Those in jail must wear the prison jumper: Thalatha

Referring to Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary the Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera sentenced to a jail term of six months rigorous imprisonment, Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Thalatha Athukorale said yesterday any person convicted by Court should wear the prison jumper as provided by the Prisons Ordinance.

Foreign Ministry urges public to provide details of missing to OMP

The Foreign Affairs Ministry today urged and encouraged any one in Sri Lanka or overseas to share the information of the missing, including whose names have been listed by the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP), with the Office on Missing Persons (OMP).

Two gang-rape convicts get 10-year RI

The Colombo High Court today sentenced two individuals, who were convicted for abducting and gang-raping a minor girl, to ten years Rigorous Imprisonment.

CEB employees launch protest

The members of the United Trade Union Front of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) today launched a protest outside the CEB head office in Colombo, demanding the authorities to revoke the suspension of CEB union leaders. (TK)  

Eight women, manager arrested in Kandana brothel raid

Eight women and a male manager had been arrested by the Walana Anti-Vice Unit for allegedly operating a brothel in the guise of a spa on the Negombo Road in Kandana early this morning.

Postal workers initiate protest fast

Postal workers have resorted to a protest fast outside the Central Mail Exchange (CME) a short while ago, demanding the Government to resolve their issues.

SDIG Ravi Waidyalankara in-charge of FCID

Retired Senior DIG Ravi Waidyalankara has been re-employed on a 9-month contract, from yesterday and will head the FCID, following a cabinet decision, the National Police Commission (NPC) said.

Two Australians killed, two more injured in expressway accident

Two Australian nationals, a woman and her daughter, were killed and another three including two Australians were injured when a van crashed into a lorry near the 65 km post at Kurundugahahetekma on the Southern Expressway this morning.

Compensation to war-affected: New Cabinet memo submitted

A fresh Cabinet memorandum seeking to grant compensation to war affected people including ex-LTTE combatants was reported to have been submitted yesterday.Sources said, the Cabinet withheld its approval for this compensation formula till the establishment of the reparation office after enacting necessary legislation.

US quits UNHRC over ‘anti-Israel bias’

The US has pulled out of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) calling its anti-Israel and a “cesspool of political bias,” the BBC reported. US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley has said the "hypocritical and self-serving" body "makes a mockery of human rights."

Influenza: Nebulizer liquid not upto standard- GMOA

The nebulizer solution imported from Pakistan to be used for the prevailing influenza was contaminated and could pose more dangers to users, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) charged yesterday.

LNG power plant: Proposal to award contract to foreign bidder withheld

The Cabinet yesterday withheld the contract to build an LNG power plant in Kerawalapitiya to a bidder following heavy criticism.

Chandimal found guilty of changing condition of ball: ICC

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has been suspended from his side’s third and final Test against the Windies after he was found guilty of changing the condition of the ball during the second day’s play of the second Test, which concluded at Gros Islet on Monday, the ICC said today.    

Govt. submits supplementary estimate for Rs.2.5 Bn

Government today presented a supplementary estimate for Rs.2.5 billion to improve skills, to provide salary subsidies to ex-LTTE combatants and for empowerment of women in the North.

England set new ODI record against Australia, smash 481/6

England have smashed a new world record one-day score, pulverising Australia's bowlers to hit 6-481 at Trent Bridge in the third ODI on the back of centuries from Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales.

Agriculture ministry will be shifted to Govijana Mandiraya: Minister

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today he would, within three months shift the Agriculture Ministry to a State-owned building from the high profile DPJ towers at Battaramulla and that a six-member committee had been appointed to make recommendations.

Prominent drug dealer arrested in Peliyagoda

A prominent drug dealer in Peliyagoda, Jayaratnage Gihan Sandaruwan, was arrested by the Police Special Task Force (STF) with drugs and a live hand grenade in his residence at Peliyagoda this evening, police said.

Rs.120 Mn spent on 60-member delegation to UN

It was revealed in Parliament today that more than Rs.120 million had been spent for the 60-member delegation which accompanied the President for the United Nations General Assembly sessions in 2016.

Pathirana appointed Deputy Minister

Matara District United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian Buddhika Pathirana was sworn in as the Industries and Commerce Deputy Minister before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon, the President’s Media Division said.     

Posts Minister to introduce tailored recruitment procedure

Post, Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs Minister M.H.A. Abdul Haleem said today a tailored recruitment procedure will be introduced to the Department of Posts to overcome postal issues.

15% VAT on channelling fees, surgeries to be removed

The Cabinet today approved to remove the 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on doctor’s fees, channelling fees and on surgeries at private hospitals with effect from July 1, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

'Wildlife Ministry should manage human animal conflicts'

The Ministry of Wildlife should manage human animal conflicts while safeguarding species, Deputy Minister of Environment Ajith Mannapperuma said today.

Oman Post suspends sending mails to Sri Lanka

The Oman Post has announced that it will temporarily stop receiving any mail to be sent to Sri Lanka, "due to unforeseen circumstances".

IUSF protesters teargassed

The Polduwa Junction today turned into a mini battlefield after around 2,000 anti-SAITM protesters attempted to get past police barricades put up to prevent them from reaching the country’s supreme legislative body—Parliament.

Heavy traffic at Battaramulla

Heavy traffic was reported along the Sri Jayewardenepura Road at the Polduwa Junction and near Parliament in Battaramulla due to a protest march carried out by a group of undergraduates against the SAITM and the proposed Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Bill.

Film distribution comes under Film Corporation from today

The distribution of local films, which was handled by four private companies, would come under the purview of the National Film Corporation with effect from today, National Film Corporation Chairman Sithendra Senaratne said.

IP Rangajeewa and Lamahewa re-remanded till July 3

Police Narcotic Bureau Inspector Neomal Rangajeewa and Prisons Department Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa, who are in remand custody over the Welikada Prison riots in 2012, were further remanded till July 3 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage today.

Ven. Gnanasara Thera’s appeal postponed till June 22

Homagama Magistrate’s Court today postponed the hearing of the appeal made by Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera till 2 p.m June 22 for not appearing of officials of the Attorney General’s Department.

Mahanama, Dissanayake re-remanded till June 26

President Maithripala Sirisena's former chief of staff I.H.K. Mahanama and State Timber Corporation (STC) former chairman P. Dissanayaka who are in remand custody on charges of accepting a Rs.20 million bribe, were today re-remanded till June 26 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Ranga Dassanayake.

Police constable killed, five others injured in accident

A police constable was killed and five others including another police constable were injured when a car skidded off the road and rams into the two constables on patrol at Nildiya Uyana in Matale last night.