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.

Akmeemana shooting: Soldier arrested

A 39-year-old father of three was allegedly shot dead by a soldier who was on duty at a school in Akmeemana when the man allegedly attempted to forcibly enter the school.

Policeman’s revolver taken away in Batticaloa

The revolver of one on duty traffic policemen had been taken away by an individual while two other policemen had tried to take an unlicensed motorcycle to the Police Station in Puttur, Batticaloa, said Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara.

Tried to enter school forcibly: Shot dead

A 39-year-old person who had attempted to forcibly enter a school in Akmeemana had been shot dead by a soldier on duty a while ago. The suspect succumbed to the injuries on admittance to the hospital.

FCID records statement from Hizbullah

Former Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah recorded his statement at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) in connection with the funding of the Batticaloa University.

Wimal tells US envoy: Divulge SOFA contents negotiated with SL

Disclose the agreements, drafts and documents negotiated with the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry in connection with SOFA (status of forces agreement), MP Wimal Weerawansa told the US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz yesterday.

Lonely Planet rating a great encouragement - PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that Sri Lanka still being named as a favourable destination to visit by the Lonely Planet magazine is a great encouragement for the country’s tourism industry.

Railway strike continues: Unions

None of the trains in and out from the Fort Railway Station operated this morning due to the strike action launched from last night, Sri Lanka Freedom Railway Workers Association (SLFRWA) Secretary Nadeera Manoj said.

Decrease in fatal accidents in first 6 months of 2019: Police

There was a decrease in the number of fatal accidents reported during the first 6 months of 2019 when compared to the first six months of last year, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Implementing death penalty: Prison Dept. not officially informed

Neither the Presidential Secretariat nor the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms, has informed the Prisons Department with regard to implementing the death penalty as declared by President Maithripala Sirisena, a senior prison official told Daily Mirror.

Dy. Speaker to make statement on Fmr. IGP, Defence Secy. arrest

Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri today said he will make a statement on the arrest of IGP Pujith Jayasundara and Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando who are witnesses of Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks.

Ready to fulfil pledges made to the people-Gota tells MPs

Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has told a group of MPs who visited him at a Singapore hospital yesterday that he is ready to fulfil the pledges given to the people and promised to dedicate his time and energy to make sure that this was done after he arrives in the country.

UNP to launch ’Sajith as Presidential candidate’ programme - Hector

Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s statement that Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa will be the UNP’s candidate at the presidential election is a programme which the party is planning to launch in the future, Puttalam District MP Hector Appuharmy said yesterday.

Singapore Foreign Minister visits Gota

Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is under medical care in his country, a source said.

SC fixes for support on July 5

The Supreme Court today fixed for Friday (5) to support granting Leave to Proceed with the fundamental rights petition impugning the decisions for revival of execution complaining that it is shrouded with in secrecy, with utter lack of transparency and accountability, and are arbitrary and violative of the Constitution.

UNP leaders must agree to make Premadasa as next President: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera today said all UNP leaders, including Ranil Wickremesinghe and Karu Jayasuriya should come together and agree to make Sajith Premadasa the next President of Sri Lanka.

Social media down across the world

Facebook has stopped working properly, at the same time as WhatsApp and users in Europe, the US, South America and Japan were particularly affected, with thousands of users across the globe running into problems, international media reported.

Special probe on Bandaragama incident

The Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU) had launched an investigation into an incident at Bandaragama where the police have failed to take action over a complaint lodged by a 38-year-old Abdul Haifa Fathima Hazan.

Killing five people including two undergrads: Accused acquitted

Twelve STF personnel and one police officer who were charged for killing five people including two university students at the Gandhi Roundabout in Trincomalee on January 2, 2006 were acquitted from all charges today after lengthy hearing by Trincomalee Chief Magistrate M.M. Mohammed Hamza.

Two special Trial-at-Bar to hear Welikada Prison riot, Ali Roshan cases

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya today appointed two special Trial-At-Bar to hear the two cases of Welikada Prison riots in which 27 inmates had been killed and the case of elephant trafficker Ali Roshan.

SL still tops Lonely Planet’s best destinations for 2019

Even after the unfortunate Easter Sunday attacks which were followed by a large number of cancellations of bookings made by tourists, Sri Lanka still topped the Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel for 2019, the latest article published in the travel guide’s website said.

OCPD quizzes Hizbullah

The Organised Crimes Prevention Division (OCPD) today recorded over three-hour long statement from former Governor of Eastern Province M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, police said.

Rahul Gandhi quits as India opposition leader

Rahul Gandhi resigns as leader of India’s main opposition Congress party, ending weeks of speculation, the BBC reported.

Hemasiri, Pujith further remanded

Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were ordered to be further remanded till July 9 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate after considering the evidence presented during the magisterial inquiry against the IGP and Defense Secretary who were charged with criminal negligence, murder and failure to prevent or at least minimise the damage caused during the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

Train strike from midnight today

All railways trade unions have decided to launch a strike from midnight today over the Transport Ministry’s failure to sign a letter suspending a shunting driver who was caught under the influence of liquor while on duty, one trade union said.

Month-long operation to arrest drunk drivers from July 5

A month-long special operation would be launched from July 5 to arrest drunk drivers, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Another contingent of SL Army leaves for UN missions

A new contingent of 61 Army personnel, including 11officers under phase six of the UN Mission of South Sudan (UNMISS), left this morning (3) for South Sudan to serve in the SRIMED Level 2 Hospital in Bor, South Sudan, the Army said.