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.

PUCSL allows CEB to procure 100 MW from private sector

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has permitted the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to purchase 100 MW from the private sector on the basis of a supplementary requirement, PUCSL’s Corporate Communications Director Jayanath Herath told Daily Mirror today.

CEB noticed to appear in court over un-informed power cuts

The Colombo Fort Magistrate, Ranga Dissanayake, today advised the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to be present in court on April 9 over its failure to provide the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) with reports relating to the power cuts.

Water board official gets 37 years for cheque fraud

A former water board official was sentenced to 37 years rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court today after finding him guilty over fraudulently acquiring Rs. 12 million using forged cheques.

Schools close for first term holidays on Friday

The Education Ministry today announced that all government and government-assisted private schools will end their first term on Friday.

Soththi Upali’s son arrested with heroin

The son of deceased notorious underworld leader “Soththi Upali” has been arrested by police with 2.5 kg of heroin during a raid at Thuduwamulla in Katubedda today.

Rs.25,000 fine for seven traffic offences: Gazette notice issued

The gazette notice to increase fines to Rs.25,000 with regard to seven traffic offences was issued on Monday night, the Transport Ministry said.

Amirthanayagam appointed as Dy Chief of Staff to PM

Pradeep Amirthanayagam has been appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister’s office said.

April 15th declared as holiday

The cabinet of ministers has decided to declare April 15 as a government holiday, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

Two more deported from Dubai

Two more individuals who were arrested along with notorious drug kingpin Makandure Madush in Dubai, have been deported this morning, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Legislation on Port City by mid May- Harsha

The government will complete the formulation of a set of fresh legislation by the middle of May to be applied only in the territory of landmass acquired under the Colombo Port City project or the international financial city, a minister said yesterday.

Mannar ASP taken into police custody

Mannar ASP Upul Alawatta was arrested by the CID today over an incident in which a servant of a former chairman of ceramics corporation had been abducted and disappeared, while the accused police officer was serving as the OIC of Piliyandala Police in 2008.

SL imports 80 percent of pharmaceuticals, not imported by any other country

A top pharmacist said today that 80 percent of pharmaceuticals imported by Sri Lanka are not imported by any other country in the world.

AG’s office should function independently: Jayampathi

UNP MP Jayampathi Wickramaratne today called for the amendment to the law in order to ensure that Attorney General’s office functions as an independent office.

Unparliamentary language used in House

Unparliamentary language was used in the House today during a heated argument which broke out between UPFA Mohan Priyadarashana de Silva and State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake with regard to the selling of vehicle permits.

4 Nigerians, 2 Lankans arrested for illegal emigration attempt

Four Nigerians and two Sri Lankans were arrested by the Navy when attempting to emigrate to India illegally via the northern seas of Sri Lanka.

1.33 Mn tonnes of milk powder imported past 18 years

It was revealed in parliament today that 1.33 million tonnes of milk powder worth US$ 3.9 million had been imported to Sri Lanka for the last 18 years.

Dimuth apologizes

Sri Lanka Test Cricket Captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who was involved in a drunk driving accident in Borella, today took to social media to apologize for his actions and said he was well aware that it was ‘utterly unbecoming of a Sri Lankan National Cricketer’.

UN torture prevention body to visit Sri Lanka

The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture is set to carry out its first visit to Sri Lanka from 2 to 12 April to examine the treatment of people deprived of their liberty and the safeguards in place for their protection against torture and ill-treatment.

Dimuth’s driving license suspended

Sri Lanka Test Cricket Captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who was charged of driving under the influence of liquor, was released on bail after he was produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court this morning.

Destruction of 769 kgs of cocaine commences

A cocaine haul of 769 kgs is set to be destroyed at D.N.S Warehouse, Kelaniya in the presence of President Maithripala Sirisena in a little while, officials said.

Borella OIC hit-and-run- Defender driver released on bail

Navindu Umesh Ratnayake, the driver of the defender involved in the hit-and-run that killed Borella Traffic OIC IP Ananda Sagara Sarathchandra, was released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today.

Three prison officers escorting inmates caught drunk while on duty

Three prison officers (including a jailer), who were responsible for transporting eight prisoners including a death row inmate to the Welikada Prison from Polonnaruwa, were arrested by the Minneriya Police on charges of being under the influence of liquor while on duty.

Nearly 49 per cent of Colombo’s water wasted due to leakages

Nearly 49 per cent of water supplied to Colombo is lost due to leakages in the distribution pipe system, incurring a considerable loss, Deputy General Manager of the Colombo Water Supply Service Project Eng. Abdul Rasheed said.