Actor Rayan to be produced before Matara Magistrate today

Recently deported from Dubai, actor Rayan Van Rooyan is to be produced before the Matara Magistrate today, police said.

Shooting: Arjuna’s security officer released from charges

Minister Arjuna Ranatunge’s security official, Police Constable Aruna Sri Nandana silva who was accused of killing a person, was today ordered to be released from allegations by the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

Actor Rayan Van Rooyan taken to Weligama in police custody

After being deported from Dubai on Wednesday night (3), actor Rayan Van Rooyan has been taken into Weligama police custody for further questioning over an incident of an abandoned vehicle, believed to have been used by him police said.

Marapona in UAE to discuss deportation of Madush to SL

Minister of Foreign Affairs Thilak Marapona has gone to Dubai and met his counterpart in the Emirates to discuss matters pertaining to the deportation to Sri Lanka of underworld leader Makandure Madush, who is in police custody in Dubai.

Team of SLFP MPs in talks with UNP

A team of MPs from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) are in contact with the United National Party (UNP) in a move to join hands with each other in view of future elections, the Daily Mirror learns.

All eyes on SLFP stance during today’s Budget vote: SLPP

Ahead of bilateral talks scheduled for April 10, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said everyone would cast doubts about the genuineness of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) if it abstained from voting on the budget today.

Rural people fallen prey to illegal loan schemes: MR

While claiming that people in rural areas had fallen prey to illegal loan schemes including micro-financing organisations, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today urged the government to take steps to ban such organisations and to waive off loans obtained by the people from such organisations.

Our security forces not provided with modern equipment: SF

Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said today the security forces should be strengthened whether there was a war or not and that due attention was not paid to upgrade and strengthen the security forces at present.

Dedicated military airport in Hingurakgoda

President Maithripala Sirisena will go ahead with the proposal to construct a dedicated military airport in Hingurakgoda, UPFA MP Nimal Siripala de Silva told parliament today.

SC orders Northern Power Com. to pay Rs 20 M

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court today ordered the Northern Power Company to pay Rs 20 million to offset a part of the substantial loss, harm and damage to the residents in the Chunnakam area.

Sun directly over Sri Lanka from tomorrow

The sun is expected to be directly over Sri Lanka starting from tomorrow (5) till April 15, as a result of its apparent northward relative motion, the Department of Meteorology said today.

Emil Ranjan released on bail

Former Prison Department’s Rehabilitation Commissioner and Magazine Prison’s superintendent Emil Ranjan Lamahewa who was in remand custody in connection with the killing of 27 Welikada Prison inmates in November 2012, was released on bail by the Court of Appeal today.

Dilhara Lokuhettige faces fresh charges of corruption

Former Sri Lanka player Dilhara Lokuhettige has been charged with three counts of breaching the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption code, the sport’s governing body said on Thursday.

Lotus Road closed due to protest

The Lotus Road between Ceramic Junction to NSA Roundabout has been temporarily closed due to a protest carrying out by a group of government professionals including the members of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

Karannagoda arrives at CID

Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) a short while ago for the fourth day to give a statement over the abduction and killing of 11 youths in 2008-2009.

STF member shoots himself at Temple Trees checkpoint

An STF personnel has committed suicide by shooting himself at a checkpoint at the Temple Trees this morning, police said.

CEB to purchase 100 megawatts of electricity from 3 companies

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has chosen three private companies to buy 100 megawatts of electricity with immediate effect to solve the current power crisis in the the country, sources said.

Actor Rayan Van Rooyan and four others deported from Dubai

Five more individuals including actor Rayan Van Rooyan, who were arrested along with drug kingpin Makandure Madush, were deported from Dubai last night, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Two foreign cross-dressers removed from Kandy

Two cross-dressed foreign men were removed by the police from the surroundings of the Kandy Lake yesterday while they were being filmed performing a homosexual act.

Supplementary estimates for two defeated ministries tomorrow

The votes on supplementary estimates for two expenditure heads which were defeated on March 28 will be taken up tomorrow, subsequent to the vote on the third reading of the budget, State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne said yesterday.

Australia increases support for demining

Australia says it would increase support for humanitarian demining efforts in Sri Lanka and will provide AUD 1 million (more than LKR 124 million) in assistance over the next two years, through a partnership with the Mine Action Group (MAG) and Sri Lankan organisation Devlon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH).

Hambantota oil refinery: Indian Minister, a blacklisted businessman- Nalinda

JVP MP Nalinda Jayatissa said today the Indian minister who was said to be the investor of the Hambantota oil refinery was not only a blacklisted businessman, but also a politician involved in huge financial scam in India and therefore questioned his credibility as a reliable investor.

US$ 14 Bn for second oil refinery in Hambantota: Nalin

Development Strategies and International Trade deputy Minister Nalin Bandara yesterday said that another Singapore Company Sugih Energy International was set to invest US$ 14 billion in the second oil refinery to be started in Hambantota.

President vows to eradicate drug menace

President Maithripala Sirisena vowed that he was firmly determined to eradicate the drug menace from the country and as such severe legal measures would be imposed against those who smuggle such harmful substances to the country.

SL-Singapore FTA to be reviewed next month

The government will initiate the review process of the Free Trade Agreement between Singapore and Sri Lanka in May, a Minister said today.

Bus fare hike after April 10 - Bus Associations

Private Bus Association (ACPBA) Secretary Anjana Priyanjith said today a fare hike would be demanded in case fuel prices increased by four rupees after the regular price revision on April 10.

Heat weather warning revised for fourteen districts

The Department of Meteorology today issued a weather advisory for tomorrow, asking people in 14 districts to be extremely cautious of the hot weather.

Protesting Uni. students tear-gassed

Police fired tear-gas and used water cannons to disperse protesting students of the Sabaragamuwa University near the Polduwa Junction in Battaramulla a short while ago.

Parliament Road closed due to protest

Parliament Road from Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla is temporarily closed because of a protest being carried out by a group of students of the Sabaragamuwa University, the police said.

ICC, Interpol to work together to fight corruption

In a bid to combat corruption in the game of cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has met with Interpol, the organisation that facilitates worldwide police cooperation, to discuss closer working relations.