Protestors block Matara train: demand bamboo gates back

A Matara bound train from Kandy had been blockaded by a group of protesters at the Abeygunawardana Crossing in Matara, the control room said.

Lotus Road closed due to protest

The Galle Face Road from NSA Roundabout to Lotus Road in Colombo has been temporarily closed due to a protest carried out against the Aruwakkalu Garbage Recycling Plant in Puttalam, the Police said.

Nalaka de Silva further remanded

Former DIG of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID), Nalaka de Silva was further remanded until March 26 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate today.

OIC & PC arrested for aiding treasure hunting

OIC of the Echchanmkulam Police Station in Vavuniya, IP Subhash Kumara Ariyaratne and a police constable have been arrested on charges of aiding treasure hunting in Vavuniya, police said.

Karannagoda arrives at CID for the third day

Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning, for the third day, to give a statement over the disappearance of 11 youth in 2008-2009.

Ministers using cocaine: Ranjan undertook a govt. contract - Gammanpila

While claiming that State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake’s recent remarks on cocaine being used by several ministers, were baseless, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila said it was a contract given by the Government to the State Minister.

Sagala slams Wimal’s allegation

Ports and Shipping Minister Sagala Rathnayake refuted the allegation levelled by MP Wimal Weerawansa that a branch of the United States’ Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) had been established at Temple Trees.

‘Raththaran’ resigns from SPC

UPFA Southern Provincial Council member Krishantha Pushpakumara, alias ‘Raththaran’, resigned from the post today.

S’pore should clearly state whether Mahendran is there or not: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena today faulted the Singaporean Government of not making a clear and open statement as to whether the main respondent in the Central Bank bond scam was in the country.

Amend Shop and Office Employees Act: Seneviratne

Former Trade Union Relations Minister and MP W.D.J. Seneviratne today called for the amendment of the Shop and Office Employees Act.

UPFA demands Rs.2,500 salary hike for private sector

In line with the salary increment granted to public sector employees, the government should take adequate measures to increase the salaries of those in the private sector at least by Rs.2,500 per month, UPFA MP Gamini Lokuge told Parliament today.

Met Dept. warns of showers exceeding 100mm

Thunderstorms are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-Western and Central Provinces and in the Galle, Matara and Badulla Districts, the Meteorology Department said today.

Ratgama businessmen killing: Eight suspects arrested

The Criminal Investigation Department (CD) had arrested eight suspects this evening over the abduction and killing of two businessmen from Rathgama, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

1 dead, several injured in Netherlands shooting

At least one person has died and a number of people injured in a shooting ’with possible terrorist motive’ in the central Dutch city of Utrecht on Monday morning, local news reports.

Jananath Warakagoda released on bail

Popular artiste Jananath Warakagoda who was in remanded custody over an accident in which a woman was killed at Kirillawela, was released on bail by the Mahara Magistrate today.

Nagananda Kodituwakku barred from practising law

The Supreme Court today issued a restraining order against Nagananda Kodituwakku preventing him from practising as an attorney for three years.

Heavy Traffic at Ward Place

Heavy traffic was reported at the Ward Place in the Town Hall area due to a protest launched by ETI Finance Limited (ETI) depositors.

Power outage across the country as Norochcholai shuts down

Power to several areas of the country has been disrupted when the unit 2 generator at the Norochcholai coal power plant shut down due to a technical issue, Director of Development at the Ministry of Power and Energy Sulakshana Jayawardena told the Daily Mirror.

IUSF Convener granted bail

Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Convener, Maheel Dehideniya, who was arrested over unruly behaviour during the protest near the parliament roundabout on last Wednesday, was granted bail by the Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Primary education in English medium: Bandula considering legal recourse

Former Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane said he would take legal action against the conduct of primary education in the English medium, disregarding the mother tongue of the student.

‘Raththaran’ says he would resign from SPC

UPFA Southern Provincial Council member Krishantha Pushpakumara, alias ‘Raththaran’, said that he has decided to resign from the post.

No decision on SLFP candidate for Presidential poll yet: Dayasiri

The General Secretary of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera yesterday said that no decision had been taken about the SLFP candidate for the forthcoming Presidential election.

Country should not co-sponsor new UNHRC resolution: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that Sri Lanka should not co-sponsor the UNHRC resolution coming up this time.

Road accident claims four lives, injures eleven

Four people were killed and another eleven injured when a van and a tipper collided head-on at Nagavilluwa, Puttalam on the Puttalam – Colombo Main Road in the early hours of today, police said.

SLPP not prepared to vote Maithri into presidency again: Prasanna

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna is not prepared to vote President Maithripala Sirisean into presidency for another term, in spite of the party being prepared to coalesce with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by the President in order to topple the government led by the United National Party (UNP), Gampaha District leader of the SLPP, Prasanna Ranatunga said.

Wiggy’s Tamil Political Alliance is not a registered party: TNA

Former NPC Chief Minister C.V Wignesawaran’s Tamil Political Alliance is not a registered political party, TNA Parliamentarian M. A Sumanthiran said.

No more substandard buses, says Arjuna

Steps would be taken soon to prohibit the import of substandard buses for public transport and that the buses already use were not up to the required standard, Transport Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said.

26 police officers transferred

Twenty-six police officers, including two Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and ASP N.V. Lorenz of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), have been transferred, police said.

Color code for all sweets, biscuits from April 2

A Colour Code System (CCS) indicating sugar and salt levels in packaged food would become mandatory on labels of all sweets including biscuits with effect from April 2, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Christchurch shootings: Attacker was ’lone gunman’

The man charged over Friday’s twin mosque attacks in the New Zealand city of Christchurch is believed to have acted alone, police say.