Nissanka Senadipathi and seven others before a relevant Court in connection with the offences they had allegedly committed under the Fire Arms Ordnance, the Explosives Act and the Penal Code in the Avant Garde Maritime Services’ floating armory case.

SC issues stay order on death sentence

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order staying the implementation of death sentence for convicted drug offenders until October 30.

Easter Sunday bombings: Brit to return to hotel where siblings died to pay respects

British national, David Linsey whose siblings died in Sri Lanka will return to the hotel where his siblings Daniel and Amelie were killed in the Easter Sunday terror attacks, foreign media reported.

Atha Kota gets 24 years RI in another case

Former Deraniyagala Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Champika Wijesinghe alias Atha Kota, who was sentenced to death after he was found guilty of murdering Noori Estate Superintendent, was sentenced to 24-years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of soliciting a bribe of Rs.500,000.

No convict will be executed until court order: Prisons Chief

The Prisons Commissioner General today assured the Appeal Court that no convict would be executed until July 17, the date on which it would deliver its order on the preliminary objections on the maintainability of the writ petition challenging the implementation of the death sentence, interim relief and issuance of notice.

Pope appoints Sri Lankan as Secretary of Vatican’s inter-religious dialogue body

Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID). Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, currently the under-secretary of the Council, is a member of the clergy of the Diocese of Badulla, Sri Lanka.

Issuing IDs under One Day Service temporarily halted

The Department for Registration of Persons today said the issuance of National Identity Cards (NIC) under the one day service (ODS) had been temporarily halted until Monday (8) following malfunction of the computer system.

America not allowed to enter country or establish camps here: Ruwan

State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday that American forces will not be allowed to enter the country nor will they be permitted to establish camps here.