Social media down across the world

Facebook has stopped working properly, at the same time as WhatsApp and users in Europe, the US, South America and Japan were particularly affected, with thousands of users across the globe running into problems, international media reported.

Special probe on Bandaragama incident

The Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU) had launched an investigation into an incident at Bandaragama where the police have failed to take action over a complaint lodged by a 38-year-old Abdul Haifa Fathima Hazan.

Killing five people including two undergrads: Accused acquitted

Twelve STF personnel and one police officer who were charged for killing five people including two university students at the Gandhi Roundabout in Trincomalee on January 2, 2006 were acquitted from all charges today after lengthy hearing by Trincomalee Chief Magistrate M.M. Mohammed Hamza.

Two special Trial-at-Bar to hear Welikada Prison riot, Ali Roshan cases

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya today appointed two special Trial-At-Bar to hear the two cases of Welikada Prison riots in which 27 inmates had been killed and the case of elephant trafficker Ali Roshan.

SL still tops Lonely Planet’s best destinations for 2019

Even after the unfortunate Easter Sunday attacks which were followed by a large number of cancellations of bookings made by tourists, Sri Lanka still topped the Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel for 2019, the latest article published in the travel guide’s website said.

OCPD quizzes Hizbullah

The Organised Crimes Prevention Division (OCPD) today recorded over three-hour long statement from former Governor of Eastern Province M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, police said.

Rahul Gandhi quits as India opposition leader

Rahul Gandhi resigns as leader of India’s main opposition Congress party, ending weeks of speculation, the BBC reported.

Hemasiri, Pujith further remanded

Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were ordered to be further remanded till July 9 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate after considering the evidence presented during the magisterial inquiry against the IGP and Defense Secretary who were charged with criminal negligence, murder and failure to prevent or at least minimise the damage caused during the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

Train strike from midnight today

All railways trade unions have decided to launch a strike from midnight today over the Transport Ministry’s failure to sign a letter suspending a shunting driver who was caught under the influence of liquor while on duty, one trade union said.

Month-long operation to arrest drunk drivers from July 5

A month-long special operation would be launched from July 5 to arrest drunk drivers, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Another contingent of SL Army leaves for UN missions

A new contingent of 61 Army personnel, including 11officers under phase six of the UN Mission of South Sudan (UNMISS), left this morning (3) for South Sudan to serve in the SRIMED Level 2 Hospital in Bor, South Sudan, the Army said.

Prez determined to implement death penalty

At yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, President Maithripala Sirisena reaffirmed his position to implement the death penalty but said final decision would however, depend on the Supreme Court ruling on the FR applications filed against his move.

General Manager of Railways resigns

Railway Department sources indicated that the General Manager of Railways Dilantha Fernando has resigned from his post yesterday. It was further revealed that his letter of resignation had been handed over to the Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation L. P. Jayampathy yesterday.

Development Work - PM wants them completed in three months

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday he had instructed the ministers to complete all development programmes being carried out by the government within three months.

PCoI submits report on SriLankan airlines to Prez

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into irregularities at SriLankan airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka submitted its 1,800-page report to President Maithripala Sirisena, former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Neil Unamboowe PC told Daily Mirror today.

Moratorium on death penalty - Why didn’t the UNF Govt. ratify EU resolution: Dayasiri

SLFP General Secretary and MP Dayasiri Jayasekara today asked why the government did not sign the moratorium on capital punishment if the UNP was against it.

SOFA will turn SL into US military anchorage: Oppn.

The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which is being negotiated by the Sri Lankan Government and the US Embassy is a coup to convert Sri Lanka into an anchorage of the US military, the Opposition said today.

I am facing death threats: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena said today he was facing death threats because of his campaign against drug trafficking and that he had been informed about these threats by intelligence officers.

Pujith Jayasundara also remanded

IGP Pujith Jayasundara, who was arrested by the CID at the Police Hospital in Narahenpita today, was remanded until tomorrow (3), Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Hemasiri Fernando remanded

Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, who was arrested by the CID at the Colombo National Hospital today, was remanded until tomorrow (3), Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Writ petition against death penalty - AG raises preliminary objections

The Attorney General raised preliminary objections on the maintainability on the writ petition and the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal, when the writ petition challenging the implementation of the death sentence was taken up by a five-judge Bench.

Will stop import of Chinese fags: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera is reported to have informed the Cabinet today that he would stop the import of cigarettes from China for Chinese working and residing in Sri Lanka.

Pujith Jayasundara also arrested

IGP Pujith Jayasundara was arrested by the CID at the Police Hospital in Narahenpita a short while ago, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Hemasiri Fernando arrested

Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando was arrested by the CID at the Colombo National Hospital a short while ago, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Narammala PS member and his uncle arrested over assault

Narammala Pradeshiya Sabha member Aruna Nishantha and his uncle were arrested today over an assault of an individual, police said.

Bathiudeen arrives at OCPD

ACMC Leader and former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen arrived at the Organized Crimes Preventive Division (OCPD) to give a statement a short while ago.

Fmr DIG Dharmasiri released on bail

Colombo Chief Magistrate today sentenced former DIG Hector Dharmasiri to three years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs.300,000 in case of bribery and corruption.

Pujith Jayasundara too hospitalised

IGP Pujith Jayasundara who was also asked to appear before the CID this morning to give a statement over the Easter Sunday’s attacks, has been admitted to the Police Hospital, Narahenpita a short while ago, sources said.

Hemasiri Fernando hospitalised

Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando was admitted to the ICU of the Cardiology Unit at the Colombo National Hospital, sources said.

Five-judge bench to consider writ petition against death penalty

A five-Judge bench has been appointed by the Court of Appeal to consider the Writ application filed by journalist Malinda Seneviratne against the implementation of the death penalty. The case is to be taken up at 11.30 am today.