Three faculties of Kelaniya Uni to be opened

The administrative authority of the Kelaniya University has decided to re-open the Science, Commerce & Management and ICT & Technology faculties from Monday, the University Media Unit said today.

Dress code for Govt. employees

The Ministry of Public Administration has made it compulsory for all female employees who work in government institutions, to wear a sari or an osari. Male employees should wear a shirt and trousers, or national dress.

‘Kopi Kade Somi Nona’ passes away

Veteran actress Chithra Wakishta, who became well-known by her stage name ‘Somi Nona’ when acting in the Kopi Kade teledrama, passed away today at the age of 83 while undergoing treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, Singers Association (SLASA) President Keerthi Pasquel said.

Wrongful to request list of informants for petty political gains: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said it was absolutely wrong to request a list of intelligence service informants to fulfil petty political gains as it would jeopardise the national security of the country.

FR petition against Def. Secy and IGP - AG seeks fuller Bench to hear case

Attorney General today sought for a fuller Supreme Court Bench to hear the fundamental rights petition filed against the Police Chief and the former Defence Secretary with regard to the suicide bomb attacks on April 21.

Rathana Thera launches hunger strike

Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera launched a hunger strike in front of Sri Dalada Maligawa this morning calling for the removal of Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Western Province Governor Azath Salley from their posts.

US Assistant Secretary Cooper to visit Sri Lanka

US Assistant Secretary of State for Political and Military Affairs, R. Clarke Cooper would travel to Sri Lanka in early June, the Office of the Spokesperson of the State Department said.

Number of complaints soars to 377

The number of complaints received by the Kurunegala and Dambulla hospitals against Dr. Siyabdeen Mohamed Safi, who is alleged to have engaged in sterilisation surgeries, has reached 377 as at yesterday, the spokespersons of both hospitals revealed.

'Govt. paying Dr. Neville Fernando’s Rs. 2.5 bn loan’

It was revealed at the Presidential Commission Of Inquiry that the government was paying the Rs. 2.5 billion loan obtained by Dr. Neville Fernando from a state bank even though the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) was not owned by the government.

Extremists replacing Sinhala signboards with those in Arabic: Prelate

A group of extremists has been active in fixing signboards with Arabic names to Muhudu Maha Vihara Mawatha and other streets in the town, said Ven. Warakapola Indrasiri Nayake Thera, Eastern Province Sangha Nayake and Chief Incumbent of Muhudu Maha Viharaya in Pottuvil.

Three including bank manager, mosque trustee arrested

In two separate raids conducted yesterday at Kalpitiya, three individuals including the manager of a state bank and trustee of a mosque allegedly used by the Tawheed Jamaat, were taken into custody with 12-bore ammunition and posters on Buddha statues written in Arabic language.

SLPP questions eligibility of PSC members, except for SF

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramanua (SLPP) yesterday questioned the eligibility of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) representatives appointed to look into the Easter Sunday attacks, except for Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka, to inquire into internal affairs of the intelligence service.

SL signs agreements for first two loans from Beijing-based AIIB

Sri Lanka signed agreements with Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to obtain US $ 200 million and US $80 million separately as two concessional loans, it is learnt.

UPFA criticises exposure of sensitive security info

The exposure of certain national security and intelligence information during the Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry on Wednesday (29) came under heavy criticism by the UPFA today who termed it as a betrayal of the intelligence services of the country, comparing it to the Millennium City fiasco in January 2002.

New laws to prevent emergence of new terror groups: PM

New laws including legislation to control hate speech is essential to prevent the emergence of new terrorist groups in the future, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Champika urges Rishad to resign immediately

Megapolis and Western Development Minister and JHU General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka said today that Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen should step down from his post to facilitate investigations into charges made against him in the no confidence motion.

Modi begins his second term

Narendra Modi has been sworn in for a second term as India’s prime minister after his party won a landslide majority in the recent election.

Charges to be filed against Ravi K for giving false evidence

Charges would be filed against Minister Ravi Karunanayake for giving false evidence to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the bond scam, Senior State Counsel Lakmini Girihagama informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today.

PM Modi may visit Sri Lanka along with Maldives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi could make a short visit to Sri Lanka on his way to or from the Maldives in early June, during his first visit overseas in his second term, LiveMint India reported today.

GMOA wants Rajitha removed and arrested

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today urged President Maithripala Sirisena in writing to remove Rajitha Senaratne from his office as the Health Minister and arrest him with immediate effect.

CID scrutinising over 1,800 telephone numbers

More than 1,800 telephone numbers used by the Easter Sunday suicide bombers and others are being closely scrutinised by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Giving evidence before PSC in public a threat to national security: Wimal

It is a huge threat to national security of the country when security officers reveal sensitive intelligence information before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to look into the Easter Sunday bombings, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa said today.

Two women caught with counterfeit currency notes

Two sisters aged 19 and 20 were arrested with counterfeit currency notes valued Rs. 20,500 at a supermarket at Saranankara Road in Dehiwala yesterday.

Prez denies being informed of impending attack on Apr.21

President Maithripala Sirisena today denied media reports that he was informed about any pending attack on April 21, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

Prof. Wijesuriya regrets bringing MS, Ranil to office

National Movement for a Just Society Convenor Sarath Wijesuriya said yesterday they deeply regretted being part of the blunder of helping to elect Maithripala Sirisena the President and Ranil Wickremesinghe the Prime Minister.

Do not panic, just a rumour, says police

The police have advised the general public not to panic based on a rumour that has spread in Negombo this morning.

Aussie returns 20 SL asylum seekers after boat intercepted

Twenty Sri Lankan asylum seekers have been flown back to their home country after their boat was intercepted en route to Australia, Australian media reported.

Kelaniya uni temporarily closed

The Kelaniya University was temporarily closed except for the Medical faculty with immediate effect following a protest staged by a group of students this morning, University’s Media unit said.

President leaves for India

President Maithripala Sirisena today left for New Delhi, India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India.

CEJ perturbed over non delivery of Wilpattu judgement

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), which filed the petition against deforestation and illegal construction in the Northern sector of the Wilpattu National Park yesterday said that they were perturbed over the judge recusing himself from delivering the judgement.