Ready for any election: EC

The Elections Commission was ready to hold any election first, be it Presidential or Provincial Council, Chairman of Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Police chief blames president for failing to prevent SL attacks

Sri Lanka’s suspended police chief has petitioned the Supreme Court, accusing President Maithripala Sirisena of failing to prevent the Easter bombings that killed 258 people, the AFP reported today.

Beware of oil, beach bathers warned

Public are advised to be vigilant, when using beaches from Wellawatte to Mount Lavinia because of black oil residue that has been washed ashore, the Marine Environment Protection Authority said today.

Japanese man nabbed with foreign currency

A 38-year-old Japanese man was arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday for attempting to leave the country with foreign currency amounting to Rs 5 million.

Akkaraipattu man impersonating as SLA major, arrested in Moratuwa

A suspect who had been impersonating a major of the Sri Lankan Army Intelligence, has been arrested by the STF at Soysapura in Moratuwa yesterday.

Murder suspect killed in police shoot out

A 56-year-old man wanted over the fatal shooting of a police constable (PC) at Akuressa in May 22, was killed in a shoot-out with police early this morning at Urumutta in Akuressla.

Three arrested with stolen gem worth Rs.10 million

Three suspects were arrested today in Maharagama with a gem worth Rs.10 million which was stolen from a businessman Friday, police said.

Soldier killed, two others injured in explosion in Palali

At least one soldier was killed and two other soldiers were injured when an old bomb exploded in Palali, Jaffna this evening, the Army said.

World No Tobacco Day: Nearly 1.7 mn Sri Lankans engage in a puff daily

While the anti-tobacco and anti-smoking campaign could be said to be successful in Sri Lanka with both showing sharp drops, 15% or more than 16,85,000 adults smoke cigarettes every day, making it an ongoing and dire public health threat, a survey has revealed.

Passports to cost more from today

The Emigration and Immigration Department has increased the levy for the issuance of passports and foreign travel documents from today.

Musafeer, injured in sword attack by Zaharan tells it all

Mohamed Musafeer of Kattankudy, who was injured in a sword attack by four people including National Thowheed Jama’at leader Zaharan Hashim revealed that two of those involved in the attack were seen moving about freely in the Kattankudy town recently.

Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya wants people and Bhikkus to join Ven. Ratana Thera

Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya President Ven. Liyanwala Sasanaratana Thera yesterday urged all peace loving Sri Lankans including Bikkhus to join Ven. Athureliye Ratana Thera’s effort to save the nation from terrorists.

SLFP submits proposals to quell extremism

SLFP’s senior vice president Nimal Siripala De Silva said the proposals presented to the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee by his party for enactment so as to quell new forms of terrorism and extremism has made much progress.

Don’t enter into any agreement with foreign countries: Buddhist, Catholic leaders

Chief prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters and Colombo’s Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith today called on the government to refrain from entering into any agreement with any foreign country in a manner foreign armed forces could enter Sri Lanka and set up camps in the country jeopardizing the people’s sovereignty upheld by the Constitution.

Laptop used by Zahran found in Kalmunai

A laptop suspected to have been used by National Thawheed Jama’at (NTJ) leader Mohamed Zahran Hashim and funds worth Rs.3.5 million belonging to the NTJ, were recovered today, police said.

President says undecided whether to run in upcoming poll

President Maithripala Sirisena said today that he had not decided on seeking another term in an election that is due by year-end, Reuters reported.

Three faculties of Kelaniya Uni to be opened

The administrative authority of the Kelaniya University has decided to re-open the Science, Commerce & Management and ICT & Technology faculties from Monday, the University Media Unit said today.

Dress code for Govt. employees

The Ministry of Public Administration has made it compulsory for all female employees who work in government institutions, to wear a sari or an osari. Male employees should wear a shirt and trousers, or national dress.

‘Kopi Kade Somi Nona’ passes away

Veteran actress Chithra Wakishta, who became well-known by her stage name ‘Somi Nona’ when acting in the Kopi Kade teledrama, passed away today at the age of 83 while undergoing treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, Singers Association (SLASA) President Keerthi Pasquel said.

Wrongful to request list of informants for petty political gains: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said it was absolutely wrong to request a list of intelligence service informants to fulfil petty political gains as it would jeopardise the national security of the country.

FR petition against Def. Secy and IGP - AG seeks fuller Bench to hear case

Attorney General today sought for a fuller Supreme Court Bench to hear the fundamental rights petition filed against the Police Chief and the former Defence Secretary with regard to the suicide bomb attacks on April 21.

Rathana Thera launches hunger strike

Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera launched a hunger strike in front of Sri Dalada Maligawa this morning calling for the removal of Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Western Province Governor Azath Salley from their posts.

US Assistant Secretary Cooper to visit Sri Lanka

US Assistant Secretary of State for Political and Military Affairs, R. Clarke Cooper would travel to Sri Lanka in early June, the Office of the Spokesperson of the State Department said.

Number of complaints soars to 377

The number of complaints received by the Kurunegala and Dambulla hospitals against Dr. Siyabdeen Mohamed Safi, who is alleged to have engaged in sterilisation surgeries, has reached 377 as at yesterday, the spokespersons of both hospitals revealed.

'Govt. paying Dr. Neville Fernando’s Rs. 2.5 bn loan’

It was revealed at the Presidential Commission Of Inquiry that the government was paying the Rs. 2.5 billion loan obtained by Dr. Neville Fernando from a state bank even though the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) was not owned by the government.

Extremists replacing Sinhala signboards with those in Arabic: Prelate

A group of extremists has been active in fixing signboards with Arabic names to Muhudu Maha Vihara Mawatha and other streets in the town, said Ven. Warakapola Indrasiri Nayake Thera, Eastern Province Sangha Nayake and Chief Incumbent of Muhudu Maha Viharaya in Pottuvil.

Three including bank manager, mosque trustee arrested

In two separate raids conducted yesterday at Kalpitiya, three individuals including the manager of a state bank and trustee of a mosque allegedly used by the Tawheed Jamaat, were taken into custody with 12-bore ammunition and posters on Buddha statues written in Arabic language.

SLPP questions eligibility of PSC members, except for SF

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramanua (SLPP) yesterday questioned the eligibility of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) representatives appointed to look into the Easter Sunday attacks, except for Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka, to inquire into internal affairs of the intelligence service.

SL signs agreements for first two loans from Beijing-based AIIB

Sri Lanka signed agreements with Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to obtain US $ 200 million and US $80 million separately as two concessional loans, it is learnt.

UPFA criticises exposure of sensitive security info

The exposure of certain national security and intelligence information during the Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry on Wednesday (29) came under heavy criticism by the UPFA today who termed it as a betrayal of the intelligence services of the country, comparing it to the Millennium City fiasco in January 2002.