‘Appointing CB Governor: No need to wait for Ravi's return’

The Purawasi Balaya Organisation (PBO) said today there was no need to wait for the return of Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake to finalize the appointment of the Central Bank's new Governor because the CB did not come under the purview of the Finance Ministry anymore.

Probe on mysterious media release

The Government Information Department’s Director General Ranga Kalansooriya today said a probe has been launched under the directives of Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka and Secretary Nimal Bopage on the release of a media statement without the approval of a high ranking official.  

Media Ministry denies issuing statement on CB Governor

The Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Ministry a short while ago rejected issuing a statement regarding the appointment of the next Governor of the Central Bank (CB) of Sri Lanka.  

Justice for crimes committed by both sides vital for reconciliation: TNA

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today reiterated that justice for crimes committed in the past by both the Sri Lanka military forces and the LTTE is a necessary precondition to achieve meaningful reconciliation.

Prof. Fonseka to resign if SAITM students are registered

Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Chairman Carlo Fonseka said he would resign if those who pass out from the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe were given provisional registration to practice as doctors in Sri Lanka.

Killing of rare animals goes viral on social media

Some photographs of some men killing rare and protected wild animals went viral on social media on Thursday. They showed the men with weapons and sharp objects brutally killing wild animals such as deer, wild boars and porcupines.

Thewarapperuma's suicide attempt can't be approved: UNP

Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma's suicide attempt cannot be approved by any means, his fellow UNP MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha said today.  

CB Governor after Ravi returns

President Maithripala Sirisena is expected to appoint the Central Bank's new governor next week in the wake of his discussion with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and after Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake returns to Sri Lanka, a government communique said today.

Basil at PRECIFAC again

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) a short while ago to give a statement over an allegation of misusing flights carried out by the Air Force.

SL still to meet min. standards to end human trafficking: US

The Sri Lankan government has not fully met with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking but it is making significant efforts to do so, the Annual Trafficking in Persons Report released by US State Secretary John Kerry revealed yesterday.  

Gammanpila released on bail

UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila, who was arrested on charges of using a fraudulent power-of-attorney to sell shares of an Australian company, was released on bail by Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today.  

Homagama assault case: Five suspects surrender

Former Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Indika Koralage and four others surrendered to the Athurugiriya Police today in connection with Thursday night’s assault of a businessman at a hotel in Godagama, Homagama.

TN coastal police bust Lankan refugee trafficking racket

The Tamil Nadu Coastal Security Group has busted a racket in ferrying Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to New Zealand on the promise of jobs, following the arrest of two persons – E. Balaji and R. Yuvakumar – from refugee camps in Vellore and Kanniyakumari districts on Tuesday.

Navy to look into Yoshitha after financial probe is over

Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa was under investigation for financial crimes and therefore other allegations allegedly done as a Naval Officer would be investigated by the Sri Lanka Navy, after the conclusion of the civil case on financial crimes, Navy Spokesman Captain Alevi Akram said.

CTSU alleges Dy. Minister assaulted prinicpal

The Ceylon Teachers Service Union (CTSU) yesterday alleged that Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma had assaulted the principal of Meegastenna Primary School in Matugama, while he was forcibly enrolling 9 students to the school.

LPBOA agreeable to 6 percent hike; not in strike

Members of the LPBOA would not engage in the bus strike announced by the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association, LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said today.

Terms of 23 LG bodies expire

The terms of 23 Local Government (LG) bodies which will be expired midnight today will not be extended for another term, Local Government and Provincial Council Minister Faizer Mustapha today said.  

Fourteen SSPs to be appointed acting DIGs

The National Police Commission (NPC) has recommended that fourteen Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), including SSP Ajith Rohana, be appointed as acting Deputy Inspector Generals of Police (DIGs).

Dharmaraja, Trinity, Carey slapped with bans

A special committee appointed by the Ministry of Education at a meeting held at the Ministry auditorium took the decision to slap bans on three rugby playing schools Dharmaraja, Trinity and Carey which they say has brought disrepute to the sport of rugby due to their behavior on and off the field.

ACPBA bus strike from Sunday

An islandwide bus strike would be launched from Sunday, July 3 midnight, All Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association (ACPBA) Secretary Anjana Priyanjith said today.

SL’s key commitments remain unfulfilled: HRW

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) today said the Sri Lankan government has taken important steps to address the serious human rights problems but several of the government’s key commitments to the Human Rights Council remain unfulfilled.

CCTV shows businessman brutally assaulted by gang

A CCTV footage, which shows a businessman being assaulted in an inhumane manner by a gang at a hotel in Godagama, Homagama had been released to media.

Navy intercepts suspicious Pakistan ship

Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard intercepted a ship along with 27 crew members onboard yesterday on the request of the Customs in the seas off Galle.

Allegations against Mahendran should be proven to act on him: PM

Allegations against Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran should be proven for the government to take action against him, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Video: Thewarapperuma’s suicide drama

Deputy Minister Palitha Threwarappperuma is reported to have attempted to hang himself from the ceiling fan in a classroom at the Meegahathenna Primary school in protest against the non-admission of 10 students.

I never stab leaders in the back: SF

Democratic Party (DP) Leader Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka who joined the UNP today said he is not a person who stabs his leaders in the back.

Gazette by Elections Comm. : JHU opposed to 26th media guideline

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today it was completely opposed to the 26th guideline out of the 36 gazetted by the Elections Commission to be followed by the electronic and print media saying that it was an attempt to separate politics from the cultural and religious background.

'PM hindering new CB Governor slot': Wimal

The National Freedom Front (NFF) yesterday claimed that President Maithripala Sirisena had to retract his decision to appoint a new Central Bank Governor on Wednesday due to the alleged intervention of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran.

SF receives UNP membership

Regional Development Minister and Field Marshal, Sarath Fonseka today obtained membership of the United National Party (UNP).

BC files case against Namal

The Bribery Commission today filed action against Namal Rajapaksa in Supreme Court under section 20 of the Bribery Act-contempt of commission-by not appearing before the commission appropriately to provide statements.