UNP: Jt. Opp. involved in blackouts

One of the main constituent parties of the government, the United National Party (UNP) accused the joint opposition today of sabotaging the economic development programme and said that it would shortly make an interesting disclosure on the involvement of joint opposition in the recent blackouts and the ongoing crisis in the power sector.

Chinese Co. confident of completing Port City on time

While welcoming the Government’s decision to resume work on the Colombo Port City Project, the Chinese construction company on Tuesday said that it would take prompt measures to ensure that the project would be completed within the expected timeframe.

Navy seize 187 kgs of Kerala Cannabis

The navy today seized 187 kilos of Kerala Cannabis worth approximately 19 million concealed under a scrub near a fishing hamlet in Silawathurai.

Prosecute my wife if she has done anything wrong: Udaya

Responding to a question raised by a journalist regarding an accident that had occurred in Mirihana where a youth had been run over by a car allegedly driven by his wife on June 29, 2014, MP Udaya Gammanpila today asked those concerned to go ahead and take action against her if she has done anything wrong.

Police fire tear gas at IUSF protesters

Police used tear gas to disperse a protest march by Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) at the Fort area, Colombo this evening.

CEB announces times of countrywide power cuts

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) today announced the times of the countrywide power cuts for next two days.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall

Heavy traffic is reported from the Town Hall area because of a protest march organised by the United National Party (UNP).

FCID examines ‘Shiranthi’s house’ at Dehiwela

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) today examined a two-storey house currently under construction at Mihindu Mawatha in Dehiwala with a notice at the entrance saying “Madam Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksha”.

Sending letters to PM won't stop arrest of TN fishermen: Karunanidhi

The state government should exert pressure on the Centre to stop the arrest and harassment of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan naval forces, said DMK chief M Karunanidhi said on Tuesday.

Three employees killed in fireworks factory fire

Three employees were killed when the Kimbulapitiya fireworks factory where they were working at caught fire today, Police said.

Death sentence for Seya’s murderer

Saman Jayalath, found guilty of the charge of murdering five-year-old Seya Sadewmi of Kotadeniyawa, was sentenced to death by the Negombo High Court today.

Woman hotelier abducted

A 49-year-old woman hotelier had been abducted at Kapparathota in Weligama by three unidentified men today, the Police said.

Govt. looking at privatising non-strategic investments to cut debt

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake this morning told an investment forum in Singapore that the government would be looking at privatizing some of the non-strategic investments to cut public-debt.

Deported Lankan arrested at BIA

A Sri Lankan illegal immigrant was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, when he arrived this morning after being deported from Australia, BIA officials said.

Body of Embilipitiya youth exhumed

The body of 29-year-old Sumith Prasanna, who was killed during a clash with the Police in Embilipitiya, was exhumed this morning for the second postmortem before the Embilipitiya Additional Magistrate Prasanna Fernando.

CEB engineers rule out sabotage

While apologizing for the inconvenience caused to the public as a result of the islandwide power failure on Sunday, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union yesterday said any doubts about a sabotage would be cleared with the detailed study which is being carried out by two independent committees appointed by the Prime Minister and the Minister.

Malinga attacks new selection committee

Adding a new twist to the controversial selection of World Twenty20 squad, injured speedster Lasith Malinga yesterday made a scathing attack on cricket authorities for his selection to the squad despite a nagging injury.

Debt trap not from loans obtained by my Govt: MR

In the wake of the Government proposing to increase taxes, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa  said  the country was now facing an unprecedented economic crisis and it  should be examined how and why things came to such a pass.

PM pledges power-ful steps to prevent blackouts

While expressing his regrets over the islandwide blackout experienced on Sunday and the interruptions in some places today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government will take short and mid term solutions to prevent similar interruptions in the future through necessary reforms, reorganization and restructuring in the power sector.

Pak. woman nabbed with heroin pellets in stomach

A Pakistani woman had been arrested with pellets of heroin in her stomach at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this evening, the Customs said.

Power failure: Joint Oppn. says minister must resign

Criticising the Government for what the joint opposition described as the lack of managerial skills which had resulted in the second nationwide power outage within a month, it urged the subject minister to resign if he was incapable of performing his duties efficiently.

Online hearing begins on Reconciliation Mechanism

The Consultations Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms, appointed by the Prime Minister, has opened online submissions in order to seek the views of stakeholders, experts and the general public on the design of the reconciliation mechanisms.

Kelaniya Uni suspends lectures for senior students

Kelaniya University lecturers have decided to refrain from teaching second, third and fourth year students until further notice as a mark of protest against the students' alleged misconduct including the ragging of freshers, officials said today.

Mahinda Yapa reports to PRECIFAC

Former agriculture minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today gave a statement to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) in connection with the alleged misuse of vehicles and funds belonging at the ministry.

More pictures of eagle killers recovered

Police yesterday questioned the individual who published photographs on social media showing some men attempting to kill an eagle in an inhumane manner in Galle.

Minister rejects CEB Chairman’s resignation

Minister of Power and Energy Ranjith Siyambalapitiya today rejected the resignation letter of Ceylon Electricity Board Chairman Anura Wijepala.

President orders to deploy Army to all CEB installations

President Maithripala Sirisena today directed army to be deployed to provide security for all Ceylon Electricity Board installations and substations in the country.

Yoshitha granted bail

The Colombo High Court today released Yoshitha Rajapaksa and three other directors of the Carlton Sports Network (CSN) on a bail of Rs.100,000 with two sureties of Rs.1 million.

Power disruption to continue

Less than one-hour power cuts would be inevitable until Wednesday, in several parts of the country due to the shutdown at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant (LCPP) at Noraichcholai, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

Suranimala Rajapaksha dies at aged 68

The Coordinating secretary to the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and Former Minister Suranimala Rajapaksha passed away this morning at the aged of 68.