Relief period to pay water and electricity bills in affected areas

Finance Ministry said today a 30-day relief period has been declared for the households in disaster stricken areas to settle their water and electricity bills.

Wild elephant attacks foreign couple, man killed

A foreigner was killed and his female companion injured when a wild elephant attacked them while they were riding on a motorbike at Habarana this afternoon, police said.

EgyptAir flight 804 body parts suggest an explosion on board: Report

Human remains recovered following the crash of EgyptAir Flight 804 suggest there was an explosion on board, a senior Egyptian official reportedly said Tuesday.

EP Chief Minister’s tirade

Defence Ministry Secretary Karunasena Hettiarchchi said today he had not received any complaints about an incident where Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed was alleged to have rebuked a naval officer at an event at the Sampur Maha Vidyalaya on Friday.

Presidency -- Ranil may contest if MS steps down: Dilan

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will contest at the next presidential election if President Maithripala Sirisena does not contest for a second term, SLFP Spokesman Dilan Perera said today.

Wigneswaran takes over three portfolios

Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran has taken over three portfolios earlier held by Northern Provincial Council Minister P. Sathyalingam.

PRECIFAC questions Jackson Anthony

Veteran artiste Jackson Anthony is being questioned by the PRECIFAC over the funds allocated for the opening and the water filling ceremony of the Hambantota Port in 2010, PRECIFAC officials said.

HC serves indictments on Rohitha Abeygunawardena

The High Court today served indictments against former minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena following action filed by the Bribery Commission over alleged illegal acquisition of property worth Rs 4.3 million by Abeygunawardena during 2004 to 2006.

Lalith Weeratunga at FCID

Former presidential secretary Lalith Weeratunga arrived at the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) this morning to give a statement over the allocation of Rs. 200 million to former media minister Keheliya Rambukwella for a surgery.

Injured Dushmantha Chameera to return from England

Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has sustained an injury to his lower back and will be returning to Sri Lanka for further treatment and rest, the SLC said today.

Sri Lanka flood relief to cost at least US$1.5 bn

The cost of Sri Lanka's landslides and floods will be between US$1.5 billion (1.03 billion pounds) and US$2 billion (1.37 billion pounds) at the minimum, the government said on Monday, as the Indian Ocean Island struggles to recover from its worst natural disaster since the 2004 Asia tsunami.

Interim order against Dr.Chris Nonis

Commercial High Court of Colombo has recently issued an interim order against Dr. Chris Nonis et al, in a case filed by majority shareholders of Mackwoods Securities for alleged oppression, mismanagement and misappropriation of assets belonging to Mackwoods Group of Companies.

Flood affected areas to be marked HSZs : President

President Maithripala Sirisena today instructed the officials of the newly establish special Environmental Relief Task Force to mark the flood affected areas as High Security Zones.

SDIG was in vicinity of Thajudeen's accident: CID

Former Western Province Senior DIG Anura Senanayake was remanded till May 26 by Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris yesterday over the inquiry of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen’s murder.

Death toll rises to 92; flood risk declining: DMC

The number of deaths caused by the landslides and floods has increased to 92 by today, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Fmr. Senior DIG Anura Senanayake arrested

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today arrested former Western Province Senior DIG Anura Senanayake in connection with the death of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen, the CID said.    

Man who threatened President, PM on FB pleads guilty

A man, who was remanded on charges of threatening President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe via social media, today pleaded guilty at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Three women arrested with gold valued at Rs. 60 mn

Customs seized 10.5 kg of gold, valued at Rs. 60 million, from three Sri Lankan women at the Banadaraniake International Airport today.

Jayalalithaa sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

AIADMK general secretary and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and her 28 Cabinet colleagues were sworn in by Governor K. Rosaiah at the Madras University’s Centenary Hall today.

Monsoon gradually establishing over the island: Met. Dept.

The South-West Monsoon condition was gradually establishing over the country resulting in rains in the Western, North-Western, Southern, Central and the Sabaragamuwa Provinces, the Metrology Department said today.

Namal arrives at FCID

MP Namal Rajapaksa arrived at the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) this morning to give a statement.

Update: Kelani river water level drops by 4ft

The Water level in the Kelani River in Nagalagam Street had decreased by four feet, the Disaster Management Centre said today.

Kusal Perera called up to Sri Lanka Test squad

Kusal Janith Perera is set to join the Sri Lankan Test squad as a replacement for the injured Dhammika Prasad, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced.

Robbery of flood victims

Certain persons who act in the guise of flood victims have taken away cooked food and dry rations in many flood affected areas.

Use of Obscene Language: Harin apologises

After Telecommunications and Digital Technology Minister Harin Fernando abused Joint Opposition MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage in obscene language, the parliamentary authorities have begun to consider amending the Standing Orders to ensure the dignity and decorum of the House.

Investigation against Manusha Nanayakkara

An investigation is currently underway against the Deputy Minister of Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara for his alleged involvement in misleading the public by superimposing a false news item on ‘The Hindu’ newspaper, to tarnish the political image of Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Daily Mirror reliably learns.

Rain brings positive results

Despite the inclement weather conditions wreaking havoc, it has brought about positive results by filling major irrigation reservoirs sufficiently enabling paddy cultivation feasible during the Yala season, officials said yesterday.

Bill to make prior approval of NBRO compulsory- Yapa

A Bill would be soon passed in parliament making it compulsory to obtain prior approval from the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) before commencing any construction work, Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said today.

Students affected by floods can wear casual clothes

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today that students who had been affected by the floods would be allowed to wear casual dresses when attending school.

Reservoirs filled to 75 percent

The Power and Energy Ministry said with the heavy rains that experienced in the country during last two weeks, many of the hydropower reservoirs had a water level of more than 75 per cent making the way of giving uninterrupted power supply to the country.