Two nabbed with Kerala ganja worth Rs.13.2 mn

Two men were arrested by the Police Special Task Force with 132 kilos of Kerala ganja, valued at Rs. Rs. 13.2 million, in Mannar, while they were attempting to transport the stock to Colombo this morning.

Police personnel in North: Leave cancellation extended

Leave cancellation of Police personnel serving in several areas in the Northern Province including Kopai, Chunnakam and Manipay had been extended by Jaffna Senior DIG.

Salaries of ministers likely to be increased?

Salaries of ministers, deputy ministers, state ministers and all parliamentarians are likely to be increased by approximately 215 per cent to be on par with the recent salary increase given to judges, parliament sources said yesterday.

EC wants to meet JO MPs over PC Polls

In the wake of mounting pressure from the Opposition to conduct the elections to the Provincial Councils, the Elections Commission had sought a meeting with the MPs of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) sitting in the Opposition, sources said yesterday.

Executing certain category of convicts absurd: JO

The Government’s selective approach towards the implementation of the death penalty on a certain category of convicted criminals was absurd, the Joint Opposition yesterday said.

KDU asks Rs. 6 mn from SAITM students

The first batch of the SAITM students, who were absorbed to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KUD) for the MBBS Degree, had been instructed to pay around six million rupees as course fee for a period of five years, the Daily Mirror learns.

South Africa win by four wickets

South Africa won by four wickets in the 2nd ODI held with Sri Lanka in Dambulla. Quinton de Kock’s 87 paved the way for South Africa to pass the target of 244 set by Sri Lankans. The catches dropped by Sri Lankans also released the pressure that South Africans had as the match progressed.    

Trace City: Gota’s concept will be fully implemented-Harsha

The incumbent Government would carry Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s concept of Trace City and would move towards implementing its second and third phase, Deputy Minister Dr Harsha De Silva said today.

On arrival visa facility for Lankans in Laos

Sri Lankan citizens holding valid travel documents could apply for visa on arrival at the international border check points of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic with effect from August 1, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today.

Special Court summons Gamini Senarath over Litro Gas case

Summons had been issued on former President’s Chief of Staff Gamini Sedara Senarath and three other accused to appear in the Special Trial At Bar High Court on August 24 to face the trial for allegedly misappropriating Rs. 500 million belonging to Litro Gas.

US says committed to work with SL to combat human trafficking

The US is committed to working with civil society, international organizations, and the Sri Lankan government to combat trafficking in persons in the country, a diplomat of the US Embassy on Monday said.

C’wealth Secretary-General arrives in SL

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland arrived in the country this afternoon on a four-day official visit.

12 prison officers transferred

Four Prison superintendents, five assistant superintendents and three jailers in prisons across the country, have been transferred with immediate effect by the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms. 

Customs Tax amended for vehicles less than 1000cc, hybrid/electric

The excise duty levied on vehicles engine capacity less than 1000cc had been revised from today, the Finance Ministry said.

Drug smuggler injured in police shooting

A leading drug smuggler was injured and another suspect was arrested when the Police opened fire at a car during a raid at Charlemont Road in Wellawatte last night, police said.

Term of Prez Commission on SriLankan and Mihin, extended by five months

The term of the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate financial irregularities which had taken place at SriLankan airlines, SriLankan Catering (Pvt.) Limited and Mihin Lanka Airlines, has been extended by five months by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Cigarette prices increased

The Finance Ministry announced the increase on excise duty on Cigarettes by Rs.3.80 per stick with effect from midnight yesterday, the Finance Ministry said.

ASP Liyanage not executing diplomatic duties: Buddhika

Deputy Minister Buddhika Pathirana said yesterday that the Ambassador to Qatar A.S.P. Liyanage is running the Sri Lankan school in Qatar for money instead of executing the diplomatic duties.

World’s second largest cargo aircraft at MRIA

The world’s second largest cargo aircraft, Antonov An-124 Ruslan, landed at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) this afternoon, Airport Manager Upali Kalansuriya said.

'False' advertisements by FM: JO files SC petition

The Joint Opposition today said it has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Finance Minister over allegedly misusing public funds to publish newspaper advertisements on fuel prices which contained ‘false’ facts.

Prices of 25 essential drugs to be reduced: Rajitha

Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said today prices of 25 essential drugs including 10 highly priced cancer drugs would be reduced with immediate effect.

Abduction of 11 youths: Some Defense counsel requested to favour Navy individuals: CID

During the magisterial inquiry relating to the alleged abduction of 11 youths in 2008, Director of the CID Shani Abeysekara today revealed that, several years ago, some of the defence lawyers, who currently represent the suspects, have requested him to favour several Navy individuals, who were at that time not named as suspects into the inquiry.

Two British ruggerites' Death: Drug peddler remanded

A 38-year-old man suspected to have sold drugs to two British rugby players, who died in Colombo recently, was remanded till August 10 by the Fort Magistrate’s court today.

LTTE ideology still a threat: Ex-Malaysian IGP

The LTTE in Sri Lanka may have been defeated, but its ideology and sympathisers still exist around the world posing a threat, former Inspector-General of Malaysian Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan has said.

Arrest warrant on Jaliya Wickremasuriya extended

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today extended the arrest warrant on former Sri Lankan Ambassador to USA Jaliya Wickremasuriya over the magisterial inquiry conducted into the alleged misappropriation of USD 132,000 state funds.

Iranian Foreign Minister to arrive in SL

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has left Tehran for Sri Lanka on Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations with senior Sri Lankan officials, Iran Front Page News reported today.

Dhammaloka Thera’s travel ban lifted temporarily

The travel ban imposed on Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera has been lifted temporarily with effect from today until September 10 by the Colombo High Court.

Will surround Presidential Secretariat if ‘Pera’. Medical faculty not opened: PUMS

The Presidential Secretariat would be surrounded by University students and their parents next week if the authorities fail to reopen the Medical Faculty of Peradeniya University, the Parents' Union of Medical Students (PUMS) said yesterday.

Schools vacation begins on Friday

The Education Ministry today announced that all the Government and Government-assisted private schools would end their second term for 2018 on  Friday (August 3).

UAE offers amnesty to overstaying Lankan workers

The United Arab Emirates is offering a three-month amnesty period for Sri Lankan migrant overstaying their visa from next month to leave the country.