Arrangements being made to amend circular

Public Administration Ministry Secretary, J. J. Ratnasiri, today said arrangements are being made to amend the circular issued by his ministry to make the saree and the osari compulsory for female public servants.

Opposition criticises President, PM leaving country

The opposition today criticised both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for leaving the country at the same time without appointing anyone to take charge of their ministerial duties.

Duminda doubts if PM and MR behind PSC move to embarrass Prez

SLFP National Organiser Duminda Dissanayaka today said he was confused as to whether the appointment of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that summoned and questioned defence and intelligence officials, was a conspiracy hatched by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in connivance with Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa in an attempt to embarrass President Maithripala Sirisena.

India arrests man 'linked to Easter Sunday bomber’

Indian anti-terrorism investigators have arrested a man with alleged links to the suicide bomber who planned Sri Lanka’s deadly Easter Sunday attacks.

Hizbullah giving evidence before PSC

Former Governor of the Eastern Province, M.L.A.M. Hizbullah is currently giving evidence before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to look into Easter Sunday attacks.

A trial-at-bar to hear bond scam

The Attorney General today received the approval of the Chief Justice to hear the case against the suspects of the Central Bank bond scam before a trial-at-bar in the Colombo High Court.

AG wants police, CID to expedite four high profile cases

The Attorney General today advised the Acting IGP, Senior DIG of the CID and CID Director to efficiently complete the ongoing investigations into four high profile cases - including those of the Lasantha Wickrematunga and Wasim Thajudeen murder cases, efficiently, without further delay and send him extracts of those cases once completed.

Ministry to issue O/L, A/L certificates online

With the use of digital technology, the Education Ministry had decided to issue GCE O/L and A/L examination certificates through an online system, the Education Ministry said.

John wants Colombo nightlife spiced up

Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga yesterday urged the industry stakeholders to actively look at introducing activities to spice up the nightlife for tourists, so that more would be keen on visiting the country.

Vandalising Buddha Statues: Suspects re- remanded till June 27

The suspects in remand custody in connection with vandalizing more than four statues of the Buddha in Mawanella, were further remanded till June 27 by Mawanella Magistrate Upul Rajakaruna today.

Cabinet to be reconvened next Tuesday

The Cabinet would meet again on June 18 at 9.30 a.m. at the Presidential Secretariat, senior government official confirmed.

Major General Kulatunga appointed Chief of National Intelligence

Major General Ruwan Kulatunga was appointed as the Chief of National Intelligence (CNI), Ministry of Defence said today.

Muslim mothers being sterilised at Castle Street Hospital: MP Cassim

Former State Minister of Health MP Faizal Cassim said that it had come to light that Muslim mothers had been subjected to sterilisation at the Castle Hospital, Colombo.

University girl stabbed by her boyfriend

A 21-year-old university female student was admitted to the Ragama Hospital after being stabbed by her boyfriend outside the Kelaniya University this morning, police said.

President to visit Tajikistan for summit

President Maithripala Sirisena is scheduled to fly to Tajikistan today (13).

Easter Sunday death toll rises with death of youth

The death toll from the Easter Sunday attack has risen to 254 after a youth who was injured in the attack succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday (11).

Appointment of acting ministers contravene Constitution: PM writes to President

The appointment of three acting ministers for the ministerial portfolios fell vacant following the resignation of Muslim ministers contravene the Constitution of the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed President Maithripala Sirisena in a letter on Tuesday, informed sources said yesterday.

Doubtful whether political leadership can stabilise country: Cardinal

People have doubts about whether our political leaders can bring stability to the country and save us from the unfortunate situation we are in, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said yesterday.

Committee to no longer entertain complaints

Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said the time period granted to lodge complaints against former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and former Governors Azath Salley and M.L.A.M. Hizbullah ended at 4.00 p.m. yesterday and that the three-member committee appointed to the task had received 21 complaints as at 3.00 p.m. yesterday.

Political parties manoeuvered by the US, India: JVP

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said most of the political parties in the country were being operated by the American and Indian embassies, and that legislation detrimental to the people were passed in Parliament due to their influence.

US Secy’s visit could lay platform for US Military in SL: Wimal

The main purpose of US Secretary Mike Pompeo, who will be visiting Sri Lanka shortly, was to prepare legal background for the US army to handle main spots in Sri Lanka at any time without being subject them to the Sri Lankan law, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday.

Documents related to Arabic school found at Kingsbury bomber’s home: CID tells court

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today informed the Fort Magistrate Court that several documents including an application form to open an Arabic school in Sri Lanka were found from the Kolonnawa house of Azzam Mohammed Mubharak alias Abdullah, who blew himself at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo.

Recruitment to RDA unlawful - Ministry official tells PCoI

Former Minister of Highways Lakshman Kiriella has created new job category and appointed 45 United National Party (UNP) members as public liaison officers and 102 consultants to the Road Development Authority (RDA) in October 2015, it was revealed at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to investigate corruption of the current administration today.

US, SL cooperation: Respect for human rights, sticking to commitments key

A senior U.S. government official said today that his country expects any future government of Sri Lanka to respect human rights and stick to its commitments to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Denying to hold cabinet meeting unconstitutional: Champika

Spurning to hold weekly cabinet meeting by President Maithripala Sirisena was a violation of the Constitution, participatory democracy and ethics of governance, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

EU expresses concern about 'pressure on SL Muslims'

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) today said that it is deeply concerned by political and religious pressure being directed at Sri Lanka’s Muslim community which is undermining peace and reconciliation in the country.

CID protects Rishad: Wimal

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is protecting former Industry and Commerce Minister, Rishad Bathiudeen by not revealing information with regard to Sathosa vehicles being used for activities of the extremists, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa alleged today.

Heavy traffic at Technical Junction due to protest

Heavy traffic was reported near the Technical Junction in Maradana due to a protest march launched by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

SL to collaborate with UN Security Council resolutions to counter terrorism

During the recent visit to Sri Lanka by a top UN official, discussions were held to collaborate with UN mechanisms to prevent the flow of foreign terrorist fighters and counter violent extremism, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said today.

Heenatiyana Sanka arrested over murder of Minuwangoda Kalu Ajith

A gangster identified as ‘Heenatiyana Sanka’, the main suspect of killing Krishantha Ajith Kumara alias Minuwangoda Kalu Ajith, was arrested by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) today.