Court orders check on Gota’s accounts

The Galle Magistrate today directed the CID to inspect the bank accounts of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Defence Ministry’s former Additional Secretary D.M.S. Jayaratne and the directors of Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pvt.).

50 SLFP MPs want Dinesh as Opp. Leader: Vasu

UPFA MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara today said about 50 Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs had signed a document to be submitted to the Speaker of the House requesting MP Dinesh Gunwardane be appointed as the Opposition Leader.

China says SL is a strategic partner

Chinese President Xi Jinping has told visiting Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena that they consider Sri Lanka a strategic partner as he expressed his wish to further boost relations between the two nations.

Lankan in Dubai sentenced to life in jail for murdering wife

A Sri Lanka who slashed his wife’s leg with a knife and then strangled her because she was cheating on him, will serve life in jail after Dubai Criminal Court convicted him of premeditated murder.

US says SL to face tough challenges

Though President Maithripala Sirisena was pivoting the country away from the harmful policies of his predecessor, the US government said Sri Lanka would face tough challenges in the months ahead including the financial mess they have inherited.

Pilot was locked out of cockpit before crash ?

As officials struggled Wednesday to explain why a jet with 150 people on board crashed in relatively clear skies, an investigator said evidence from a cockpit voice recorder indicated one pilot left the cockpit before the plane’s descent and was unable to get back in.

Imm. Dept. receives 10 dual citizenship applications

With the government’s decision to reintroduce dual citizenship status to nine countries, the Department of Immigration and Emigration had already received about 10 such applications by yesterday.

Rajitha’s statements keep changing constantly: Tilvin

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva said today Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne was constantly changing his statements.

SC affirms death sentence

The Supreme Court has re-affirmed the death sentence imposed by the High Court Trial-at-Bar Judges on the four convicts in the Angulana double murder where two youth were abducted and later killed.

MR's security in jeopardy despite Govt. claims: MR’s office

While rejecting Minister Rajitha Senaratne’s claims that 21 vehicles had been assigned to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mr. Rajapaksa’s office said all the vehicles assigned to his security detail were withdrawn and that has jeopardized his security.

Uncertainty over ban on face-covered helmets

Public Order Minister John Amaratunga said today he was unaware about the move to re-impose the ban on face-covered helmets from April 2.

20 Parliament committees after Polls

The Government is hoping to re-introduce the Parliamentary Committee System after the upcoming general election, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Video: Malaka says he will definitely enter politics

I will participate at Ratnapura rally: Prasanna

Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunge has confirmed he would participate at tomorrow's rally in Ratnapura in support of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa contesting the upcoming General Election as the prime ministerial candidate.

Video: JHU unsure of itself on 19A: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka should disclose whether he wanted demon like powers to remain with the Executive Presidency as the JHU was against the 19th Amendment.

President leaves for China

President Maithripala Sirisena left for China on a four-day official visit this evening.

SC stays Rs. 200 Mn Excise Tax

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order suspending the gazette notification which imposed a Rs. 200 million Excise Tax on alcohol and beer manufacturers.

Video: An amnesty for army deserters

Army deserters are to be granted an amnesty and given an opportunity to officially resign from service on reporting to their regiment between April 2 and 16, the Army said today.

Video: Police to bring down Basil

Former Economic Development Minister and then influential politician Basil Rajapaksa is to be grilled in connection with a series of major corruption cases amounting to millions of rupees being investigated by the Police Financial Fraud Investigation Division.

Video: No face-covered helmets from April 2

The wearing of face-covered helmets has been banned from April 2 in the wake of an increasing number of robberies and killings being carried out by motorcyclists wearing such helmets, Police said today.

TN fishermen may get 83-day access

The third round of talks between representatives of fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka ended in Chennai on Tuesday, a day ahead of schedule, with the two sides meeting each other half way.

Missing man believed dragged by a crocodile

A man who was fishing at Mahaweli River in Meewathpura, Aralaganwila is believed to have been dragged away by a crocodile, police said today.

Head of Govt. not specified

Cabinet approval has been granted to include a change to the draft of the 19th Amendment, through which the Head of the Government has not been specified leading to a further curtailing of executive powers, although the President will remain the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief.

Allegations focused on the Bureau not Dilan: Thalatha

Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorale today said that her allegations were focused on the Foreign Employment Bureau and not on the then Minister Dilan Perera.

Extend local councils by one year: UPFA

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) today urged the Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils to provide a year’s extension to local councils whose term expires on March 31 and to hold elections under the new electoral system.

19A requires referendum: Nimal

Referring to the 19th Amendment, Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva said the government appeared to have introduced some constitutional provisions which warrant approval by people at a referendum.

Man steals judge’s wallet in Court

A man who entered the chambers of Matara District Judge is reported to have stolen her wallet and with the cash and credit cards had bought jewellery and food items worth Rs.65, 000.

Passenger plane crashes in French Alps

A plane carrying 142 passengers has crashed in the southern French Alps en route from Spain to Germany. 

Video: MR given security which he did not provide Chandrika

Cabinet spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne today said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been provided with comprehensive security which included 21 vehicles and 213 officers.

Bribery case against Bogollagama

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today filed action in the Magistrate’s Court against former Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on corruption charges.