’’IDB supplied Brass, Copper to suicide bomber’s company’’

Industrial Development Board (IDB) supplied Brass and Copper to ’Colossus’, a company owned by Easter Sunday suicide bomber Insaf Ahmad Ibrahim during the period between 2017 and 2019, although the company had failed to operate within the given criteria, Sarath Udayasiri, Marketing Director of IDB informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks today.

Get ready for a second wave: Ranil

Sri Lanka should be prepared to face a possible second wave of COVID-19 pandemic without delay, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Man arrested with ‘ice’ in Jaffna

An individual was arrested by the STF personnel with nearly two kilos of ice or methamphetamine at Point Pedro in Jaffna this morning, Police said.

Colombo-Badulla night mail train cancelled due to train derailments

Colombo-Badulla bound night mail train was cancelled today due to two train derailments reported along the mainline, the Railways Control Room said.

Defence Secretary assures to complete reconstruction work of St. Anthony’s Shrine soon

Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, who visited the St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, yesterday (July 1), has taken swift measures to strengthen security and also assured to complete the balance reconstruction work of the Shrine, which was badly damaged due to the Easter Sunday bomb attack, soon.

AG approves quarantine health regulations for general election

Attorney General Dappula de Livera has approved quarantine health regulations forwarded by Health Ministry to be used at the August 5 General Election, Coordinating Secretary to the AG State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said.

This is an opportunity for SL to re-orient foreign employment: Foreign Sec.

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha said the current situation provide an opportunity for Sri Lanka to re-orient foreign employment in a post-Covid-19 world, sensitive to the ground realities in both Sri Lanka and the migrant labour receiving countries.

Epidemiologist cautions of swine flu spreading in China

It was advised to be alert on a new type of swine flu spreading in China, which has the potentiality to develop into a future pandemic, Chief Epidemiologist of the Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

Grade 1, 2, preschools to reopen on August 10

Grade one, two and all pre-schools would be re-opened on August 10 following the recommendations made by Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the Education Ministry said today

Easter attack: Request to produce Hijaaz Hizbullah in court rejected

Colombo Fort Magistrate today rejected the request made by Counsels appearing for Attorney-at-Law Hijaaz Hizbullah, who is currently under detention, to be produced in Courts.

Woman arrested with hand grenades, body armours in Pitipana

A woman was arrested with seven hand grenades, two body armours, a shotgun and several rounds of ammunition from a house in Homagama.

We must stand together and embrace our diversity as strength: Canadian High Commissioner

In commemoration of the Canada Day, Canada to Sri Lanka and the Maldives High Commissioner David McKinnon today said that in difficult times, we must stand together and embrace our diversity as strength.

Restrooms for drivers, conductors

Luxury restrooms with a capacity to accommodate a total of 25 long-distance bus drivers and conductors were declared opened today by Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera at the premises of the Pettah Private Bus Station.

Sanga summoned over match-fixing allegation

Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara had been summoned by the Special Investigation Division of the Ministry of Sports to record a statement over the 2011 ICC World Cup Final match-fixing allegations, SSP W. A. J. H. Fonseka said.

Former Pensions Dept. Chief files petition seeking Pensioners’ Rights

At least 95 pensioners, including a former Director General of the Department of Pensions today filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal challenging Government’s decision to suspend the increments for pensioners from January this year.

Ensure democratic space remains open in SL: UK’s Int’l Ambassador for Human Rights

UK’s International Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French called on Sri Lanka to ensure that the country’s democratic space remains open and accountable.

Tharanga also gives statement over match-fixing

The Police Special Investigation Division of the Ministry of Sports today recorded a statement from cricketer Upul Tharanga over the 2011 ICC World Cup Final match-fixing allegation.

Theatres to be re-opened from July 15

With the recommendation of the Health Ministry, theatres for stage plays and other concerts could be re-open from July 15, the Government Information Department said.

Dismayed by reports of Muslims being targeted by stigma; says UN HR Chief

The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said she was dismayed by the reports of Muslims being targeted by stigma and hate speech associating them with COVID-19 in India and Sri Lanka.

This madness has to stop: Harin

Former Sports Minister Harin Fernando has criticized the authorities for questioning cricketers based on an ‘unreliable’ statement.

Nearly 50,000 suspects arrested in Island-wide raids for various crimes

A total of 46,637 suspects have been arrested for various crimes including for the possession of narcotics, firearms and explosives by the police during island-wide raids conducted from June 6 to 30 midnight, police said.

European Commission says list of selected countries to be revised every two weeks

The European Commission in Brussels yesterday said that an initial list of countries which were selected to enter the EU countries when their borders re-open on July 1 were based on a list of criteria which includes the epidemiological situation of the country and this list will be reviewed every 2 weeks.

Three accomplices of gangster ‘Gagana’ arrested

An army deserter and two accomplices of underworld gangster ’Gagana’ who is currently in remand custody, have been arrested during raids at Arawwala in Maharagama yesterday, the STF said.

Lankans arrived during pandemic to get chance to buy duty-free goods: Airports Authority

Sri Lankan passengers, who were unable to purchase duty-free goods on their arrival during the COVID-19 pandemic, would be provided with an opportunity to purchase them in future, Airports Authority Chairman Retired Major General G.A. Chandrasiri said.

Veteran children’s book writer Sybil Wettasinghe passes away

Veteran children’s book writer and illustrator Kala Keerthi Sybil Wettasinghe passed away at the age of 93 while receiving treatments at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital this morning, hospital sources said.

British super model Kiran Rai talks bringing Bollywood to SL

British super model and fashion journalist Kiran Rai who has presented at 106 major events and been featured in 980 newspapers and 100 magazines who mingles with royals, top athletes, Bollywood stars, and Hollywood stars has partnered up with UK tech investor Ralph Pereira about bringing top talent around the world to Sri Lanka.

EC directs to seize over five vehicles kept by former ministers

The Elections Commission has directed relevant authorities to seize over five vehicles used by former minister in election campaign in violation of election laws.

If elected - Sajith promises a Rs.20,000 handout to all

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) prime ministerial candidate Sajith Preamdasa pledged to distribute a Rs.20,000 handout to all Sri Lankans if elected to office on August 5, 2020.

New office hours from Aug.

The government has decided to change the working hours of the public and private sector employees based on convenience, traffic congestion and productivity, Power, Energy and Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday.

Ranil likely to give statement to CID tomorrow

Former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to report to the CID tomorrow to record his statement on the Central Bank bond scam, sources close to Mr. Wickremesinghe said yesterday.