Discussions fail: Executive Officers strike tomorrow

After having unsuccessful discussions with the Prime minister and Public Administration Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara this evening the Government Service Executive Officers had decided to launch their 24-hour countrywide token strike from tomorrow morning.

Committed to fight the menace of terrorism: India

The Foreign Secretary of India yesterday said the Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to fight the menace of terrorism.

Sanath Jayasuriya banned from all cricket for 2 years

Former Sri Lanka Cricket Chair of Selectors, Sanath Jayasuriya has been banned from all cricket for two years after admitting breaching two counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, the ICC said in a statement today.

Protesting HND students tear-gassed

Police fired tear-gas and used water cannons to disperse protesting students of the Higher National Diploma (HND) at the Lotus Roundabout a short while ago, the police said.

Even a woman politico into drugs: Ranjan

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said today a women politician was also among the politicians using cocaine.

“Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing”: Pakistan

While strongly rejecting Indian claim of targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot, Pakistan said yesterday India has committed an “uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing.”

Segment of Galle Road closed due to protest

The segment of the Galle Road from the Ceramic Junction towards the NSA Roundabout in Colombo has been temporarily closed due to State Veterinary Surgeons’ Association (SVSA) protest, police said.

Hit and run accident: Five released after fulfilling bail condition

Five persons including MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s son, who were granted bail yesterday over the hit and run accident in Bambalapitiya, had been released today.

SLTB Chairman Ramal resigns

Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) chairman Ramal Siriwardane has resigned from his post.

India claims airstrike on ’terror camp’ across frontier, Pakistan denies casualties

Pakistan’s military said on Tuesday that Indian military aircraft crossed into its territory in the disputed Kashmir region and ’’released a payload’’ after Pakistan scrambled its own jets.

UK welcomes SL moves to return more lands

The United Kingdom told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva yesterday that they welcomed the decision of Sri Lankan Government to return more land to its people, and to establish an Office for Reparations.

Tamil community want SL-born Harrow Mayor to resign

Campaigners have called on the Mayor of Harrow, Kareema Marikar, to resign after she was pictured with senior military figures during a visit to Sri Lanka, Harrow Times reported on Monday.

Indian fighter jets drop 1,000 kg bombs across LoC in Pakistan’s Balakot

In a surprise to Pakistani security forces, the Indian Air Force reportedly dropped around 1,000 kg bombs on Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC) in Muzafarabad sector early morning on Tuesday, Indian media reported

Military, LTTE personnel accused of war crimes: Cabinet memo submitted seeking amnesty

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said he submitted a Cabinet memorandum asking for general amnesty to all those who are accused of war crimes – both from the armed forces and the LTTE.

Kim Jong-un arrives in Vietnam ahead of 2nd meeting with Trump

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has arrived in Vietnam for a summit with US President Donald Trump later this week.

Expose Cocaine users without wasting time: Nalin tells Ranjan

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake should produce the names of ministers and MPs who are in the habit of taking cocaine in a bid to close the case without further delay, Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara said yesterday.

Ratgama businessmen killing: JMO says DNA analysis following court order

A sample of skeletal remains of the two businessmen who were allegedly abducted and killed in Ratgama will be referred to a DNA test after obtaining a court order, Matara General Hospital JMO Sumith Ambepitiya said.

MPs connected to drug dealers trying to block police and judiciary: RW

Some MPs associated with drug dealers were trying to block the police and judiciary from acting independently, thereby undermining the independent commissions set up under the 19th amendment to the constitution, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Five airmen nabbed with Rs.400,000 worth of illicit fags

Five Air Force personnel – four in uniform and one in civvies – were taken into custody by the Colombo Division Police Vice Squad today while they were transporting a stock of illicit cigarettes worth of Rs.400,000 in a vehicle belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).

Unruly behaviour in P’ment: PHU says report biased towards UNP

The committee report on unruly incidents that took place in Parliament last November is biased towards the United National Party (UNP), the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) said today. PHU leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila told a news briefing that out of the 59 MPs who were found guilty of various offences, 54 MPs belonged to the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), four to

Karannagoda files FR against arrest

Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda today filed a fundamental rights (FR) petition in the Supreme Court (SC) seeking an interim order preventing him from being arrested in connection with the investigations into the abduction and killing of 11 youths in 2008-2009.

Hit & run accident: Driver remanded, others released

The driver of the Defender vehicle which involved in the hit and run accident in Bambalapitiya yesterday, was remanded till March 11. The seven other suspects including MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s son were released on bail.

House of Madush’s shooter raided: Army uniforms, ammo found

A 53-year-old man was arrested along with a stock of army uniforms and ammunition at a house belonging to a shooter of Makandure Madush in Kamburupitiya this morning, police said.

Ready to abolish executive presidency: UNP

The United National Party (UNP) is geared up to abolish the executive presidency, Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara told a press conference held today.

Four Lankans killed, three injured in accident in Oman

Four Sri Lankan expatriates were killed while three others injured in a road accident in Jebel Akhdar on Saturday, Muscat Daily reported.

Olivia, Rami & Green Book win Oscars

British Olivia Colman won the Oscar for the best actress, while Rami Malek won the Oscar for the best actor at the 91st Academy Awards held at Los Angeles in California, US.

Eight including CMC Councillor, MP’s son arrested

Eight individuals, including Colombo Municipal Councillor Duminda Sudammika Attygalle and the son of MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage, were arrested by the police in connection with the hit-and-run accident on Sunday morning at Bambalapitiya in which Borella Traffic Police OIC Inspector Sagara Sarathchandra sustained injuries.

Rookantha injured in mob attack

Police said that an investigation has been launched into an alleged attack on veteran singer Rookantha Gunatillake where he was said to have suffered minor injuries and his car damaged. The alleged attack was said to have taken place in Boralesgamuwa on Saturday (23).

Prez, MR urged to work out formula for new alliance

The leaders of the political parties aligned with the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) are reported to have requested President Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa to have one on one meeting and work out a formula for the formation of a broad political alliance.

PM invites all parties to safeguard 19A

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe over the weekend invited all parties to join in the struggle to safeguard the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.