Adverse weather: Death toll rises to 64

The number of deaths caused by floods and landslides had increased to 64, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today.

FCID quizzes deputy minister over major Ethanol scam

The Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division yesterday quizzed Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries Lakshman Wasantha Perera over a major Ethanol smuggling ring that also saw the alleged involvement of a former senior minister in the UPFA government.

Govt. declines to divulge FCID details

The government yesterday declined to divulge details such as names, professional and educational qualifications and experience of police officers serving in the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) to Parliament because of an ongoing court case.

President condoles, says programme in place to deal with situation

President Maithripala Sirisena expressed his profound grief for the loss of life, the people who went missing and the damage caused to property as a result of the adverse weather conditions prevailing throughout the island.

Cooperation is the need of the hour: PM

Addressing a media briefing at the Temple Trees today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe warned that prevalent inclement weather conditions would prolong for some time, and said cooperation was the need of the hour.

Thajudeen killing:CID quiz SDIG Senanayake

The Criminal Investigation Department today recorded a statement from Anura Senanayake, a former Senior DIG of the Western Province, in connection with the death of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen.

Mechanism with foreign involvement needed in SL: Canada

Issuing a statement on the seventh anniversary of the end of the war in Sri Lanka, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said a robust accountability mechanism with foreign involvement was needed to enlist the confidence of war victims.

No danger to Ambatale water plant: Water Board

Ambatale water plant operations manager R.P.P. R. Rajapakse said today there was no danger to the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant due to the adverse weather experienced in the country as rumoured.

Foreign missions in SL express willingness to assist victims

All Ambassadors and High Commissioners of foreign missions in Sri Lanka had expressed their willingness to come forward and help Sri Lankans who had become victims of torrential rains, floods and landslides, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera today said.

Sudden increase of rains: Met Dept.

The deep depression in the Bay of Bengal which has intensified in to Cyclonic storm ‘ROANU’ is now located about 600 km north of Kankesanthurai and it is further moving away from the island, the Met department said in its 4 pm bulletin today.

President instructs officials to carry out immediate relief

President Maithripala Sirisena today held a meeting to look into immediate measures necessary to look after the people affected by inclement weather, landslides and floods.

Three die from toxic gas exposure

Three people exposed to toxic gas while cleaning an old well in Lunugala Maha Vidyalaya died on admission to the Lunugala Hospital

EgyptAir flight MS804 from Paris to Cairo crashed

An EgyptAir flight reported missing between Paris and Cairo has crashed, French President Francois Hollande confirmed.

Jayalalithaa elected as Chief Minister again

For the first time in 32 years, Tamil Nadu has chosen to give a consecutive term to one party - Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa will remain exactly where she is, according to clear trends from counting.

Five cases against Johnston on bribery charges

The Bribery Commission (BC) today filed five cases in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court against former cooperative and internal trade minister Johnston Fernando and two others on charges of deploying employees of the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) for political activities from 2010 to 2014 and causing a loss of Rs.40 million to the government.

All schools will be closed tomorrow: Ministry

The Education Ministry has decided to close all schools tomorrow (20) due to the inclement weather conditions, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

Schools in Sabaragamuwa continue to be closed

The closure of schools in Sabaragamuwa province due to the prevailing flood situation has been extended.

Five more bodies recovered in Bulathkohupitiya

Five more bodies were recovered in Bulathkohupitiya landside site area bringing the total death toll to ten. Six still missing,officials said.

Slight decline of Kelani river water level

The water level of the Kelani River in the Colombo area has showing a slight fall by now, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

EgyptAir flight carrying 69 goes missing

EgyptAir flight MS804 heading from Paris to Cairo has gone missing. The Airbus A320 left the French capital's Charles De Gaulle at 11:09pm local time on Wednesday night and then disappeared off radar shortly before it was due to land in Egypt.

20,000 evacuated from flood hit areas in Colombo

About 20, 000 people who affected by floods in the Colombo had been evacuated by this morning, Army Spokesman Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera said.

Sacred relics to be brought down from Pakistan for Wesak

A Sri Lankan delegation led by Sustainable Development and Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera left for Pakistan yesterday to take custody of the most sacred bone relics of Lord Buddha to be exhibited in Sri Lanka in view of Wesak Festival.

Penal Code on criminal responsibility changed

A proposal made by Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe to amend the Penal Code to change the minimum age for criminal responsibility to 12 was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers today. 

Peace-building process is challenging - President

Addressing the Seventh National Ranaviru Commemoration Ceremony held before the Ranaviru Statue at the Parliament Grounds in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte this afternoon, President Maithripala Sirisena said peace-building and promoting inter-communal harmony and reconciliation in a post conflict era was quite challenge.

Govt. will remove Cabinet moles: Rajitha

Reshuffle or not, the Government would remove a few Ministers from the Cabinet for sabotaging the anti-corruption drive of the Government, inefficiency and treachery before long, a senior Cabinet Minister said today.

Highest rainfall recorded

One of the highest rainfalls in the country was recorded during the last four days, the Meteorology Department said today.

150 feared dead in landslides

Over 150 feared dead in the two major landslides in Aranayake and Bulathkohupitiya although only 17 bodies had been recovered as at late today as torrential rains and more landslide threats hampering the rescue operations, officials said.

Girl abducts boy; attempts forced marriage

A 25-year-old girl was arrested at Matara on charges of abducting a 23-year-old boy, who had broken up their love affair which had begun on Facebook.

Move away from banks of Kelani River: DMC

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has warned those living near the banks of the Kelani River to leave their homes and move to places of safety in the wake of the fast rising water level of the river.

Wilpattu National Park closed due to adverse weather

The Wilpattu National Park was closed today because the road network inside the park was underwater and impassable, Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya said.