Adopt new Constitution for more economic benefits: Keshap

Outgoing US Ambassador Atul Keshap at a meeting with TNA leader R. Sampanthan today highlighted that Sri Lanka will be able to attract more investors and will have more economic benefits if it adopts a new Constitution, the TNA said in a media release.

Austin Fernando steps down

Presidential Secretary Austin Fernando bid farewell to his office a short while ago, President's Media Division tweeted.

Rs. 5 mn cash cheque from Mendis to Ravi’s company

During the submission of ASG Yasantha Kodagoda in the magisterial inquiry relating to the bond scam, it was revealed that WM Mendis & Company had given a Rs. 5 million to Brian Sinnaih, who was the Chief Finance Officer of Global Transportation and Logistic Pvt Ltd owned by former Minister Ravi Karunanayake through a courier service.

3 phones, 5 SIMs in Aloysius’ cell

Additional Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda today during his submission revealed that the Special group of Prison Department officers has found three mobile phones and five sim cards from the remand cell of Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena in the Colombo Remand Prison.

PM asks Vijayakala to resign

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had requested State Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran to resign from her State Ministerial post, sources close to Premier Wickremesinghe said today.

CHEC denies NYT report, pledges cooperation with SL on CID investigation

Denying the New York Times report that it funded the election campaign of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, China Harbour Engineering Company said today it would cooperate with any investigation by the Sri Lankan authorities in this regard.

NTC to launch new Google Maps facility

The National Transport Commission (NTC) would launch a Google Map facility to facilitate day-to-day public transportation by the year end, NTC Chairman M. A. P. Hemachandra said.

Vijayakala to resign

Child Affairs State Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran has reportedly decided to resign from her portfolio.

Protesters seek release of 11 refugees from SL

Activists have vowed to continue staging protests to seek the release of 11 Sri Lankan refugees awaiting deportation in Johor, Malaysia Nan­ban reported.

Contribution to NYT expose: Mangala condemns attacks on two SL journos

Prompt action needs to be taken over the recent attacks on two Sri Lankan journalists who contributed to the New York Times report on massive financial misappropriation linked to the former regime, Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera said in a press release.

AG already filed action on UPF: PM

The Attorney General had already filed legal action to recover the additional revenue of Rs 140 million earned by Perpetual Treasuries by selling bonds to University Provident Fund (UPF), Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday.

We’ve already decided on action against Vijayakala: PM

The Government had already decided on the action that was to be taken against State Minister Vijeyakala Maheswaran, who had called for the resurgence of LTTE, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday.

Mihin employees worked 9 months without wages: PCoI

One hundred employees, who were recruited to Mihin Lanka worked for nine months without salary, starting April 2008, retired Mihin Lanka employee Ingrid Catharine Guruge told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCol) on irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka today.

CID probes on NY Times report: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today following a complaint lodged by Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had launched an investigation into the article appeared on New York Times that at least US$7.6 million was dispensed from China Harbour’s account at Standard Chartered Bank to affiliates of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s election campaign.

Speaker on Vijayakala: Opp. MPs tarnished the image of House

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today said he had done his utmost in taking action against State Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran.

Five civil suits against PTL claiming Rs. 8.5 billion: ASG Kodagoda

During the submissions made by Additional Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda over the revision bail application filed by Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena, it was revealed that the Attorney General had so far filed five civil cases in the District Court on behalf of five state institutes against Perpetual Treasuries Ltd (PTL).

PC polls delayed due to lack of consensus on electoral system: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe informed Parliament today that Provincial Council Elections were delayed as political parties had been unable to come to an agreement on the electoral system.

JO hints Mangala behind NYT report

The Joint Opposition today hinted at the direct involvement of Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera behind the controversial New York Times Report, which alleged that a Chinese company had funded the campaign of Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January 2015.

Archives publicise Section C-350 of Bond Report

The Section C-350 of the Central Bank Treasury Bond Commission Report which contains call records of COPE members and former Finance Minister relating to the Treasury bond controversy had been publicized today by the National Archives upon a request of the Presidential Secretariat, the National Archives Department said.

Viyath Maga too carries forward Mahinda Chinthanaya: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that there was no animosity between the Nelum Mawatha-the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) head office-and Viyath Maga headed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa and that the Viyath Maga too carried forward Mahinda Chinthanaya.

Interim order preventing proceedings of Avant-Garde case

The Appeal Court today issued an interim order staying the proceeding of the Avant-Garde case at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, against former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and 8 other defendants until October 3, 2018.

IGP instructs Senior DIG crimes to probe complaints against Vijayakala

IGP Pujith Jayasundera instructed Senior DIG in Charge of Crimes, to launch an investigation into the complaints against State Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran in connection with the speech on the LTTE.

Police personnel in North: Leave cancelled

Police personnel serving in the Northern Province have had their leave cancelled for two weeks by Jaffna Senior DIG.

Tense situ outside Education Ministry

A tense situation prevailed outside the Ministry of Education in Isurupaya, Battaramulla because of a protest march carried out by some teachers’ unions.

China refutes so-called 'debt trap' over SL's Hambantota port project

China and Sri Lanka are committed to pushing forward cooperation on the Hambantota port project and realizing the goal of making Sri Lanka the logistics center of the Indian Ocean, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday.

Accident kills two students in Deiyandara

Two students were killed when a bus and motorcycle collided head-on at Pitawalgamuwa in Deiyandara this morning, police said.

UNP to hold disciplinary inquiry

The United National Party is to begin disciplinary proceedings against State Minister Vijayakala Maheshwaran today (4), Party Spokesman Harin Fernando announced yesterday.

England beat Colombia to reach World Cup quarter-final

England beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after Eric Dier scored the decisive spot kick to send them through to a World Cup quarter-final against Sweden.

Sweden beat Switzerland to reach quarters

Sweden reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years after Emil Forsberg’s deflected shot earned a scrappy 1-0 win over Switzerland on Tuesday.

Principals, teachers on sick leave today

Principals and teachers unions yesterday confirmed that they would go ahead with the island-wide one-day token strike today against making appointments of principals and teachers for political victimization, the Ceylon Teachers' Union said.