Indian girl contacted ISIS agent in Sri Lanka: ToI report

A teenage girl from India has been put under surveillance after police investigations had revealed that she had links with the ISIS after establishing contact with one of its agent in Sri Lanka and other ISIS sympathizers on social media networks, the Times of India reported today.  

Fisticuffs at Sports Ministry

Cricket Officials Nishantha Ranatunga and Sujeewa Godaliyadda had allegedly been involved in fisticuffs at the Sports Ministry this morning before an inquiry commenced, informed sources said.

Two teenagers drown in Saragama Wewa

Two teenagers aged 13 and 14 have drowned in the Saragama Wewa at Thiththawella in Kurunegala this morning, Police said.The two victims had been exercising near the Saragama Wewa with two other friends and had drowned after falling into the tank while attempting to wash their faces.

Australia welcomes SL’s focus on economic growth

While welcoming Sri Lankan government's focus on economic growth and reform, Australia said today that it would continue to support Sri Lanka as it makes progress on national reconciliation.

NPC not used a cent for development: Douglas

The Northern Provincial Council (NPC) had become a meaningless institution as it had not used a single cent out of the funds allocated for it by the Central Government, Opposition MP Douglas Devananda told Parliament today.

Over stayers engaged in unethical conversion: minister

Five foreigners who were arrested for overstaying their visas had engaged in unethical conversion of people of various faiths in the country, it was alleged in Parliament today.

Yes, my daughter-in-law is studying at SAITM: Rajitha

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne today admitted that his daughter-in-law was studying at SAITM and added that not only her but that many of his relatives were studying there.

Floating armoury: Court insists vessel be handed over to shipping co.

The Galle Deputy Habour Master was ordered by court today to carry out immediately the earlier court order to release the ship that contained the floating armoury to the shipping company or else action would be taken against him for contempt of court.

‘Amude’ protest: Heavy traffic near Town Hall

Heavy Traffic was reported in the Town Hall area and along Dharmapala Mawatha because of a protest against some of the budget proposals by a large number of farmers wearing span cloth. 

Air India employee sucked into plane’s engine

An Air India ground staff member died in a freak accident at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport last night when he was sucked into the engine of a plane being positioned for take-off.

MR arrives at PRECIFAC

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived today at the PRECIFAC to give a statement in connection with the non-payment of money owed to the ITN.

Govt. postpones amendments to Penal Code

Government has decided to postpone the enactment of legislations to ban hate speech, Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella informed Parliament today.

Two people injured in shooting

Two people in a double cab were injured when they were shot at by gangsters at Arangala in Kaduwela this morning.

Devi Neguma to revert to Samurdhi Dept.

Ministers had yesterday approved the reverting of the Divineguma Department to the Samurdhi Department, Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Body found floating in sea off Bambalapitiya

An unidentified male body was found floating in sea off Bambalapitiya today, police said and the body is yet to be recovered.

Two Pakistani robbers arrested

Two Pakistanis were arrested last night on charges of robbing Rs.11 million worth of Jewellery and gems from a shop at Kollupitiya, Police said.

Peace, a subject in school soon

The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR), headed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, had proposed to introduce a new subject called ‘Peace Education and Conflict Resolution’ to the school curricular, it is learnt.

Ravi's budget blues

While stating that the amendments made to the budget 2016 would incur addition expenditure of Rs 7 billion, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake yesterday informed Parliament that he would present a detailed statement on December 19 to the House outlining how the expenditure is going to be met.

Jailer and guard assaulted by remand prisoners

A jailer and a jail guard were reportedly assaulted by a group of remand prisoners during a clash at the Colombo Remand Prison yesterday evening.

Govt. earned Rs.84.1 billion from liquor in 2015: Ravi

A total of 183 million litres of liquor, marketed under different brands, had been sold in Sri Lanka upto November 1 this year, Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake informed Parliament today.

Rajitha's daughter-in-law studying at SAITM: IUSF

The Inter-University Students' Federation (IUSF) said that Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne's daughter-in-law (MP Chathura Senaratne's wife), Sarupa Samangi Manathunga was following a course at the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) and that that was why Dr. Senaratne was striving to protect SAITM.

Unusual representations made by the US: Dullas

While an unusually great number of US envoys visited Sri Lanka during the past couple of months, it appears that they tend to spend more time in Sri Lanka instead of the US Congress or the State Department, UPFA MP Dullas Alahapperuma said today.

Dilan to Namal: SLFP is not your father’s property

State Minister for Highways, Dilan Perera said today that MP Namal Rajapaksa should remember that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was no longer his father Mahinda Rajapaksa’s property and not to make statements about the party as he wished.

Update; CA deploys decoy to test BIA security

An attempt to enter the apron of the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake by an armed airline staff member bewildered the airport security personnel today until he exposed himself to be a decoy sent to check the security parameters.

India to build sea bridge, tunnel to connect SL

India is set to build a sea bridge and tunnel connecting Sri Lanka while a pact has been inked with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal for seamless flow of traffic and passenger vehicles, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.

10 tame elephants to be trained for religious festivals

About 10 domesticated elephants would be given for peraharas and other functions for a nominal fee while annual permits would be given to adopt elephants, Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera today said.

Man armed with pistol arrested at BIA

A man armed with a 9mm pistol was arrested by the airport police at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today.The BIA police found the man had concealed the pistol under his socks during President Maithripala Sirisena’s arrival at the airport after his State-visit to the Vatican.

Navy gets Rs. 220 Mn from Avant Garde operations

The Navy had earned an income of Rs. 220 million (USD 1.55 million) from the operations of Avant Garde Maritime Services Ltd (AGMSL) during the period from November 13 to December 13, Navy Spokesman Akram Alavi said in a statement today.

Gov. to destroy 5,000 of blood ivory

The Wildlife Ministry said today that 5,000 African tusks confiscated by the Customs in 2012 would be destroyed next month with maximum security.

BBS complains to HRC on amendments

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today complained to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) regarding Government moves to amend the Criminal Justice Procedure Code and the Penal Code.