Fire at Cool Planet

A fire broke out in the leading retailing chain store Cool Planet building at Pelawatte, Battaramulla a short while ago, the Fire Brigade said.

Russian tattoo artist arrested in Galle

A Russian tattoo artist had been arrested at a hotel at Haliwala, Galle yesterday on charges of violating visa conditions.

Four arrested for unruly behaviour during Dambulla ODI

Four spectators had been arrested during the first ODI cricket match between Sri Lanka and England played at the Rangiri International Stadium in Dambulla yesterday on charges of unruly behaviour.

AG files indictment in Special HC against Ali Roshan, six others

The Attorney General has filed indictments in Colombo Special High Court against S.N. Roshan alias Ali Roshan and six others over  illegal possession of four elephants during 2012-2015 without a valid license.

CA dismisses bail application of Aloysius and Palisena

The Court of Appeal today dismissed the revision bail application of Aloysius and Palisena stating that petitioners had failed satisfy the Court to invoke revisionary powers of the Court under the Criminal Code Procedure.

Three-wheeler fares to go up tonight

The fare for the first kilometre in a three-wheeler taxi would be increased to Rs.80 and the second kilometre to Rs. 60 from midnight today, Lanka Self-Employed Professionals' National Three-Wheeler Federation Sunil Jayawardana announced.

Hirunika denies getting 'Maga Neguma' funds

Government MP Hirunika Premachandra yesterday vehemently denied that she had taken out funds from the Maga Neguma account.

LIOC prices increased

Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) also increased the petrol and diesel prices with effect from last night, LIOC  sources said.

No provision in Constitution for Interim Govt- UNP

In response to the speculation of moves being made by the Joint Opposition members to form an Interim Government, United National Party MP Mujibur Rahman said the Constitution had no provision with regard to a formation of an Interim Government.

Minister Musthapha to secure release of Lankan held in Maldives

Minister Faiszer Musthapha yesterday vowed to work proactively and vigorously to secure the release of Lahiru Madushanka, a Sri Lankan man held in Maldives on charges of being part of an assassination plot on outgoing Maldivian President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Remove billboards, hoardings near Parliament complex within 30 days: UDA

Following the beautification projects of the roads surrounding the Parliament complex, the Urban Development Authority has directed that all billboards erected along Parliament road within 30 days with effect from Sunday (7), UDA Director General Sumedha Rathnayake said.  

I broke no protocols: ASP Liyanage

Responding to reports of ‘preferential’ treatment to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s sons upon arrival in Qatar, Sri Lankan Ambassador to that country A.S.P Liyanage said that he broke no diplomatic protocols and therefore did nothing wrong.

Fuel prices up again

The retail prices of fuel have been revised with effect from midnight today based on the fuel pricing formula, the Finance Ministry said.

Office for Reparations Bill passed in Parliament

The Office for Reparations Bill passed with amendments in Parliament a short while ago, the Government Information Department said. The Bill was approved by the Cabinet in June to set up the Office for Reparations.  

SC amends dress code for female lawyers

The Supreme Court has amended the decades-old attire of female Attorneys-at-Law by allowing them to wear frocks below knee length and black coats, trousers up to the ankle with a high-necked long-sleeved shirt with collar, by issuing an Extraordinary Gazette.

Seychelles President requests military training from SL

Seychelles President Danny Faure had requested President Maithripala Sirisena to assist in granting military training opportunities to Seychelles security force members in Sri Lanka. President Faure has made the request during President Sirisena’s two-day State visit to Seychelles.

Harping on price formula immaterial: PM

Talking of fuel price formula was becoming immaterial as oil prices could go up to $ 90 a barrel in the near future as a result of the global economic crisis, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

Sniffer-dog electrocuted, handler hospitalised

Narcotic busting sniffer-dog ‘Cooper’ was killed after being electrocuted while his handler, a Police Constable was hospitalized at Irattai Periyakulam in Vavuniya this morning.

Taking semi-nude photos: Three youths released

The three youths, who were remanded on charges of posting semi-naked photostaken on top of the Pidurangala Rock on social media, were warned and released by the Dambulla Magistrate today.

US-SL Navies rescue fishermen stranded off Galle Harbour

The Sri Lanka Navy with the assistance of the US Navy rescued seven fishermen in distress in the seas off the Galle harbour yesterday.

Titli moves away; rains may persist; Met dept.

The atmospheric disturbance over the island would create heavy showers, thundershowers with strong winds in the sea areas extending from Colombo to Batticaloa via Galle and Hambantota, the Meteorology Department said.

Banda spills the beans: Three accomplices of Makandure Madush arrested

Three accomplices of leading underworld gangsters operating from overseas, Makandure Madush and Athurugiriye Ladiya, had been arrested by the Organized Crimes Division Officers in Homagama with fire arms and ammunition.

Champika introduces economic package to face economic crisis

While introducing an ‘economic package’ to face the current economic crisis, Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka said the crisis could be turned into a blessing and could be overcome if the proposals could be adopted.

Fuel prices to increase with pricing formula

In accordance with the pricing formula activated by the Ministry of Finance, there is the possibility of the price of fuel being increased from today said the general secretary of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Trade Union D.J. Rajakaruna.

UNHRC resolution: SL has made considerable progress: Marapana

As regard to the UNHRC resolution 30/1 co-sponsored by the US and Sri Lanka and adopted in early October 2015, Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana said Sri Lanka has made considerable progress on complying with the requirements expected of Sri Lanka.

Akila comes to Parliament by motorbike due to heavy traffic

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said he had to come to parliament on a motorbike in the rain yesterday afternoon due to the heavy traffic along Parliament Road.

Rajarata Uni: Medical Faculty heads submit resignation

The Department Heads of the Rajarata University’s Medical Faculty have submitted their resignation as a protest against the decision by the Vice Chancellor to stop the retention allowance paid to university teachers, an official said yesterday.

JO to request release of comm. report on Singapore FTA

The joint opposition (JO) yesterday said it would request the government to release the report on the Sri Lanka and Singapore Foreign Trade Agreement (SLSFTA) compiled by a committee of experts.  

Even I'm unable to comprehend pricing formula: Mangala

The Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday that even he cannot comprehend what this pricing formula was.

There won't be any change of Govt: Kiriella

House Leader and Minister, Lakshman Kiriella said today there would be no change in the government as claimed by the opposition and that the good governance government or the United National Front had a clear mandate to govern the country.