​Mahendran to take leave during probe

Central bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran said he's going on leave while a committee investigates allegations that one of his family members benefited unduly from a sale of treasury bonds last month.

Defence HQ constructions halted

Construction work on the Defence Headquarters Complex in Battaramulla has come to a halt due to non-availability of funds, and Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake saying funds will not be released until the exact cost estimation of the project is clarified. 

​Man who burgled Mangala’s home sentenced

The youth who was arrested for allegedly stealing a laptop and seven whisky bottles from the Gorakana residence of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in 2013, was today sentenced to one year's imprisonment suspended for ten years.

Licenses of over 300 bars cancelled

The President has issued a directive cancelling the licenses of some 349 liquor bars due to operating in violation of the Excise Act regulations, the President’s Media Division said today.

No poll before electoral reforms-Nimal

The main opposition UPFA today reiterated that there would be no Parliamentary Elections before introducing Constitutional and Electoral reforms and it would not let Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to force President Maithripala Sirisena’s hand to dissolve Parliament soon after April 23 as he had already announced. 

Now JVP decides to go for election after April 23

The Central Committee of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today resolved that the present Parliament should be dissolved on April 23 and the General Elections should be held thereafter as pledged during the January’s Presidential Election.

UNP has no authority to decide on election: JHU

Commenting on the United National Party (UNP) decision to go for General Elections after April 23, JHU National Organiser Nishantha Warnasinghe today said it was only the President or the party with the majority in the Parliament that could decide on the election.

Rajitha refutes ‘abduction’ charges

Refuting allegations that his son had abducted an underage girl, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne today said that the girl had come willingly.

Traffic at Ingurukade Junction

Traffic congestion is reported in and around the Ingurukade Junction near the entrance of the Colombo harbour due to a protest by the members of the Containers Owners Association, the Police said.

Video: Cabinet approved our proposals: JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today said that the Cabinet had approved the JHU proposed reforms on pruning powers of the Executive as it had opposed to the Prime Minister’s proposal, which it said was ‘detrimental’ to the stability of the country.

Police gets statement from Gamini Senarath

The Police Financial Fraud Investigation Division is currently recording a statement from the former President’s Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath over an alleged financial fraud based on a complaint made by the People’s Leasing Company (PLC), the Police said. 

Upeksha undecided

Parliamentarian Upeksha Swarnamali said today that she would consider her political future, after looking into the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Ranil reiterates SL’s right to protect its territorial waters

Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe has reiterated Sri Lanka’s right to shoot Indian fishermen who violate the maritime border and poach in Lankan waters. In an interview with the NDTV, the PM had said that even though Sri Lanka and India are working to resolve the fishermen's issue, the country's navy has the right to shoot anyone who intrudes into SL’s territorial waters.

Herath likely to be fit to face Proteas

Sri Lanka's front-line spinner Rangana Herath is recovering well and looks likely to face South Africa in Wednesday's World Cup quarter-final at Sydney Cricket Ground, chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya said on Monday.

Calls for international war crimes probe 'insulting': CBK

Sri Lanka is united against an international investigation into alleged war crimes during its 26-year-long civil war, according to its former president, Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Draft Bill on constitutional reforms to be gazetted

The Cabinet today decided to gazette the draft bill providing for constitutional reforms, political sources said.  

​Best wishes from President to SL cricketers

President Maithripala Sirisena has conveyed his best wishes to the Sri Lankan cricket team which is taking part in ICC Cricket World Cup, presidential media unit said.

Video: Now Lotus Tower in hot water

The Lotus Tower or Nelum Kuluna will turn out to become the next hot topic with regard to projects initiated by the previous government with Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga vowing to discuss the project with the President and the Prime Minister.  

“Our daughter was forcibly taken away from us”

A businessman had called a press conference at a leading hotel in Colombo to make a startling announcement. He revealed that their daughter had been forcibly taken away by the son of a powerful politician.

Fishermen to leave for Sri Lanka to bring back 87 boats

A group of Tamil Nadu fishermen accompanied by technicians will leave for Sri Lanka to repair and take back their 87 boats; these boats were released by Sri Lanka ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit as a goodwill gesture.

Iranian arrested for spraying perfume on monk

An Iranian working at the Uma Oya Project in Wellawaya was arrested on charges of having sprayed perfume on the Rakhkhithakanda Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Incumbent’s face yesterday, the Police said.

Maithri is UPFA Chairman

President Maithripala Sirisena has been appointed as the Chairman of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), a party official said today.

Video: Vigneswaran hits out at Ranil

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jaffna, the Chief Minister of Tamil-majority region in Sri Lanka hit out at Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe for his controversial comments on shooting trespassing Indian fishermen.

Two drown in Kurunegala

A seven year-old girl and a 31 year old man died and another person was hospitalized when they drowned while bathing in Kanapaddan Wewa, Polpithigama yesterday evening, Police said.

MR meets Modi

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday evening.

​Modi visits Jaffna,seeks respect for all citizens in SL

Making a historic visit to a region once ravaged by strife, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called for equitable development and respect for all citizens in Sri Lanka, seen as an oblique reference to Tamils who had suffered during the war between the LTTE and forces. 

​One-way traffic plan on Galle road and Duplication road

A one-way traffic plan will be implemented with effect from 9 am tomorrow (15) along certain parts of the Galle Road and the Duplication road, the Police said. 

Modi flags off Talaimannar train service

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off a train service at the north-western Sri Lankan town of Talaimannar – the closest point to India – restored after decades of civil war, completing the reconstruction of the entire Northern Province Railway Line.

13 kgs of heroin found in prawn farm

About 13 kilos of heroin was detected by the Police hidden in a prawn farm in Mundalama last night.

Two legs found in a canal in Dematagoda

Two amputated legs believed to be of a man were found in a canal at Siridhamma Mavatha in Dematagoda this morning, the Police said.