CID records 8-hour long statement from Karannagoda

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) recorded an eight-hour long statement from former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda today. Admiral Karannagoda arrived at the CID

177 kgs of heroin found in safe house run by Madush

About 177 kgs of heroin worth over Rs.1,800 million, several firearms and a large stock of ammunition were seized from an alleged safe house of Makandure Madush at Rawathawatta in Moratuwa today.

Lankan, working in foreign airline nabbed with gold at BIA

A Sri Lankan crew member attached to foreign airline had been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning with Gold Bangles worth more than Rs.20 million while he was attempting to smuggle them into the country, Deputy Director and Acting Spokesman Vipula Minuwanpitiya said.

Borella OIC hit & run: Driver further remanded

Driver of the Defender vehicle, Navin Ratnayake, who was arrested for the hit and run accident that killed Borella Traffic OIC, IP Sarathchandra, was further remanded till March 18 by the Colombo Magistrate today.

Man found dead in Nawagamuwa identified as wanted murder suspect

The body of a man found with gunshot wounds in Nawagamuwa this morning has been identified as the main suspect wanted over the murder of a businessman in Sapugaskanda last year, the police said.

Minister Kabir Hashim’s CS injured in a shooting

A police investigation is in progress to ascertain whether Minister Kabir Hashim’s Coordinating Secretary (CS) Mohamed Naslim was shot by a religious extremist group over his cooperation with police in the conduct of inquiries into instances where Buddhist statues in the area were damaged recently.

Karannagoda arrives at CID

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

Country unites to sing national anthem in two languages: PM

Sri Lanka has united once again as the national anthem is being sung both in Sinhala and in Tamil at functions in all parts of the county, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe observed yesterday.

Male body found with gunshot wounds in Nawagamuwa

The body of a man was found with gunshot wounds near a rubber land at Godellawatte in Nawagamuwa this morning, the police said.

WTC owners freed from trespassing and mischief charges

Fort Magistrate Court freed Messrs, Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC and the owner of World Trade Centre (WTC), from alleged offences punishable for criminal trespassing and mischief charges framed against them.

Damaging railway property -- Matale Mayor released on bail

Mayor of Matale Duljith Aluvihare who was produced before the Matale Magistrate on the charge of entering the Matale Railway Station premises by force, damaging the fences and constructing a road on the land belonging to the railway, was released on personal bail of Rs.100,000.

Met. Dept. issues ‘Extreme Caution’ heat advisory

The Meteorology Department today issued heat weather advisory in ’ Extreme Caution’ level to be expected in most part of the Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces tomorrow.

Ethiopian airliner crashes on way to Kenya

An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 passenger jet has crashed on a flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi.

Army gets Belgian Malinois to Mine Detection Dog fleet

The Mine Detection Dog (MDD) fleet of the Humanitarian De-Mining Unit (HDU) had received the 4-year old Belgian Malinois from the US-based Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) for its mine clearing work, the Army said.

First SL nurse leaves for the US

A nurse of the Kandy General Hospital has left for the USA, being the first ever Sri Lankan female nurse to work in a US hospital, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) said.

Two arrested with heroin worth Rs. 12mn in Ambalangoda

Two suspects were arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) with 1.06 kg of heroin valued over Rs. 12 million at Akurala in Ambalangoda.

Hit and run accident: Borella Traffic OIC succumbs to injuries

Traffic OIC of the Borella Police, IP Sarathchandra, who was injured in a hit and run accident involving a Defender vehicle in Bambalapitiya, succumbed to his injuries yesterday, police said.

16 colonels promoted as brigadiers

Sixteen senior colonels in the Sri Lanka Army have been promoted to the rank of brigadier by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Qatar Deputy Emir meets outgoing SL Ambassador Liyanage

Deputy Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani met with the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar, ASP Liyanage, on the occasion of the end of his tenure and discussed further prosperity in bilateral relations.

Vandalizing archaeological sites - Cabinet approves upping fines, jail terms

The Cabinet has approved the enactment of fresh legislation to increase fines and jail terms for those convicted of vandalizing archaeological sites and artefacts, an official said yesterday.

Petition seeking PC polls - SC wants notice re-issued on EC

A Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Sisira J De Abrew, Prasanna S. Jayawardena and P. Padman Surasena yesterday directed the petitioners to re-issue notice on the Election Commission and fixed the writ petition for March 29.

Tri-forces on alert over proliferation of drugs

The tri-forces are working in different capacities on the eradication of drugs from the country, Commanders of the tri-forces emphasized yesterday.

25 UNP backbenchers to defeat President’s expenditure head

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said yesterday more than 25 UNP backbenchers were prepared to defeat the President’s expenditure head.

The need of the hour is new govt. : Prez

The need of the hour is a new government capable of bringing the country out of the current political, constitutional, social and economical mess, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.

Would give ‘Ear-splitting Slap’ to anyone asks whether joining UNP: CBK

Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga said yesterday she would give an ‘Ear-splitting Slap’ to anyone who asks whether she would join the UNP.

UN torture prevention body to visit SL in April

As the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council comes to an end on March 22, the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture will visit Sri Lanka in early April, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said yesterday.

Int’l legal experts will only adivse: Kiriella

The role that will be played by international legal experts in a probe carried out under whatever resolution passed at the UNHRC sessions will be confined to advising Sri Lanka with regard to certain matters, House Leader Lankshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday.

People tired of mainstream politicians: Gota

Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said people were tired of mainstream politicians who only think of votes and care little for the genuine development and progress of the people.

UNHR Chief wants member states to prosecute those involved in war crimes

The Office of the UN High Commissioner Human Rights (OHCHR) in its latest report on Sri Lanka recommended that the UN member states should probe and prosecute those allegedly responsible for war crimes and other violations in the absence of credible domestic processes.

Methamphetamine pills worth Rs. 9 mn seized

A parcel with 2002 Methamphetamine tablets worth over Rs. 9 million was seized by the Customs officers at the Central Mail Exchange, Colombo today, the Customs said.