Conviction of Gnanasara Thera a victory for HR defenders: AI

The conviction of a Buddhist monk who had threatened the well-known campaigner against enforced disappearances, Sandhya Eknaligoda, is a victory for human rights defenders in Sri Lanka, Amnesty International (AI) said today.

Wele Suda's accomplice nabbed with Rs.25mn worth heroin

An accomplice of drug kingpin 'Wele Suda' was arrested with two kilograms of heroin worth Rs.25 million, by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) last night, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Influenza claimed lives of 20 infants, now under control: Rajitha

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne claiming that the influenza had claimed lives of nearly 20 infants in the south and elsewhere, was now being brought under control, added that the influenza virus changed rapidly and therefore the same vaccine could not be used to control the disease all the time.

Kiriwehera shooting: Govt. to bear medical expences of Damminda Thera

The government has taken a decision to bear the medical expenses of Kiriwehera Chief Incumbent Ven. Kobawaka Damminda Thera, who is receiving treatment at a private hospital after being shot by gunmen on Tuesday (12), Minister of Buddha Sasana Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said yesterday.

73.4% of children between 1 and 14 subjected to corporal punishment in SL: UNICEF

About 73.4% per cent of children aged one to fourteen experience corporal punishment at home by parents in Sri Lanka, the UNICEF Sri Lanka said yesterday.

CERT receives 1,100 fb complaints, 10 businessmen’s emails hacked

The Computer Emergency Readiness Team/Co-ordination Centre (CERT|CC) had received 1,100 complaints regarding social media issues and ten complaints on fraudsters attempting to hack email accounts of businessmen and lure them into making remittances since January this year, Principal Information Security Engineer Roshan Chandragupta said.

No jail term for 13 Swiss LTTE financiers

The Swiss Federal Criminal Court has given no prison terms to alleged financiers of the LTTE, the Swissinfo news reported on Thursday. It said the 13 accused were either given suspended custodial sentences or acquitted.

Our ‘Trump and Kim’ would join hands soon: Lakshman Yapa

Sri Lanka’s ‘Trump and Kim’ would work hand- in-hand prior to the Presidential Election by December 2019, MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said at a news briefing today, with reference to President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

If anyone wants to buy time, please don’t use us - Mahela

Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Mahela Jayawardane has rejected the request made by Sri Lanka Cricket selectors to be a consultant to the Sri Lanka Cricket and said that “no previous recommendations were implemented and I don’t have any trust in the system.”

Machang, no time to respond to every inaccurate news: Keshap

Outgoing US Ambassador Atul Keshap, in response to a blogger on the Daily Mirror article on the Ambassador’s meeting with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said if they responded to every inaccurate news story that appears, they would have little time for anything else.

President suspends transfer of two elephants in Sinharaja

President Maithripala Sirisena had instructed officials to suspend the transfer of two rare wild elephants from the Sinharaja Forest Reserve until a proper remedy was found, Presidential Media Unit said today.

Gota to appear before FCID on June 25

Former defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa today undertook before Court of Appeal to appear before FCID on June 25 to make a statement.

Euro 4 fuel will not replace 92 Octane, Auto Diesel: CPC

After introducing the new Euro 4 emissions standard fuel from July, Petrol 92 Octane or Lanka Auto Diesel would not be removed from the market, Petroleum Resources Development Ministry Secretary Upali Marasinghe said today.

Range Bandara’s son released on bail

State Minister Palitha Range Bandara's son Yashoda was released on a personal bail of Rs. 50,000 by Chilaw Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake today.

Interim order against SLC election lifted

The Court of Appeal today lifted the interim order which prevented elections of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)  being held and ordered the calling of fresh nominations.

Gnanasara Thera sentenced to six months RI

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera had been sentenced to one-year Rigorous Imprisonment, to be served in six months by the Homagama Magistrate today.

Sarath N. Silva’s FR petition dismissed

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva against Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Bill before Supreme Court was rejected by the majority of a 3-member bench today.

Mother, daughter killed in accident in Nugawela

A 24-year- old mother and her two year-old daughter were killed after a private bus ran over their motorcycle in Nugawela today.

Georgia’s PM resigns after protests and party Infighting

The prime minister of Georgia resigned on Wednesday, citing disagreements with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the governing party and the country’s richest man.

Govt. to stop importing chicken, eggs, canned fish, dry-fish

The import of chicken, eggs, canned fish and dry-fish will soon be stopped, Fisheries Minister Wijith Vijayamuni Soysa said.

Cabinet approves to purchase 12 locomotive engines

Cabinet approval has been granted on Tuesday to purchase 12 locomotive engines with the intention of enhancing up country’s railway service, Cabinet Spokesman, Lands and Parliamentary Reforms Minister Gayantha Karunatilaka said.

A new Deputy Minister for Hindu Affairs?

President’s Secretary Austin Fernando had informed Minister of Resettlement Rehabilitation and Hindu Affairs D. M. Swaminathan that President Maithripala Sirisena will be come up with a favourable solution to the grievances expressed by some Tamil politicians in the government and the opposition on the appointment of a Muslim MP as a Deputy Minister in charge of Hindu Affairs.

PCoI into Mihin Lanka: Was there influence?

The Presidential Commission appointed to probe Sri Lankan Airlines, Sri Lankan Catering and Mihin Lanka yesterday directed investigators to inquire as to whether there was an influence from Mihin Lanka or any other body over the BoI to continue with tax concessions for Mihin Lanka, even though it was apparent that Mihin Lanka had violated the BoI Agreement in that regard.

Probe coal scams from 2009 to 2016: Champika

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka yesterday urged President Maithripala Sirisena to appoint a Presidential Commission with extraordinary powers to investigate the alleged coal scams that took place from 2009 to 2016.

Ranjan gives a Kaala punch

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake had commented on the Indian film Kaalaa where he had criticized Indian director Pa. Ranjit and his movie Kaalaa which features Superstar Rajinikanth.

MR-Keshap meeting: US Embassy non-committal

In response to the news report published on a Tamil daily newspaper in Jaffna regarding a content of a meeting held between former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and outgoing US Ambassador Atul Keshap, the US Embassy today remained non-committal.

One killed, 25 injured in head-on collision

A 60-year-old man was killed and 25 others injured after two private buses collided head-on at Kapuwarala, Allawwa on the Kurunegala-Colombo Main Road this evening, police said.

Rumble in the Jungle: Rider dies; race suspended

A 33-year-old Nepal off-road cyclist died after he fell into the Mahaweli River this evening, while participating at the Off-Road Bicycle Race Rumble in the Jungle, organised by SriLankan Airlines

Tusker Deega Danthu-I, shot by trap gun; Wildlife

Deega Danthu I, one of the elephants with the longest tusks roaming the Kala Wewa National Park, was found with gunshot injuries on Monday, Galkiriyagama Wildlife Warden D. Ranasinghe said.

Maldives ex-president, CJ sentenced to 18 months in jail

A Maldives court on Wednesday sentenced former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to 18 months in prison after he was found guilty of obstructing justice, Maldives Independent reported.