Destruction of 769 kgs of cocaine commences

A cocaine haul of 769 kgs is set to be destroyed at D.N.S Warehouse, Kelaniya in the presence of President Maithripala Sirisena in a little while, officials said.

Borella OIC hit-and-run- Defender driver released on bail

Navindu Umesh Ratnayake, the driver of the defender involved in the hit-and-run that killed Borella Traffic OIC IP Ananda Sagara Sarathchandra, was released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today.

Three prison officers escorting inmates caught drunk while on duty

Three prison officers (including a jailer), who were responsible for transporting eight prisoners including a death row inmate to the Welikada Prison from Polonnaruwa, were arrested by the Minneriya Police on charges of being under the influence of liquor while on duty.

Nearly 49 per cent of Colombo’s water wasted due to leakages

Nearly 49 per cent of water supplied to Colombo is lost due to leakages in the distribution pipe system, incurring a considerable loss, Deputy General Manager of the Colombo Water Supply Service Project Eng. Abdul Rasheed said.

No plan for permanent base here: US Embassy

The United States does a lot more to increase ‘mil- to- mil’ (military to military) cooperation with Sri Lanka, but there are no plans to establish a permanent base here, an embassy spokesman said.

SL needs disciplined people through military training - PM

Sri Lanka needs discipline which is instilled in people through military training in addition to economic development and social justice, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said over the weekend.

769 kgs cocaine to be destroyed

The Director General of the Drug Eradication Task Force Samantha Kumara Kithalawa Arachchi said arrangements are being made to burn and destroy a cocaine haul of 769 kgs tomorrow (01) April at the Puttalam Cement Factory premises.

Four arrested with 3,084 kg of beedi leaves in Thlaimannar

Four people were arrested by the Navy with over 3084 kg of beedi leaves during two separate raids carried out in Thlaimannar.

Dimuth to face SLC inquiry

Sri Lanka Cricket said today that it would conduct an inquiry gainst Sri Lanka test captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who was arrested over the drunk driving accident, in order to take necessary action.

Fraud in milch cow imports - Namal Karunaratne

All Ceylon Agrarian Congress accused the government of providing funds amounting to Rs.1,310 million to a private company to import milch cows.

915 more Lankans get dual citizenships

A total of 915 Sri Lankans had been awarded dual citizenships by the Internal and Home Affairs Ministry yesterday.

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg calls for internet regulations

The internet needs new rules to prevent the spread of hate speech, protect privacy and data and prevent election interference, Facebook founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said.

Ex governor P.B. Dissanayake no more

Former Central Province Governor P.B. Dissanayake passed away at the age of 76 at the Kurunegala Hospital yesterday evening.

Oman targets 30 per cent stake in Sri Lankan oil refinery

The Omani government is planning to invest in an oil refinery in Sri Lanka, the oil minister Mohammed Al Rumhy said on Saturday, according to the Oman News Agency (ONA).

Cricketer Dimuth Karunaratne arrested for drunk driving

Sri Lanka Test Cricket captain Dimuth Karunaratne was arrested this morning on charges of driving under the influence of liquor after his car met with an accident at Kinsey Road in Borella.

High Posts committee approved appointments of 14 career diplomats

The Parliamentary High Posts Committee has approved the appointments of fourteen career diplomats nominated by President Maithripala Sirisena as Heads of Sri Lanka Missions overseas.

Govt. to appoint more non-Cabinet and state ministers

The government is expected to make changes to the Cabinet by appointing a few more non- Cabinet and state ministers.

Restore parliamentary privileges I lost while in jail: SF

Parliament yesterday approved a motion to refer the question of privilege raised by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka to the committee on Ethics and Privileges under the Standing Order 118.

Oil Refinery in Hambantota: Malik to leave for Oman

Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema said yesterday he would be leaving for Oman on May 4th together with Petroleum Resources Development Minister Kabir Hashim, for discussions with regard to the Hambantota Oil Refinery.

Wimal blames Batagoda for power crisis

Power and Energy Ministry Secretary Dr. Suren Batagoda is the culprit behind the power crisis, UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa told Parliament yesterday.

Lord Naseby lauds Marapana’s statement at UNHCR

Lord Naseby said the UN for its part will have to submit proposals of how to get persons like Adele Balasingham and other senior LTTE officers settled in UK, Canada, USA or elsewhere to fully co-operate if a Truth and Reconciliation mechanism is to happen.

Committee on Public Finance presents report in House

The Committee on Public Finance yesterday presented a report to parliament which contains their opinion in regard to the budget and the government’s financial policy.

Govt. responsible for power cuts: Mahindananda

UPFA MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage said yesterday the power cut was an organised act and said the government should take the responsibility for it.

Mannar Basin - Oil and gas exploration to begin next year: Hashim

Oil and gas exploration in the Mannar basin will begin next year and the agreement will be signed with a prospective investor on a production sharing basis, Petroleum Resources Development Minister Kabir Hashim told parliament yesterday.

Power crisis only for ten days: Ravi

While assuring the people that there will be no power cuts during the National New Year period, Power, Energy and Business Development Minister Ravi Karunanayaka said today that a project is being planned to add 600 MWs to the national grid.

Expenditure head of Highways Ministry passed with 84 in favour, 1 against

The expenditure head of the Ministry of Highways, Road Development & Petroleum Resources was passed with a majority of 83 votes at the committee stage in parliament a short while ago.

Mrs. Srima Dissanayake no more

Mrs. Srima Dissanayake, the wife of late Minister Gamini Dissanayake, passed away at the age of 77 at a private hospital in Colombo, this evening.

Individuals deported from Dubai: Top police team to monitor probe

A seven-member committee comprising of senior police personnel and headed by Senior DIG of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Ravi Seneviratne, has been appointed by IGP Pujith Jayasundara today. The aim being, to monitor investigations being carried out against the individuals who had been deported from Dubai to Sri Lanka, police said.

Defeated expenditure heads - Will be re-presented with amendments: Kiriella

The defeat of the expenditure heads of the Megapolis and Internal Affairs, Local Government and Provincial Councils ministries yesterday became a talking point in parliament today.

Navy recovers 1456 Kg of beedi leaves floating in the sea

A stock of beedi leaves found floating in the sea were recovered today by crew members of a SL Navy fast attack craft and a coastal patrol vessel during a patrol carried out in the seas of Mannar South.