Defence authorities warned about NTJ in 2012: Rizwi

All Ceylon Jammiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) head Mufthi Mohammed Rizwi who testified before the select committee looking into the Easter Sunday attacks yesterday said he had warned the defence authorities on the National Thawheed Jama’ath(NTJ) in November 2012.

Let’s live as brothers - Asgiriya prelate to Muslim leaders

Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya chapter Most Ven. Dr Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera yesterday stressed the need for the various communities of this country to live peacefully as brothers.

President rejects UNP nominees

The names submitted to the President by the UNP for appointment as acting Ministers in place of the Muslim Ministers who resigned recently, had been rejected by the President, a government source revealed.

Govt. resolution to urge Prez to convene Cabinet meetings

The Executive and the Legislature are heading towards another conflict with the government reportedly planning to adopt a parliamentary resolution calling for President Maithripala Sirisena to convene Cabinet meetings.

PM condemns Hisbullah’s remarks

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has condemned the remarks made by former Eastern Province governor M.L.M. Hisbullah.

Next year’s Public and Bank Holidays

Friday’s Extraordinary Gazette notification contains the list of the Public and Bank Holidays for 2020 as announced by the government, Internal, Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Wajira Abewardena said.

Madduma Bandara declines rural economy ministry

Public Administration Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said yesterday he would not accept the ministry of rural economy assigned to him because no important institution had been gazetted under it.

Rs.25,000 fine - Countrywide bus strike if imposed: LPBOA

A countrywide bus strike will be launched on the day after the Rs.25,000 fine for seven categories of traffic offences is implemented, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne said.

Prez-Govt. gap widening: Dayasiri

SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara admitted that the differences between the President and the government were widening by the day with another looming crisis in the absence of today’s Cabinet meeting.

Appointments of SLFP organisers

Several electoral and district organisers received their appointments today (11) from President Maithripala Sirisena.

No Govt. without Cabinet meetings: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today the government had ceased to function in the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena refusing to convene the weekly Cabinet meeting.

Constable reported missing in 2008 found murdered

A 23-year-old police constable who was reported missing in Kokkadicholai in 2008 was found murdered and buried, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said today.

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match abandoned due to rain

The ICC World Cup 2019 Match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was abandoned after persistent heavy rain at Bristol County Ground in Bristol today, with both sides earning a point each.

UNP making good use of Muslim Community for political purposes: MR

In a hard hitting speech, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said today the UNP was making good use of the Muslim community for their political purposes especially aiming at the presidential election while Muslim leaders, completely dependent on Muslim votes, want a government they could manipulate.

Bribery Charges - CIABOC to indict two top ex-Govt. officials

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today informed Court that it would indict the former chief of staff of President Maithripala Sirisena and another state official on charges of accepting a bribe of Rs.20 million from an Indian businessman.

Proposal passed to remove Mangala’s name from a street in Puhulwella

A proposal presented by the Kirinda-Puhulwella Pradeshiya Sabha to remove the name of ‘Mangala Samaraweera Pedasa’ and replace it as ‘Lindagawa Watta Mawatha’ in Puhulwella, Matara, was passed today with a majority of three votes.

Azath Salley appears before PSC

Former Western Province Governor Azath Salley appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to look into Easter Sunday attacks a short while ago.

Shangri-La Colombo to reopen

The Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, yesterday said it would be welcoming guests back from tomorrow onwards, after the deadly Easter Sunday bombings.

Three-wheeler fares to go up tonight

The fare for the first kilometre in a three-wheeler taxi would be increased to Rs.60 from midnight today due to last night’s fuel price increase, Lanka Self-Employed Professionals’ National Three-Wheeler Federation Sunil Jayawardana announced.

US Secretary of State Pompeo to visit SL

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is to make a brief visit to Sri Lanka end of this month, US State Department said.

Police warn public to be vigilant of individuals who try to extort money

An organised racket is in operation to extort money from the relatives of the suspects who are in custody over the Easter Sunday attacks, the Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera revealed yesterday.

Presidential pardon for ex PS chairman

Colombo High Court Judge Shashi Mahendran released the former Chairman of the Warakapola Pradeshiya Sabha who had been given 18 years imprisonment for becoming guilty of an allegation of a bribe because he had received Presidential pardon.

Politics may jeopardise probes on Easter attacks: Cardinal

Politics may jeopardise investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said last Saturday at a function held in Akmeemana.

Buddhism is the only pacifistic faith: Champika

Buddhism is the only religion that does not promote or encourage killings to propagate the religion and the main objective of jihad is to exterminate all except those who follow Allah, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

CPC ups Petrol 92 by Rs. 3, LIOC by Rs. 7

The price of petrol (Octane 92) was increased by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) by Rs. 3 a litre from midnight today while the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) increased it by Rs. 7 in addition to increasing Petrol Euro 3 also by Rs. 7.

Political infighting endangers nat’l security: SLPP

The security apparatus of the country is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea owing to the internal war of the government, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today.

We are in majority globally and cannot be subjugated: Hizbullah

The Muslims are a minority only in this country, but a majority globally and nobody should think that they could subjugate us, former Eastern Province Governor Dr. M.L.A.M.Hizbullah.

Sakvithi Ranasinghe released on bail after nine years

‘Sakvithi’ Ranasinghe who has been in remand custody for over nine years over an alleged financial fraud exceeding Rs. 1,628 million, has been released on bail by the Colombo High Court today.

FR petitions on Emergency: SC defers to July 5

The Supreme Court today deferred to July 5, the Fundamental Rights Petitions contesting certain Emergency Regulations.

Two allowed to send-off or receive at BIA

Passengers could bring two persons each to the arrival and departure lobbies of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for a period of three hours with effect from today, BIA Duty manager said.