Six killed, 52 injured in Kalutara bus collision

Six passengers including three women were killed and 52 others were injured when two buses collided head-on at Waskaduwa in Kalutara this morning, police said.

Texas mass shooting leaves 20 people dead

Twenty people have been killed and 26 injured in a mass shooting in the Texas city of El Paso.

US embassy reminds its citizens of travel warning in view of holidays in SL

The US Embassy in Colombo issuing a fresh security alert on Friday, has reminded American citizens in Sri Lanka of the Level-2 travel advisory that was issued after the Easter Sunday attacks, in view of the upcoming holidays in Sri Lanka.

Two members of banned JMI arrested

Eastern Province military wing leader of the banned Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Nauzad Umar, and a 25-year-old student of the Oluvil Campus who allegedly promoted JMI propaganda at the campus were arrested today, police said.

Prisons Training School Chief Jailor shot dead

The Chief Jailor of the Welikada Prisons Training School was killed when he was shot at in Ambalangoda this evening, police said.

Maldives arrests ex-vice president after India denies entry

Maldives police on Saturday said they had arrested former vice-president Ahmed Adeeb and were bringing him to the capital Male after he was refused entry to India, Times of India reported today.

Single ticket system to be implemented for trains and buses

Plans have been made to introduce a single ticket system where passengers could travel to Matara from Colombo via both by train and bus through the Kottawa-Makumbura Multi-Modal Transport Hub, Railways General Manager Dilantha Fernando said.

Central Province Governor resigns

Central Province Governor Maithri Gunaratne has tendered his resignation to the Presidential Secretariat today.

Sri Lanka carves out a niche in some sectors: Indian HC

Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu has said, if SriLankan Airlines is the largest foreign carrier to India; if the 80 % of business of Colombo Port comes from India-related transhipment cargo; if Indians are the largest source market for Sri Lankan tourism; it is not because India and Sri Lanka are neighbours but because Sri Lanka has carved out a niche for itself in certain sectors.

Sri Lanka and Russia strengthen naval cooperation

Sri Lankan and Russia explored the possibility of enhancing naval cooperation, a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said yesterday.

Formation of NDF - UNP’s supremacy won’t be diluted: Kiriella

Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday the supremacy of the United National Party (UNP) would not in any way be compromised when forming the National Democratic Front (NDF) in view of the forthcoming elections.

Govt. to recruit 8,500 GCE OL, AL-qualified youths

The government is to recruit 8,500 GCE O/L and A/L qualified youths next week as project assistants to accelerate rural development work, a senior source at the Prime Minister’s Office said yesterday.

10-year plan vital to stabilise economy: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday stressed the need for Sri Lanka to have a ten-year development plan to stabilise the economy and that it was time for the people to decide whether they want such a plan without which this country would not prosper.

Land distribution - Govt. must obtain PCs’ support: NCP Governor

North Central Province Governor Sarath Ekanayake said yesterday the government should obtain the support of Provincial Councils when implementing the land distribution programme.

SLC asks Minister for extension on coaching directive

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has requested Sports Minister Harin Fernando for an extension till the upcoming New Zealand series to carry out the directives issued by him regarding the change of coaching staff of the national team.

Six Indians arrested with gold worth Rs.17 million

Six Indians were arrested by the CID officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake today while they were allegedly attempting to smuggle out gold worth Rs.17 million out of the country, police said.

Indonesia earthquake: No threat to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has no threat from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra this evening, the National Tsunami Early Warning Centre said.

Price of imported milk powder goes up

The price of imported milk powder has been increased by Rs. 15 per kilogram and Rs. 5 per 400g packet from midnight yesterday (01), the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.

NPC cancels its transfer order

The National Police Commission (NPC) has cancelled its earlier approved transfer of Kurunegala DIG Kithsiri Jayalath to the Trincomalee Division.

SLPP vows to strengthen independent commissions

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today it would take the necessary legal steps to strengthen the sovereignty of the independent commissions which have become dormant under the present government.

Bombs rattle Bangkok during ASEAN summit, wounding four

Several small bombs exploded across Bangkok on Friday, rattling the Thai capital as it hosted a regional summit attended by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and leaving four people wounded but not disrupting the diplomatic event.

HC issues arrest warrants on Senadipathi and Palitha

The Colombo High Court today issued arrest warrants on Nissanka Senadipathi and Palitha Fernando as they had not appeared in court to face charges of giving and accepting a bribe of Rs.35.5 million in connection with the floating armoury belonging to Avant-Garde Maritime Services.

NPC approves transfer of Kurunegala DIG

The National Police Commission (NPC) today approved the transfer of Kurunegala DIG Kithsiri Jayalath to the Trincomalee Division.

HRW says no progress in prosecuting culprits

Sri Lankan authorities have failed to bring to justice those responsible for the killing of 17 aid workers 13 years ago, the Human Right Watch (HRW) said yesterday.

H'tota Mayor Eraj sentenced to 5-year imprisonment

Hambantota Mayor Eraj Fernando was sentenced to five-year imprisonment by the Hambantota High Court today for threatening a group of UNP MPs.

Ali Roshan, seven others released on bail

S.N. Roshan, alias Ali Roshan, and seven others, who were remanded over the illegal possession of five elephants during 2012-2015 without a valid license, were released on bail today.

One injured in shooting incident at Maradana

One man injured in a shooting incident which took place following a heated argument between two men at a house at Maligakanda Road in Maradana last night, police said.

Nalaka Silva’s arrest stalls TID’s probe on extremists - SP Nishantha

TID Acting Director SP Jagath Nishantha said yesterday investigations which were being carried out by the TID into the extremist elements were stalled after the arrest of former TID Director Nalaka Silva in 2018.

DSGs denounce NTJ ban allegations

Two deputy solicitors general who testified before the Parliamentary Select Committee probing the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on behalf of the Attorney General’s (AG) Department, yesterday denounced the allegations made against their institution with regard to the delay in taking action to ban National Thowheed Jama’ath (NTJ) led by Zahran and thereby faulted IGP Pujith Jayasundara and Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) and several others.

UNP Working Committee gives green-light for broad alliance

The United National Party (UNP) hierarchy is reported to have obtained the approval of the working committee to proceed with the formation of a new alliance with the like-minded political parties subject to changes to its constitution proposed by some members.