Sri Lankan man missing in Australia

Search operation for missing Sri Lankan man Rajah Thangarajah of Eastlakes has been launched after the father-of-two mysteriously vanished in Australia over a week ago.

Marriages on a downward trend

The number of marriages taking place in Sri Lanka has declined according to the latest data published by the Department of Census and Statistics.

Possible release for some Tamil prisoners

Some prisoners held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) are likely to be released soon in the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena directing that this matter be expedited, Opposition Leader R. Sampathan said yesterday.

Treasure hunters: Kashyapa’s golden sword elude them

Wildlife officers have arrested six treasure hunters who were excavating the area close to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress in search of King Kashyappa's golden sword said to be buried inside the forest reserve.

PC appears for MR with rights reserved for appeal

President's Counsel Gamini Marapana appearing for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa informed the President Commission to Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud Corruption and Abuse of Power that he will reserve the right to appeal to a higher Court against the Commission’s decision to turn down his client's preliminary objections.

Video: CID says drug baron funded LTTE

The CID today informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitya that drug kingpin Mohamed Siddeek had funded the LTTE, and that some persons had deposited money in Siddeek’s wife’s accounts which the CID and the Interpol were investigating.

Mervyn Silva complains of death threat

Narahenpitiya Police today informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Pieris that former minister Mervyn Silva had in a police complaint said somebody unknown to him had phoned him threatening him with death.

Video: LG elections by March next year

Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils, Faizer Mustapha said today the government was making every effort to hold the elections to the local government by March next year under the first-past-the-post system.

Video: Three Customs officers remanded over Rs. 125 mn bribe

The three Customs officers who were arrested yesterday while soliciting a bribe of Rs. 125 million were remanded till October 30 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate today.

Opp. leader only concerned with NE: PHU

The Opposition Leader is not paying attention to the concerns of the people unless they were related to the North or East, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary and UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Video: Schoolgirl drowns in water-filled drain

A 17-year-old school girl has drowned after falling into a wayside drain which was overflowing with rain water at Nittawela in Kandy today, Police said.

​PRECIFAC decides to continue with proceedings

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) today decided to continue its proceedings, despite the protest.

Jamaican Court restores Sri Lankan’s bail

The Supreme Court of Jamaica has restored the bail of a Sri Lankan man and criticised senior magistrate Judith Pusey for revoking it.

Road to Kolonnawa from IDH, Gothatuwa blocked

Motorists proceeding from IDH and Gothatuwa to Kolonnawa along Gothatuwa road have been advised to use alternate routes, Police said.

Video: MR at PRECIFAC again

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry for a second day, to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) over the ITN controversy, this morning.

MR lauds MS for Sinhala speech at UN

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he felt proud when he saw President Maithripala Sirisena speaking in Sinhala at the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York early few weeks ago.

Govt. to regulate issue of diplomatic passports

The government has decided to regulate the number of diplomatic passport holders.

Begging in trains banned

The Railways Department has said that from November 1, begging will be completely prohibited in trains and at railway stations. According to the railways ordinance, begging is completely prohibited inside trains and at railway stations.

Maj. Gen Madawala as military adviser to SL mission in UN

Security Forces Commander-West, Major General Ubaya Medawela has been appointed as the Military Adviser at the Office of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, defence sources said.

Young female doctor dies after consuming food

A young female doctor (25), serving at the Chilaw District Hospital, had suddenly fallen ill while on duty and had passed away after admission to the same hospital on Wednesday (14) night.

VVIP dollar account holders: Govt. to name names soon

The government has gathered information on eight Dollar Accounts held in foreign banks by members of a VVIP family of the previous regime and the names of account holders will be disclosed after the ongoing investigations are over, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senarathe said today.

MP Sanath Nishantha remanded

Puttalam District UPFA MP Sanath Nishantha was remanded till tomorrow for not appearing in court in connection with an ongoing case at the Chilaw Magistrate’s Court, Police said.

Video: Counselling could have prevented cases like Kondaya's: SB

Social Empowerment and Welfare Minister S.B. Dissanayake today said that if good counselling had been more prevalent, a case like that of Kondaya, who was suspected for Seya Sadewmi’s murder, could have been prevented.

SriLankan appoints new CEO

Captain Suren Ratwatte assumes duties as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, today.

Three Customs officials arrested for soliciting Rs. 125mn bribe

Three Customs officials including a superintendent were arrested by the Bribery Commission today for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs.125 million in Panchikawatta.

Video: Homicide accused sentenced to death

Colombo High Court today sentenced to death an accused who was found guilty for the killing a person at Ratmalana in December 6.1998.

Video: Peacekeeping forces boosting SL image: Brigadier

Sri Lanka has deployed nearly 255 Army, Navy and Air Force personnel in several countries -- in the Middle East, Africa and Oceania -- under the UN’s Peace Keeping Operations and that has led to create an extremely positive impression among the global community, particularly among UN member countries regarding Sri Lanka’s armed forces, Army spokesman Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera said.

Video: Govt. promises justice to PTA prisoners

The government hopes to mete out justice to those held in prison under the Prevention of Terrorism ACT (PTA) before the end of the year, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe assured the prisoners who are currently on a hunger strike calling for their release.

Video: Hearing postponed after MR’s protest

The public hearing into the ITN controversy fixed for today 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), was postponed for tomorrow.

​Video: Danuna acquitted in Hi-Corp case

Colombo High Court Judge Devika de Livera Tennakoon today acquitted Danuna Tilakaratne from the controversial Hi-Corp case.