Prez instructs armed forces to maintain security

President Maithripala Sirisena, who discontinued the state of emergency, has issued a separate regulation under the same law to summon the armed forces for active service if and when necessary in all the administrative districts of the country.

Five students ordered to pay Rs.600,000 as compensation

Following an agreement reached by both parties to the case, Galle Additional Magistrate Sanjeewani Pathirana yesterday ordered five students of the Advanced Technological Institute at Labuduwa in Galle to pay Rs.600,000 as compensation to a female student of the same institute who was ragged and harassed by them.

My presidential candidacy is confirmed-Sajith

UNP Deputy Leader and Minister Sajith Premadasa yesterday claimed that his presidential candidacy is confirmed. “Do not have doubts about my candidacy as I will definitely contest the presidential elections in December this year,” Mr. Premadasa told a rally in Matara yesterday adding that it will signify a turning point in Sri Lankan politics.

Sajith will be nominated with Ranil’s blessings-Mangala

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa will be officially named as party’s presidential candidate with the blessings of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in a week’s time, Minister Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday. Speaking during a public rally in Matara Mr. Samaraweera said Mr Premadasa will be introduced to the people at a massive rally in Galle Face green soon.

Three-wheeler Federation decides to operate without meters

Due to the monthly increase in petrol prices, the Lanka Self-Employed Professionals’ National Three-Wheeler Federation had decided to operate their three-wheelers without the fare meters.

Maize and animal feed - Plans to import 50,000 tonnes: Dinesh

Joint opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardane said yesterday the government had planned to import 50,000 metric tonnes of maize and animal feed by violating all tender procedures.

All in SL enjoy religious freedom unlike some Asian countries: UN Expert

The visiting UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ahmed Shaheed, when he called on Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa at the latter’s Chamber at the Parliamentary Complex in Battaramulla, has said that all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka enjoyed freedom of religion in comparison to some other countries in Asia.

JO express concern over unreasonable delay in filing cases

The opposition yesterday raised concerns over not releasing former Eastern Province Chief Minister, Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias ’Pillayan’.

Probe against N’Eliya police

The Police Headquarters has launched an investigation into the allegations levelled against the Nuwara Eliya Police Station, that it had not carried out a proper probe into Zaharan’s training centre at Nuwara Eliya, despite complaints made against the training centre, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Refrain from submitting inconclusive reports: AG informs IGP

Attorney General Dappula de Livera today informed the Acting IGP to refrain from submitting inconclusive reports on five high-profile cases including the murders of Wazim Thajudeen and Lasantha Wickramatunga.

State of Emergency won’t be extended: Def. Sec.

Defence Secretary Shantha Kottegoda today said that the State of Emergency will not be extended further.

Fire in ’Ella Rock’ hill reserve completely doused

The fire that had broken out in the ’Ella Rock’ hill reserve belonging to the Rawana Ella Forest Reserve, had been completely extinguished by the Sri Lanka Army and Air Force personnel this evening, Ella Divisional Secretary Ms. K.A.J. Priyangika said.

Maj. Gen. Sathyapriya appointed Army’s Chief of Staff

Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from today, the Army said.

Opinion on PC polls: SC concludes hearing of President’s request

The Supreme Court a short while ago concluded the hearing on President’s request which sought SC opinion on holding the provincial council elections.

Coimbatore on alert after intel about terrorist intrusion from SL

High alert was issued in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India late on Thursday following an intelligence input that six LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) terrorists had intruded into Tamil Nadu via Sri Lanka and had settled in Coimbatore, the Hindu reported.

Two resigned state ministers sworn-in

State Ministers Mohamed Cassim Mohamed Faizal and Ali Zahir Moulana Seyed, who resigned from their posts in June, were sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago.

Army Intelligence officer arrested

Army Intelligence Staff Sergeant Chamika Sumith Kumara was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today over the Keith Noyahr abduction case.

Kanjipani Imran sentenced to six years in prison

Leading drug dealer Kanjipani Imran was sentenced to six years imprisonment by the Colombo High Court today after he was found guilty of possessing and trafficking 5.3kgs of cannabis.

Central Bank reduces two policy rates

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on Thursday, had decided to reduce two of its policy rates.

24 injured in bus-van collision

Twenty four people including 22 passengers and the two drivers of a bus and a van were injured when the two vehicles collided head-on the Dambulla Habarana main road in Sigiriya this morning, police said.

April 21: Catholic MPs demand fresh probe

In a letter addressed to President Maithripala Sirisena, six Catholic MPs representing the opposition had requested a fresh probe on the dastardly Easter Sunday bombings.

Rs.160mn for 85 Hakeem coordinators at NWSDB: COPE

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) revealed yesterday that a staggering Rs.160 million had been paid as salaries to 85 employees of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) who were recruited as ministerial coordinating officers of Subject Minister Rauff Hakeem since 2015.

PM unhappy over delays in finalising NDF constitution

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed displeasure over the delays in finalising the constitution of the proposed National Democratic Front (NDF) and has asked United National Front (UNF) leaders to finalise it as soon as possible, informed sources said.

UNP leadership given time till Monday to call for WC meeting

The group of UNP MPs backing the presidential candidacy of Minister Sajith Premadasa has given the party leadership time till next Monday, to call for a meeting of the Working Committee (WC) to take a final decision on the party candidate, a minister said.

Term of CDS Wijegunaratne, extended

The term of Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been extended till December 31, 2019, by President Maithripala Sirisena with effect from today.

Split within UNP inevitable: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today claimed it is inevitable that the United National Party (UNP) will be split irrespective of who becomes the party’s nominee at the upcoming presidential election.

UPFA to talk with Gota: Mahinda Amaraweera

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) will hold talks with Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa in connection with the upcoming presidential election, it’s General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

‘We are running out of patience’: Champika Ranawaka

In an obvious reference to the current political crisis involving the United National Party (UNP) over the presidential candidacy, its ally Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today that it was fast running out of patience.

Gota reiterates he renounced US citizenship

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa today reiterated that he renounced his US citizenship on April 17, informed the Immigration and Emigration Department about the renunciation and obtained a new passport mentioning that he is a citizen of Sri Lanka.

Sports Act to be amended to block gambling links

Sports Minister Harin Fernando today signed a gazette notification to amend the Sports Act preventing anyone whose family members are involved in betting or gambling from holding office in sports administration tasks.