SL to launch Light Rail System soon: Champika

Sri Lanka hopes to build a Light Rail System (LRS) with the main objective of easing traffic congestion on roads leading to Colombo from the suburbs and the feasibility report on the first project was handed over to Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka yesterday at his Ministry.

Regional Courts will take SL to pre-2015 era: Thalatha

Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Thalatha Atukorale said yesterday the suggestion made by some people to setup separate regional Courts to curb underworld activities would lead the country into a situation which prevailed before 2015.

Killing of leopard: 10 suspects remanded till July 3

The 10 suspects, arrested in connection with the brutal killing of a leopard at Ambankulam in Kilinochchi, were yesterday remanded till July 3 by Kilinochchi Magistrate K. Ganesharasa today.

Inquiry launched into PTL deleting voice recordings

Delivering an order on the parallel magisterial inquiry into the bond scam on the deletion of phone call data from the Perpetual Treasuries Ltd voice recording system and fabricating evidence to the Commission, Colombo Fort Magistrate today allowed the prosecution to compare the original DVDs from the PTL with the altered DVDs which the suspects handed over to the bond commission.

Court issues interim injunction: Stays Denishwaran's removal

The Appeal Court today issued an interim injunction restraining Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran from removing Provincial Minister of Transport and Fisheries, B. Denishwaran from his post.

Price of 12.5kg gas cylinder down by Rs.138

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today said the price of a 12.5 kg LP gas cylinder would be reduced by Rs. 138/- with effect from midnight today.

SL should join India, China to reap benefits of trade arrangements: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today Sri Lanka should join India, China and other countries to reap the benefits of trade arrangements such as, the Belt and Road initiative and Asia- Africa trade corridor initiative. He said this at the Dr. Saman Kelegama Memorial Conference held in Colombo.

Wijeweera’s wife files Habeas Corpus petition

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) founding leader Rohana Wijeweera’s wife Chitrangani has filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the Court of Appeal seeking an order directing the government to produce Rohana Wijeweera who disappeared in 1989, in Court or to release him.

Udayanga will appear in court: Counsel informs

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga would arrive in Sri Lanka and appear in Court over the MiG aircraft deal, his counsel informed the Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Tab distribution to go ahead

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has decided to implement the tab distribution programme to school children, sources close to the Prime Minister said yesterday.

Habarakada Wasantha’s wife arrested

The wife of Habarakada Wasantha was arrested with a revolver and live ammunition when her Homagama house was searched by the Police Special Task Force (STF) this morning.

PC Polls before December: Speaker agrees to work out roadmap

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya agreed to work out a roadmap for the conducting of the provincial councils elections before December this year.

5 killed in shooting at Maryland Newspaper

Five people are dead and at least two others were wounded in a shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, officials announced at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

LNG plant tender: German envoy questions transparency, openness

Stepping into the controversy surrounding the award of the tender for the Kerawalapitiya LNG power plant to a higher bidder, German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jorn Rohde yesterday questioned the “transparency” and “openness” of the entire tender procedure.

‘Group of 16’ tag-line no more: WDJ

Former United Freedom Peoples Alliance (UPFA) Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne, who defected the government along with 15 other UPFA members, yesterday said they should no longer be addressed as the 'group of 16’ because they have decided to work together with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Tusker Deega Danthu-I gone missing in fear of drug injection: Minister

Nine teams led by 50 wildlife officers conducted a special search operation in the Kala Wewa National Park to locate the Tusker Deega Danthu-I which had run away in fear of drug injections after being found with gunshot injuries, Wildlife Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma today said.

Law and Order Ministry wants report from STF

Law and Order Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara Jayamaha said today that he had requested a report from the Police Special Task Force (STF) in connection with the Suriyawewa incident in which Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma and the STF personnel were involved.

Dy. Minister obstructed duties of officers: STF Commandant

Referring to the Suriyawewa incident, police Special Task Force (STF) Commandant, Senior DIG M. R. Latheef said Deputy Minister Palitha Kumara Thewarapperuma had interfered with the duties of the officers who were on a special raid.

China funding MR’s campaign: Ranjan complains to FCID

Social Empowerment Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake today lodged a complaint with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) against former president Mahinda Rajapaksa over the recent allegations revealed by the New York Times.

Film circuits get enjoining order against NFC move

The Colombo District Court today issued an enjoining order until July 12, preventing the National Film Corporation from taking over the task of local film distribution which is currently being handled by four private film circuits since 2001.

Renounce US citizenship: Akila challenges Gota

UNP General Secretary and Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam today challenged former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to renounce the US citizenship irrespective of his decision to contest the forthcoming presidential election.

Thewarapperuma lock horns with STF in Suriyawewa

A tense situation erupted on Tuesday between Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development Deputy Minister Palitha Kumara Thewarapperuma and Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel at the Andarawewa Forest Reserve in Suriyawewa when the STF attempted to thwart an alleged illegal sand transportation.

Ravi gave no evidence to back allegations against Dr. Nandalal: CB Governor

Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy today said no evidence had been produced by former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake to backup his allegations against Central Bank Senior Deputy Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.

SAITM fmr. CEO, three others re-remanded

Former SAITM CEO Dr. Sameera Senaratne and three others were further remanded till July 12 by the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court today over the shooting which took place in Malabe last year.

Speaker signs KDU Bill

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today signed the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (Special Provisions) Bill, which would enable SAITM students to be absorbed into the KDU.

SC orders Peshala to pay Rs. 250,000 over a Principal’s transfer

The Supreme Court today ordered Former North Central Province Chief Minister Peshala Jayaratne to pay a compensation of Rs. 250,000 to a school Principal, who had challenged his transfer in the SC.

Lankan arrested with heroin, ice and hashish at BIA

A 57-year-old Sri Lankan was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning while attempting to smuggle drugs including heroin, crystal methamphetamine (ice) and hashish worth Rs.4.7 million into the country, Police said.

Udayanga would return on my request: MR

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who the government has named as a fugitive, would return to Sri Lanka in a month on my request, Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Joe Jackson, father of Michael Jackson, dies at 89

Joe Jackson, the father of music legends Michael and Janet Jackson, has died at age 89, a person close to the family has confirmed to the BBC.

Germany out of FIFA World Cup in group stage

Defending champions Germany are out of the FIFA World Cup after losing 2-0 to two injury-time South Korea goals in Kazan.