Malinga keen to play in Provincial Tourney

Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga, who has been given clearance to play in the full Indian Premier League (IPL) season, has now expressed his desire to play in the SLC Super Provincial T20 Cricket Tournament.

Drug dealer ‘Beramulle Sameera’ & three others arrested

Notorious drug dealer Maduranga Fernando alias ‘Beramulle Sameera’ and three others were arrested by the STF with 106 grams of heroin in their possession at Palliyawatta in Wattala last night, the STF said.

SL signed UNHRC resolution without my knowledge: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that he is not ready to do anything that is contrary to the country’s constitution or harmful to its sovereignty simply because the international community or anyone else was saying so.

Kanjipani Imran, three others deported from Dubai

Notorious drug kingpin Mohommad Najim Mohammad Imran alias Kanjipani Imran, who was arrested along with ‘Makandure Madush’ in Dubai, was taken under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning, Police Spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Presidency: UNP candidate depends on SLPP candidate

The United National Party (UNP) presidential candidate would be decided based on the candidate finalised by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), UNP MP Thushara Indunil said yesterday.

Customs’ arbitrary decisions force VIAL to stop ‘Wagon-R’ imports

The Vehicle Importers’ Association of Lanka (VIAL) said yesterday they had decided to stop the importation of ‘Suzuki Wagon-R’ vehicles due to the unjust and arbitrary decisions taken during Customs’ clearances.

Releasing lands in Wilpathu: House receives copy of PC report

Parliament has received a copy of the Presidential Commission Report on releasing lands in Wilpathu, it was announced yesterday.

Confusion over percentage of External debt: Eran says it is over Rs. 600 Bn

Confusion reigns on the percentage by which Sri Lanka’s external debt services have increased due to the devaluation of the rupee. State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne claimed that it has increased to Rs 600 billion while Opposition MP Bandula Gunawardene claimed it has increased by Rs 1000 billion.

Mother found hanged with son in Balangoda

The bodies of a mother aged 26 and her five-year-old son were found hanging at their residence in Balangoda this afternoon, police said.

SF wants all parliamentary privileges

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka today asked for all the parliamentary privileges he lost during the time he was in jail.

Prison officer deported from Dubai arrested

The prison officer who was deported from Dubai along with singer Nadeemal Perera, was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) a short while ago, police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Former Samurdhi Commissioner discharged

The Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar hearing high profile today discharged the former Samurdhi Commissioner Neil Bandara Hapuhinna from all charges filed against him.

Case filed against Udayanga to bring him to SL

Senior State Counsel Udara Karunathilaka today informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake that a case had been filed in Dubai against former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, in order to bring him back to Sri Lanka.

Presidential election: Candidate should be a parent to be eligible

UPFA MP Ananda Aluthgamage in parliament today proposed an amendment to the presidential elections law and accordingly said it should be amended to include a provision that a candidate should be a parent to be eligible to contest such a poll.

SC rejects FR petition by Madush’s aunt

The Supreme Court today rejected the fundamental rights petition put forward by the aunt of Makandure Madush seeking an order preventing the arrest of Makandure Madush by Sri Lankan authorities.

I stand fully behind report on SL: UN HR chief

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet said today that a newspaper article quoting a senior Sri Lankan official “seriously misrepresents” her discussion of the recent UN Human Rights Office report on Sri Lanka with a government delegation attending the Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 20.

Amal Perera’s son Nadeemal released after recording statement

Singer Amal Perera’s son Nadeemal Perera was detained by the CID on his arrival to the country from Dubai and was released after recording his statement, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

India shot down low earth orbit satellite: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed that country’s scientists shot down a low orbit satellite 300 km away in space.

STF arrest Aruni Baba and Thel Chooti

The 30-year-old Wijesinghe Arachchige Niroshani alias ’Aruni Baba’, the wife of underworld figure Kudu Roshan and Salinda Dharmasiri alias Thel Chooti were arrested by the STF for possession of heroin.

Former Australian cricketer and SL coach Bruce Yardley dies

Australian Test cricketer Bruce Yardley has died after a long battle with cancer.

Presidency: Gota not finalized, Basil won’t contest: MR

A conclusive decision had not yet been taken regarding former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa contesting as a candidate at the upcoming Presidential Election, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Amal Perera’s son Nadeemal and prison officer deported to SL from Dubai

Singer Amal Perera’s son Nadeemal Perera and a prison officer who were arrested in Dubai with drug kingpin Makandure Madush, have been deported to Sri Lanka yesterday, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Power cuts in Colombo Zones not scheduled: Ministry

The power cut schedule in the Colombo zones had not been prepared because there is an existing self electricity generation scheme operating in Colombo, Power and Ministry senior official said yesterday.

Rs.50 more to estate workers: Treasury to foot the bill

The Cabinet yesterday decided to allocate Rs.1200 million from the treasury to the Plantation Industries Ministry to make the daily additional payment of Rs.50 to estate workers as demanded by estate workers’ trade unions.

Permanent solution to power cuts by April 10: Minister

A permanent solution would be given for the schedule daily power cuts by April 10, Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday.

Power crisis - MS blames squabble between PUC and CEB

President Maithripala Sirisena presiding at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting is reported to have blamed the current power crisis on the squabbling between the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Private buses in WP should be painted blue after April 1

Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority said yesterday new laws would be introduced from April 1 to make it compulsory to paint private buses in blue.

UN resolution - SL didn’t agree to a time frame: Amunugama

Opposition MP Sarath Amunugama, who was a member of the Sri Lankan delegation to the UNHRC, told Parliament today that Sri Lanka did not agree to a time frame to implement what it promised through the resolution adopted in Geneva.

Met. Dept. issues ‘Extreme Caution’ advisory to 11 districts

The Meteorology Department today issued an ’Extreme Caution’ hot weather advisory to most parts of the North-Western and Western Provinces and the Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Anuradhapura, Monaragala and Hambantota districts.

Asia’s Best Restaurants: Ministry of Crab ranked 35th

Sri Lankan restaurant Ministry of Crab was ranked 35th place at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants’’ award ceremony held in Macau a short while ago.