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.

France ‘deeply concerned’ over SL’s stance on death penalty

France is deeply concerned over the announcement of Sri Lankan authorities’ intention to execute persons sentenced to death and urges them to maintain the moratorium on death penalty, a statement from the French embassy said.

FCID launches probe on suspicious account of construction firm director

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has launched an investigation into Rs.55 million credited to the bank account of Kider Mohammed Shabadeen Aisha who is a director of three private construction companies, the FCID informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne yesterday.

Premises should be exclusively for p’mentary usage: Official

The government is of the view that ‘Srawasthi Mandiraya’ should be reserved solely for the use of Parliament, an official who wished to remain anonymous opined.

PHU alleges Army Commander lied about Rishad’s call

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) today said Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake has lied with regard to a call made by former minister Rishad Bathiudeen asking him about an arrested suspect in the Army custody.

Hulftsdorp courthouse on its last legs: Wijeyadasa

Parliamentarian Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said the Hulftsdorp court complex in Colombo was in a dilapidated condition and that it had put the lives of thousands of innocent people in danger.

CEB will purchase 230MWs in a fortnight: Ravi

Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) would purchase 230 megawatts of electricity from two barge-mounted power plants in another two weeks.