Sticker visas, online passport applications introduced

Department of Immigration and Emigration yesterday introduced a sticker instead of a rubber stamp to issue visa, Internal Affairs, North Western Development and Cultural Affairs Ministry said.

Somawansa no more

Former Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Somawansa Amarasinghe (73) passed away last night, sources said.

Kithuruwan, Ramith in trouble after night brawl

The careers of promising cricketers Kithuruwan Vithanage and Ramith Rambukwella are in jeopardy with Sri Lanka Cricket pursuing disciplinary action against the duo over a breach of discipline.

Illegal kidney transplant: CCD to travel to India

Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) ASP C.H. Chandrathilaka told Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya that their officers would be going to India to question T.R. Roy, who is thought to be the mastermind behind the illegal kidney transplant scam that has been taking place in both India and Sri Lanka.

No official residence for Opposition Leader

The Government is yet to provide an official residence to Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan despite several ministers occupying official residences while having homes in Colombo and in the suburbs, a senior Public Administration Ministry source said yesterday.

Questions over Aluthgamage's appointment to COPE

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP and parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman Sunil Handunetti yesterday said the members of the committee would have to work with MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage the newest member to appointed by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.

Public Servants' Concessionary Vehicle Permits increased

The Government has increased the concessionary vehicle permits to Public Servants from the current US$25,000 to US$45,000 in a new circular to be issued shortly by the Treasury's Trade and Investment Policy Department.

Thondaman to join government

The Ceylon Workers Congress led by Arumugan Thondaman, which functioned as a constituent party of the UPFA supporting the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is to join the United National Front government sometime next week, UNP sources indicated.

Copy of latest volume of Mahavansa presented to PM

Even India wouldn’t have got to know facts about its history if Mahawansa was not written, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

GMOA doctors to leave the country

The Government Medical Officer’s Association (GMOA) today warned that doctors would be compelled to leave the country unless the difficulties they face when admitting their children to national schools were resolved.

JO to protest Mahendran's reappointment

The joint opposition has decided to launch a protest from June 24 to 30 against the reappointment of Arjuna Mahendran to the post of Central Bank Governor after his term ends on June 30.

President inspects cocaine haul

President Maithripala Sirisena today visited the customs Orugodawatte Rank Container Terminal (RCT) and inspected the Cocaine haul seized by Custom officials.

Cocaine worth Rs.2 Bn seized

Three travelling bags packed with around 91.3 kilos valued at Rs.2 billion which was the largest ever detection of cocaine in Sri Lanka were seized by the  Special Narcotic Raid Unit collaboration with the STF  at the Rank Container Terminal (RCT) Container Yard Orugodawatte this morning, the Finance Ministry said.

Tiran allowed to travel overseas for medical treatments

Former parliamentarian Tiran Alles was granted permission today by Colombo High Court Judge A.A.R. Heiyanthuduwa to travel abroad to seek medical treatment.

Postal strike won’t end until demands are granted: Union

The Joint Postal Trade Union today warned that the trade union action launched by a group of Postal Department workers on Sunday would continue until the authorities fulfilled the promises made to them.

FCID questions Keheliya over Rs.20Mn accident compensation

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella arrived at the FCID this morning after he was summoned in connection with a probe of claiming Rs.20 million from the President’s Fund as compensation for his accident in Australia.

Woman, paramour arrested for beating two-year-old to death

A woman and her paramour, who killed the former’s two-year-old son by beating with a broomstick and buried the body on a land near the latter’s house, were taken into custody by the Mahiyangana Police yesterday.

Previous regime yet to answer vital questions: MS

The previous administration was still to answer the question as to why the Presidential Election was called two years prematurely and why no effort was taken to promote reconciliation and inter communal harmony in the post conflict period, President Maithripala Sirisena asked yesterday.

Mahendran should continue as CB Governor: Kiriella

The reappointment of Arjuna Mahendran as the Governor of Central Bank after his term ends on June 30 this year will not be an issue as the Supreme Courts has acquitted him of all charges, Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday.

No need for a second SLFP leader: Harrison

Commenting on issue of appointing former Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa as the second leader of the SLFP, Rural Economic Affairs Minister P. Harrison said there was no necessity for such an appointment as the present leader of the party, President Maithripala Sirisena was capable of handling the party.

British HC discusses reconciliation with CV

British High Commissioner James Dauris who visited the North and East last week heard about progress and challenges facing communities in these areas, a press release issued by the High Commission said.

Can’t make me silent: Gammanpila

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila was summoned by the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) today to record a statement over a complaint that he had used an allegedly fraudulent Power of Attorney to sell shares of an Australian company.

Jumbo calf raised at Uda Walawa

The elephant calf that had been rescued from an uncovered drain in Hambantota would not be reunited with its mother but would be raised at the Elephant Transit Home in Uda Walawe for three to four years, Wild Life Conservation Department officials said today.

National Security Act to replace PTA

The Government would enact three new Acts, namely the National Security Act, Prevention of Organised Crimes Act and the Intelligence Act aimed at preventing the re-emergence of terrorism, consolidate inter communal harmony, the rule of law and national security, a top official of the Defence Ministry said today.

UNHR Chief calls for inclusive engagement of all Lankans

While addressing the 32nd Human Rights Council session in Geneva today, United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said a comprehensive strategy will be required to implement the government’s commitments in the resolution on Sri Lanka.

Aussie Labour Party selects Lankan to stand for Senate seat

The Australian Labour Party in New South Wales had officially announced that Jagath Bandara has been nominated by the Party to the Senate ticket for the forthcoming Federal elections.

We too need FCID: Yapa

The Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) should not be dissolved as the UPFA too had complaints to lodge against officials of the current Government, UPFA MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said.  

HC suspends Gangodawila Magistrate’s order

Gangodawila Magistrate Kanishka Wijerathne’s order to release former Additional Magistrate Thilina Gamage on bail was suspended by Colombo High Court Judge Manilal Waidyathilaka today.

Power failure in Southern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces

A 50 minute power failure was reported from the Southern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces this morning due to tripping at the Old Laxapana and New Laxapana hydroelectric power stations, the Ceylon Electricity Board said.

AG seeks to remand Thilina Gamage

The Attorney General's Department today filed a revision application at the Colombo High Court against the Gangodawila Magistrate’s decision to release Former Additional Magistrate Thilina Gamage on bail.