Japan to help lankan reconciliation efforts

Sri Lanka should look towards the future as well while looking back at what happened during the final days of the armed conflict, Japanese Ambassador Kenichi Suganuma said today.

Video: Will continue to eradicate drug trafficking: Ruwan

State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene today said Sri Lanka would continue working with countries in the Indian Ocean Region and the Global Maritime Crimes Programme of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to eradicate drug trafficking and maritime crimes from the region.

Stay order on full-face helmet ban extended

The interim order issued staying the operation of the police circular banning the use of full-face helmets, was extended till November 2 by the Appeal Court today.

Magistrate recalls warrant on Gnanasara Thera

Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage has recalled the arrest warrant issued on Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven.Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera and ordered him to appear in Court at the next hearing date.

Video: Armed man robs bank in Dambulla

A man wearing a mask and armed with a hand grenade has robbed Rs.797,000 from a private bank in Dambulla and abducted an employee as well, Police said.

Presidential Media Deputy Director Herath resigns

Presidential Media Deputy Director Osala Herath has resigned from his post with effect from October 7, Presidential Media Unit said today.

US trains SL Navy on underwater de-mining

The US Navy recently concluded a two-week training session in Trincomalee to equip and support Sri Lanka’s underwater demining efforts.

​Video: Gnanasara Thera surrenders

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera, who was issued an arrest warrant for not appearing in court, surrendered to the Fort Magistrate’s Court a short while ago.

​Namal condemns police action

Hambantota District UPFA Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa today ‘strongly’ condemned the alleged assault on a group of civilians by police during a demonstration held at Badagiriya in Hambanthota yesterday.

24 Indian fishermen arrested for entering SL waters

Twenty-four Indian fishermen who violated the international Maritime Border and entered into Sri Lankan waters were arrested and four boats seized near the Gulf of Mannar yesterday by the Sri Lankan coast guard with the assistance of the Sri Lankan Navy, Navy Spokesman Commander Indika Silva said.

Impartial probe into Avant Garde controversy: MOD

Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said today that an impartial investigation would be carried out into the weapons detected on a ship named MT Avant Garde.

SLHRC summons JMO over contradictory reports

The Negombo Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) who inspected the schoolboy and the other suspect  who were previously arrested in connection with the killing of Seya Sadewmi in Kotadeniyawa has been summoned to the Human Rights Commission.

Video: Bharatha killing: Trial-at-Bar hearing begins

The hearing of the case over the Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra killing today began before a trial– at- bar comprising Colombo High Court Judges Shiran Guneratne (President),  Padmini Ranawaka Gunethillake, and M.C.B.S. Morais.

Shyam killing: Verdict on Nov. 27

The Colombo High Court will announce on November 27, the verdict in the trial of former DIG Vass Gunawardena, his son and four others accused of killing Bambalapitiya millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam.

Two youth struck by lightning

Two youth aged 19 and 24 were killed when they were struck by lightning while harvesting sugarcane at a field in Pelwatte, Buttala this afternoon, Police said.

Video: Wildlife Dept. accused of worsening human-elephant conflict

The Wildlife Department and several NGOs are worsening the human-elephant conflict instead of seeking solutions, alleged an organisation calling itself the National Movement for the Protection of Domesticated Elephants (NMPDE) today.

Abandoned infant: Police to obtain court order for foster parents

The Peradeniya Police said they were hoping to obtain a court order to find suitable foster parents who wish to adopt the now 22-day-old infant girl, who was abandoned by a roadside near the Dangolla Junction, until such time a permanent arrangement could be made.

Video: Twelve persons arrested over bus attack

Twelve persons have been arrested for attacking a bus during a tense situation that prevailed in Hambanthota this morning.

Arms ship probe report handed over to MOD

Navy Commander Ravindra Wijegunaratne today said the report into the arms ship- Avant Garde- was handed over to the Ministry of Defence this morning.

Ex-LTTEers on hunger strike at Magazine Prison

Ex-LTTE cadres detained at the Magazine Prison in Colombo launched a hunger strike this morning urging the authorities to release them, the Prisons Department said.

Video: Man’s body found at Thalahena Junction

The body of a man was found in a culvert at Thalahena Junction, Battaramulla this morning, police said. The Thalangama police are investigating the identity and cause of death of the deceased.

Video: Arrest warrant against Gnanasara Thera

Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage issued arrest warrants on Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera and two other monks who absconded court in a case filed against them.

India joins SL probe into ‘sexual favours’ for houses

The Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) have launched a joint investigation into a complaint by a war-displaced widow against a Red Cross official for “soliciting sexual favours” in return for houses in the Indian government-funded housing project in the country’s northern province.

Video: Heavy traffic due to new traffic plan

Heavy traffic was reported in Rajagiriya, Maharagama and several roads leading to Colombo this morning due to the new traffic plan.

Navy to hand over Avant Garde reports to MOD

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne said yesterday that the report into the arms ship- Avant Garde- will be handed over to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as the investigations into the matter has been concluded.

No action to stop corruption: SF

Democratic Party Leader Filed Marshal Sarath Fonseka charged that no action has been taken to stop the corruptions by the government and individuals who robbed sum of Rs 600-900 million.

Video: Pillayan arrested over Pararajasingham killing

Former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department when he arrived at the CID office in Colombo this evening to give a statement, police media said.

Pillayan arrives at CID

Former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department office in Colombo to give a statement a short while ago, police said.

Unconditional support from WB and IMF-Ravi

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayke said the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had already agreed to extend unconditional support for Sri Lanka’s development initiatives.

Pillayan to appear before CID

The CID had informed former Chief Minister of the Eastern Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan to report to the CID to record a statement in connection with the killing of former TNA parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham.