Photo-journalist complains against ex-PNB OIC Rangajeewa

A photo-journalist attached to the Ceylon Today newspaper filed a police complaint against former Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) OIC IP Neomal Rangajeewa for threatening and obstructing his duties at the premises of the Colombo High Court.

India in talks with Sri Lanka over its request for debt relief

India today said it was holding talks with Sri Lanka over its request for postponement of repayment of debt. ’’The matter has progressed and technical level discussions are presently underway,’’ spokesperson in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava said.

Hejaaz Hizbullah’s FR petition fixed for July 22

A Fundamental Rights violation petition filed on behalf of lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah, who is currently under custody on detention order was today fixed for July 22 by Supreme Court for further submissions.

Welikada accident: Indictments filed against Champika

The Attorney General has filed indictments in the Colombo High Court against former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka for causing grievous Injury to a person by Rash and Negligent Act and other charges, AG’s Coordinating Secretary Nishara Jayaratne said.

Harassing Russian girl: Five suspects re-remanded

The five suspects, who were taken into police custody for allegedly harassing a Russian girl at Galle Face Green, were further remanded till July 13 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate today.

Bolivia’s President Anez tests positive for coronavirus

Bolivia’s President Jeanine Anez said on Thursday she has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Drug stock at PNB court warehouse taken to govt. analyst

The remaining stock of drugs at the Police Narcotic Bureau’s (PNB) court items warehouse has been taken to the Government Analyst’s Department for further investigations.

Over 500 Lankans arrive from Russia, UAE

Two special SriLankan flights carrying 278 Sri Lankans stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and 266 Sri Lankans stranded in Russia due to COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Sri Lanka this morning.

Tiran Alles, three others discharged in RADA case

The Colombo High Court today ordered to discharge former MP Tiran Alles and three others from controversial Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) case.

Three killed in fatal accident in Wellawaya

Three persons including a woman were killed at Warunagama on the Wellawaya-Buttala main road when a lorry collided head-on with a three-wheeler this morning, Police said.

Term of PCoI on political victimization extended

The term of the Presidential Commission on Political Victimisation has been extended by another four months till November 9, 2020 by the President.

Kosgoda Tharaka’s accomplice ‘Kalu Malli’ arrested

Rohan Pradeep alias ‘Kalu Malli’, an accomplice of underworld figure ’Kosgoda Tharaka, was arrested in Angoda, Police said.

196 more COVID-19 patients identified from Kandakadu

At least 196 more COVID-19 infected patients were reported from the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre increasing total cases at the Centre to 252, Government Information Department said.

Kandakadu quarantine centre converted into a hospital

The quarantine centre in Kandakadu has been converted into a hospital in order to treat Covid-19 infected patients from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

It is a case of worry but we will manage it - Army Chief

Army Commander Lt. General Shavendra Silva said the recovery of 57 Covid-19 infected persons from Kandakadu Drug Rehabilitation Centre was a case of worry but they will soon manage it.

Ex-President & PM should take sole responsibility for attacks: witness

Former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have to take the sole responsibility over the Easter Sunday attacks, a senior military intelligence officer attached to the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks yesterday.

Reopening of BIA only after repatriation process completed

The reopening of the Bandaranaike International Airport will be considered only after the repatriation process of Sri Lankans abroad is completed, a task that will take at least three more weeks, an official said yesterday.

Export revenue exceeds imports for the first time in SL

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has briefed the cabinet on Wednesday on the success of the economic fundamentals adopted to face the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and said Sri Lanka’s exports revenue had overtaken the imports revenue for the first time since the open economy was introduced in 1977, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday.

10 families in Nattandiya sent to self-quarantine

At least 45 people of 10 families from Nattandiya, who have maintained links with the woman who was tested positive for COVID-19 today, have been sent to self-quarantine, Puttalam Regional Director of Health Services Dr. Dinusha Fernando said.

Sajith should have waited patiently till 2025: Ruwan

Former State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene after paying homage at the historical Dalada Maligawa followed by a courtesy call on the Mahanayake Theras today spoke to the media and said, ’’Sajith Premadasa should not have rushed in. He should have waited patiently until the 2025 Presidential elections.’’

We proposed slashing of electricity bills months ago: Ravi

The government’s decision to reduce electricity tariffs during the months of March, April and May is a welcome move, but this is something we proposed a few months ago, UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake said today.

Eight counsellors on leave recalled

Steps have already been taken to bring back eight counsellors attached to the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre – East in Kandakadu who were on leave, after a fellow counsellor tested positive for Covid-19 at the Marawila Hospital today.

Sri Lanka to host Asia Cup in 2021

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Thursday officially announced the postponement of the much-talked-about Asia Cup 2020 while the rescheduled Asia Cup expected to be held in Sri Lanka in June 2021.

COVID-19 Fund balance surpasses Rs.1,456mn

The balance of ‘ITUKAMA’ COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund has surpassed Rs.1,456 million following corporate, individual donations and direct deposits, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

57 from Kandakadu test positive for COVID-19

At least 56 people of the 450 inmates and staff members at the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre – East in Kandakadu, tested positive for COVID-19 today, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Election stickers can only be displayed on candidate vehicles: EC

Display of slogans, signs, stickers with photographs, flags promoting a candidate on vehicles is prohibited except on vehicles in which the contestant candidate travels, the National Election Commission said.

SL to purchase 4 helicopters for training

The Cabinet has given the green light to the Sri Lanka Air Force to purchase four helicopters to train helicopter pilots for peace keeping duties overseas, Cabinet Spokesman Ramesh Pathirana said today.

Govt. to sign agreement with Afghanistan to exchange convicted persons

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to sign an agreement between Sri Lanka and the lslamic Republic of Afghanistan to facilitate the exchange of convicted persons except for those convicted of terrorism and drug trafficking.

Cabinet nod to destroy confiscated Beedi Leaves

Taking into consideration the adverse impact on the health of those who consume the Beedi leaves, the Cabinet of Ministers today decided to destroy stocks of Beedi Leaves that are confiscated in future.

SL urges United Nation to be impartial

Sri Lanka has emphasized the United Nations as the largest global body committed to ensure the rights of every human being, to remain impartial while fully respecting the principle of sovereign equality in its all interactions with member states.