Australia drops people-smuggling charge against Lankan

A people-smuggling charge has been dropped against a Sri Lankan man accused of attempting to assist a fellow countryman to travel from Indonesia to Australia by boat, the Australian reported on Thursday.

Ministry jeep- three wheeler crash, injures five

Four children and another individual were hospitalized last night when a jeep belonging to the Additional Secretary of the Disaster Management Ministry K. Amalanadan crashed into a three- wheeler in Chilaw.

Move to re-employ retired professionals: Defence Secy

The Defence Ministry has decided to re-employ technically and professionally experienced retired officers of the armed forces to address the severe shortage of officials in those categories in the government and semi-government sector, a senior official said yesterday.

USD 2.8bn T-Bond investments withdrawn: Bandula

As much as US $ 2.8 billion invested in Sri Lanka’s Treasury Bonds has been withdrawn by their investors in recent times, joint opposition MP Bandula Gunawardane alleged yesterday.

Pop legend Prince dies at 57

American singer Prince, who defined the sound of the '80s with songs such as "Kiss" and "Purple Rain" and defied the music industry in a fight for creative freedom, has died on Thursday.

EMA not to stifle media freedom: Dy Minister

The proposed ‘Electronic Media Authority’ (EMA) is meant only to regularize the functions and operation of the electronic media keeping abreast with the latest trends, and not to suppress media freedom, Deputy Mass Media and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Karunaratne Paranawitana said.

Liberal atmosphere a must for stopping ragging at universities: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today stressed the need to have a liberal atmosphere within universities as a basis for stopping the incidence of ragging.

MR's words of wisdom for new IGP

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) should be alert on police officers who act according to the whims of the government and harass those with dissenting political views, expecting favours in return.

Roads in Colombo inundated

Most of the roads in the Colombo City were flooded due to the heavy rains that were experienced this evening.

Some HR concerns still remain in Sri Lanka: UK

The United Kingdom (UK) on Thursday said that though there was an improvement in overall human rights situation in Sri Lanka in 2015, some human rights concerns still remain in the country.

Centre to share intelligence on drug trafficking: Minister

The government will set up a centre for sharing intelligence on Drug Trafficking, Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake said yesterday.

SL moves up in 2016 World Press Freedom Index

Sri Lanka has moved up 24 notches and ranked at 141st place in the 2016 World Press Freedom Index compiled by the Reporters Without Borders - Reporters sans frontieres (RSF) which was published on Wednesday.

Village to be built in MR's name: Minister Premadasa

Housing Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa said today his ministry would launch housing projects called Udagama to be named after past leaders of the country, be they dead or alive. He said one such Udagama would be named after former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

EU lifts fish ban on Sri Lanka

The European Commission (EC) today announced that the fish ban imposed on Sri Lanka in 2015 by the European Union (EU) was lifted after a lengthy dialogue process.

Fmr. Narahenpita crime OIC remanded

Former Crime OIC of the Narahenpita Police, IP Sumith Champika who was arrested by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) yesterday, was remanded till May 5 by Colombo additional Magistrate Thilina Gamage today.

Veteran filmmaker Nihalsingha passes away

Veteran filmmaker D. B. Nihalsingha passed away this afternoon at the age of 77. Mr. Nihalsingha who was born on May 27, 1939 was last year conferred with the title of ‘Professor in Cinema and Television’ - the only Sri Lankan to be honoured with the title.

New mobile jamming system for prisons

Prisons Department would introduce a new mobile jamming system from May 18 to prevent communication in and out of the prisons, Prisons Spokesman Thushara Upuldeniya said.

Wanted murder suspect shoots himself

Sumith Dayaratne alias Podi Sagara, a suspect wanted for several crimes including four murders in Katunyake and Seeduwa areas had shot himself while being confronted by the Police at Gokarella last night.

PM on recent tax reforms

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to brief the United National Party (UNP) Ministers, Deputy Ministers and MPs on the situation with regard to tax reforms, shortly.

NPC intends to form a Tamil State - JHU

The true intention of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) was to pave the way for a Tamil State under the guise of a Federal State, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) charged yesterday.

Malinga’s knee hurt; needs rest, says doctor

Fast bowler Lasith Malinga is suffering from a knee stress reaction due to his bowling style and therefore should take a rest for the betterment of both himself and the country, said Dr. Harindu Wijesinghe, the chairman of the SLC Medical Committee today.

No new recruitments to CEB: Minister

There would be no new recruitment of employees to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) through recruitment agencies in the future, Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.

Taxes result of failed projects: Ranjan

The Government had to increase the taxes as a result of the unprofitable projects launched by the former Government, Social Empowerment and Welfare Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said today.

Govt. to pay for surrender of illegal fire arms

The government will pay for those who hand over illegal fire-arms during the amnesty period, Defence Ministry Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said today.

Centre denies rejecting TN plea for release of Rajiv assassins

The Central Government of India on Wednesday denied media reports that it has rejected a proposal by the Tamil Nadu government to free seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, the Hindustan Times reported today.  

Arrest Gota: US Tamil groups write to Obama

In an urgent appeal to President Barrack Obama, two major Tamil groups in the US-Tamils for Obama and American Tamil Forum- had urged the US to arrest former Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse who is reported to be currently visiting US, the World News Report reported on Wednesday.

LG polls next year: President

President Maithripala Sirisena today said the election for local government bodies would be held early 2017. He announced this at a function held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

Thajudeen case: Fmr Narahenpita Crime OIC arrested

Former Crime OIC of the Narahenpita Police, IP Sumith Champika had been arrested by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) today on charges of covering up the investigations of Ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen’s murder, Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

EU–GOSL to discuss ban on fish tomorrow

A live discussion via satellite is to take place tomorrow between officials of the Sri Lankan government and the European Union (EU) regarding the ban on fish exports from Sri Lanka, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

CID probes alleged corruption charges against Mahindananda

Colombo Chief Magistrate today ordered five banks to provide details of five accounts belonging to several persons and establishments to the CID, to carry out investigations against former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage for alleged abuse of government funds.