Underworld figure Kennedy arrested

A prominent underworld figure, Stanly Kennedy, known as ‘Kennedy’, who has been accused of several recent murders in the Southern Province was arrested by the Special Task Force, on Sunday, in Galle, police sources said.

65,000 houses; Sampanthan expresses serious concern

The Opposition (and Tamil National Alliance) leader R. Sampanthan has expressed ‘very serious concerns’ about the initiative to construct 65,000 houses for conflict-affected families in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

VAT a New Year gift: FSP

The increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 15 percent with the effect from May 02 could be considered as an unpleasant New Year present given by the Government to the people, the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) charged today.

‘May Day rally: MS will take final decision on MR’

The Central Committee (CC) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will certainly take strict disciplinary action against SLFP MPs who would refuse to attend the Party’s May Day rally at Galle, a Minister said today.

400 feared dead after boat capsizes between Egypt and Italy

More than 400 migrants and refugees are feared to have drowned in the Mediterranean while trying to cross by boat from Egypt to Italy, the Telegraph reported today.

Pujith new IGP

The Constitutional Council (CC) today approved the name of Senior DIG Pujith Jayasundara as the 34th Inspector General of Police (IGP), and referred his name to President Maitripala Sirisena for endorsement according to the Constitution, it is learnt.

Dematagoda abduction: CCD awaits AG's opinion

Colombo additional Magistrate Mohammad Mihar today postponed the inquiry relating to the incident of abducting a 34-year-old man in Dematagoda, where MP Hirunika Premachandra and eight others were found suspects, for August 8 since the Attorney General’s opinion was pending on the matter.  

The country was a piece of cake then: MR

Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa today said the country was like a piece of cake as everything was in order and in shape, when his Government handed it over to the new Government.

Wigneswaran hospitalised; talks postponed

Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran had been admitted to the Jaffna General Hospital due to a sudden illness yesterday, hospital sources said.

Gota summoned by PRECIFAC: Informed he is abroad

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was summoned by the PRECIFA C to appear before the Commission today over alleged misuse of SL Air Force flights, did not turn up as he was out of the country, sources said.

England propose points system for SL series

England has attempted a minor shake-up of the largely conventional world of test cricket by offering to use a points-based system to determine the winner of their home series against Sri Lanka.

Kidney racket suspect escapes detention camp

The first Indian suspect, of the eight suspects, arrested in connection with the Indo- Lanka kidney racket, Vijitha Giri Kumar had escaped from the Mirihana Detention Camp, the Prisons Authority informed the Colombo Magistrate today.  

Won't allow taxes to be a burden to people: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena said he would not allow economists to enforce any tax that would burden the public.

TN has no role in Katchatheevu issue: Karuna accuses Jaya

Accusing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa of  “misleading” people on the issue of Katchatheevu, DMK chief M. Karunanidhi on Sunday has reminded her that any steps to retrieve the island ceded to Sri Lanka has to be taken by the Union Government and that the state governments have no role in the issue.

Train delayed as guard waits for auspicious time

The Jaffna bound night mail train was delayed by 96 minutes last Wednesday (April 13) as the railway guard on duty had reported late for duty after performing the rituals at the auspicious time, Railways Department sources said.

Choosing new IGP: Join opp. objects to Champika's participation

The joint opposition yesterday requested President Maithripala Sirisena and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to ensure that Megapolis and Western Region Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka does not participate in the meeting of the Constitutional Council (CC) scheduled for today to discuss the appointment of the next Inspector General of Police (IGP), it is learnt.

Ecuador earthquake: Deaths rise to 246

At least 246 people have been confirmed dead and more than 1,500 people injured after Ecuador was hit by its most powerful earthquake in decades.

Sweat it out in May as well

The Sri Lankan population will have to put up with the uncomfortable situation they have to undergo as a result of excessive sweating during the month of May as well, where winds are unlikely to become active till around that time, the Department of Meteorology said today.

CC to decide on IGP tomorrow

The Constitutional Council (CC) will meet tomorrow to decide on the appointment of the 34th Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Sri Lanka in consideration of three names proposed by President Maithripala Sirisena, it is learnt.

More protests planned against Port City resumption- Environmentalist

As the stage is set for the commencement of the Port City Project after the recent visit of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the ‘Peoples Movement against Port City’ is planning more protests against the project in the days to come.

Malinga ruled out of entire IPL season

Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga has been ruled out of the ninth edition of the IPL after the Mumbai Indians' medical team deemed him unfit for at least another four months.

Scottish woman stabs abuser with a pen

A trishaw driver who had abducted two young Scottish women from Kandy town and attempted to sexually abuse one of them at an abandoned house in Hantane had to flee the place as the second woman had stabbed him with a pen.

MP Sanath Nishantha hospitalized

UPFA MP Sanath Nishantha and four others were hospitalized today after being injured in an accident in Yanthampalawa, Kurunegala, Police said.

Malinga called back for medical examination

Lasith Malinga is required to present himself before the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) panel of expert doctors on Wednesday (April 20) and depending on the outcome of the medical examinations, be required to face a match fitness grading after which the SLC will take decide on issuing a ‘No Objection Certificate’.

SL housemaid murdered in Oman

A Sri Lankan migrant housemaid in Oman had been found murdered in a city, out of Muscat, the Capital of Oman, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau officials said.

51 die from accidents during New Year

At least 51 persons died from accidents reported across the country during the Sinhala Hindu New Year, Police said.

Herath retires from ODI and T20

Spinner Rangana Herath is to retire from ODIs and T20 cricket, SLC Secretary Mohan Silva said.

1,546 drunk drivers arrested

A total of 1,546 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in a special operation launched from April 10.

Two Bangladeshi tourists arrested

Two Bangladesh national were arrested by the Wariyapola Police last night in Minuwangoda on charges of visa violations.

Deadly earthquake hits Ecuador

A powerful, 7.8-magnitude earthquake has killed 28 people in Ecuador, Vice-President Jorge Glas has said citing preliminary reports.