Vocational training, skills development to Bathiudeen: Prez rejects PM's request

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have turned down a request by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to assign the subject of vocational training and skills development to Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

Harmful substances in imported milk powder - Buddhika sticks to what he said

Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Buddhika Pathirana reconfirmed his statement that imported milk powder contains harmful substances and said yesterday health ministry officials had misled Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne on this matter.

Don't bring liquids to Parliament

The parliamentary authorities have prohibited any form of liquid including water being brought into the parliamentary complex by MPs and visitors, an official said yesterday.

Only pure and pasteurized milk to MPs

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya informed parliament yesterday that pure and pasteurized milk was provided to MPs.

Speaker tables criteria followed by CC

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday tabled the report of the Constitutional Council (CC) which depicts the criteria followed by the CC to approve persons for various posts.

SriLankan Board meeting at residence: Chamal to resign if charges proven

Former Speaker and UPFA Parliamentarian Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday said he would step down as an MP if anyone comes up with the minutes of the Srilankan Airlines Board meeting which was allegedly to have been held at his official residence on March 1, 2013.

Retired Police Officers - MR urges Govt to resolve pension anomalies

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday urged the government to resolve the pension anomalies of police officers.

So many factions trying to take credit for Madush arrest: President

President Maithripala Sirisena today said now there are so many people to claim credit for the arrest of notorious drug dealer and underworld leader Madush in Dubai.

No diplomatic PP holder arrested in Dubai: State Minister

Internal and Home Affairs State Minister J.C. Alawathuwala said yesterday no diplomatic passport was found in possession of any of those arrested in Dubai recently as reported in the media.

House of Madush’s accomplice searched: live bullets, military equipments found

The Police had found live bullets and several military equipments including army uniforms when they carried out a search operation in the house of Anushka Kavishal alias Janga, an accomplice of underworld drug kingpin Makandure Madush in Talalla, today.

Threatening Eknaligoda: Gnanasara Thera’s sentence suspended

The six-month rigorous imprisonment imposed on Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera for threatening Sandya Eknaligoda, was suspended for five years by the Colombo High Court today.

MR to visit India

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit India and deliver a lecture on the future of India-Sri Lanka relations in Bangalore tomorrow.

Etihad A-380 carries out emergency landing at BIA

An Etihad Airways A-380 Airbus carried out an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning after a passenger had fallen ill, the airport duty manager said.

Vehicle permit issue will be resolved soon: Eran

The issues faced by government officials because of the suspension of vehicle permits will be resolved within the next three months, State Minister Eran Wickramaratne said today.

Madush's arrest: DPL passport holder a Kamuburupitiya PS Member?

Unconfirmed reports that came out yesterday suggested that the diplomatic passport holder who attended the extravagant birthday bash thrown by wanted underworld drug kingpin Makandure Madush in Dubai, was a member of Kamburupitiya Pradeshiya Sabha.  

SLPP has Rs.21 million in savings: Basil

Thanks to the contribution made by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna's (SLPP) local government representatives and other party members, the party has Rs.21 million in its savings advised National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa to a group of SLPP local government members at the party office in Battaramulla today.

Parliament elevators’ maximum capacity restricted

The number of persons who can board the parliament elevators has been restricted to six persons after several MPs were trapped in an elevator yesterday. It was observed that a notice has been displayed on the elevators of both the visitors and MPs saying that “maximum capacity; six persons only”.

ATM skimming activities: Use EMV enabled payment cards: CB

While initiating several measures against automated teller machine (ATM) card skimming activities, the Central Bank requested that ATM users to use EMV enabled payment cards to enhance the security of customer funds and prevent fraudulent card transactions.

Indian nabbed with cocaine worth Rs. 15 mn at BIA

A 34-year-old Indian was arrested by Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning, attempting to smuggle in 1 kg of cocaine valued at Rs.15 million, PNB Director SSP TCA Danapala said.

Two nabbed with Kerala ganja worth Rs.40 mn

Two suspects were arrested in Peliyagoda by the Organised Crimes Prevention Division (OCPD) with 400kilos of Kerala ganja, valued at Rs. Rs. 40 million, while transporting the stock at Peliyagoda this morning, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Madush, diplomatic passport holder's arrest: FM yet to be informed

No details of the arrest of notorious underworld drug kingpin Makandure Madush and several other Sri Lankans had been reported to the Foreign Ministry yet, a senior Ministry official said.

Prez responsible for chaotic situation: Getambe Prelate

The Chief Incumbent of the Getambe Rajopawanaramaya Ven Keppetiyagoda Siri Wimala Thera said yesterday President Maithripala Sirisena should take the responsibility over the chaotic situation which has arisen in the country today.  

UNP condemns Prez’s remarks on Independence Day

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday rejected the remarks made by President Maithripala Sirisena on Independence Day and in Parliament on Wednesday.

CC see saw has affected entire judiciary: Dilan

MP Dilan Perera today charged that the controversy involving the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal between the Constitutional Council (CC) and the Presidential Secretariat has affected the entire judiciary badly.

Speaker dismisses criticism levelled by President on CC

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today dismissed criticism levelled by President Maithripala Sirisena on the Constitutional Council (CC). Making a special statement in Parliament, Speaker Jayasuriya who is also the head of the CC, said it never informed the President that it does not consider the seniority when

Ravi proposes mechanism to register all elevators

Minister Ravi Karunanayake said a mechanism to regulate all the elevators, which are being operated, would be introduced shortly and that a cabinet paper would be presented next week in this regard.

Houses of Amal Perera & Ryan searched, Ryan's brother arrested

The houses of singer Amal Perera and actor Ryan Van Rooyen were searched by the Special Task Force (STF) officers today and the brother of Ryan was arrested during the search operation.

Suspects of Wanathawilluwa linked to a certain group: Ruwan

The young men who were arrested in Wanathawillluwa for possessing firearms and explosives have links to a certain group, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene told Parliament on Wednesday.  

Contempt case against Sarath N.: Justice Priyantha recuses himself

Justice Priyantha Jayawardane recused himself from being a member of the Bench which is hearing the contempt of court allegation against former Chief Justice Sarath N.Silva.

Rajitha says allegations on milk powder baseless

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today the statement made by Deputy Minister Buddhika Pathirana saying that imported milk powder contained animal fat was totally false.