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

SLFP Dy. Ministers ready to resign from Govt: Mutuhettigama

Deputy Minister Nishantha Muttuhettigama, who visited remanded Yositha Rajapaksa at the Welikada prison, said yesterday that the FCID had no legal powers and they as Deputy Ministers appointed by the SLFP were ready to resign from their portfolios if political witch hunt by the FCID was not stopped.

Only if Monks approve it: PM

The government will not proceed with the Theravada Kathikawath Bill if the monks oppose it, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told a group of monks, who met him at Temple Trees today.

I have not been invited- MR

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that, though the government had finalised arrangements to hold the 68th Independence Day celebrations at the Galle Face Green, he had not yet been invited to the event.

Sushma Swaraj to visit SL on Friday

The Minister of External Affairs of India, Sushma Swaraj will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from February 5-6 for the Ninth Session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

President gives more powers to PRECIFAC

President Maithripala Sirisena has empowered the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) to obtain Information relating to bank accounts and details of asset declarations made to the Inland Revenue Department, of suspects accused of serious frauds and corruption without prior approval.

Three Bulgarians arrested in ATM scam in Galle

Three Bulgarian tourists who had illegally withdrawn money belonging to other people using forged ATM cards, were taken into custody by the Galle police this afternoon.

Refer Yoshitha's case to Court without delay: Nimal Siripala

While emphasizing the necessity to have a speedier judicial system to hear sensitive and public interest cases, SLFP ministers today urged the government to refer the charges against Yoshitha Rajapaksa to Court and to let it decide his innocence or guilt.

Singaporean nabbed with Rs.22mn in foreign and local currency

A 47-year-old Singaporean was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle Rs.22 million worth foreign and local currency to Singapore this afternoon.

Impeachment motion if NA sung in Tamil: PHU

An impeachment motion could be brought against President Maithripala Sirisena if he allows the National Anthem (NA) to be sung in Tamil violating the Constitution, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Bodies of five missing fishermen found

The bodies of five fishermen, who went missing since last Sunday when their boat capsised after it collided with a ship while fishing in deep sea off the Galle coast have been found by the navy.

ASP to refill the swimming pool with sand

Businessman and Sri Lanka Labour Party Leader A.S.P. Liyanage said today he would refill the swimming pool at his Peacock Mansion with sea sand after the police failed to find any valuable items.

MR visits Yoshitha

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the Welikada Prison a short while ago to visit his son, Yoshitha, who is in remand over alleged financial irregularities at the CSN.  

Fmr Embilipitiya ASP arrested

The former Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the Embilipitiya Police Station has reportedly been arrested in connection with the death of a youth in Embilipitiya.

SF likely to join UNF tomorrow: Harsha

Democratic Party Leader Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka is expected to join the United National Front (UNF) tomorrow.  

Malinga to lead SL at WT20 and Asia Cup

Lasith Malinga is billed to captain Sri Lanka’s T20 cricket team at the upcoming World T20 and Asia Cup tournament, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced today.

UNHR Chief will arrive in SL on Feb. 6

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein is scheduled arrive in the country on February 6, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Lady doctor accused in husband’s death in Australia

A renowned doctor had allegedly 'bludgeoned her abusive husband to death in Australia with a hammer in bed, because she was worried people would find out they were both having sex with a teenage girl.

Woman arrested with 7 kgs of gold

A 50-year-old woman was arrested with 7 kilograms of gold biscuits worth Rs. 39 million at Chavakachcheri early this morning.  

Yoshitha declines prison meals; now food from home

Four suspects including Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second son Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who were remanded over alleged financial irregularities at the CSN, had declined the food provided by the Welikada Prison, Prisons Spokesman Thushara Upuldeniya said.

Heavy traffic in Colombo due to rehearsals

Heavy traffic reported from several roads in the Colombo City mainly between Wellawatta and Colombo Fort on the Galle Road,since this morningdue to the Independence Day rehearsals at the Galle Face green.

Bus strike on Southern Expressway

Private bus operators on the Southern Expressway from Maharagama to Galle and Matara have commenced a strike this morning against the granting of permits for more buses along the expressway illegally.

New customs duty valuation to discourage motor vehicle imports

The new customs duty valuation proposed in the Budget 2016 will come into effect shortly, greatly reducing the number of vehicles coming into the country.

WHO issues global zika alert

A disease linked to the Zika virus in Latin America poses a global public health emergency requiring a united response, says the World Health Organization.

Google Loon project’s trials to begin soon

The trials of the Google Loon project would start soon in Ratmalana as the necessary equipment for such trials have arrived in the country, Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando said  yesterday. 

I can't trust Dilip says Amaraweera

Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said he can’t give any ministerial powers to State Fisheries Minister Dilip Wedaarachchi (UNP) citing that he (Amaraweera) could not place trust on him.

Mighty hurry to arrest Yoshitha but not for E'pitiya violators: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that the urgency to arrest Yoshitha Rajapaksa, was not there to arrest those involved in the Embilipitiya incident.

'Yoshitha arrest not a political victimisation'

Neither the President, the Prime Minister nor any other minister had given orders to arrest former President's son Yoshitha Rajapaksa a deputy minister and a state Minister said today.