Met Dept. forecasts heavy showers

A low-level atmospheric disturbance has set in the vicinity of Sri Lanka which will bring heavy showers and high winds, the Department of Meteorology said today.

Govt. behind US lawsuit against Gota: SLPP

The government was behind the lawsuit filed in a US Court against former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as the plaintiff Roy Manojkumar Samathanam had interacted with higher-ups of the government beforehand, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) alleged today.

Govt. to introduce ’emergency app’ soon

The government is to introduce an ‘Emergency app’ through which a person who is caught up in an emergency can inform all relevant institutions concerned using a mobile phone, Digital Infrastructure Development Minister Ajith P. Perera said today.

Madush appeals deportation: Dubai Court’s decision on May 2

A Dubai Court has reportedly postponed till May 2 to announce a decision on an appeal filed by alleged drug kingpin Makandure Madush on his deportation, sources said.

Two US Naval ships arrive at Hambantota

Two US Naval ships, USNS Millinocket and USS Spruance, arrived at the Hambantota port today to participate in the annual naval exercise ‘Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise (CARAT)-2019’.

PM to defuse Sajith-Ravi rift

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to take steps towards resolving the current conflict between UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake next week, informed sources said.

Suspect arrested with 5 kgs of heroin in Makola

A 28-year-old suspect was arrested by Special Task Force personnel while he was transporting 5 kgs of heroin on a motorbike at Y-junction in Makola this afternoon, Police said.

Sri Lankan World Cup squad announced

The Sri Lanka ODI squad for ICC World Cup 2019 was announced a short while ago by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

CID records statement from Nadeemal

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) recorded a statement from popular singer Amal Perera’s son Nadeemal this morning, Police said.

United Nations continue to support SL: António Guterres

Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to continue to support the people of Sri Lanka including in the reconciliation and sustainable development agenda.

Madush’s cousin arrested by CCD

The cousin brother of Makandure Madush named Nilan Romesh, who was detained by the CID at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for questioning, was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division today (CCD), Police said.

Canadian SC revives case of deported Sri Lankan accused of killing wife

Despite no longer being in Canada, a Sri Lankan national who had his murder charge stayed because of unreasonable delays in his trial isn’t done with the Quebec justice system just yet.

Fire destroys four-storey building at Pannipitiya

A fire broke out at a four-storey building at Pannipitiya in Maharagama early this morning, police said.

Two more deported from Dubai

Two more of the individuals, who were arrested along with notorious drug kingpin Makandure Madush in Dubai, were deported last night, police said.

Chief opposition whip to get added facilities, perks

The government has decided to strengthen the office of the Chief Whip of the opposition by providing an official residence, an office, a staff, official vehicle, added security and other facilities and perks, a reliable government source said yesterday.

Power disruptions likely to end

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said yesterday power cuts would not be needed further as it had the capacity to meet the demand with the addition of 60 MW of electricity from the Barge-Mounted Power Plant in the Colombo Harbour and the addition of 71 MWs of power from Ace the Matara and Ace Sapugaskanda Power Stations.

Rs.25,000 fine for left-overtaking to be revised: State Minister

The Transport and Civil Aviation State Minister Ashok Abeysinghe yesterday said the Ministry is considering to amend the fine imposed for overtaking the vehicles on the left side, out of the seven offences for which the least fine of Rs. 25,000 is imposed.

Raavana 1 launched to ISS

The ’Raavana 1’ cube satellite designed and developed by two Sri Lankan engineers was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in the 400km orbit by the Cygnus spacecraft of NASA today at 2.16 am Sri Lanka time, Director Communication Engineering (Project Manager Nano satellite projects) at Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, Kavindra Jayawardena told Daily Mirror.

UNP must be watchful of people selling their parent’s name to win elections - Ravi K.

UNP should make decisions on those who are trying to win elections by selling their parents name, Minister of Power and Energy Ravi Karunanayake said recently.

Bank robbers can’t be rated noble - Sajith

Those who rob banks cannot be brahamins (a noble person) and what they say should be assessed on the basis of his/her deeds, Minister of Housing Sajith Premadasa said recently.

More than 500,000 people affected by drought

More than 580,717 people belonging to 152,953 families in 21 districts have been affected by the drought, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today.

Strong laws ensure Lankan creatives get fair share: US envoy

Strong and transparent laws that protect film distribution will ensure that Sri Lankan creatives will drive economic growth, US Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz said.

Dimuth to lead SL cricket team in World Cup

Sri Lanka’s national selectors put to an end days of speculation by appointing batsman Dimuth Karunaratne as captain of the Sri Lankan ODI team. This means the left-hander will lead the national side in the upcoming World Cup in England, Cricbuzz reported.

Four flights diverted to MRIA due to bad weather

Three SriLankan flights and Qatar Airways flight which scheduled to arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), were diverted to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) this evening due to adverse weather conditions, MRIA manager Upul Kalansuriya said.

Will field a candidate who wins definitely: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said they would field a candidate who can definitely win the presidential election.

SL reforming education to enhance creative, analytical skills: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who is currently in the US, said the Sri Lankan Government is introducing curricular reforms in secondary education to enhance creative and analytical skills and technological interventions such as smart classrooms.

Education Ministry misuses Govt funds: Wijeyadasa tells PCoI

Former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa has provided a statement to the Police Unit attached to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to investigate allegations of large scale corruption between January 15, 2015 and December 31, 2018, last week.

Gota appears ready for a transformation: Vasu

Democratic Left Front (DLF) Leader and MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday said it appeared that former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ready for a transformation.

Lawyer among three arrested with ’ice’ in Kollupitiya

A lawyer and two others have been arrested for possession of drug, known as crystal methamphetamine (ice), during a raid in Kollupitiya early this morning, police said.

Ten killed in head-on collision in Mahiyanganaya

Ten people were killed and two others injured when a van they were travelling in collided head-on with a bus, near the Mahiyanganaya National College early this morning.