EU urges govt. to repeal PTA

The Council of European Union (EU) yesterday encouraged the Sri Lankan Government to take early steps to build the confidence of communities, including releasing the identity of the detainees and accelerating their prosecution or release, repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

Video: Ex-LTTE detainees call off hunger strike

The hunger strike launched by the Tamil prisoners including ex-LTTE carders last week demanding their release was called off this morning, the Prisons Department said.

Avant-Garde: PM warns Cabinet Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly ‘strongly’ advised a senior Cabinet minister of his Cabinet not to engage with any parties about the Avant-Garde issue in the future.

Reports on missing persons submitted to UN group

The Dead and Missing Persons Parents Front (DMPPF) yesterday handed over a report to the visiting members of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) at the UN Compound in Colombo.

Video: FCID visits CSN

Officials of the Financial Criminal Investigation Division (FCID) today visited the Carlton Sports Network (CSN) in Battaramulla to conduct investigations regarding the awarding of broadcasting rights to CSN by violating tender procedure, Police Media Spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Video: Power of liquor can topple govt. -President

President Maithripala Sirisena today said if the government banned all liquor licences and cigarettes putting an end to liquor sale and cigarettes, those who consume them could even topple the government.

Warnaweera suspended from cricket for 2 years

Jayananda Warnaweera, former Sri Lanka Test cricketer turned cricket official, was suspended for two years from cricket, cricket management and representation by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today.

Video: Young mother jumps into river

A-32-year old mother of one had jumped into Nilwala River from the Mahanama Bridge in Matara in an attempt to commit suicide, the Police said.

Deshapriya appointed Elections Commission Chairman

Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya has been appointed as the Chairman of the Elections Commission, Mr. Deshapriya said today.

Govt. planning to handover EPF-ETF to private agency: Bandula

The real intention in setting up a private sector pension scheme by merging the EPF and the ETF is to invest these funds in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) by handing over their administration to a private fund managing agency, UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardane said today.

Video: Lack of information delaying probes: BC Director General

Insufficient information provided in the complaints was the main reason for the long delay in completing investigations into allegations of bribery and corruption, Bribery Commission Director General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe said today.

Govt. to sign CEPA in May: Gammanpila

Despite protests, the government will be signing the long awaited trade agreement with India entitled the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in May, 2016, Opposition MP and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila alleged today.

Video: It’s an act of betrayal to criticize the Govt: Aluwihare

State Minister of Agriculture, Wasantha Aluwihare said today the criticism levelled at the government against ‘Good Governance’ was an act of betrayal.

Video: Eight ex-LTTE detainees released

Another eight ex-LTTE detainees were released under strict bail conditions by Colombo Additional Magistrate Aruni Artigala today.

Head-on collision kills SI, soldier

A sub inspector of Police and an Army soldier died under tragic circumstances when two motorcycles collided head-on at Upuldeniya junction on the Anuradhapura- Galenbindunuwewa road on Sunday evening.

German tourist drowns in Bentota Sea

A 75-year-old German tourist drowned whilst bathing in Bentota Sea yesterday evening.

Lankan arrested with Rs.66 mn in foreign currency at MRIA

A 35-year-old Sri Lankan male was arrested at the Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) while attempting to smuggle out Rs. 60 million worth of foreign currency this morning.

Avant Garde Chairman summoned by PRECIFAC

The chairman of the Avant Garde Company, Nissanka Senadipathi has been summoned by PRECIFAC to appear before it on November 20, for questioning and the recording of a statement on the alleged purchase of weapons from the Rakna Lanka Security Company, which the latter had obtained from the Army.

Fallen object could be debris of WT1190F

Local and foreign scientists and astronomers believe that the little object that has fallen into a paddy field in Aranayake could be debris of WT1190F which was expected to create a sensation on November 13.

Sri Lanka likely to join Iranian oil customers

Referring to the launch of new talks with Sri Lanka to resume oil exports, Iranian deputy oil minister expressed Iran’s readiness to resume oil sales to the Asian country during post sanction era.

PTA to be replaced with fresh legislation

The government is planning to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act with fresh legislation modelled on the Patriot Act of the United States, it is learnt.

Kiriella clarifies…

With reference to the gossip piece titled 'Yahapalanaya at work', that appeared on the front page of the Daily Mirror on Saturday, November 14, Highways and Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella yesterday stated that his daughter who is a qualified Barrister is only his Private Secretary and his son-in-law is his Political Affairs Secretary.

Schools in NP closed tomorrow due to bad weather

All schools in the Northern Province will stay closed today (16) owing to the inclement weather that is being experienced in the North, the Northern Provincial Education Secretary’s Office announced.

PRECIFAC orders transfer of 13 State sector employees

Thirteen state sector employees attached to several ministries, corporations and institutions were ordered to be transferred with immediate effect by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC).

Video: Postmortem reveals Lankan woman killed in Kuwait

The postmortem conducted on the death of a women who was employed in Kuwait, has revealed that her death was a result of brutal attacks made with blunt and sharp objects on her head, chest and neck.

Water cut in Colombo on Tuesday

Water supply to several areas in Colombo suburbs would be suspended on Tuesday because of an emergency repair to water supply lines, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said today.

Video: Chain snatchers arrested

Two robbers who had been snatching chains from women were arrested by the Kahathuduwa Police today along with another person who had been purchasing the robbed items, Police said.

Ranil returns

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who went to Singapore for a medical checkup has returned to the country this morning, sources said.

Audio: Good governance shattered - Nimal Siripala

While claiming that good governance has now shattered, Transport Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said that they joined the government at the invitation of the President in order to serve the people of the country but it is not possible to give all what they want which is only practicable through miracles of Aladdin’s Wonder Lamp or with the presence of God Sakra.

Audio: Sri Lankan recalls Paris attack

A group of Sri Lankans who are living in France had escaped unhurt from last Friday’s terrorists attack in Paris that killed about 130 people, in multiple attacks, BBC reported.