President halts appointments and promotions of edu. ministry

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed to temporarily halt the decision taken by the education ministry to provide appointments and promotions to employees in the education sector based on political victimization, the Presidential Media Unit said.

Woman nabbed with Rs. 3mn worth gold Jewellery

A 30-year-old Sri Lankan woman was arrested this morning at the BIA with gold biscuits and jewellery worth Rs. 3 million.

Mattala baby elephant is genetically deformed: Wildlife Dept.

The disable baby elephant found in Hambantota Suriyawewa had been diagnosed as congenitally deformed, Wildlife Health Director Dr. Tharaka Prasad said.

BC to utilize Jakarta Principles when drafting new Bribery Act

The Bribery Commission (BC) today said it has been mandated by the Cabinet to draft a fresh Bribery Act and that it would seek recommendations of the Jakarta Principles when drafting it.  

Protesting HNDF students tear-gassed

The Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesting Inter Higher National Diploma Federation (HNDF) students at the Lotus Roundabout today.

Police records Danushka’s statements over rape allegation

The Kollupitiya Police has recorded a statement from Sri Lankan batsman Danushka Gunathilaka in connection with the incident, where a Norwegian woman was allegedly raped by one of his friends at a star class hotel in Kollupitiya.

Businessman seeks compensation for tire damaged on E01

A businessman residing in Maharagama has lodge a complaint with the Bandaragama Police yesterday, requesting compensation from the Road Development Authority (RDA) stating that his vehicle’s tire was damaged due to a stone on the Southern Expressway.

Google Loon may take off

The Google Loon Project could go ahead as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) had responded positively towards the project, Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando said today.

Thai cave boys become novice Buddhist monks

Most members of the Thai youth football team rescued from the flooded cave have been ordained as Buddhist novices, the BBC reported today. The group will spend nine days living in a monastery, a tradition for males in Thailand who experience adversity.

CID team in Australia to record Keith Noyahr’s statement

A team of Criminal Investigation Department has left for Australia to record a statement from Journalist Keith Noyahr, police said.

Galle Stadium: Minister to discuss with UNESCO before making decision

Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapha is to discuss the fate of the Galle Cricket Stadium with UNESCO officials before taking a final decision on the matter this week, a spokesman from the Ministry said yesterday.

Can’t bring in NCM against MR because of an article: Ajith

It is not possible to bring in a no-confidence motion against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa just because of an allegation that has been made against him in a newspaper article, Deputy Minister Ajith Mannapperuma said yesterday.

103 kg of heroin: PNB found prisons officials contact details on main suspect phone

The Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) said they have found a list of about eight contacts numbers suspected to be of prison officials, from a mobile phone of the the main suspect arrested with the stock of 103 kg of heroin early this month.

India, UAE help sought to trace SL criminals

The government has initiated talks with the authorities of India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to trace some Sri Lankan underworld criminals living in hiding in these countries, Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said yesterday.

Rare opportunity to observe longest lunar eclipse

Sri Lankans would have a rare opportunity to observe the longest total lunar eclipse in the 21st century on the night of Friday (July 27) and the early hours on Saturday (July 28).

Opposition to FTAs should not be left unheard: JO

The Joint Opposition (JO) yesterday said the government should take into consideration the mounting opposition to the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) without acting in an authoritarian manner.

New Constitution only a dream: Ganeshan

Introducing a new Constitution is only a dream because the government has run out of time already, National Integration Minister Mano Ganesan said. He said this at the National Inter-religious Symposium held yesterday at the BMICH. The event was organised by the National Peace Council.

Govt. writes off micro finance loans up to Rs. 100,000

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has announced that the government would write off the non-consumption loans granted to women by all registered finance companies up to Rs. 100,000.

Galle stadium will not be removed: Akila Viraj

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, who also represents Sri Lanka as the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, today rejected the claims that the Galle International Cricket Stadium would be removed and said only the unauthorized pavilion inside it would be demolished.

Vijayakala quizzed over statement on LTTE

Police Organized Crimes Division has recorded a statement from former state minister Vijayakala Maheswaran this evening over a speech made by her calling for the resurgence of the LTTE.

Mannar can be developed as Dubai City: Champika

Although there’s no sufficient water, Mannar District can be developed as Dubai City, if it’s natural resources are properly managed, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka said today.

Failure to declare SL paid trips: British MP suspended

Members of UK Parliament have voted to suspend Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Ian Paisley for 30 sitting days following his failure to declare two family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government in 2013, the BBC reported a short while ago.

Navy nabs gold worth Rs. 40 mn

Two suspects were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy this afternoon with 5.7 kilograms of gold biscuits worth about Rs.40 million in a fishing boat off the seas of Kalpitiya, Navy Media Spokesman Commander Dinesh Bandara said.

Report of probe on Vijayakala before UNP WC tomorrow: Akila

The report of the four member committee appointed to look into the statement made by Former State Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran who called for the resurgence of LTTE is to be presented to UNP Working Committee tomorrow, Party General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

‘Gac fruit’ now in Sri Lanka

The Department of Agriculture introduced ‘Gac fruit,’ scientifically identified as ‘Momordica cochinchinensis’ to Sri Lanka, that can be successfully cultivated during both dry and wet weather seasons.

Court issues summons on President, PM for the fourth time

The Colombo High Court today for the fourth time issued summons on the President and the Prime Minister to appear in court for the trial against former General Secretary of UNP Tissa Attanayake.   The court also postponed the trial against Mr Attanayake for October 9.

Shop catches fire in Pettah

A fire broke out in a storeroom located on the third floor of a building at Maliban Street in Pettah a short while ago, the Police said.

China to gift frigate to Sri Lankan Navy

China will continue to provide various training courses for tri-forces of Sri Lanka and make preparations to hand over a gift frigate to Sri Lanka Navy, a top Chinese military official said on Monday.

Hundreds missing after dam collapses in Laos

Hundreds of people are missing and an unknown number dead after the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy dam collapsed in Laos, the BBC reported a short while ago quoting state media.

Japan heatwave declared natural disaster as death toll mounts

Japan's weather agency has declared a heatwave sweeping the country a natural disaster, with at least 65 deaths recorded in the past week.