Maj. Gen Dampath’s term extended

Chief of Staff (CoS) of Sri Lanka Army Major General Dampath Fernando’s term of office has been extended by three months with effect from today by President Maithripala Sirisena,  Army Spokesman Brigadier Sumith Atapattu said today.

Sergeant who went berserk arrested with service weapon

The entire Thebuwana Town in the Kalutara District was engulfed with fear this afternoon when an enraged police sergeant armed with a T-56 assault rifle took to the streets protesting in a violent manner for letting a driver of a lorry transporting sand, who was arrested by him recently, go scot-free allegedly on the orders of the police hierachy.

NPC like an elders’ home: Wijeyadasa

Higher Education Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today he was doubtful if the National Police Commission (NPC), which was established under the 19th Amendment, was turning into an elders’ home.

Over 250 worldwide died taking selfies: Study

More than 250 people worldwide have died while taking selfies in the last six years, the NDTV reported today quoting a study conducted by the researchers of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. 

Train stalls across Cotta Road

A train travelling on the Kelani Valley Railway line stalled across the Cotta Road in Borella causing heavy traffic in the area, Police said.

Judges appointed to second Special Court

Chief Justice Priyasath Dep has appointed three High Court Judges to hear cases in the country’s second Special High Court to try high-profile financial fraud and corruption cases.

Five spill gates opened at Kotmale reservoir

Five spill gates of the Kotmale reservoir had been opened yesterday due to heavy rainfall in the catchment on the western slopes of the Central Province, DMC Deputy Director for Early Warning Pradeep Kodippili said.

LTTE detainees at Magazine prison launch hunger strike

A group of 40 prison inmates who were detained at the Colombo Magazine prison under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) have launched a hunger strike since this morning, Prisons department said.

Ensure Iran sanctions don't hit humanitarian aid: World Court orders US

The World Court has ordered the US on Wednesday to ensure that sanctions against Iran do not impact humanitarian aid or civil aviation safety, the Reuters reported today. Judges at the International Court Of Justice at The Hague, Netherlands handed a victory to Tehran which had argued that sanctions imposed since May by the administration of US President Donald Trump violate the terms of a 1955 Treaty of Amity between the two countries.

US DV-2020 application starts tonight

The online registration for the 2020 Diversity Visa Lottery Programme (DV-2020) of the US will open at 9.30 p.m. tonight, the US Embassy in Colombo said. The Diversity Visa Lottery allows randomly selected applicants the opportunity to interview for

Grade five exam results on October 5

The Grade Five Scholarship examination results would be released on October 5, Commissioner General of Examinations B. Sanath Pujitha said.

Alleged assassination plot: CID questions police top brass

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had recorded statements from several senior police officers including STF Commandant M.R.F. Latheef and Senior DIG in Charge of the Western Province Nandana Munasinghe, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged plot to assassinate the President and Former Defence Secretary.

Taking semi-nude photos: Three youths re-remanded

Three youths, who were arrested on charges of posting semi-naked photos, which they had taken while on top of the Pidurangala Rock and posted them on social media were re-remanded until October 10 by Dambulla Magistrate today.

ICC briefs SL Prez, PM on corruption allegations at SLC

ICC Anti-Corruption Unit General Manager Alex Marshall, who is in Sri Lanka said that they have provided a detailed briefing to the Sri Lankan President, Prime Minister and Sports Minister on the serious allegations of corruption in cricket in the country.  

NY Times allegations: CID commences probe

The Criminal Investigation Department had commenced recording statements in connection with the New York Times report which alleged that a Chinese company had funded the campaign of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January 2015.

Open warrant re-issued on Jaliya Wickramasuriya

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today re-issued the open warrant on former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya over alleged misappropriation of USD 132,000 of State funds in the process of purchasing a building for the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington DC, USA.

Ernst and Young commences audit on SLC

The Ernst and Young (E & Y), one of the largest professional services firms in the world, will commence a special audit, pertaining to media broadcasting rights and receipts and payments of by the Sri Lanka Cricket(SLC) during the year 2013 to 2018 period.

Five students suspended over Buddha statue

Five undergrads of the Jaffna University have filed a rights petition against the university authorities claiming that charges had been levelled against them alleging that they had attempted to place a Buddha Statue in a hostel of the University and for action taken against them to ban them from entering the University.

President to leave for Seychelles next week

President Maithripala Sirisena will be arriving in Seychelles next week (8th to 10th October) on his first state visit, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles said in a statement.

Hopeful of 4% growth this year: Central Bank

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank is hopeful that the island nation’s US $87 billion economy would grow at least 4 percent this year, despite both International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) revising down their growth forecasts to 3.8 percent recently.

Prez berates IGP

Amid mounting criticism of the police, President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have berated Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting even calling his behaviour unbecoming of his post.  

Holding PC elections: PM wants Govt. to take policy decision

At yesterday's Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is known to have stressed the need for the government to take a policy decision on the conduct of the provincial council elections.

Portfolio for Ravi K only if AG clears him: UNP

United National Party (UNP) seniors have decided that MP Ravi Karunanayake will be given a ministerial portfolio only after Attorney General clear him of any charges, informed sources said yesterday.

Govt. refutes media reports of railway equipment manufacturing plant

The Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade today categorically refuted the allegations made in the media regarding a project to set up a manufacturing plant for high powered railway equipment.  

Man, woman found dead in Yatiyantota

The bodies of a man and a woman were found with gunshot injuries at a tea estate in Halgolla, Yatiyantota this evening, police said.

US$157.5 mn released within four days to stabilize rupee: Bandula

The Central Bank has released US$157.7 million to the market within four days to stabilise the rupee which stands at Rs.170 against the US dollar, joint opposition (JO) MP Bandula Gunawardana today said.  

Govt. has no moral right to restrict imports: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today the government had no moral right to restrict the import of goods as a solution to the economic crisis while government members including the President, Prime Minister and ministers were wasting public money to import vehicles worth millions and tour the globe accompanied by large delegations.

Jaffna Cinema Festival - No show for 'Demons in Paradise’

The internationally renowned film ‘Demons in Paradise’ which was competed at the prestigious Cannes Film festival in France has been removed from being screened at the International Jaffna Cinema Festival starting this weekend, its Director Jude Ratnam said.

Don't need Army help to eliminate Awa group: Minister

There is no need for Army involvement in eleminating the activities of the Northern-based 'Awa' group, Law and Order Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara said and added that the Police could handle that job.

PM to visit Norway

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to leave on a State visit to Norway tonight accompanied by Fisheries and Rural Economy Minister Wijith Wijithamuni de Soysa and MPs Hesha Withnage and Dr. Kavinda Jayawardne, PM's office said.