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.

CMC raids seven eateries near National Hospital

Seven eateries at the Punchi Borella Junction in close proximity to the National Hospital were raided by the Colombo Municipality Council’s Health Department officials on Wednesday.

Former Kaluthara PS Chairman gets RI over bribery case

Former Chairman of the Kaluthara Pradeshiya Sabha Lakshman Vidanapathirana has been sentenced to five year rigorous imprisonment today (07) by Colombo High Court Judge, Gihan Kulathunga, after he was found guilty of bribery charges.

China-SL moving forward upholding openness & win-win results: Envoy

China and Sri Lanka are moving forward with each other, upholding the international order of openness and inclusiveness, mutual benefit and win-win results, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan said.

Namal Kumara willing to volunteer as hangman

In the wake of the arrest of underworld drug kingpin Makandure Madush in Dubai, Anti-Corruption Force Operations Director Namal Kumara said he was ready to work as hangman to execute Makandure Madush or any other criminal sentenced to death.

12 MPs trapped in Parliament lift

MP Wimal Weerawansa said that twelve MPs, including Dinesh  Gunawardane  and himself, were trapped in the parliament elevator for about 15 minutes, a short while ago.

Chaos in House after Speaker rejects President's claims

Parliament was plunged into chaos this morning after Speaker Karu Jayasuriya made a statement regarding the Constitutional Council (CC) which he heads. The Speaker in his address dismissed several claims made by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Court of Appeal: Tussle to continue

The overlooking of the country’s second senior most  Judge Justice Deepali Wijesundara successively for promotion in judicial appointment has led to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka writing to President Maithripala Sirisena to consider her for promotion. 

National Govt.: Debate unlikely today

The government is likely to put off the parliamentary debate that that was due to take place today (7) on the resolution to form a national government, the Daily Mirror learnt.

Removal of Charles aimed at crushing “port mafia”: Mangala

Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday defended his earlier decision to appoint the retired navy official Rear Admiral  Dr.  Shemal Fernando as the new Director General of Sri Lanka Customs (SLC), noting that the decision was taken to discipline a group of people he called “port mafia”, at SLC.

Diplomatic passport holder, policeman and a prisons officer also at party

There is a diplomatic passport holder, a police officer and a prisons officer among the 24 persons arrested along with drug lord Makandure Madush while celebrating a birthday party held in a luxury hotel in Dubai.

Take action against Madush in Dubai itself: Nalinda

It would be better if action is taken against Makandure Madush and others in Dubai itself without bringing them back to Sri Lanka, JVP MP Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament today.

Be aware on ATM skimming attacks: FINCSIRT

Finance Sector Computer Security Incident Response Team (FINCSIRT) had requested the general public to be vigilant over their bank account balances and about unauthorized withdrawals for those, who do transactions using Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.

Milk powder issue: Fonterra denies allegations

Fonterra Brands Lanka today denied allegations of its products containing any adulterants such as pork fat or palm oil. In a statement, Fonterra Brands Lanka said it was aware of misinformation that was recently shared in media reports quoting Parliament proceedings and said these claims are completely false.

CAA is conducting probe on milk powder matter: Kiriella

Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella said today steps would be taken to call for a report from the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on the allegation that milk powder contains substances harmful to human consumption.

Milk powder issue: ‘Women for Justice’ wants govt.’s immediate intervention

Referring to the revelation made by Deputy Minister Buddkia Pathirana on Tuesday in Parliament regarding the mixture of lactose powder and animal fat in imported milk powder, Women for Justice’ today urged the government to look into the issue immediately.

Probe on animal oil mixed milk power: Opposition

The opposition today urged the government to launch an investigation into the revelation made by the Deputy Minister, Buddika Pathirana that some companies were selling animal oil mixed milk powder in the market.