75 arrested with drugs near schools

Police have arrested 75 individuals during a drug raid carried out near 122 schools in the Western Province, police said.

Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne promoted to the rank of Admiral

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, promoted Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne to the rank of Admiral effective from today.

Cricketer Danushka allowed to move house in Australia

Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka will settle into life in Sydney after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman multiple times, a court has heard, The Weekend Australian reported.

Easter Sunday attacks: Court orders to lay by cases against Ranil and proceed against Maithri

The Negombo District Court yesterday ordered to lay by the cases filed against President Ranil Wickremesinghe by the next of kin of those who have died and those who were injured during the suicide bomb blast that took place at St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo.

Tourist arrivals for December 01-13 cross 30,000 mark

The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka for the first two weeks have crossed the 30,000 mark, bringing the total number of international visitors entering the country to 658,210.

Kollupitiya accident: Driver released on bail

The 26-year old driver of the Mercedes car, Mohammad Ryzul Rizzaq, who was remanded over the fatal accident in Kollupitiya, was released on bail today.

Alleged murder of businessman Dinesh Schaffter: Travel ban imposed on Brian Thomas

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued an order preventing former English cricket commentator Brian Thomas from leaving the country in connection with investigations into the murder of Chairman of Janashakti Insurance Company Chairman Dinesh Schaffter.

Alleged kidney racket: Western Hospital files writ petition against health authorities

While denying any involvement with organ trafficking or the smuggling of organs, the Western Infirmary Hospital has filed a writ petition in Court of Appeal challenging the Health Ministry’s decision to temporarily suspend organ transplantation surgeries at the hospital.

Petitions against Presidential Pardon granted to Duminda Silva to be heard on February

Three Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the legality of the Presidential Pardon granted to former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva were yesterday fixed for argument by Supreme Court.

Fmr President Media DG Sudewa Hettiarachchi arrested

Sudewa Hettiarachchi, the Director General of Presidential Media during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency, has been arrested over traffic violation in Kandy.

Security at Borella Cemetery handled by Rakna Lanka and not CMC

Security of Borella Cemetery where businessman Dinesh Schaffter was found tied in his car is being handled by Rakna Lanka, an official from Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said today.

Applications called for youth representatives to 17 Sectoral Oversight Committees

Applications have been called to select youth representatives to represent the Sectoral Oversight Committees to be established in Parliament, Communications Department of Parliament said.

Dinesh Schaffter informs Secretary he was scheduled to meet Brian Thomas; probe reveals

The initial investigation into the death of businessman and director of Janashakthi Group, Dinesh Schaffter has revealed that Schaffter had been planning to meet former cricket presenter Brian Thomas yesterday. According to the police, Scaffter’s secretary had informed this in the statement.

Some members of my own party oppose me for criticizing President: Hirunika

Some members from my own party are unhappy with me for criticizing President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former MP and Head of Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya Hirunika Premchandra said today.

Two fishing vessels intercepted with 200 kg of heroin, ICE off southern seas

Two multi-day fishing craft were intercepted with more than 200 kg of heroin and ICE by the navy off the Southern seas.

Court refuses to lift travel ban on Sanath Nishantha

Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage today rejected a request made by State Minister Sanath Nishantha that his travel ban be temporarily lifted enabling him to go abroad.

Elections must go ahead regardless of delimitation exercises: Deshapriya

Elections must be held regardless of the activities to demarcate wards for local authorities, Chairman of the National Delimitation Committee Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Thilini Priyamali released on bail

Owner of Thico Group Private Ltd Thilini Priyamali, who was remanded in connection with alleged financial fraud, was released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage today.

France in talks with creditors

France, which is part of the Paris Club, is in talks with Sri Lanka’s creditors in an attempt to ensure a solution is reached for the financial crisis sooner than later.

Sri Lanka further sinks into recession as economy contracts 11.8% in 3Q

The Sri Lankan economy further sank into recession after its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter gave up as much as 11.8 percent of its output, bringing the nine-month contraction in the economy to 7.1 percent.

SLPP local heads tell prez they are ready for LG polls

A group of heads of local authorities held by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and informed him that they were ready for local polls at the appropriate time, a party official said.

Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery operations resumes today

As earlier announced by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) the operations of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery will resume today (16) after receiving another 90,000 MT of crude oil for refining at the facility.

Twitter appears to ban journalists, critics of new CEO

Twitter appeared to suspend the accounts of at least half a dozen journalists late Thursday — including some who had been critical of Elon Musk and his $44 billion dollar takeover of the social media platform.

Three-member Election Committee appointed to elect new office bearers

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said today that it has appointed a three-member Election Committee to conduct the forthcoming election of SLC Office Bearers, scheduled to be held in May 2023.

UPDATE - Businessman, Dinesh Schaffter dies after being found in critical state at Borella cemetery

Fifty two year old businessman, Dinesh Schaffter, a director of Janashakthi Group, who had been found tied inside a car at the Borella General Cemetery with serious injuries earlier this evening has died while receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo.

Laws required to remove underperforming officials: Kanchana

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said although the people have the power to remove politicians in an election, there are no specific policies to take action against officials and institutions that do not show the required performance levels.

Govt. MPs seek probe against Shavendra Silva, IGP and others

Filing a writ petition in Court of Appeal, 22 government Parliamentarians representing SLPP and several others have sought an order directing the authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation in order to ascertain as to whether former Army Commander General Shavendra Silva...

Champion boxer beaten and abducted over conflict between two gangs over drug trafficking

Police investigation into the assault and abduction of champion boxer M.S. Dinusha Lakshan had revealed that the incident was a result of a conflict between two gangs over drug trafficking.

Mindfulness pilot programme to be launched in schools from Jan.4: Minister

The Education Ministry will launch the ’’Mindfulness’’ program as a pilot program for schoolchildren on January 4 in all schools, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Cement prices can be decreased by another Rs.1,000

The recent drop in cement prices proves that prices are decided by a mafia of cement importers, Chairman of the National Construction Association Susantha Liyanaarachchi charged.