Celebrations end with National Anthem sung in Tamil

Sri Lanka’s 68th Independence Day celebrations were concluded a short while ago with the singing of the Tamil translation of the National Anthem.  

Body found in Lunawa Lagoon

The body of a 42-year-old businessman was recovered from the Lunawa Lagoon in Moratuwa this morning, police said.

Recent arrests: What do you think?

Yahapalanaya government came to power with the slogan to arrest those involved in corruption, thuggery and murder and there was a public outcry when no one seemed to be arrested or charged for a considerable period. Now that a series of arrests were done in the name of Yahapalanaya what does the citizen have to say?

Will safeguard country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said today he will safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity when dealing with the UNHRC resolution which has demanded accountability and reconciliation after the ethnic civil war.

Tax evasion charges levelled at finance companies renting cars

Several leading licenced finance companies are using creative accounting to avoid paying Value-Added Taxes (VAT) and Nation Building Taxes (NTB) on car rentals and leases, the country’s Finance Minister was informed yesterday.

‘President should be questioned, if outsiders appointed’

The legal expert and respected civil servant Prof. Nihal Jayawickrama said yesterday that according to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the Constitutional Council should question the President if outsiders are appointed bypassing the most senior officers to top posts.

Many close relatives of ministers are at SAITM: SAITM Chairman

The Chairman of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe Dr. Neville Fernando yesterday said not only Minister Senaratne’s daughter-in-law, but also the daughters and daughters-in-law of other ministers in the current government are also studying at the SAITM.

SLMA wants organ transplant guidelines and procedures strengthened

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) urged the Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders to strengthen current guidelines and procedures for organ transplant programmes including the implementation of the National Organ Donor Programme for Deceased Donor Organ Transplants.

FR filed seeking immediate LG polls

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed by the representatives of the 18 Local Government bodies in the Matara and the Galle Districts in Supreme Court today seeking the Supreme Court to order that the Local Election to be held immediately.

Joint Opposition seeks to meet UNHRC Chief

Will support President’s vision for SL: Indian President

Extending greetings to Sri Lankan Government and its people on Independence Day Anniversary, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday assured that, as a close friend and neighbor, India would support President Maithripala Sirisena’s vision for Sri Lanka.

BBS demand release of Gnansara Thera

Members of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and other Buddhist organisations held a demonstration outside the Buddhist Affairs Ministry this evening obstructing the traffic demanding the release of BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, who is in remand custody.

Name the mystery investor: Bandula

The Joint Opposition today requested President Maithripala Sirisena to direct the PRECIFAC to look into the details of foreign investors including the ‘mystery’ Belgian investor, who had invested billions of USDs in Sri Lankan banks without declaring sources of his/her income.    

Arrest warrant on Southern Province CM

An arrest warrant was issued on Southern Province Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal De Silva because he was not present in Court when a case against him was taken up for hearing at the Galle Magistrate’s Court today.

Those who oppose FCID have skeletons in their cupboards

Those who call for the abolition of the Financial Crimes Division (FCID) and most of those who have visited former President’s son Yoshitha in prison are ones who should be behind bars, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today.

Queen Elizabeth greets SL on Independence Day

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has extended her best wishes to the people of Sri Lanka who are celebrating the Independence Day tomorrow.

I will reassert national independence: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he would not deviate from the path of reasserting national independence, ensuring the territorial integrity, restarting the stalled process of economic development and re-establishing national self respect  even if he and his entire family was imprisoned.

FCID redundant, says Lakshman Yapa

The procedures of the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) were not clear, the State Finance Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said today.  

SF joins UNF

The Democratic Party (DP) led by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka on Wednesday joined the United National Front (UNF) after signing an MoU with the UNP- the leading party of the alliance.

Plane with hole in side makes emergency landing in Somalia

A commercial airliner made an emergency landing at Mogadishu's international airport late Tuesday after passengers heard a loud bang and a fire broke out on board, leaving a gaping hole in the fuselage, officials and witnesses said.

Traffic at Town Hall

Heavy traffic has been reported in Town Hall, Colombo 7 due to a protest launched by the Student Unity of the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL).

SL Hockey team passports impounded

The Colombo District Court issued an enjoining order preventing the National Hockey team from participating in the SA Games in India.

Token strike by Port Workers

About 12,000 port workers have launched a token strike protesting against the increase in prices inside the port, the Port Users Collective Union said.

115 migrant workers brought home

Four Sri Lankan men and 111 Sri Lankan women who were allegedly harassed by their employers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait returned to the country today, the Foreign Employment Bureau said.

Fmr Embilipitiya ASP remanded

Former Embilipitiya Police ASP D.W.C Dharmaratna who was arrested yesterday over the death of a youth was remanded until February 17.  

Basil arrives at FCID

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) a short while ago to give a statement over allegations of financial fraud.

First sexually transmitted Zika virus reported in US

The first sexually transmitted case of the Zika virus is confirmed in Dallas, in the United States.

Sri Lankan convicted in Germany for backing LTTE

A Sri Lankan-born man received an 18-month suspended sentence in Germany on Tuesday (Feb 2) for membership of the rebel group the Tamil Tigers which Germany considers a terrorist organisation.

Justice Jayamanne sworn in as Fiji’s new HC judge

The Former Additional Solicitor General, Sarath Jayamanne has sworn in as Fiji's new High Court judge.

Dulanjalee Premadasa tells MR where to get off

Dulanjalee Premadasa, the daughter of former president R. Premadasa, in a hard hitting letter addressed to former president Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday, said the latter should not drag her name to a case in which she was not accused of