Emil Ranjan released on bail

Former Prison Department’s Rehabilitation Commissioner and Magazine Prison’s superintendent Emil Ranjan Lamahewa who was in remand custody in connection with the killing of 27 Welikada Prison inmates in November 2012, was released on bail by the Court of Appeal today.

Dilhara Lokuhettige faces fresh charges of corruption

Former Sri Lanka player Dilhara Lokuhettige has been charged with three counts of breaching the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption code, the sport’s governing body said on Thursday.

Lotus Road closed due to protest

The Lotus Road between Ceramic Junction to NSA Roundabout has been temporarily closed due to a protest carrying out by a group of government professionals including the members of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

Karannagoda arrives at CID

Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) a short while ago for the fourth day to give a statement over the abduction and killing of 11 youths in 2008-2009.

STF member shoots himself at Temple Trees checkpoint

An STF personnel has committed suicide by shooting himself at a checkpoint at the Temple Trees this morning, police said.

CEB to purchase 100 megawatts of electricity from 3 companies

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has chosen three private companies to buy 100 megawatts of electricity with immediate effect to solve the current power crisis in the the country, sources said.

Actor Rayan Van Rooyan and four others deported from Dubai

Five more individuals including actor Rayan Van Rooyan, who were arrested along with drug kingpin Makandure Madush, were deported from Dubai last night, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Two foreign cross-dressers removed from Kandy

Two cross-dressed foreign men were removed by the police from the surroundings of the Kandy Lake yesterday while they were being filmed performing a homosexual act.

Supplementary estimates for two defeated ministries tomorrow

The votes on supplementary estimates for two expenditure heads which were defeated on March 28 will be taken up tomorrow, subsequent to the vote on the third reading of the budget, State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne said yesterday.

Australia increases support for demining

Australia says it would increase support for humanitarian demining efforts in Sri Lanka and will provide AUD 1 million (more than LKR 124 million) in assistance over the next two years, through a partnership with the Mine Action Group (MAG) and Sri Lankan organisation Devlon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH).

Hambantota oil refinery: Indian Minister, a blacklisted businessman- Nalinda

JVP MP Nalinda Jayatissa said today the Indian minister who was said to be the investor of the Hambantota oil refinery was not only a blacklisted businessman, but also a politician involved in huge financial scam in India and therefore questioned his credibility as a reliable investor.

US$ 14 Bn for second oil refinery in Hambantota: Nalin

Development Strategies and International Trade deputy Minister Nalin Bandara yesterday said that another Singapore Company Sugih Energy International was set to invest US$ 14 billion in the second oil refinery to be started in Hambantota.

President vows to eradicate drug menace

President Maithripala Sirisena vowed that he was firmly determined to eradicate the drug menace from the country and as such severe legal measures would be imposed against those who smuggle such harmful substances to the country.

SL-Singapore FTA to be reviewed next month

The government will initiate the review process of the Free Trade Agreement between Singapore and Sri Lanka in May, a Minister said today.

Bus fare hike after April 10 - Bus Associations

Private Bus Association (ACPBA) Secretary Anjana Priyanjith said today a fare hike would be demanded in case fuel prices increased by four rupees after the regular price revision on April 10.

Heat weather warning revised for fourteen districts

The Department of Meteorology today issued a weather advisory for tomorrow, asking people in 14 districts to be extremely cautious of the hot weather.

Protesting Uni. students tear-gassed

Police fired tear-gas and used water cannons to disperse protesting students of the Sabaragamuwa University near the Polduwa Junction in Battaramulla a short while ago.

Parliament Road closed due to protest

Parliament Road from Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla is temporarily closed because of a protest being carried out by a group of students of the Sabaragamuwa University, the police said.

ICC, Interpol to work together to fight corruption

In a bid to combat corruption in the game of cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has met with Interpol, the organisation that facilitates worldwide police cooperation, to discuss closer working relations.

Insurance to Bhikkus, priests of other religions

The government would introduce a life insurance scheme for all Bhikkhus and monastics of other religions of Sri Lanka, a government source said yesterday.

SLC to conduct random breathalyzer tests on cricketers

Sri Lanka Cricket will conduct random breathalyzer tests on cricketers in the future, its President Shammi Silva said. The board has taken this decision after national Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was involved in an accident this Sunday under the influence of alcohol.

False cover on Daily Mirror a paid advert by Presidential Secretariat

The page 1 of the print edition of the Daily Mirror today (03) is a false cover depicting a paid advertisement placed by the Presidential Secretariat and the content of it had been directly placed by them. The Daily Mirror editorial has not been involved in creating its content or its placement.

Over 14,000 files have been sent to OMP by President: Harsha

More than 14,000 files out of the total of 15,000 that have been sent to the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) by President Maithripala Sirisena, Non-Cabinet Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva said yesterday.

Hangman’s Post: 20 -year-old youth and degree holder among interviewees

A 20-year-old youth and a degree holder were among the interviewees who had come for the interview for Hangman’s Post yesterday, a senior prison official told Daily Mirror.

Power crisis: Prez criticises PUCSL

President Maithripala Sirisena criticised the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) at yesterday’s cabinet meeting and stressed the need to sort out any misunderstanding the PUCSL had with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

H’tota oil refinery a money laundering project: UPFA

The Hambantota oil refinery project was not a genuine investment but is an attempt at money laundering to bring down money earned illegally through the Central Bank bond scam, UPFA MP Shehan Semasinghe said yesterday.

Opposition for investments: won’t let Govt. fool people

The Opposition is ready to support the government when it comes to obtaining foreign investments but will not keep silent if the ruling party hoodwinks the people, UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa told Parliament today during the budget debate.

Indonesian flight on emergency landing at BIA

A 330 type passenger aircraft (GA 972) belonging to Garuda Indonesian Airways had an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this evening due to smoke that occurred inside the aircraft, Airport Duty Manager said.

Defeated expenditure heads - FM to present two supplementary estimates

Finance Minister (FM) Mangala Samaraweera will reportedly present two separate supplementary estimates to Parliament today seeking allocations two ministers since their expenditure heads announced in the budget were defeated.

Army to hold largest-ever military exercise

Sri Lanka needs discipline which is instilled in people through military training in addition to economic development and social justice, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said over the weekend.