Two killed in head-on collision in Kottawa

Two persons were killed and three others were injured when a jeep and a bus collided head-on at Malwarawa in Kottawa on the High-Level Road this morning, police said.

SriLankan has 80 pregnant air hostesses who aren’t flying: Ex HR Head

There are around 80 pregnant air hostesses who are not allowed to fly after the SriLankan management decided to change a rule which forbids them from having babies until six months after they join the airline, former Head of Human Resources, Pradeep Kekulawala informed the SriLankan Airlines Commission last Thursday.

Education Ministry must monitor Madrasas: Harsha

Non-Cabinet Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution, Harsha de Silva said yesterday Madrasas or Muslim religious schools should be monitored by the Ministry of Education - like what happens with Pirivenas.

Prez warns against attempts to take political advantage of present situation

Remarks made by certain persons for petty political advantage has become a hindrance to the process of restoring normalcy and national harmony, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

I’m prepared to prove my innocence: Rishad Bathiudeen

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader and Industry and Commerce Minister, Rishad Bathiudeen said were attempts to accuse him falsely regarding his recent visit to Oman and incidents that took place recently, but that he was prepared to face them and prove his innocence.

Virtusa employee arrested over suspected links to attacks

Sri Lankan police on Friday said they had arrested an employee of information technology services company Virtusa Corp in Colombo in connection with Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people.

Navy opens fire at a speeding car, one killed

A 34-year-old person died when Navy personnel at a road block opened fire at a speeding car which had failed to heed orders to stop at Hunupitiya in Wattala, last night, police said.

British newlywed banned from flying home after his bride dies during honeymoon

Sri Lankan police have banned a British newlywed from returning home after his wife died from dehydration on their honeymoon, the Daily Mail reported.

IMF extends funding programme until June 2020

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it had decided to extend the funding programme to Sri Lanka by an additional year which would mean until June 2020.

Govt. willing if requested by Opposition: Kiriella

The government is prepared to move a motion to remove IGP Pujith Jayasundara from office if the Opposition make such a request, House Leader and Minister Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday.

Charges served on Gnanasara Thera

The Police Organized Crime Prevention Division (POCPD) yesterday charged Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court for obstructing a police officer from performing his duties at Welikada.

Court wants DNA report of Zahran’s daughter

Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today allowed the prosecution to obtain a DNA report using a blood sample obtained from Zahran Hashim’s daughter for the investigators to confirm the identity of the Shangri-La Hotel suicide bomber.

MR wants PSC to probe Easter Sunday attacks

Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today urged the government to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) with full powers to probe the Easter Sunday attack, ascertain the historical background behind it and recommend the steps to be taken to prevent such disasters in the future.

Fuel price hike from midnight today

The prices of fuel would be increased with effect from midnight today, the Finance Ministry said.

General Amnesty period extended by another week

The General Amnesty period declared for Army deserters to receive their legal discharge, has been extended by the Army Headquarters by another week considering the need for more to receive their discharge.

Nobel Peace Prize - Several MPs want Cardinal nominated

Several government and opposition MPs said today the Archbishop of Colombo should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the role he played in calming the people after the Easter Sunday attacks.

Easter Sunday attacks - Suspect arrested with Rs.8 Mn in his possession

A suspect identified as Buhari Mohammed Rafik was arrested by the Slave Island Police yesterday in connection with the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said today.

GSLF requests govt. to ban Wahabi teaching

Global Sri Lankan Forum (GSLF), an organisation of Sri Lankans domiciled in different parts of the world, requested the government to ban Wahabi teaching, among other activities in responding to the present security crisis confronting the country.

Easter Sunday terror attack: Rs. 47 mn paid as compensation so far

The government has so far paid compensation amounting to Rs. 47 million for 103 victims of the Easter Sunday terror attack, Secretary to the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement & Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs - V. Sivagnanasothy told the Daily Mirror.

Hartal against Hizbullah in Trinco

Several hartals were staged in Trincomalee and its suburbs today demanding the removal of Eastern Province Governor M. L. A. M. Hizbullah.

Govt. probing how Hisbullah’ son obtained shares

State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday an investigation had been launched to find out how Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hisbullah’s son had managed to obtain shares worth Rs.500 million in the controversial Batticaloa Campus.

Dappula de Livera sworn in as Attorney General

Acting Attorney General Dappula de Livera was sworn in as the new Attorney General (AG) before President Maithripala Sirisena today.

Zoysa, Gunawardene charged for breaching ECB Anti-Corruption Code

The International Cricket Council (ICC), on behalf of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), has charged Nuwan Zoysa and Avishka Gunawardene for breaching the ECB Anti-Corruption Code for participants in the T10 League.

Revised security arrangements at BIA

Arrangements have been made to facilitate the entrance of vehicles to the respective gates for drop off and pick up of passengers and to minimise the distance that passengers have to walk with their baggage, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) said today.

US woman convicted of keeping Lankan woman as 'slave’

A New Jersey woman was convicted Thursday on charges of forcing a Sri Lankan woman to work without pay for nine years, causing her to overstay her visa and marrying her in an attempt to keep her in the country.

Oman agrees to invest 30% in Mirijjawila Oil Refinery Project

The Omani government has given its consent to invest 30% in the proposed US$ 3.85 billion (Rs. 687 billion) Mirijjawila Oil Refinery Project (MORP) in Hambantota to a high powered ministerial delegation from Sri Lanka led by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickreme.

Ester Sunday carnage could have been averted: Bishop

The Easter Sunday carnage would have been averted if party politics were overcome and if the communication breakdown between the Executive, Defence Establishments and government officials did not occur, Sri Lanka Catholic Bishops Conference said yesterday.

Moulavi arrested with CDs containing extremist sermons

A Moulavi has been arrested with several CDs containing extremist sermons during a raid by the STF at a house at Nawala in Rajagiriya.

Shangri-la suicide bombers had rented out six houses

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court that the two suicide bombers, who blew themselves up at the Shangri-la Hotel in Colombo, had rented out at least six houses in various parts of the country and used them time to time.

Three suspects produced in court over St Anthony’s Church blast

The CID yesterday produced three suspects allegedly involved in the Easter Sunday bombing at the St. Anthony’s Church Kochchikade in Colombo and the blast of a van the following day in the same vicinity.