CP Governor Ellawala no more

The Governor of the Central Province Surangani Ellawala passed away this morning at the Kandy Hospital at the aged of 76.

Islandwide blackout due to burst transformer at Biyagama

An unusual burst at the major electricity transformer yard in Biyagama caused a nationwide blackout plunging the country into darkness yesterday for eight hours in some areas --such as Colombo,and even longer in some other areas,a Deputy Minister said. This is the third blackout within six months and the second in two weeks.

Undue political influence inflicted on witness: ACF

In a bid to provide false evidence on the Rajagiriya accident where a man was knocked down by a vehicle allegedly belonging to the Ministry of Mr. Patali Champika Ranawaka, undue political influence have been inflicted on the witness of the accident, the Anti Corruption Front (ACF) charged today.

Lankan couple killed by speedster in Johannesburg

A Sri Lankan couple was killed after they were hit by a speeding car in Johannesburg, South Africa, media reports said.

I will resign – CEB Chairman

Ceylon Electricity Board Chairman Anura Wijepala has decided to resign from his post, claiming that he will take responsibility for the three blackouts that occurred in the country during the last six months.

Power supply to be fully restored by 6 pm-Ministry

The power supply has now been restored to several areas in the country while it is expected to be fully restored by 6 pm today, Power and Renewable Energy Ministry Secretary Dr. Suren Batagoda said.

Another island-wide power failure

An island-wide power failure was reported a short while ago, the Power and Renewable Energy Ministry said.

Kotadeniyawa school boy arrested with heroin

Police on Friday arrested the school boy acquitted of Seya Sadewmi’s murder and two others for the possession of heroin.

Dankotuwa incident; five arrested

Five suspects were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department in connection with the incident where five charred bodies were found inside a burnt van at Buthgampola, Dankotuwa on Friday morning.

23 Indian fishermen arrested in SL waters

The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday arrested 23 Indian fishermen along with three trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters in the seas off Mannar.

Fmr SL test cricketer not allowed to play

Former Sri Lankan test cricketer Malinga Bandara will not be able to play in a grand final with an outer-suburban Melbourne cricket club following a Supreme Court decision after a suspension.

Lotus Tower construction to be completed by Sep.: TRCSL

Despite disruptions, the construction work of the Lotus Tower is scheduled to be completed by September 2017, the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) said yesterday.  

No clues of Dankotuwa incident yet: police

No clues have been received about the incident where five charred bodies were found inside a burnt van at Buthgampola, Dankotuwa yesterday morning, Police said.

2 kgs of heroin found in Valvettithurai

A parcel weighing 2 kgs of heroin was detected at Thondamanaru in Valvettithurai this morning while it was hidden in a forest area.

Flour price increased by Rs.7.20

The Price of prima wheat flour has been increased by Rs 7.20 per kg with effect from today, official said. The price has been increased with the increase of taxes on import wheat grain.

George Soros conducted Economic Forum- PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told Parliament that it was American business magnate George Soros who had conducted the recently concluded economic forum in Colombo.

Govt seeks loans from China

The Government has sought new loans from China to carry out various projects and proposes to set up a joint venture with that country to develop the Mattala International Airport, a minister said yesterday.

Cross-talk in Parliament over LG elction

The Government said yesterday there was no legal provision to hold the local government election till the issues pertaining to the de-limitation of wards were resolved.

Isura Devapriya challenges Jt.Opp.

Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya yesterday challenged the Joint Opposition to elect any member from among them who could contest the Maharagama electorate against him and win at the forthcoming local government elections.

Second Google loon baloon to be launched at ‘Yowunpuraya’

The second Google loon balloon is to be released during the ‘Yowunpuraya’ youth festival which is to be held from March 31 to April 3 in Sigiriya, Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure, Harin Fernando said.

US$20m recovered while routed to SL

Bangladeshi authorities were able to recover some US$20 million stolen from the Bangladesh Central Bank and the New York Federal Reserve Bank by a group of unknown hackers while the funds were being routed to Sri Lanka, foreign media reported.

Yala accidents on the decline

The Wildlife Department (WLD) said today the number of accidents within the Yala National Park had decreased during the past few months after the regulations to minimize road accidents and punishment to reckless drivers were strictly implemented.

Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera granted bail

The Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera was today granted bail by Colombo Additional Magistrate considering the special circumstance of his having to attend the funeral of Asgiriya Chapter Mahanayake the Most Ven. Galagama Attadassi Thera.

Lankan asylum-seeker cleared of indecent assault

A Sydney District Court jury has found Sri Lankan asylum-seeker Daxchan Selvarajah not guilty of indecently attacking a sleeping university student in her bed

Gota at PRECIFAC

Former defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa arrived at the PRECIFAC this morning to give a statement over the Rakna Arakshaka Lanka controversy.

Duminda ready to plead guilty

Former UPFA MP Duminda Silva’s lawyer today informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that his client was prepared to plead guilty and end the three on-going cases filed against him by the Bribery Commission on charges of failing to declare his assets in 2011, 2012 and 2013.  

Woman killed, man injured in shooting at Sewanagala

A 49-year-old woman was killed and her husband injured in a shooting at Haburugala in Sewanagala this morning, police said.

Tax revision proves govt. is in crisis: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) alleged yesterday that the government’s proposed tax revision clearly indicated that the government faced a crisis and that the revision would adversely affect the lives of the ordinary people.  

Five burnt bodies found in Dankotuwa

Five burnt bodies of unidentified individuals were found inside a van from Buthgampola, Dankotuwa this morning, police said.

Work on new Constitution to begin in May

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said work on drafting the new constitution would begin in May after the report of the Public Representations Committee on Constitutional Reforms was handed over in April.