Namal alleges govt. incurred loss of Rs. 1,000 bn

UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa said today the government had incurred a loss of Rs. 1000 billion due to its poor economic management while the previous government spent only Rs. 300 billion to construct Hambantota port and Mattala Airport.

Govt. proposes domestic air tickets for public servants

Transport and Civil Aviation State Minister Ashok Abesinghe said today a mechanism was being planned to provide state employees with domestic air tickets from this August.

CID Sergeant arrested for accepting Rs. 80,000 bribe from businessman

A police sergeant attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been arrested by the officers of the Bribery and Corruption Commission while accepting Rs. 80,000 from a businessman in Sapugaskanda as a bribe.

Jayasiri Wijenath appointed Prisons Commissioner-General

Former Additional Secretary to the Labour Ministry, T.M. Jayasiri Wijenath Thennakoon has been appointed as the new Prisons Commissioner-General, the Justice and Prison Reforms Ministry said.

SC issues order preventing arrest of Karannagoda

The Supreme Court today directed Criminal Investigation Department (CID) not to arrest Former Commander of Navy Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda over abduction case and killing of 11 youths in 2008-2009.

Two pistols belonged to Kawma found

Two pistols, two magazines and eight ammunition of 9mm belonging to Kelum Indika Sampath alias ‘Kawma’ -- who is currently detained in connection with the robbery of a diamond worth more than Rs.5 billion -- were recovered from a compound at Welikanda in Wattala today, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Lalkantha released on bail

JVP Politbureau member K.D. Lalkantha, who was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of liquor, was released on bail by the Anuradhapura Magistrate today.

Curb Liquor companies sponsoring big matches: UPFA

UPFA MP Wimalaweera Dissanayake today urged the Government not to allow liquor manufacturing companies to sponsor annual big matches that are being held among schools.

U.K. top court rules in favour of Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seeker

Britain’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of a Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seeker’s claim that the Home Office was wrong to reject his contention that he was tortured back in Sri Lanka, and asked the Upper Tribunal to look at the case afresh, in what is considered a landmark judgment, the Hindu reported.

No jurisdiction to hear 'Ali Roshan' case: Special High Court

The Special High Court today said that it had no jurisdiction to hear the case of Nirad Roshan alias ‘Ali Roshan’ who possessed four elephants without a valid license and thus ordered to release Ali Roshan and six others.

30 SL illegal immigrants arrested off Southern Coast

At least 30 Sri Lankan illegal immigrants have been arrested by the navy about 80 nautical miles off the southern coast early this morning.

Prez tells cabinet to disengage Allianz

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have instructed the Cabinet to terminate the government’s engagement with Allianz Sri Lanka firm to provide life health insurance to schoolchildren under the scheme named ‘Suraksha’.

Online GIT exam from March 11 to 18

The Examinations Department has decided to hold the GCE A/L General Information Technology (GIT) examination online as a pilot test.

Declare 2019 ’Year of War Heroes’ - Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed relevant state bodies to declare the year 2019 as the ‘Year of War Heroes’ of ‘Ranawiru Memorial Year’ following the completion of 10 years after obliterating separatist terrorism waged by the LTTE.

Second special HC to begin hearings

Proceedings of the second special high court is due to begin on March 14, Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Thalatha Athukorala said today.

Figures in Budget 2019 incorrect: Gammanpila

Figures of the government revenue stated in the Budget proposal 2019 are erroneous, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Vehicle prices up after Budget

Due to the revision of Excise Duty on motor vehicles and implementation of the luxury tax on the recent budget proposal, the local vehicle prices would be increased by a minimum of Rs.150,000, Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) Chairman Ranjan Peiris said.

Presidential polls still far away: MR tells Sajith

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today in Parliament asked UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa in lighter vein to be patient as next presidential election is still far away.

Discussions with MR successful to some extent: JVP

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today met with Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa over the 20th Amendment to the Constitution (20A), advising they had held ‘somewhat’ successful discussions although no agreement was reached in regards supporting the 20A. A group of JVP MPs comprising of MP Dissanayake, Vijitha Herath and Sunil Handunnetti met with Mr. Rajapaksa to discuss the 20A at the latter’s office in Colombo.

AG to indict Ex-Navy Com. Karannagoda, other suspects on murder

Senior State Counsel, Janaka Bandara, today stated that the Attorney General has decided to file indictments against all suspects, including former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, over the magisterial inquiry conducted into the alleged abduction and disappearances of eleven youth in 2008.

Hot weather warning to eleven districts

A heat weather advisory had been issued by the Department of Meteorology today for Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces and Puttalam districts tomorrow.

Ban lifted on ’Angampora’: Wellessa heroes honoured

The Cabinet decided today to lift the ban imposed by the British rulers in 1818 on the indigenous marshal art called ‘Angampora’.

Lotus Road closed due to IUSF protest

The Lotus Road outside the Finance Ministry in Colombo was closed due to the protest march organised by the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF), police said.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall due to IUSF protest

Heavy traffic was reported in and around Town Hall due to a protest march carried out by the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF).

Court orders CID to file summary of evidence

Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today directed the CID to file a summary of evidence on the next hearing as to ascertain whether there is sufficient evidence against former DIG Nalaka de Silva over the alleged assassination plot of VIPs. Ps.

Kilinochchi Co-op Insurance branch manager hacked to death

A 33-year-old branch manager of the Co-Operative Insurance was hacked to death at Udayanagar, Kilinochchi yesterday.

President to make representations in Geneva

President Maithripala Sirisena today said that he would be sending three of his representatives to the ongoing UNHRC sessions in Geneva where the issue concerning Sri Lanka would be taken up on March 22 and 23, to impress upon the council to allow Sri Lanka to handle its own problems.

SLC to host LPL in September

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will host the Lanka Premier League (LPL) this year in the month of September. This was revealed yesterday by the new President of SLC Shammi Silva.

LG polls result in Wennappuwa: EC member confirms mistake

The Election Commission has initiated an inquiry into the last Local Government Election results of two wards in Wennapuwa where a discrepancy is said to had taken place with almost certain changes in seat allocation.

I am happy with the budget: Duminda

SLFP MP Duminda Dissanyake said the 2019 Budget presented by the Finance Minister had something positive for the people and that in his personal opinion it was a satisfactory budget. et.