Businessman injured in Weligama shooting

A 38-year-old businessman had been hospitalised when unidentified gunmen opened fire on him at Polwatte, in Weligama, Matara a short while ago, the Police said.

Bandula Gunawardena: claim wrong by 99 percent

On 17 October, the Divaina quoted Mr. Bandula Gunawardena as saying that as a result of the Sri Lanka–Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA), nearly 4,000 products can be imported with zero tariffs as per the gazette notification 2069/2.

Police investigate death of cook at Galle Face Court

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) and the Kollupitiya Police are investigating the death of a 49-year old man who had worked as a cook in an apartment at the Galle Face Court housing complex in Colombo.  

Ex-LTTEr arrested with firearms and ammunition

A former LTTE member was arrested with four firearms and a stock of ammunition by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) in Palei, Kilinochchi yesterday, Police said.

UPFA to ask P'ment to help speed up PC polls

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) will raise the question of the government delaying the conducting of provincial council (PC) elections in Parliament this week, a party official said yesterday.

Won't allow PM, Sumanthiran to implement decisions taken on the sly: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday vowed not to allow Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran to implement decisions taken by them surreptitiously that would harm the interests of the country.

Govt. mulls holding PC polls with General or Presidential elections

The government was contemplating to hold Presidential poll or General election and the elections to all nine provincial councils in one day within this year, senior cabinet Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.

It's unclear new draft Constitution will get two thirds in House - PM

There is no need to prepare a draft for a new constitution if it cannot be approved by a two thirds majority, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said over the weekend. He said it is not clear whether a draft for a new constitution would be approved by a two thirds majority as the parties in Parliament have to decide on it.

CMC official refuses to work with female colleague

A top official of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is said to be refusing to work with another high ranking official of the council merely because the latter is a woman.

Sena caterpillar: Agriculture Employees leave cancelled

Leave off all agriculture officers and employees engaged in the Agrarian Services had been cancelled with effect from January 21 until further notice in order to control the Sena caterpillar (Army Worm) which had spread to all parts of the country, Director General of Agriculture Dr W.M.W. Weerakoon said.

Philippines to assist SL to eradicate illegal drug trafficking

The Philippines to send a specialist team to Sri Lanka to inquire on the technical expertise that can be provided to eradicate drug smuggling.

Gold jewellery and cash of Satischandra’s family stolen

Gold jewellery and cash worth nearly Rs. 189,000 had been stolen from the family of veteran actor Satischandra Edirisinghe at a hotel in Ella, Badulla during the weekend, while the family was engaging a trip.

Mark Samson passes away

Veteran film actor Mark Samson passed away yesterday at the age of 63. Thelge Samson Marcus Peiris who was born on February 29, 1956 had acted in a large number of films.

Suspect arrested over shooting at Kudawella Fisheries Harbour

One suspect has been arrested along with a pistol in connection with the shooting incident at the Kudawella Fisheries Harbour, where four people were killed and eight injured.

President returns

President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in the country last night after concluding his visit to the Philippines.

Update: Six killed, three injured in accident in Wennappuwa

Six people were killed and three others were injured when a car they were travelling in collided with a lorry near the Nainamadama Bridge in Wennappuwa on the Colombo- Chilaw Main Road early this morning, Police said.

Re-delivering 14 leased aircraft: 'SriLankan disregarded the 1.7 bn loss factor'

The SriLankan Airlines audit division had not looked into the loss of USD 12.5 million or Rs.1.72 billion incurred when re-delivering the 14 leased aircraft; it was revealed at the PCol on irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka yesterday.

Six China-led firms on track for 3 light rail projects

Six China-led companies have qualified for the execution of three light rail projects in Colombo, it is learnt.

SL workers being held in jail in M-E are drug addicts: FEB

The Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) yesterday said that most of the Sri Lankan expatriate workers who were being held in jail in the Middle East had committed drug related offences.

Future alliance -- Await reasonable decision on symbol: Basil

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa said yesterday a acceptable decision would be taken about the symbol of the future political coalition led by the SLPP, which would contest upcoming elections.

Banglasesh officers to quiz three B'deshi heroin traffickers

Six Bangladeshi Drug Regulatory Authority officers including two policemen arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday to investigate the arrest of three Bangladeshi suspects in possession of Rs.4,500 million worth of heroin and cocaine, Police Headquarters said yesterday.

Ven. Gnanasara may be released on Feb. 4: Duminda

UPFA MP Duminda Dissanayake said yesterday he was confident that the President would release Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) general secretary the Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera on February 4 .

Nights and mornings to be cold

Fairly cold nights and mornings are expected over most parts of the island during next few days and there is a possibility for ground frost at some places in the Nuwara-Eliya district during early hours of the morning, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

SL to sign defence-related pact with US: Dayasiri

A defense-related pact to be signed shortly between Sri Lanka and the United States will seriously impact on the national security, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka, SLFP general secretary and MP, Dayasiri Jayasekera said yesterday.

Recovery of explosives: CID obtains 3-month detention order

The CID yesterday obtained a three-month detention order from the defence secretary to interrogate the four suspects who were found in possession of some 100 kilos of explosives and 100 detonators at Lacktowatta in Wanathawilluwa, Puttalam.

Resign if you can't knock out 'Sena',Yapa to minister

The Minister of Agriculture should resign as he and his government had failed to control the ‘Sena’ caterpillar which has spread to all parts of the country, MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said today.

Prez assures to increase welfare of Sri Lankans in Manila

President Maithripala Sirisena said he would take steps to increase the welfare of Sri Lankans living in the Philippines while resolving their concerns with the assistance of improved Sri Lanka-Philippines relations following his state visit to the Philippines.

26 Chief Inspectors promoted as ASPs

Twenty-six Chief Inspectors were today promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) by IGP Pujith Jayasundara with the approval of the National Police Commission (NPC).

HR activists decry President's praise for Duterte's drugs war

Human rights groups have expressed alarm at President Maithripala Sirisena for praising Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his ‘bloody war’ on drugs as an “example to the whole world”, Reuters said today.

Opp. Leader’s office previously confined to one area: MR

The Opposition Leader’s office was previously used to represent a particular group of people and a region, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.