Ruwan rejects claims of his involvement

Defence State Minister Ruwan Wijewardene said today that he was not the politician involved in the incident where some motorists in Colombo expressed their protest after being forced to stop for VIP movements by honking their vehicle horns.

Gota faces ten claims for damages in US from torture victims: ITJP

The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) today said former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa faces ten new claims for damages in the US from victims of torture inflicted upon them.

Governors using funds allocated to PCs: Dinesh

The opposition today brought to the notice of the government about delays in holding the Provincial Council elections claiming that the chairman of the elections commission had said the PC polls could be held.

Death penalty can lead to irreversible miscarriages of justice: Canada

Expressing concern about reports that Sri Lanka would reverse the moratorium on the death penalty, Canada said the punishments in the nature of the death penalty can lead to irreversible miscarriages of justice.

South African President makes brief visit to SL

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa made a brief visit to Sri Lanka this morning while on his way to Osaka, Japan to attend the G20 Summit.

BC files indictment against Aluthgamage

The Bribery Commission today filed indictments against former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando in the Colombo High Court for allegedly causing Rs. 50 million loss to the Government by purchasing carom boards and checkerboards in the run-up to the last Presidential Election.

Two killed as foundation earth collapses

Two workers had been killed and another two were injured when a mound of earth collapsed on them while digging a foundation for a building in Pothupitiya this morning, police said.

Thajudeen murder: Anura Senanayake served indictment

The Colombo High Court today served an indictment on former DIG Anura Senanayake for allegedly fabricating and concealing evidence in the case of rugby player Thajudeen’s murder.

Death penalty is not the solution - Sir Richard Branson

British billionaire Sir Richard Branson has requested Sri Lanka to maintain its commitment on the moratorium on death penalty.

PSC on Easter attacks: A drama rehearsed at Temple Trees: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena in a scathing attack on the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) appointed to probe the Easter Sunday bomb attacks yesterday said that the PSC was a drama scripted and rehearsed at Temple Trees and he would never go before it even if he was summoned.

Death row inmates shudder at news of death penalty

It is reported that there was much consternation among the prisoners who were in the chapel ward no: 3 of the Welikada Prison last morning (26) on being told that capital punishment was to be implemented again after 43 years.

Supplied copper based on melt capacity

Industrial Development Board Director-General, P.L.U. Ratnamalala who testified before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) looking into the Easter Sunday attacks said copper was supplied to factories after looking into their capacity of melting copper and at a price decided by an expert committee.

Will make it difficult to cooperate on law enforcement issues: UK

The United Kingdom (UK) yesterday said the implementation of the death penalty in Sri Lanka would inevitably makes it more difficult for the UK to cooperate on law enforcement issues, including counter-terrorism.

PS wanted copper released to Colossus Ltd.

Secretary to the Industry and Commerce Ministry, K.D.N. Ranjith Asoka said he received a letter from the Presidential Secretariat (PS) to release 500 tonnes of copper to Colossus Limited in Wellampitiya. He said it was not influenced but a mere request.

No immediate threat: lone wolf attack a possibility- Army Chief

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake yesterday said it is not possible to eradicate threats from global terrorists totally and stressed that there could be lone wolf attacks in Sri Lanka in the future though there is no immediate threat. He said this while testifying before the parliamentary select committee looking into the Easter Sunday attacks yesterday afternoon.

Ex-employee alleges SL women ’harassed’ at US Embassy

A former employee of the US Embassy today alleged that there were incidents of Sri Lankan women being harassed by some American diplomats at the US Embassy.

CID in process of releasing Dr. Shafi - Wimal

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was working towards releasing Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen who was alleged to have performed illegal sterilization, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa said today.

President must halt 13 imminent executions for drug-related crimes: AI

President Maithripala Sirisena must immediately halt plans to execute at least 13 prisoners convicted of drug-related crimes, the Amnesty International (AI) said.

Railway strike to continue: TU

Despite the Government declaring train services as Essential Service, the Railway Trade Union (RTUA) Co-Convener Lal Ariyaratne said that they would continue their weekly trade union action from tomorrow midnight.

Education Minister’s message not new, printed since 1980: Akila

While rejecting claims made by a certain media outlets, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam today said that the State had not incurred any loss because of the printing of Education Ministers’ message with the photo on school textbooks.

PSC postpones Bathiudeen hearing to Friday

Parliament Select Committee (PSC) appointed to probe Easter Sunday attack postponed the hearing of evidence from former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen to Friday despite his presence before the PSC today due to the absence of three members of the Committee.

CBK awarded 2019 Common Ground Award

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was awarded the 2019 Common Ground Award by Search for Common Ground at a reception organised in her honour at the Cholmondeley Room, House of Lords in London last week.

Mastermind has been at Colombo embassy for two months

Abdulla Luthfee, the mastermind behind the terror plot of 1988 which killed 19 Maldivians, has been at the Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka for nearly two months until May, Maldivian authorities have confirmed.

Army Commander commences giving evidence before PSC

Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake a short while ago commenced giving evidence before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to look into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

SL tells UN it has made significant progress to ensure security of all

Briefing the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Sri Lanka said it has made significant progress in assuring the security of all Sri Lankans and upholding law and order through the implementation of relevant laws and legal processes.

Railways Dept. seeks retired staffers

With the government declaring railways as an essential service, the Railways Department had called retired employees back to service, an official said.

Modi’s visit is proof that Sri Lanka is safe: John

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka is a proof that the country is safe, Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said.

Whoever wins presidency should abolish 19A - President

President Maithripala Sirisena said that whoever comes to power at the next Presidential poll should abolish the 19th Amendment to the Constitution to create stability in the country.

President signs execution of four drug offenders

President Maithripala Sirisena today said that he had signed the documents for the execution of four big-time drug offenders currently convicted and awaiting death sentence and that it would be carried out soon.

SL refugees seek Indian citizenship

Scores of Sri Lankan refugees living in various camps in Virudhunagar district on Monday submitted separate petitions seeking Indian citizenship to Collector A. Sivagnanam.