Govt. jobs for A/L qualifiers: Prez objects to cabinet proposal

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have objected to a cabinet proposal to grant employment to 7,500 GCE Advanced Level qualifiers in the state sector. The government has submitted this proposal to the regular cabinet meeting conducted on

Madush, Amal and Nadeemal remanded till Feb. 28: Lawyer

Thirty one suspects including drug kingpin Makandure Madush, singer Amal Perera and his son Nadeemal, who were arrested in Dubai, were today remanded till February 28 after being produced in a Dubai Court, Counsel Shabdika Wellappili said.

UK renews call on Sri Lanka to abolish death penalty

The UK Government renewed its call on Sri Lanka, a country which has consistently backed UN resolutions for worldwide suspension of executions, to abolish the death penalty. UK Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field said the UK Government calls on all

SLPP requests Prez to take over Provincial Councils Ministry

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramauna (SLPP) yesterday requested President Maithripala Sirisena to take the Provincial Councils Ministry under his purview to ensure that the election for Provincial Councils (PC) is held immediately.

Govt. only looking at political solution based on APRC proposals: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government was only looking at the political solution based on the proposals made by the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) during the previous regime.

Kanjipani Imran’s mistress Kudu Chooti injured in shooting

A 39-year-old woman known as ‘Kudu Chooti’, who is also the mistress of underworld figure Kanjipani Imran, was injured when two unidentified gunmen opened fire at her at Melwatta in Kotahena this evening, police said.

Kashmir attack: Bomb kills 34 soldiers in military convoy

At least 34 Indian paramilitary soldiers have been killed in a bomb attack by militants on their convoy in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Niroshan rejects allegations

UPFA MP Niroshan Premaratne today rejected allegations levelled against him relating to his links with Makandure Madush and reports of financial assistance from him.

PM suggests flats for Muslim IDPs in North

It has been decided to construct flats for Muslims who were displaced after they were chased out of Jaffna during the war. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe came out with this idea after Trade and Commerce Minister Rishath Bathiudeen brought up the issue of Muslim IDPs at a meeting held in the

Police sergeant injured in misfire during heroin raid

A police sergeant attached to the Kadawatha Police was injured when his gun went off accidentally while attempting to arrest a suspect in possession of heroin this evening, police said.

Reunion Island deports illegal SL immigrants

More than 50 Sri Lankans who had illegally migrated to Reunion Island were deported by French authorities today

Two youths arrested for taking photos on top of Cheithiya

Two youths aged 18 and 20 were taken into custody by Archaeological Department officers for allegedly taking photos on top of one of the retinue Cheithiyas in Mihintale today, police said.

Illegal migration attempt thwarted

The Navy and the Special Task Force (STF) today arrested 24 Sri Lankans including two masterminds behind the human trafficking racket, when they were attempting to illegally leave for the Reunion Island via sea route.

'Lonsina' and 'Karadaraya' arrested with heroin

Two suspects identified as Thennakoon Arachchige Ajith alias 'Lonsina, and Pradeep Senadheera alias ' Karadaraya' were arrested in possession of heroin in Katunayake yesterday.

Constitutional Council a corrupt and biased institution: Wijeyadasa

Former Minister and MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday the Constitutional Council was one of the most corrupt institutions in the country and stressed the need to abolish it.

Ravi gives statement to BC

Power, Energy and Business Development Minister Ravi Karunanayake arrived at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning to record a statement.

Sand mining permits in Trincomalee suspended

Sand mining permits in the Trincomalee district would be suspended from tomorrow for two weeks, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau Chairman W.M.A.S. Iddawela said.

LNG power project: German Envoy concerned about contract to China

German Ambassador Jorn Rohde expressed concerns about the award of the contract for the execution of the LNG power project in Kerawalapitiya to a higher bidder.

Namibian Opp. Leader wants govt. to avoid falling into same debt-trap as SL

Namibian Opposition Leader McHenry Venaani said their government must renegotiate foreign loans to avoid falling into the same trap as Sri Lanka and some African countries, the Namibian reported yesterday.

CID probe Ex-DIG Nalaka, Amal's connection to Madush

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate that it is looking into the link between former TID DIG Nalaka Silva and musician Amal Perera and to also investigate if there was any dealings between the former DIG and Makandure Madush.

68Kgs of Kerala Ganja seized in Maradana

A stock of 68 kilograms of Kerala Ganja was found in a sports utility vehicle (SUV-Honda Vezel) which had crashed into a pedestrian bridge in Maradana earlier today, police said.

SL Consulate in Dubai not willing to appear for Amal, son

Counsel Shabdika Wellappili, who went to Dubai yesterday to represent well-known singer Amal Perera and his son  Nadeemal, said the Sri Lankan Consulate in Dubai had rejected a request made by him to allow his to appear for them on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government.

MR could even nominate Shiranthi as presidential candidate

Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayaka said yesterday that opposition and SLPP de-facto leader Mahinda Rajapaksa could even nominate his wife Shiranthi as the presidential candidate of the joint opposition because he is the sole decision maker on this subject on behalf of the JO and the SLPP.

Bugs become a menace on trains: Railways Official

The Railways Department had received complaints from several commuters that there were bugs inside compartments.

Sri Lanka should re-look at its divisional structure: Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who stressed Sri Lanka should re-look at its divisional structure said the government is looking at changing the structure and have a common unit to implement all programmes of the government.

Truth Commission was not to sue anyone: Nalin Bandara

Development Strategies and International Trade Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara said today the purpose of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was to find out the truth about the past conflicts and not to take legal action against anyone.

Van, jeep parked at Madush’s mistress’s aunt’s house seized

A van and a jeep parked at Makadure Madush’s mistress’s aunt’s house at Pamunuwila, Gonawala of the Sapugaskanda police division were taken into the Special Task Force (STF) custody this afternoon, police said.

Principal nabbed for soliciting Rs. 100, 000 as bribe

The principal of Anula Devi Girls' School in Galle was arrested by Bribery Commission officials for accepting Rs. 100,000 as a bribe.

Core Group to present UN resolution on SL to promote reconciliation

The Core Group on Sri Lanka, comprising Canada, Germany, Macedonia, Montenegro and the UK would present a resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, Julian Braithwaite said.

MP Wijesiri released on bail

UNP Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, who surrendered to the Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court over the alleged assault of a police constable attached to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), was released on bail today.