7 Pakistani drug traffickers including a woman get life imprisonment

Seven Pakistani suspects including a woman who were found guilty of possessing, trafficking and importing heroin were sentenced for life imprisonment by the Negombo Magistrate on August 28, police said.

Manoj Sirisena fills Matara district vacancy

Southern Provincial Councillor Manoj Sirisena was appointed to the parliamentary seat that fell vacant following the demise of former Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera.

Akuressa shooting: Suspects remanded

The six suspects including two soldiers, who were arrested in connection with the shooting at two policemen in Akuressa last week and stealing of two T-56 rifles from Panadura Police Station, were remanded till September 25 by Matara Acting Magistrate last evening, police said.

Light Rail set to be SL’s first women-friendly public transport system

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide technical assistance to strengthen the Gender Action Plan (GAP) for Colombo Light Rail (CLR), towards making it the first woman-friendly public transport system in Sri Lanka.

Cops looking for SL woman who slashed husband’s private parts, neck

A woman took a knife to her husband’s neck and private parts while he was sleeping in their rented home in Meru, Malaysia yesterday morning.

I have majority support: PM tells loyalists

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told a group of loyalists on Wednesday that he commanded majority support of the party’s Working Committee.

This Govt. has spent most on education: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday he was willing to have a public debate with anyone in the opposition who disputed the present government’s spending on education.

Had Prez not intervened, SLRC could’ve collapsed: Inoka

Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chairman Inoka Sathyangani Keerthinanda yesterday said had President Maithripala Sirisena not taken the SLRC under the Defence Ministry’s purview, its administration could have collapsed.

No provision in UNP constitution to assume party leadership

There is no provision in the UNP Constitution to enable anyone running for presidency to take over party leadership if he emerges victorious at the presidential poll, a minister who is a senior party member said yesterday.

Asgiri Mahanayaka Thero writes to IGP to investigate

Asgiriya Chapter Mahanayake Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana in a letter sent to the Acting IGP had pointed out that the inhuman assault and the punishment on two novice monks in a temple in Horowpothana was tragic and it had set a bad example for other laymen.

Will contest presidential poll if I can win: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today as the UNP leader who had protected the party during trying times, he would contest the upcoming presidential elections if he could win and if otherwise, he would opt-out.

UNF to name Prez candidate next week

The UNF will announce its presidential candidate next week, Public Administration and Management Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.

Two killed in van-train collision

A woman and her son were killed when a van collided with a train at a railway crossing at Kandegoda in Ambalangoda this evening, police said.

Some high-ups in Govt. blocking laws: Wijeyadasa

Some powerful persons in the government were preventing laws being enacted to take legal action against those who had failed to submit their asset declarations, MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today.

Rains to continue while 770,787 persons affected by drought

The prevailing stormy conditions over the island are expected to continue during next few days while at the other extreme, 770,787 persons from 226,828 families have been affected due to the prevailing drought experienced in 18 districts in the country.

AG unhappy with delay in sending progress report

Attorney General Dappula de Livera has raised concerns regarding the failure on the part of the CID to brief him on the progress on investigations into the Keith Noyahr abduction case.

Kanjipani’s father, brother arrested

Six persons including the father and a brother of drug kingpin Mohamed Imran alias Kanjipani Imran were arrested for attempting to give two mobile phones and two chargers to Kanjipani Imran who is at the Boossa Prison.

Bread at previous price from tonight: AIBOA

The All Island Bakery Owners’ Association (AIBOA) said today they had revised the price of a loaf of bread from tonight on the basis that the wheat flour producers were once again issuing wheat flour at the previous prices.

Avant Garde Case: CA directs Magistrate’s Court to release Gota, 7 others

Allowing the revision application filed against the orders made by the Magistrate’s Court and the High Court over the maintainability of the Avant Garde floating armoury case, the Court of Appeal today set aside both the orders and directed the Magistrate’s Court to discharge the eight accused including Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the corruption case filed by the Bribery Commission (BC).

Extradition request of Mahendran forwarded to S’pore

The Foreign Ministry forwarded the extradition request of former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to the Sri Lanka High Commission of Singapore for onward transmission to the Singapore Foreign Ministry, Attorney General’s Co-Ordinating officer, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said.

Fire in Kekirawa Magistrate's Court record room

A fire broke out in the record room of the Kekirawa Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, police said.

Water supply to several areas in Gampaha interrupted

Water supply would be interrupted in Ragama, Ja Ela, Ekala, Kandana and Katunayake till 1.00.p.m today due to a sudden breakdown in the main pipeline, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said.

Avant Garde case: CA allows Gota’s Revision Application

The Court of Appeal delivering a ruling today set aside the Magistrate’s Court order in the Avant Garde case following a Revision Application filed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

SriLankan flights ban MacBook Pro laptops

National carrier SriLankan Airlines has joined the growing number of international airlines to ban all fire-prone Apple MacBook Pro laptops from cargo and carry-on luggage, the airline announced today.

PM asks Sajith to present his winning formula

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have asked Housing, Construction and Culture Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa to present his political formula for winning the presidential elections.

Will continue discussion until ‘right man’ chosen: Madduma Bandara

The Tuesday night meeting between UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa focused on which one of them could poll the most number of votes at the upcoming presidential election, Parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.

AG files indictment in Rathupaswala shooting case

Attorney General Dappula de Livera PC has filed indictment in the Rathupaswala shooting case, before the Trial-at-Bar at the Gampaha High Court, Attorney General’s Coordinating Officer of Nishara Jayaratne said.

Symbol irrelevant, focus on candidate: Susil to Dayasiri

MP Susil Premajayantha yesterday invited SLFP Secretary and MP Dayasiri Jayasekara not to hang onto the symbol of the SLPP if the latter’s candidate and the principles are compatible with the SLFP.

External influence on internal decisions unacceptable: SL tells UNHRC

Responding to the concerns raised by several countries and foreign organisations over the appointment of Army Commander Shavendra Silva, Sri Lanka told the 42nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council that external influence on internal decisions is unacceptable.

SLC seeks govt. to conduct ‘Reassessment’ of security situ in Pakistan

Sri Lanka Cricket today sought the assistance of the Sri Lankan Government to conduct a ‘Reassessment’ of the security situation in Pakistan ahead of the National Team’s planned tour to Pakistan.