Navy hierarchy was aware of abductions in Colombo, suburbs: CID

The CID today told Colombo Additional Magistrate Shehani Perera that the Navy Hierarchy including former Navy Commander Jayantha Perera and Intelligence Division Director Ananda Guruge had knowledge about the abductions that took place in Colombo and suburbs during 2009.

UNHRC resolution on SL adopted without a vote

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on Sri Lanka, that gives two more years to fully implement the Resolution 30/1, was adopted at the Human Rights Council in Geneva without a vote today.

House at sea over Oman oil refinery project

Questions were raised in parliament today on the proposed oil refinery project in Hambantota which was supposed to be a joint venture with Oman, according to Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment (BoI). The claim was later denied by Oman’s Ministry of Oil and Gas.

Oman keen on refinery project: BOI

In light of Oman Oil and Gas Ministry denying being part of a US $ 3.85 billion refinery project in Hmabantota, Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday said that they were aware Oman Oil Company has ‘firm intention’ in taking an equity position in the project.

Student dies while playing football at school

A student of the Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa has died due to sudden illness while playing football at school playground this afternoon, the police said.

UNHRC: Countries urge SL to implement its commitments

Many countries, who co-sponsored the resolutions 30/1 and 34/1 on Sri Lanka yesterday called on the Sri Lankan government to take steps to deliver fully on its commitments in resolutions 30/1 and 34/1 and to develop a comprehensive and time-bound implementation strategy.

President taking all steps to bring down Mahendran: Amaraweera

UPFA MP Mahinda Amaraweera said today President Maithripala Sirisena had taken all steps at the diplomatic level and had made a written request to extradite former central bank governor Arjuna Mahendran from Singapore.

Presidency: Navin calls Gota, Gota deems Karu budding candidates

Plantation Minister Navin Dissanayake called former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa a future presidential candidate while Mr. Rajapaksa in his subsequent speech referred to Minister Dissanayake’s father-in-law Speaker Karu Jayasuriya as a promising candidate for presidency.

Wind Power in islands around the country: Minister

Stand-alone Wind Energy Systems would be established on islands and islets around the coast of Sri Lanka following the successful pilot project at the Delft Island, Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake said.

Moratumulla shooting: Woman suspect arrested

A 34-year-old woman had been arrested last night in connection with the shooting incident that took place at Piliyandala on March 14, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Italian bus driver tries to burn dozens of schoolchildren alive

A bus driver in northern Italy abducted 51 children and their chaperones Wednesday, threatening them over a 40-minute ordeal before setting the vehicle on fire when he was stopped by a police blockade, authorities said.

Govt. seeks Prez’s approval to increase cabinet

The government decided to make fresh engagement with President Maithripala Sirisena seeking his approval to increase the size of the Cabinet exceeding 30, it is learnt.

No intention to join UNP - Duminda Dissanayake

SLFP National Organiser and parliamentarian Duminda Dissanayake said on Tuesday that he was not intend to join the UNP unilaterally.

Oman denies it has agreed to invest in SL oil refinery project

Oman’s oil ministry on Wednesday denied being part of a $3.85 billion plan to build an oil refinery in Sri Lanka, a day after the government in Colombo announced the Arab country’s participation.

UK urges SL to prioritise required steps

The United Kingdom today urged Sri Lanka to prioritise the steps required to deliver fully on its commitments in resolutions 30/1 and 34/1 and to develop a comprehensive and time-bound implementation strategy.

Adopt a time-bound implementation strategy-EU to SL

The European Union today urged Sri Lana to take immediate and sustained action to implement its commitments and institute a durable reconciliation process and also to adopt a time-bound implementation strategy.

80 percent of construction workers in Colombo addicted to drugs

Almost 80 percent of workers at construction sites in Colombo are addicted to drugs, Director Presidential Task Force on Prevention of Drugs Dr. Samantha Kitalagama said yesterday.

3 Lankans, 6 Indians nabbed with gold worth Rs.40mn

Three Sri Lankan and six Indian passengers were arrested with gold pieces valued at nearly Rs.40 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle them into the country, Deputy Director and Acting Spokesman Vipula Minuwanpitiya said.

Additional portfolio for Bathiudeen

Vocational Training and Skills Development subject, which was under the purview of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been assigned to Minister Rishad Bathiudeen with effect from March 18, a gazette notification stated.

SL rejects two main proposals by UNHR Chief

Sri Lanka today rejected UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet’s proposals to establish an Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Sri Lanka and calling to implement a detailed and comprehensive strategy for the transitional process with a ‘fixed timeline’.

UNHRC Chief calls for fixed timeline

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet presenting her report to UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka yesterday called on the government (Sri Lanka) to implement a detailed and comprehensive strategy for the transitional process with a fixed timeline.

SL war heroes subject to Universal Jurisdiction: Sarath Weerasekara

Former MP, Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara making his presentation during a side event at the UNHRC session in Geneva said conspiracy against Sri Lankan army is clear since they are denied Visa to foreign countries, peace keeping slots, just because they took part in war.

Extradition of Mahendran: Singapore rejects President's allegation

Singapore today rejected Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s allegation it was sheltering a former central bank chief wanted for fraud, saying Colombo failed to provide documents to support its extradition request.

Accident kills two in Kegalle

A man and a woman have been killed when their car collided with a Matale bound SLT bus at Molagoda this morning, the Police said.

Case against Lankan tyre exports dismissed by US courts

Sri Lanka has achieved another legal victory in the case of countervailing duties imposed by the United States (US) against off-the-road (OTR) tires from Sri Lanka, after the US Department of Commerce (USDoC) decided to withdraw an appeal against the decision of the US Court of International Trade, which in 2018 ruled against the US’ decision to impose countervailing duties on tire imports from Sri Lanka.

Navy recovers 150 kg of Kerala ganja from Mannar

A stock of more than 150 kilograms of Kerala ganja had been recovered by Navy Personnel during an expedition along the Urumalai beach in Mannar today, Navy Media Spokesman Lt. Cdr. Isuru Suriyabandara said.

N’cholai back online: No more power cuts, says Ministry

With the broken down generator of the Noraichcholai Power Plant coming online there won’t be power outages anymore, Ministry of Power and Energy said today.

Angoda Lokka’s accomplice ‘Kaduwela Babi’ arrested

The Special Task Force (STF) has arrested an organized criminal known as ‘Kaduwela Babi’, an accomplice of underworld criminal ‘Angoda Lokka’, at Pittugala in Malabe last night.

Beliatta UNP PS member hospitalised with gunshot wounds

Beliatta UNP Pradeshiya Sabha member Kapila Amarakoon had been hospitalised with gunshot injuries this morning, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Cardinal Ranjith to lead mass protests

Religious Leaders led by Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith is to stage mass protests against drugs in Colombo North on Sunday (March 31).