Rs. 2.9 bn of CEB Welfare Fund missing

A complaint would be lodged today with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) by Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) Chairman to probe into missing Rs.2.9 billion belonging to CEB Welfare Fund that had been invested in Treasury Bonds through a private company in 2009.

Govt. changing lanes on vehicle permits

The government has again changed its policy on Concessionary Vehicle Permits (CVP) for Public Servants and said all Public Servants who were entitled for vehicle permits could purchase his or her first duty-free vehicle after completion of five years in service, but the second permit would be issued only after 10 years.

Mahinda Kahandagamage arrested

Mahinda Kahandagamage, the former chairman of the Federation of Self Employed (FOSE) in Pettah, was today arrested by the Cinnamon Gardens Police on charges of stealing a cheque for Rs.50,000 belonging to a lawyer.

Neither CEPA nor any other similar pact with India: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today told Parliament that neither the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) nor any other similar pact under different names would be signed with India.

LG elections likely to be postponed

Government is likely to postpone the Local Government elections scheduled to be held in March 2016, State Minister of Finance, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena today said.

17 year old drowns in canal

The body of a seventeen year old youth was discovered this morning in a canal in Melwatta, Grandpass.

Drug trafficker sentenced to death

A person who had been arrested in connection with drug trafficking with two Pakistanis was sentenced to death today, by High Court Judge Preethi Padman Surasena.

Two bodies found hanging in Pannala

Two unidentified bodies, suspected to be of a mother (45) and a daughter (20), were found hanging in a house at Maguruwela area in Pannala this morning, police said.

36 injured in bus accident at Payagala

Thirty six passengers including 33 men and three women were injured when a private bus collided with another at Katukurunda Junction in Payagala this morning, Police said.

Two accidental deaths due to hostile weather condition

A 19-year-old youth drowned and a middle-aged woman was crushed to death under a collapsed parapet wall in two separate cases reported from Grandpass yesterday due to the hostile weather conditions.

Ex-LTTE cadres: 20 more cases being reviewed

The Attorney General is studying the cases of 20 more LTTE suspects detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act to see whether they can be released, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Prison Reforms Minister said yesterday.

BBS condemns issuing of vouchers for school uniforms

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), today, condemned the distribution of vouchers to buy school uniforms and said this would heighten communal and racial tensions.

Kumar, Murali donate 16 mn for Chennai flood victims

Sri Lankan Cricket legends Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralitharan have donated Rs. 16 million to help the Chennai flood victims.

Raviraj killing: case against 7 suspects goes ahead

The case against seven suspects in the killing of TNA Jaffna District MP Nadaraja Raviraj, was today fixed for January 4 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Nirosha Fernando, including three suspects in absentia, who were under open warrants.

Will report to new COPE over CB Bond sale issue: Bandula

The joint opposition would report to the newly appointed Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) regarding the controversial Central Bank Bond sale once the budget period was passed in parliament, UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardena said.

Stranded Lankans return

Three hundred five Sri Lankans stranded in India because of the floods in Chennai were brought to Sri Lanka a short while ago by a special SriLankan flight UL1192.

Earth slip at Nugegoda obstructs rail transport

A mound of earth which collapsed near the Nugegoda railway station has obstructed the operation of trains on the Fort-Avissawella rail track, the Railway Control Room said.

Colombo roads under water

Several roads in Colombo were flooded by the torrential rains that lashed the city, police said.

Two youth shot dead in hikkaduwa

Two youth were shot dead at Pathana in Hikkaduwa this evening while they were travelling on a motorcycle, police said.

LPBOA wants lane restrictions removed

Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) today complained to the Human Rights Commission requesting that the regulation on lane restrictions enforced by the Police Department be removed.

Galle Face Roundabout temporarily closed

The Road between Galadari Hotel and Galle Face Roundabout has been temporarily closed due to a protest march by members of the Front Line Socialist Party (FLSP), the Police said.

Saudi Govt. agrees to reopen SL maid’s case

The Saudi Arabian Government has decided to reopen the court case on the Sri Lankan housemaid who was sentenced to be stoned to death after being found guilty of adultery, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Harsha De Silva told Parliament today.

Don’t jump the gun with Kusal: Mahela

Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena said today that everyone should remain positive and should not make early-statements about the result on the random drug test done on Kusal Janith Perera.

Nissanka Senadhipathi quizzed by CID

The CID today recorded a statement from Avant Garde Maritime Security (Pvt.) Limited Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi after interrogating him for about three hours in connection with a complaint made by three Cabinet Ministers.

Train blocks Borella-Rajagiriya Road

Heavy traffic was reported for more than an hour in Borella, Rajagiriya and the surrounding areas today because of a train which had stalled at the level crossing on Cotta Road due to a technical fault.

Railway fines to be doubled

Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday instructed the Railways Department to increase penalty fine to Rs 5,000 with effect from January.

SF at Bribery Commission

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka arrived at the Bribery Commission a short while ago to lodge a complaint against the Avant Garde Maritime Security Company.

Special flight to bring back stranded Sri Lankans

A special Sri Lankan flight will land in New Delhi this afternoon to bring back 305 Sri Lankans stranded in India.

One killed, 7 injured in expressway accident

A 28-year-old woman was killed and seven other people were injured when a van skidded off the road and crashed into a safety fence at the 73 km post on the Southern Expressway this morning, Police said.

18-month-old baby abandoned in Mirihana

Police found an 18-month-old baby abandoned in Pitakotte, Mirihana yesterday.