PC member questioned for alleged groping in Singapore

One of the Central Provincial Council members who had gone on a 10 day study tour to Singapore few days ago had been taken in for questioning by the Singaporean Police for allegedly groping a woman inside a lift at the hotel they had stayed during their visit, reliable sources said.

Rajitha ready to meet GMOA in Court

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne today said he was ready to face the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) in Court if they decided to sue him over the Malabe Private Medical University.

Teenager, his mother remanded till Jan. 29

The 15-year-old boy, who was arrested on charges of having knocked down a 10-year-old girl and her 47-year-old mother in Dematagoda yesterday, was remanded till January 29 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court.

SL cricketers provide info on match fixers

Members of the Sri Lankan cricket team were at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) to make a statement on match fixers, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said.

Constitutional reforms shouldn’t be mixed up with other issues: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said changes to the constitution should not be mixed up with the two key issues of abolishing the executive presidential system and electoral reforms, over which widespread consensus has built up over a period of time.

Sri Lanka cannot be divided: PM

In a special statement on the process of drafting a new Constitution, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today the country could not be divided and that no one had the slightest intention of diluting the unitary nature of the country through the new Constitution.

Twelve including four ASPs transferred

Twelve police officers including four ASPs have been transferred due to service requirements, Police said today.

Embilipitiya clash: police report tomorrow

Police Chief N.K. Illangakoon has instructed Sabaragamuwa Province DIG, C.D. Wickramaratna to hand over the final investigation report in to the death of the youth in Embilipitiya tomorrow (18).

15 year old crashes into mother and child

A 10-year-old girl and her 47-year-old mother were killed on the pavement in Dematagoda along Baseline Road, when a car driven by a 15 year old boy crashed into them last night.

It would be a SL process with an int’l element-Swire

Sri Lanka’s domestic mechanism would be a Sri Lankan process with an international element, visiting British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire said today.  

SL keen on India's help for quicker voluntary repatriation

With one more batch of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees returning from Tamil Nadu to their motherland in a few days, the Sri Lankan government is keen on getting assistance of the Indian government to enable quicker voluntary repatriation of the remaining refugees.

SL peace process would have benefitted from greater int'l Effort-Solheim

A broader international commitment would have ensured the success of an effort to end an over two-decade-long war between the Sri Lankan military and Tamil separatists, Erik Solheim, a former peace negotiator, said at the Atlantic Council on January 14. 

Change in weather during next few days: Met Dep.

The Meteorology Department said today showers could be expected over the country during next few days.

Port city project to resume: SL ambassador to China

The green light has been given to the delayed Colombo Port City project, the Sri Lankan ambassador to China confirmed on Friday.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka eye $1bn trade

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are striving to boost the bilateral trade to $1 billion from the current $325 million, Pakistan Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir said yesterday while inaugurating the three-day single-country exhibition in Colombo, along with his counterpart Sri Lankan Minister for Industry Rishad Bathiuddin.

6000 year grains unearthed

A team of researchers from the Archaeological Faculty of the Kelaniya University lead by Prof. Raj Somadewa has discovered a kind of grains of more than 6000 years during excavations on the Ilukkumbura area in Balangoda which was the seat of an ancient civilization.

Ex-LG heads planning new political party

Some former heads of local authorities which were administered by the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) are in the process of forming a new political party to contest the Local Government elections with the backing of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

PM criticises media

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today asked the media which “went shopping” for the “18th Amendment, the Junta and G.L. Peiris” not to spoil the constitutional process.

GMOA threatens to sue Rajitha

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) warned today it would take legal action against Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and the Health Ministry Secretary Anura Jayawickrama next week for permitting the Malabe Private Medical University to carry out clinical training at government hospitals.

SL, Japan agree to strengthen maritime security

Sri Lanka and Japan had agreed to take measures to strengthen the cooperation on maritime security and also to develop mutual understanding between the two countries, the Defence Ministry said in a statement today.

Herath, Kusal give statements to FCID; Angelo also summoned

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has recorded statements from cricketers Rangana Herath and Kusal Janith Perera in connection with a match fixing complaint, Police said today.

SL named top tourist destination for 2016

Sri Lanka has been named as a top under-the radar destination for 2016 by the Fox News, a post on the FoxNews website said.“This tropical Island in the Indian Ocean offers sweeping landscapes of lush green countryside, towering waterfalls and golden sa

Swire, CBK discuss national unity office

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Visiting State Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire discussed the setting up of the new office for National Unity and Reconciliation.

Bread prices back to Rs. 54

In the wake of the government’s decision not to implement the amendments proposed to the Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Nation Building Tax (NBT) in the 2016 Budget, All Island Bakery Owners Association has decided to reduce the price of bread, which was earlier increased by one rupee.

‘Abilin’ passes away

Veteran actor Chandrasiri Kodithuwakku popular for playing the character ‘Abilin’ in ‘Kopi Kade’ television series has passed away today at the age of 67.Mr. Kodithuwakku was undergoing treatment in the ICU after he was admitted to the Gampaha Hospital yesterday.

Brothel raided in Wellawatta, five arrested

Five women were arrested last night during a raid carried out in a brothel at Galle Road, Wellawatta, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said today.He said a 38-year-old woman was arrested for operating the brothel under the guise of an Ayurvedic Spa. The other four women aged 20, 21, 38 and 40 were arrested for alleged prostitution.

SL condemns Jakarta terror attack

Sri Lanka strongly condemned the terrorist attack which took place in Jakarta last morning, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement yesterday.“We extend our condolences to the families of the victims who died in the incident and reiterate our strong

55 Indian fishermen released

A total of 55 Indian fishermen, imprisoned in Sri Lankan jails have been released, while the remaining are expected to be released over the next couple of days, The Hindu reported today.

Fuel price formula not yet approved

Approval of the pricing formula for fuel (which was submitted to Cabinet) has been postponed, according to government sources.

Theravada bill will give more clout to Mahanayakes: Minister

The proposed ‘Theravada Bhikkhu Dialogue’ Bill does not aim at weakening the authority of the Buddha Sangha but to give legal authority to Mahanayakas of all chapters including the four main Nikayas to carry out punishments decreed after an inquiry by legal Sangha Sabha of each chapter, Justice and Buddhasasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday.