Hirunika's staff members remanded

Six supporters of UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra, who were arrested in connection with the abduction of a 26-year-old youth in Dematagoda, were remanded till January 4 by Colombo Chief Magistrate today.   

Nalaka Godahewa re-remanded

Former Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, and two others, been further remanded until January 4 by Colombo Additional Magistrate today.

LPBOA to stop beggars, peddlers in buses

The Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) said it was going to request Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K. Illangakoon take action to bar beggars and peddlers in their buses.

Reshuffle of positions in UNP: Hashim

A reshuffle of positions in the United National Party (UNP) and a change in the party's constitution is on the cards in January, General Secretary Kabir Hashim said yesterday.

MR courting the Dragon

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to visit China during the middle of January, sources close to him said yesterday.

Ranil on trip to UK

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe left on a ten day trip to the UK yesterday. According to sources from the Prime Minister’s office it is not an official visit. He is expected to spend some time in Ireland as well

WPC Health budget defeated

The expenditure head of the Western Province Health Ministry was defeated by a majority of 12 votes with 23 members voting in favour and 45 voting against.

Changes to budget won't affect mid-term economic plan

The mid-term economic development plan presented to Parliament by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will not be hampered despite amendments to several of the budget proposals, Deputy Minister Harsha De Silva said today.

"I wanted to prevent a family from breaking up"- Hirunika

Dismissing allegations that she had threatened and assaulted a 26-year-old man who had been abducted by her support staff in a "Defender" vehicle, UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said today that all she wanted to do was to prevent a family from breaking up.

Namal posted Yoga picture without my permission

Former president and Kurunegala district MP Mahinda Rajapaksa said his son Namal had published his photograph doing Yoga without his permission in the Facebook.

Abducted youth allegedly threatened by Hirunika

In a statement to the police a 26-year-old youth -- who was abducted by some supporters of parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra -- said he was personally threatened by her, the Police Spokesman said today.

CMC cries foul over Enrique’s “Sex and Love” show

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) today alleged that a 'huge tax fraud' had been committed on the income earned from the Latin Musical Idol Enrique Iglesias’s “Sex and Love Tour” live concert held last Sunday at the CR&FC Grounds

‘Thinner’ pipe causalities reach 50

The number of patients hospitalized from the “Thinner” pipe explosion that occurred at a paint factory in Keselwatta, Panadura has risen to 50.

Eight SSPs promoted as DIGs

Eight Senior Superintendents (SSPs) have been promoted to the posts of Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs), the Police Department said.

'Thinner' pipe explosion in Panadura

At least 17 people were hospitalized after developing breathing difficulties following an explosion of a “Thinner” pipe in a paint factory in Keselwatta, Panadura, police said.

MR visits arrested military personnel

Former President and Kurunegala district MP Mahinda Rajapaksa today made a visit to the Prison Hospital in Welikada to meet the five army personnel who had been arrested for their alleged involvement in the abduction and murder of Prageeth Eknaligoda.

Youth abducted using Hirunika’s defender in hospital

The youth who has allegedly been abducted by a group of men in a defender belonging to MP Hirunika Premachandra was admitted to National Hospital, Colombo for a medical check-up, Police said.

Minister's PA arrested with gold biscuits

A coordinating secretary of the Postal Service and Muslim Affairs Ministry has been arrested by the customs, when he tried to smuggle in gold worth Rs. 2 million, at the Bandaranayake International Airport this morning.

Youth allegedly abducted in Hirunika's defender-Police

A 26-year-old youth employed in a Dematagoda drapery store was abducted in broad daylight by an unidentified gang that came in a Land Rover Defender, which was allegedly owned by Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said yesterday.

​Mother used little daughter to rob money

Ingiriya police are investigating an incident where a little girl had allegedly robbed more than Rs 60,000 from a shoe shop in Ingiriya with the help of her mother.

Top US defence official examines SL military role

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence (DASD) for South and Sout Eeast Asia Dr. Amy Searight, who concluded her three-day visit to Sri Lanka on Saturday, examined the future role of Sri Lankan security forces, the US embassy said today.

Champika to unveil 100 projects on Jan 8

Mega Polis and Western Province Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka is scheduled to unveil 100 development projects in the Western Province on January 8 to coincide with President Maithripala Sirisena’s first anniversary in office, Minister Ranawaka told the Daily Mirror.

Woman and youth drown in Benthara Sea

A 20-year-old youth went missing and the body of a middle-aged woman was washed ashore after they were drowned while bathing in Benthara Sea this afternoon, Police said.

Colombo port income used for H’tota loan settlement: Minister

Though the Colombo Port has earned an income of Rs.26 billion this year, a significant portion of it will go to settle a loan obtained from the Chinese government for the construction of the Hambantota Port, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga today said.

Another state, deputy minister appointed

MP Priyankara Jayaratne took oaths as the Local Government and Provincial Councils State Minister before President Maithripala Sirisena today. Meanwhile, Deputy Justice Minister Sarathi Dushyantha Mithrapala also took oaths as the Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana at the Presidential Secretariat.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall

Heavy traffic has been reported in the Town Hall area in Colombo 7 because a protest launched by Engineering students of the South Eastern University.

Plantation to be taken over if wages not increased

The government today warned that regional plantation companies, which refuse to increase the wages of their workers, would be taken over by the State, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said this at the District Coordination Committee meeting.

Ravi must become US Treasury Sec. to stabilize rupee: Udaya

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary and Opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila today requested US President Barack Obama to appoint Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake as the US Treasury Secretary so as to help stabilize the Sri Lankan rupee in a reverse procedure.

Miss Universe host announces wrong winner

The host of the Miss Universe pageant mistakenly announced the wrong winner on Sunday, who then had to give up the crown and hand it over to a 26-year-old actress and model from the Philippines.

GMOA gives two weeks ultimatum

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today said they would give two weeks to the government to solve issues of South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe, the Indo-Lanka trade agreement and budget proposals pertaining to state sector.