Ruwan leaves PCoI Police Unit after giving statement

Former State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene left the Police Unit attached to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing the Easter Sunday Attack a short while ago, after giving a statement.

Athurugiriya Ladiya’s accomplice ‘Sudda’ arrested in Hokandara

Yohan Pradeep Kumara alias ’Sudda’, an accomplice of underworld figure Athurugiriya Ladiya had been arrested by the STF at Hokandara in Athurugiriya yesterday.

Pillaiyan allowed to attend inaugural session of parliament

The Batticaloa High Court today granted permission for Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyan to attend the inaugural session of new parliament on August 20.

Man arrested while offering Rs. 2 lakh to Dompe OIC

The Bribery Commission officials have arrested two suspects for accepting bribes while another for attempting to bribe the Dompe Police OIC, in three separates cases reported from Kandy, Dambulla and Dompe.

Three arrested with 128 counterfeit note bundles

Three suspects were arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) with counterfeit currency notes of Rs. 5,000 at Galwana in Mulleriyawa.

Probe underway into fire at Thondaman’s bungalow in Kotmale

Investigations are underway into the fire that broke out at late Minster Arumugam Thondaman’s Bungalow at Ramboda Vavanton Estate in Kotmale.

Ruwan at PCoI

Former State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene arrived at the Police Unit attached to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks, a short while ago.

Poll results show rejection of former administration: US Envoy

US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz, who met with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, has said the general election results showed that the previous administration has been rejected, the Prime Minister’s Media Division said yesterday.

First sitting to commence on 20th August

The Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake has officially informed all Members of Parliament to attend the first sitting of the 9th Parliament which is to commence at 9.30 am on 20th August 2020.

Turmeric to be imported for about one and half years

State Minister of Minor Export Crop Development and Export Promotion Janaka Wakkumbura said steps would be taken to import turmeric for about one and half years to avoid the shortage now being experienced in the country.

PUCSL requests investigation report within 3 days

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday requested to submit an investigation report on the island wide power failure within three-days

Ranil should enter P’ment as National List MP: SJB MP

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should enter Parliament filling the sole National List slot of the United National Party (UNP), since there was none other than him more experienced in Parliamentary affairs, an SJB MP said yesterday.

Dinesh appointed Leader of the House, Johnston Chief Government Whip

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was appointed as the Leader of the House while Minister Johnston Fernando was appointed as the Chief Government Whip today.

State Minister Dayasiri to breathe new life into batik, textile industries

The importation of fabric, garment and apparel will be stopped and the segments of textile, batik and hand loom will be made major industries in the country through value addition and introduction of modern technology, Batik, Handloom and Domestic Apparel Production State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

80% of power supply restored: CEB

Eighty per cent of the electricity supply was restored after eight hours since the countrywide power outage, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman Vijitha Herath said.

Sri Lanka to follow ‘Kalyana Mithra’ foreign policy

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that Sri Lanka will follow a friendly policy towards all countries. Minister Gunawardena made these comments after assuming duties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

50% of power supply restored: CEB Chairman

The disrupted power supply was restored up to fifty per cent after six hours, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman Vijitha Herath said.

Power disruption affects pump house operation: NWSDB

The power disruption has affected the operation of pump houses resulting in low-pressure supply of water already pumped into storage tanks, The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) General Manager R.H. Ruvinis said.

Five more oil refineries, Sapugaskanda to be redeveloped: Minister

Only 20 per cent of local fuel consumption was refined in the country and therefore five oil refineries would be opened up apart from the plans to refurbishing the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, New Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said assuming duties at the Ministry this morning.

Heavy traffic due to defunct signal lights

Heavy traffic was reported along several roads in Colombo due to defunct signal lights as a result of islandwide power failure. The CEB said it could take two more hours to restore the power supply.

STF security to be provided for prisons in Colombo

The Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel would be deployed at the entrance of prisons in the Colombo city from next week, the Prisons Department said.

Maithri summoned to Police Unit of PCoI probing Easter attacks

The Police Unit of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday Attacks has informed former President Maithripala Sirisena to appear at the Police Unit on August 26 to record a statement.

Island-wide power failure

An island-wide power outage was experienced a short while ago due to a failure in the transmission system at the Kerawalapitiya Grid-Substation, The Ceylon Electricity Board said.

Unidentified male body found near Colombo Port City

The Police are yet to identify the body of a male which was found ashore near the Colombo Port City recently, Police said.

Indian Police in search of Sri Lankan who has Angoda Lokka’s pistol

The CB-CID has formed a team to nab a Sri Lankan national, who is in possession of a pistol which belonged to deceased Sri Lankan underworld don Maddumage Lasantha Chandana Perera alias Angoda Lokka, the Times of India reported.

List of 50,000 graduates eligible for employment published

The list of graduates eligible for employment under the programme to award employment opportunities to 50,000 graduates has been published on the official website of the Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

Laboratory worker at Govt. Analyst’s Dep. arrested with heroin

A laboratory worker attached to the Government Analyst’s Department was arrested with 18.7 grams of heroin in Athurugiriya last evening, Police said.

No change in mandate with appointment of new govt.

There was no change in Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing Easter Sunday Commission’s mandate with appointment of new government, official from the Commission told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Willing to accept Chief Opposition Whip post: Harsha

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday said he would be happy to accept and perform the post of Chief Opposition Whip, if given the opportunity.

Will hand over party to young leader after PC polls: Ranil

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the party will be handed over to a young leader after the provincial council elections, while a new mechanism will be created initially where the younger members could play a major role in the party.