Construction of Colombo Light Rail (CLR) to start in 2020

The construction of the Colombo Light Rail (CLR) Project is expected to commence in 2020, after the completion of detail design and tender process, the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry said.

CID to question Pujith over lift incident

Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today permitted the CID to record a statement from IGP Pujith Jayasundare who has been remanded in connection with the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, over a complaint lodged by the lift operator of the Police headquarters.

Avant Garde Case - Acting IGP directs CID to arrest 8 suspects

Acting IGP C.D. Wickramaratne had directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to take necessary action against Avant-Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi and 7 others on the directions of the Attorney General, Police said today.

Shooting in Akmeemana: Army soldier detained

The Army soldier who was arrested over the shooting incident in Akmeemana yesterday, had been handed over to the Army’s 581 Brigade Command Headquarters, Boossa today, Police said.

CBSL extends suspension on PTL

The Central Bank Monetary Board has extended the suspension imposed on Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the businesses and activities of a primary dealer for a further period of six months today with effect from 4.30 p.m. on July 5, 2019, so as to continue the investigations being conducted by the CBSL.

Revolver taken away form cop found

The revolver of one on duty traffic policemen which was taken away by an individual while two other policemen had tried to take an unlicensed motorcycle to the Police Station in Puttur yesterday in Batticaloa, had been found today, police said.

No decision yet on UNP’s presidential candidate: Kabir Hashim​

The United National Party (UNP) has still not decided on its candidate for the presidency, Party Chairman Kabir Hashim said today.

Vaiko sentenced to one-year jail for pro-LTTE speech

A special court in Chennai on Friday sentenced MDMK general secretary Vaiko to one-year in jail and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 for his 2009 speech in support of the banned LTTE.

Avant Garde Case - AG tells IGP to take action against 8 suspects

The Attorney General has instructed the acting IGP to produce Nissanka Senadipathi and seven others before a relevant Court in connection with the offences they had allegedly committed under the Fire Arms Ordnance, the Explosives Act and the Penal Code in the Avant Garde Maritime Services’ floating armory case.

SC issues stay order on death sentence

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order staying the implementation of death sentence for convicted drug offenders until October 30.

Easter Sunday bombings: Brit to return to hotel where siblings died to pay respects

British national, David Linsey whose siblings died in Sri Lanka will return to the hotel where his siblings Daniel and Amelie were killed in the Easter Sunday terror attacks, foreign media reported.

Atha Kota gets 24 years RI in another case

Former Deraniyagala Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Champika Wijesinghe alias Atha Kota, who was sentenced to death after he was found guilty of murdering Noori Estate Superintendent, was sentenced to 24-years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of soliciting a bribe of Rs.500,000.

No convict will be executed until court order: Prisons Chief

The Prisons Commissioner General today assured the Appeal Court that no convict would be executed until July 17, the date on which it would deliver its order on the preliminary objections on the maintainability of the writ petition challenging the implementation of the death sentence, interim relief and issuance of notice.

Pope appoints Sri Lankan as Secretary of Vatican’s inter-religious dialogue body

Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID). Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, currently the under-secretary of the Council, is a member of the clergy of the Diocese of Badulla, Sri Lanka.

Issuing IDs under One Day Service temporarily halted

The Department for Registration of Persons today said the issuance of National Identity Cards (NIC) under the one day service (ODS) had been temporarily halted until Monday (8) following malfunction of the computer system.

America not allowed to enter country or establish camps here: Ruwan

State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday that American forces will not be allowed to enter the country nor will they be permitted to establish camps here.

Gazette will be revoked if no further strikes: Arjuna

The Gazette notification which was issued declaring the railways as an essential service would be revoked if the trade unions agree not to launch any strike action within the next two weeks, Transport Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said yesterday.

Gammanpila files petition challenging State Land Bill

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the State Land (Special Provisions) Bill, stating the motive behind the draft Bill is to allocate lands for a special US economic corridor to be set up in the country.

Saudi Govt. says it helps projects to uplift quality of people’s life

While denying reports that Saudi Arabia was providing loans for Muslims through some local banks at the interest rate of one percent, the Saudi Embassy asserted that the soft loans had been provided by the Kingdom for the development projects in Sri Lanka, and they were intended to be contributions to provide a quality of life for ‘the friendly people of Sri Lanka’.

9,410 suspects nabbed during National Drug Prevention Week: Police

At least 9,410 suspects were nabbed in connection with toxic narcotic offences during a special countrywide operation carried out from June 9 to July 2 to coincide with the National Drug Prevention Week, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Moves to get President’s term extended unethical: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today said the decision taken by President Maithripala Sirisena to seek Court opinion to ‘get his term extended’ was unethical since he pledged not to contest for a second term.

Govt. will establish education system to meet 21st century needs: PM

The government will establish an education system catering to 21st century needs and capable of creating a new generation, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Madush masterminded 4 major criminal acts from Dubai: CID

It has emerged that notorious underworld drug kingpin Makandure Madush had orchestrated four major criminal offences from Dubai, which include the prison bus attack in which ’Samayan’ was killed, the shooting incident of narcotic officers in Piliyandala, the Kos Malli murder and the five-billion-rupee worth diamond robbery.

NTJ member arrested while trying to leave the country

Sein Anzar Mohamed Rinaz, a member of the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) has been arrested by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) when he attempted to leave the country, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

’Silence’ hackers hit banks in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan

A group of hackers specialised in attacking banks has breached four targets in Asia, respectively in Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Kyrgyzstan, the Group-IB software company has told the ZDNet business technology news website.

Largest ever stock of methamphetamine pills detected at CME

A 52-year-old building contractor from Mount Lavinia was today arrested by Customs officers when he arrived at the Colombo Central Mail Exchange (CME) to collect methamphetamine pills worth Rs. 27 million.

AG files indictments over Welikada Prison riot case

The Attorney General has filed indictments before the Trial-at-Bar in the Colombo High Court over the alleged Welikada Prison riot case and the court had issued notices subsequently on the accused to appear before the court on July 18, 2019.

AG files indictments over elephant trafficking case

The Attorney General has filed indictments before the trial-at-bar in the Colombo High Court over the elephant trafficking case in which S.N. Roshan alias Ali Roshan and seven others were named as accused over the alleged illegal possession of five elephants during the 2012-2015 period without a valid license.

New alliance will be Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Peramuna

UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said the UPFA has to reach an agreement with the SLPP on the symbol of the alliance which will be called the Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Peramuna (SLNPP) and added the central committees of the SLFP and the UPFA had decided unanimously that President Maithripala Sirisena would be their presidential candidate.

Railway strike called off

The strike launched by railway trade unions was called off after a discussion with Transport Minister Arjuna Ranatunge a short while ago.