N. Koreans detained in SL after carrying cash

India-based North Korean embassy requested for the release of the two North Koreans who were arrested on Monday in a Colombo-based airport while transferring to another flight carrying US$150,000 in cash.

Trespass: Male students invited to girls' school-Principal

After the Kollupitiya Police informed Court that the complainant -- in a case involving 14 students of a leading boys school in Colombo who were charged with trespass on the property of a girl’s school in Kollupitiya -- had intimated that she did not wish to proceed with the case, Colombo Fort magistrate and additional district judge Priyantha Liyanage discharged the concerned students.

No more power cuts from today: Minister

Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya today assured that there will be no more power cuts from today as the Norochcholai power plant is fully operational as usual.

Release person imprisoned over my suicide attack: SF

Regional Development Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka today requested President Maithripala Sirisena to take necessary legal steps to release the person who is imprisoned in connection with the suicide bomb attack on him at the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters in 2006.

If you can’t run the country, give it to me: MR

Addressing a large crowd that had gathered at the ‘Jana Satana’ rally organised by the joint opposition against the UNP - led government in Colombo today, former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa said he would show them how the country should be run if it were handed over to him -- as the government was doing an abysmal job of it.

Port City resuming under amended terms: Ravi K.

The Chinese funded Colombo Port City Project would not be carried out according to the original plan signed during the previous regime, but with certain amendments to make it environmentally viable, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said today.

One dead, 9 hospitalised during military training

One soldier died and at least nine others were hospitalized due to a sudden illness while undergoing training at the Special Forces training camp in Maduruoya today.

MR arrives at joint opposition rally

Former President Mahinda  Rajapaksa arrived at the rally organized by the joint opposition at Hyde Park Grounds in Colombo.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall

Heavy traffic congestion is reported in and around Town Hall due to the rally organized by the joint opposition at Hyde Park Grounds in Colombo, Police said.  

JVP wants LG polls under old system

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today the Local Government Election should be announced before March 31 and that the election should be held under the previous electoral system without delay.

Dammika Ranatunga noticed by court over threatening media men

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today noticed Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dammika Ranatunga to appear in Court on March 24 following a B Report filed by Keselwatte Police over the alleged incident of threatening a journalist on the Colombo High Court premises yesterday.

Raviraj killing: Court says enough evidence to indict suspects

Considering the evidence and affidavits submitted by the prosecution during the non-summary proceeding in connection with the killing of former parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj and his driver in 2006, Colombo Additional Magistrate Thilina Gamage said today there was sufficient evidence to indict the seven suspects in the high court.

Niluka Ekanayake sworn in as CP Governor

Niluka Ekanayake was sworn in as the new Governor of the Central Province today, filling the vacancy created by the demise of Surangani Ellawala who held the post earlier, the President’s Media announced.

Namal arrives at FCID

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Namal Rajapaksa arrived at the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) short while ago to give a statement regarding money laundering allegations.

Despite assurance, power cuts continue

Despite assurance of uninterrupted power supply from today by Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, power cuts have been experienced in many parts of the country this morning as well.

Lankan Tamil arrested in TN

A Sri Lankan Tamil, V. Parthiban (38), was arrested by Cantonment All Women Police on a charge of sexually harassing a minor girl in Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu yesterday.

Jt. Opp calls on 'victims' of UNP to join today's rally

Parliamentarians attached to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's joint opposition yesterday said that they hoped the party wouldn’t take disciplinary action against them for taking part in the rally which would be held today (17) in Colombo as it would be held against the United National Party (UNP).

No tobacco by 2020

President Maithripala Sirisena had instructed the Health Ministry to take measures to make the country free of tobacco by 2020, Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Mahipala said.

Herd of deer roaming at MRIA chased out

The Wild Life Conservation Department and the Army today chased out a herd of deer numbering fifteen at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) runways, a Wildlife sanctuary office of Hambantota.

Postmortem reveals toxic gas caused Dehiwala deaths

The postmortem revealed that the death of four people inside a house at Kawdana in Dehiwela this morning has been caused by the inhalation of toxic gas.

Embilipitiya Case: Probe in favour of Police, says Udul

The prosecution had conducted investigations and the inquiry in a manner favourable to the Police in the Embilipitiya death case, said Attorney-at-law Udul Premaratne today.

My retirement day not so far: Susil

Minister of Science, Technology and Research and SLFP Vice President Susil Premajayantha said he would reveal the reasons for the failure of the SLFP in the last Presidential Election and the Parliamentary Elections, when he retires from his political life and perhaps that day was not so far.

Siyambalapitiya hopeful of continuous power supply from tomorrow

Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today that he would take every effort to provide electricity without disruption from tomorrow considering the impact on the people due to the island wide power cuts.

Govt. may try to purchase power: Pavithra

Former Power and Energy Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi today said it was uncertain whether the island-wide power cuts were simply a result of the Government’s inefficiency or it was mulling to purchase electricity from the power stations belonging to the private sector, for exorbitant prices making the power cuts an excuse.  

Nishantha released on bail

Former CSN senior executive Nishantha Ranatunga, who was under the remand custody under Money Laundering Act, was released on bail today by Kaduwela Magistrate Dhammika Hemapala.

UNHRC work in SL help addressing rights issues: Moon

The works of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in countries like Sri Lanka had helped the International Community to address Human Rights issues and work towards accountability, UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon has said.

Four charred bodies found inside a house in Dehiwela

Four charred bodies of a family have been found inside a house in Kawdana, Dehiwela this morning.

Colombo HC accepts Ranatunga’s bail application

Colombo High Court today accepted the bail revision application filed on behalf of former CSN Senior Executive Nishantha Ranatunga, who was remanded on charges of violating the Public Property Act.

Military deployed to all CEB stations

Security personnel of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air force were deployed to provide security for all Ceylon Electricity Board installations and substations in the country this morning, Defence Ministry said.

Dhammika Ranatunga threatens journalists

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga, today threatened several journalists with death at the Colombo High Court premises.