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.

Gota’s petition - AC Justice Kumudini recuses from the case

Justice Kumudini Wickramasinghe yesterday recused herself from the Court of Appeal Bench, which was constituted to hear the writ petition filed by former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The law should apply to Karannagoda: SF

The law should apply to former navy commander Wasantha Karannangoda if he had done anything wrong, Field Marshal and MP Sarath Fonseka said today during the debate on the second reading of the Budget.

Kandy town: Traffic plan, night bazaar to be cancelled

Steps will be taken to cancel the recently implemented one-way traffic plan in Kandy town and to stop the night bazaar along the Dalada Veediya, House Leader and Minister, Lakshman Kiriella said today.

Magistrate orders to suspend Mannar mass grave excavations

Mannar Magistrate T. Saravanarajah today ordered to suspend the excavations at the Mannar mass grave site until further notice. Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) Saminda Rajapaksa said they would withdraw from the site following the court order.

Search for lost Aussie WWII destroyer Vampire underway off Sri Lanka

The search for the Royal Australian Navy’s sunken World War II destroyer HMAS Vampire is underway off the coast of Sri Lanka, with the navies of both countries contributing hydrographic assets to the cause.

Heat weather warning revised for fourteen districts

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

Explosion at Kollupitiya: four hospitalised, reason unknown

A Chinese couple and two shop owners were hospitalised following an explosion that occurred at a shop at Kollupitiya Junction this morning, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

No one in government listens to me: President

There is no one in this government who accepts what I say, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

Confident of returning to implement budget proposals: Mangala

While affirming that the budget was not an ’election budget’, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday said he presented the budget with the confidence that the UNP Government will return to implement the rest of the proposals.

SL launches bond sale, orders top $3 bln - term sheet

Sri Lanka launched the sale of U.S. dollar-denominated bonds on Thursday and orders topped $3 billion, according to a term sheet seen by Reuters.

UL has no manual on obtaining foreign, financial loans

SriLankan Airlines does not have an instruction manual or guidebook when it comes to obtaining foreign loans and other financial services, Company Head of Finance Yasantha Dissanyake informed the PCoI into irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka yesterday.

New luxury tax on vehicle imports if manufacture cost exceeds Rs.3.5mn: importers

The Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) yesterday said, for the first time in the vehicle import history, a new luxury tax has been imposed apart from the Customs duty, if manufacturing cost of a vehicle exceeds Rs.3.5 million.

Otters Club kitchen found unhygienic: CMC

The kitchen of the Otters Aquatic Club was found under unhygienic conditions when food inspectors raided the club two weeks ago, Chief Medical Officer of the CMC Dr. Ruwan Wijemuni said.

Report reveals bone samples belong to 1499-1719 AD era

The carbon dating report from the Beta Analytic Institute of Florida, USA, has revealed that the skeletal remains found in the Mannar mass grave to date back to a period between 1499 and 1719 AD (Anno Domini).

Principals, teachers to launch token strike on March 13

The Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Union have decided to launch a 24-hour countrywide token strike on March 13 demanding an increase to their salaries while resolving the salary anomalies, Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Prez’s delegation to Geneva shows he has no faith in govt.: Dinesh

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a separate three-member delegation to represent the country at the forthcoming UNHRC sessions in Geneva as he does not have confidence in the government, MEP MP front liner Dinesh Gunawardana said yesterday. Mr. Gunawaerdana said.

Cabinet approves Rs. 203 mn reward package for Cargills, Sathosa

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a compensation package worth Rs.203 million for Cargills Ceylon (Food City) supermarket chain and Lanka Sathosa for selling essential commodities at a concessionary price from December 14, 2017, to April 15, 2018.

Namal alleges govt. incurred loss of Rs. 1,000 bn

UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa said today the government had incurred a loss of Rs. 1000 billion due to its poor economic management while the previous government spent only Rs. 300 billion to construct Hambantota port and Mattala Airport.

Govt. proposes domestic air tickets for public servants

Transport and Civil Aviation State Minister Ashok Abesinghe said today a mechanism was being planned to provide state employees with domestic air tickets from this August.

CID Sergeant arrested for accepting Rs. 80,000 bribe from businessman

A police sergeant attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been arrested by the officers of the Bribery and Corruption Commission while accepting Rs. 80,000 from a businessman in Sapugaskanda as a bribe.

Jayasiri Wijenath appointed Prisons Commissioner-General

Former Additional Secretary to the Labour Ministry, T.M. Jayasiri Wijenath Thennakoon has been appointed as the new Prisons Commissioner-General, the Justice and Prison Reforms Ministry said.

SC issues order preventing arrest of Karannagoda

The Supreme Court today directed Criminal Investigation Department (CID) not to arrest Former Commander of Navy Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda over abduction case and killing of 11 youths in 2008-2009.

Two pistols belonged to Kawma found

Two pistols, two magazines and eight ammunition of 9mm belonging to Kelum Indika Sampath alias ‘Kawma’ -- who is currently detained in connection with the robbery of a diamond worth more than Rs.5 billion -- were recovered from a compound at Welikanda in Wattala today, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Lalkantha released on bail

JVP Politbureau member K.D. Lalkantha, who was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of liquor, was released on bail by the Anuradhapura Magistrate today.

Curb Liquor companies sponsoring big matches: UPFA

UPFA MP Wimalaweera Dissanayake today urged the Government not to allow liquor manufacturing companies to sponsor annual big matches that are being held among schools.

U.K. top court rules in favour of Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seeker

Britain’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of a Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seeker’s claim that the Home Office was wrong to reject his contention that he was tortured back in Sri Lanka, and asked the Upper Tribunal to look at the case afresh, in what is considered a landmark judgment, the Hindu reported.

No jurisdiction to hear 'Ali Roshan' case: Special High Court

The Special High Court today said that it had no jurisdiction to hear the case of Nirad Roshan alias ‘Ali Roshan’ who possessed four elephants without a valid license and thus ordered to release Ali Roshan and six others.