SLC election to go ahead after parties agreed on a settlement

Sri Lanka Cricket election will be held tomorrow as scheduled after all parties came to an amicable settlement before the Court of Appeal. Accordingly, Mohan de Silva and Ravin Wickremaratne were allowed to contest for posts despite being disqualified by the Appeal’s Advisory Committee.

UNP appoints committee to probe Ranjan’s claims

A four-member committee headed by the Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella was appointed today by the UNP parliamentary group to probe the allegations leveled against a number of Cabinet Ministers by Highways and Road Development State Minister Ranjan Ramanayaka alleging that they were drug addicts.

Two youth arrested for taking photos on top of Cheithiya further remanded

The two youth arrested by the Archaeological Department officers on February 14 for having allegedly taken photos on top of one of the retinue Cheithiyas in Mihintale, were further remanded until February 27 by the Anuradhapura Magistrate today.

Speaker wants AG, EC at meeting on PC polls

The Speaker had requested Elections Commissioner (EC)and the Attorney General (AG) to be present at the next party leaders meeting to discuss holding of elections to the Provincial Councils under the old system, Minister Mano Ganesan who attended the Party Leaders meeting said.

Mannar mass grave: Report submitted to court

The US laboratory’s Radiocarbon dating test report on bone samples from the Mannar mass grave, has been submitted to the Mannar Magistrate’s court today.

Duterte says MS follows his example of ’killing bastards’

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday said President Maithripala Sirisena has vowed to emulate his approach to curbing the drug menace by ’’killing bastards.’’

Lotus Road closed due to protest

The Lotus Road outside the Finance Ministry in Colombo has been closed due to a protest carried out by a group of retired army soldiers, reporter said.

Kabir arrives at commission on SriLankan and Mihin

Minister Kabir Hashim arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) unit at the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate financial irregularities that had taken place at SriLankan airlines, SriLankan Catering (Pvt.) Limited and Mihin Lanka Airlines, to give a statement a short while ago.

25 SL fishermen nabbed off Tamil Nadu coast

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has apprehended 25 Sri Lankan fishermen, who were illegally fishing in the Indian territorial waters today.

More time to implement 2015 resolution - Govt. to talk to Core Group

The government has initiated discussions with the core group of countries on the resolution to be moved at the 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) next month to request for more time to be granted for Sri Lanka to implement the 2015 resolution on Sri Lanka, a source from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said yesterday.

’Gamperaliya’- Govt. to allocate Rs.10 billion more

The government will make an additional allocation of Rs.10 billion to implement its Gamperaliya programme aimed at reviving the rural economy, National Policies Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy said yesterday.

How can you eradicate cocaine - Some politicos also using it: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that it was not possible to eradicate cocaine when some politicians were addicted it.

Chandrasena wants Speaker to rethink action against MPs

Opposition MP S.M. Chandrasena yesterday requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to reconsider a decision to take legal action against MPs who are accused of behaving in an unruly manner in parliament in November last year.

SL to launch first ever satellite in April

Sri Lanka’s first research satellite RAAVANA-1 built by two Sri Lankan youths is set to be launched into space this April, marking our entrance into the space age, an official of the Arthur Sri Clarke Institute said.

Outstanding insurance claims: Mihin Lanka owes SriLankan US$79,650

SriLankan airlines has to recover US$79,650 or Rs.10.279 million on account of insurance paid for Mihin Lanka aircraft since 2013, this was revealed yesterday at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into irregularities at SriLankan airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka.

Madush likely to receive pardon in Aug. ’20: Ranjan

Makandure Madush is likely to receive a pardon in August 2020, a Sri Lankan intelligence officer assisting in the investigations in Dubai said on Monday.

Indo-SL joint railway service on the cards

It has been decided to resume the joint railway service between Sri Lanka and India, the Prime Minister’s office said today.

Sapling of Sri Maha Bodhi gifted to Thai King

A sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi was presented to the 10th King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn by Buddhasasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera today.

Gems and diamond robbery: Wedikande Kasun arrested

Kirayadurage Kasun Dananjaya alias Wedikande Kasun was arrested today in connection with the robbery of a 750-carat diamond worth more than Rs.7 billion in Pannipitiya on November 5 last year, Police said.

Pakistan warns India against military action

Pakistan has warned it will retaliate if India takes military action against it after a militant attack on Indian forces in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Abduction of two businessmen: IP remanded

Inspector of Police (IP) Kapila Nishantha, who was arrested by the CID yesterday over the abduction of two businessmen in Rathgama, was remanded till February 27 by the Galle Magistrate’s Court today.

Central Bank issued Rs.14.2 bn to SriLankan in 2012: Commission

It was revealed several times at the SriLankan Airlines Presidential Commission that in 2012, the Central Bank had issued Rs. 14.2 billion worth Treasury Bonds to SriLankan Airlines using the direct placement method without publishing an early gazette notification according to the RSSO.

CMC to move distracting digital advertisements

Digital advertisements in Colombo that cause distractions to motorists will be moved to alternative locations, Western Province Governor Azath Salley said yesterday.

Four arrested for operating a brothel as a massage parlour

Four women were arrested by the Welikada Police for allegedly operating a brothel in the guise of an Ayurveda Medical Centre in Rajagiriya last night.

Youth arrested for posting offensive FB comments

A 22-year-old youth was arrested for allegedly posting Facebook comments disparaging the Pitigala Police in particular and the Sri Lanka Police in general.

16 states sue to stop Trump’s use of emergency powers to build border wall

A coalition of 16 states, including California and New York, on Monday challenged President Trump in court over his plan to use emergency powers to spend billions of dollars on his border wall.

Politicos using cocaine- 24 names given to CID: Ranjan

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake who elaborated more on his recent statement that there were Ministers who used cocaine said there were 24 of them who consume such drugs.

Incidents in Parliament: report out on Friday

The report of the committee which was appointed to look into the un-parliamentary incidents that took place in the House, is expected to be tabled in the House on February 22, informed sources said yesterday.

GMOA urges Prez to take over Health Ministry

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), yesterday requested in writing that President Maithripala Sirisena take over the Health Ministry.

Gangarama Navam Perahera today and tomorrow

A total of about 45 elephants are expected to participate in the perahera which also displays a pageant of fine cultural performances involving hundreds of dancers. The Chief incumbent of the Mount Lavinia Wimalaramaya Ven. Dr. Atthudawe Piyarathana Thera and the Principal of the Sri Gnaneswara Pirivena Ven Doradeniye Wimalakitthi and Parivenadipathi Ven.Thanthirimulle Sa