Donald Trump signs executive order against foreign interference

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that would impose sanctions against any foreign person or country that attempts to interfere in US elections, Sky News reported on Friday.

62,528 people affected by drought in Puttalam

At least 62,528 people from 18,836 families in six divisional secretariat areas have been affected by the prevailing drought in the Puttalam District, Disaster Relief Centre of the Puttalam District Secretariat (DS) said yesterday.

SL-China banana supply agreement: Not a kilo exported

The agricultural ministry had signed an agreement with China in 2016 to export more than 10,000 tons of bananas but it had failed to export at least a kilo of bananas after two years, former Agricultural Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Subaheenkenda said yesterday.

Standards are a growing concern: Wells

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Alice Wells said there were growing concerns over standards be it Sri Lanka or Malaysia.

CID had no plans to arrest CDS – Govt

The government said that CID had no plans to arrest Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne as claimed by the media.

Gin Nilwala Project- Politico seeking bribe: Chinese Co. tells Prez

The Chinese company, selected to carry out the Gin Nilwala Project, has complained to President Maithripala Sirisena that a leading politician and a top official have attempted to solicit bribe to grant approval to carry out the work.

Minor tremor experienced in Trinco

A minor tremor, measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale was reported from the Trincomalee lagoon area around 1 am today, the Geological Survey and Mines’ Bureau said. However, no damages were reported due to the tremor, it said

SL diplomat arrested in Italy for aiding illegal migration

The officers of the Malpensa Airport Border Police Bureau, Milan, Italy arrested a Sri Lankan diplomat who attempted to bring four youths into Italy by aiding illegal migration last weekend, Italy's Varese7press reported.

Fuel prices increasing since introduction of price formula: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena said today even though the oil price formula was introduced to provide the benefit of fuel price reduction in the international market to the people, the local fuel prices were increasing since the introduction of this formula.

Constitutional Council: Mahinda Samarasinghe replaces Champika

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe has been appointed as the President’s representative to the Constitutional Council (CC) by President Maithripala Sirisena.

CID to probe allegations against DIG Nalaka Silva

IGP Pujith Jayasundara today handed over the investigations to the CID over the allegations levelled against the DIG in charge of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) Nalaka de Silva, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

CID to probe assassination plot: President

Speaking on the alleged conspiracy to assassinate him and former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President Maithripala Sirisena said today the investigation into the incident would be handed over to the CID no sooner the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) concluded its probe and submitted its preliminary report.

Heat weather advisory issued for EP and several districts

The Meteorology Department today issued heat weather advisory for Eastern Province and Polonnaruwa, Mullativu and Kilinochchi Districts as the caution level was expected in most parts of the Eastern Province and some parts of Polonnaruwa, Mullativu and Kilinochchi districts today and tomorrow.   

Bond scam: CID files case against Ravi K

The CID today filed a case against Ravi Karunanayake before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court naming him as a suspect to the magisterial inquiry over giving false evidence before the bond commission on August 2,  2017.

Uni. student injured in Mullaitivu shooting dies

The university student, who was receiving treatment at the Anuradhapura Hospital for three days due to a shooting incident in Pudukuduirrippu, Mullaitivu, died last evening, Police said.

Five hospitalised due to ammonia gas exposure

At least five people were admitted to the Horana Base Hospital after being exposed to Ammonia gas at a rubber factory in Wagawatte, Horana this morning, Police said.

No email-hacking: SLC

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials yesterday said there was enough evidence gathered from its initial internal investigations into the alleged attempt by an employee to embezzle the US $5.5 million of funds due to SLC, to conclude that no email-hacking had taken place.

STF head urges IGP to probe allegation made by TID

Police Special Task Force (STF) Commandant Senior DIG M. R. Latheef said he would discuss with IGP Pujith Jayasundara regarding the investigation into the allegations levelled against the DIG in charge of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID).

CDS could not have gone abroad without President's knowledge: Sumanthiran

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday struck a note of criticism at President Maithripala Sirisena over the incident in which Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Ravindra Wijegunaratne left the country for Mexico last Monday despite him being called by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to give a statement.

Why didn't MR oppose ETCA and Mattala PPP deal in India: UNP

The UNP yesterday questioned as to whether former President Mahinda Rajapaksa opposed the proposed Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) and the Public Private Partnership deal with regard to the Mattala Airport during his visit to India in the same way he opposed them in Sri Lanka

We lost faith in Police, IGP: JO

The Joint Opposition (JO) yesterday said that it would not involve in any Police proceeding hereafter because of the alleged conspiracy to kill President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa with the involvement of some top Police officials.

Sajith, others have to wait for 11 more years: Susil

The second generation of UNP leaders, including it’s Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa will have to wait for another 11 years to get hold of the reigns of the party from its current Leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, MP Susil Premajayantha said today.  

Suppression of Buddhists in N-E: Govt. not keen to curb situation: Nalaka Thera

The government is not taking action over the recent protests carried out by a group of Tamil politicians and some Muslim extremists in the North against a move to build an archeological office at the Kurundankulama Asokaramaya in Mullaitivu, National Rights Organization President Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera alleged today.

China welcomes PM’s statement on Chinese on ‘debt trap’

A Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson Thursday welcomed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe statement that his country did not fall into the debt trap because of the loan from China, nor did the country transfer control of the important port to China, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

Prez perturbed over CDS arrest move

President Maithripala Sirisena who hurriedly summoned a special Cabinet meeting today criticized the move to arrest high profile military officers even without initiating court action against them.

Injured Gunathilake out of Asia Cup

Sri Lanka suffer a major blow ahead of their opening Asia Cup encounter against Bangladesh after opener Danushka Gunathilaka was ruled out with a back injury.

B report: Voucher relating to Rs. 10 mn cheque paid to Ravi K among destroyed

Filing a B report in Court, the prosecution informed court today that according to a statement submitted by a W.M. Mendis & Company’s finance officer, the ‘voucher’ relating to the Rs. 10 million cheque paid to the ‘Global Towers Company’- which has a connection to Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake- was also among those vouchers which had been destroyed.

SIU to probe allegation against DIG of TID

IGP Pujith Jayasundara today ordered the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to launch an investigation over allegations levelled against the DIG in charge of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID).

Complaint lodged against TID DIG Nalaka de Silva

A group called the Sinhalaye Api Jathika Sanvidanaya yesterday lodged a complaint with the National Police Commission against Terrorism Investigations Division DIG Nalaka de Silva alleging that he had allegedly misused his powers to engage in corrupt activities seeking higher ranks in the police department.

Chinese loans amount to 8%, rest are from West and others: MR

The amount of loans Sri Lanka obtained from China is only about 8 per cent from the total loan amount and the rest of the loans are from the Western and other countries, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is in India said.