Looking at options for SL, no formal request: IMF

Sri Lanka has not made a formal request for International Monetary Fund help but the fund's staff is looking at ways to help the island nation, Reuters reported quoting an IMF spokesman.

Ex-Narahenpita OIC arrested by BC sleuths

Former Narahenpita OIC Chief Inspector Upul Dammika Gunathilaka was arrested by Bribery Commission (BC) sleuths a short while ago in connection with a bribe of Rs.2.5 million said to have been accepted by the Crimes OIC last week, Commission’s Director General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe said.

Grant SL citizenship to Gunaratnam: Joint Opp.

The Joint Opposition today urged the government to grant Sri Lankan citizenship to Frontline Socialist Party Central Committee member Kumar Gunaratnam.

Paranawithana is new Mass Media Dy. Minister

Local Government and Provincial Councils Deputy Minister Karunarathna Paranawithana was in sworn by President Maithripala Sirisena as Deputy Minister of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media before today.

DNA test confirms its Thajudeen’s body

The Genetech Laboratory at Kitulwatte in Borella has confirmed that the DNA samples removed from the remains exhumed from a grave sited at the Dehiwala Jumma Mosque Burial Grounds were those of murdered rugby player Mohamed Waseem Thajudeen. .

Arjuna to contest for SLC vice presidency

Minister of Ports and shipping Arjuna Ranathunga submitted nominations to contest as the vice president of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board at the next election to be held in January.

Thajudeen's death a murder; expert board

The death of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen, whose burnt body was found in a vehicle near the Shalika Grounds in Narahenpita, was pronounced a murder in the final report submitted to Court today by a board of medical officers led by the Colombo Chief JMO, Dr. Ajith Tennakoon.

Probe says SLRC sexual harassment charges false: India

An investigation into allegations of demand for sexual favours by officials of Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) from the beneficiaries of India-funded houses in the Tamil-dominated Northern Province found that the charges were false and baseless, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs V. K. Singh has said.

Construction work forces closure of road segment

A segment of the road from Wellampitiya Junction to Kotikawatta on the Colombo – Avissawella Low Level Road would be closed from 9.00 pm to 5.00 am for ten days commencing today for road construction work to take place, Police said.

Russian tourists may swap Turkey for SL

Turkey and Egypt, the most popular destinations for Russians, could be replaced with Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and China since these countries have the necessary tourist infrastructure in place, Russia Beyond the Headlines (RBTH) reported on Wednesday.

MS calls for Opposition support to enact new Constitution

President Maithripala Sirisena today urged the Opposition to support the government to formulate and enact a new Constitution and to put the nation on the right track.

'Date of death sentence on SL maid unknown'

No Sri Lankan is among the fifty people convicted over various offences in Saudi Arabia and whose punishments have been scheduled to be carried out tomorrow, Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorala said.

Who is occupying Barnes Place land?

The Voice against Corruption Organisation today lodged a complaint with the Anti Corruption Committee Secretariat alleging that a former Cabinet Minister had forcibly taken over a Rs. 100 million worth block of land belonging to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) at Barnes Place, Colombo 07.

Sumathipala plans “overhaul” to “transform” cricket

Former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President and the Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala handed over his nomination to contest the presidency of SLC today along with a strong team and claimed he wanted to “overhaul” and “transform” cricket in Sri Lanka.

SriLankan cancels more flights to Chennai

SriLankan Airlines has cancelled fourteen more flights between Colombo and Chennai due to the extension of the Chennai International Airport closure.

Strike to continue till morning

The token strike launched by Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and 18 other public sector professional outfits would continue until tomorrow morning, the GMOA said.

Cabinet nod for Minimum Wage Law for private sector

The Cabinet has approved Rs. 10,000 as the minimum wage for private sector workers, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Indian labourer forced to sell kidney in SL

Police in Akola in Maharashtra, India have busted an international kidney racket by arresting a moneylender who had forced a daily wage labourer to travel to Sri Lanka to sell off a kidney in order to repay a loan of Indian Rs.20,000, Daily News and Analysis (DNA) reported today.

South Korean ROKS calls at Colombo Port

A Naval ship of the Republic of Korea, "ROKS Chungmugong Yisunshin", today called at the Colombo Port after conducting five-months of counter piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and Gulf of Aden.

More than 900 hospitals deserted, public strike in action

Medical services in more than 900 hospitals have come to a standstill today due to the strike action launched by professionals in the medical sector.

Lightning kills two farmers

Two farmers were killed and two others injured when a bolt of lightning struck Koongaspitiya in Siyambalanduwa last evening.

Vehicle permits restored for exec. grade state employees

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today that public servants would be given a permit to import a vehicle once in ten years.

Cabinet approves Right to Information Bill-PM

The Cabinet has approved the Right to Information Bill yesterday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe informed Parliament this morning.

Sajin’s request to go abroad rejected

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today rejected the application filed by the former UPFA MP Sajin Vass Gunawardane requesting permission to go overseas.

Gota, two Ex- navy commanders report to PRECIFAC

Former defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and two former navy commanders arrived at the PRECIFAC a short while ago to give a statement over the Rakna Arakshaka Lanka controversy.

Veteran actor Sunil Hettiarachchi no more

A well-known comedian and character actor Sunil Hettiarachchi passed away this morning at the age of 78. He was born in 1937

Gunmen kill 14 inside San Bernardino, California

Police said there was an "active shooter" incident in the city of San Bernardino and confirmed there were between one and three possible suspects who were 'heavily armed' and believed to be wearing body armour.

Lankans arrested over kidnap case in Japan

Police arrested three Sri Lankan and four Japanese men Wednesday on suspicion of kidnapping a Sri Lankan man living in Kanagawa Prefecture to force his brother to pay the victim’s debt.

Old woman kept locked in toilet

A feeble 71 year-old woman -- the mother of two daughters -- was taken into custody by the Meetiyagoda Police yesterday after it was discovered that she was kept locked up in a toilet in her eldest daughter’s home in Diddeliya, Meetiyagoda.

Yasara gets engaged to Fazil

Former Head of Channel at the Carlton Sports Network, Yasara Abeynayake, daughter of veteran film director Ananda Abeynayake, got engaged to former Sri Lanka Rugby 7s captain and Kandy Sports Club skipper Fazil Marija in a simple ceremony.