President, PM Security Forces and TNA discuss release of land

President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, members of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Chiefs of the Security Forces discussed on how to expedite release of lands in the North and East.

Legal action against overstaying SL workers in Israel

Legal actions would be institute against 104 Sri Lankan migrant workers overstaying their visas in Israel, Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said yesterday.

Sobitha Thera didn’t ask common candidate to break banks

President Maithripala Sirisena said today the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, who came forward to set up a Government through a common candidate, never asked a common candidate to loot the Central Bank.

International community cannot be spectator if Govt. failed: Sampanthan

While claiming that the International community could not be a spectator anymore with regard to Sri Lanka, Leader of the Opposition and the Tamil National Alliance R. Sampanthan said today if the Government continued to fail in its commitments, the International Community must clearly state its position on follow up mechanisms to safeguard the victims and ensure non-recurrence of the past.

PTL office searched by CID

The Head-office of the Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) located at the Parkland building in Colombo 2 is being searched by the CID, CID sources said a short while ago. (DS)

Two underground mega drains to control floods in Colombo

The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development is set to invest RS. 5,800 million in a mega flood control project in Colombo.

JO urges Speaker to change COPE composition

The Joint Opposition (JO) today urged Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to change the composition of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) by removing the COPE members, who had received funds from the Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL).

Powerful 16 MPs taken money from PTL- Keerthi

Some powerful 16 MPs from both the Government and the Opposition accepted money from the Perceptual Treasuries Chief Arjun Aloysius, Centre for Human Rights and Research (CHR) Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon alleged today.  

Interim Order stays SLC election

The Court of Appeal today issued an Interim Order staying the holding of the election scheduled to be held tomorrow for the election of the office bearers of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

New Colombo map to be released tomorrow

The latest and updated map of Colombo, which consists an additional two square kilometre land of the Colombo Port City, would be unveiled tomorrow, the Survey Department said.

Rtd. Major General Karunasekara re-remanded

Former Military Intelligence Director and Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General (Retired) Amal Karunasekara was re-remanded till June 13 by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate today.Major General Karunasekara was arrested in connection with the abduction an

Railways goes to CID over sabotage

The Railways Department had lodged complaint with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to investigate over the damages caused to train compartments and locomotives by the striking workers, Additional General Manager of Railways Wijaya Samarasinghe said.

Petroleum Bowser Association to launch strike on Friday

The Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners Association (CPPBOA) today warned that it would suspend transportation of fuel from CPC storage sites from Friday if authorities failed to increase payment for transportation by 12.5 per cent.

UNP to appoint new members to it's WC

The United National Party (UNP) is to appoint a few more members to its Working Committee (WC) tomorrow (31), party General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.

SL Human Rights Commission’s status upgraded to ‘A’

The status of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka’s (HRCSL) had been upgraded to ‘A’ from the previous ‘B’ by the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), the international accreditation agency for national human rights institutions.

Hold PC elections soon

Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday he has written to political party leaders including President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya requesting them to conduct the provincial council elections as early as possible. He said he would write to the Opposition Leader and party representatives participating at meetings convened by the Elections Commission.

Champika’s stance on 20A is no concern of ours: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramnua (JVP) MP Sunil Hadunnetti said yesterday they were not concerned about Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka’s stance on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution because his stance from the beginning had been to retain the executive presidency.

Three train engines damaged, may be act of sabotage: GMR

Three train engines at the Maradana Railway Yard had allegedly been damaged last evening by unidentified persons, Railways General Manager S.M. Abeywickrama said.

SLPP councillor’s killing: Police question Kudu Anju’s associates

The Mount Lavinia police have recorded statements from several close associates of Sinhara Amal Silva alias ‘Kudu Anju’ in connection with the killing of SLPP Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Councillor K. Ranjan de Silva.

One dies after tree falls on bus in Diyathalawa

At least one person was killed and another Injured after a tree fell on a bus at Galkanda in Diyathalawa this evening, Police said.

Muslims grossly misled during Rajapaksa regime: Gota

Former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the Muslims were grossly misled during the Rajapaksa regime by various elements who aspired to drive a wedge between the Muslims and the Rajapaksas.

Aloysius never offered us money: Hadunnetti

JVP MP Sunil Hadunnetti said Perpetual Treasuries Ltd., owner Arjun Aloysius had never offered any money to Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MPs and pointed out that Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake was trying to prove his innocence by even involving our members.

OMP optimistic about establishing regional offices

The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) today expressed optimism about establishing several regional offices within the next six months.

Bullet-proof vehicles used by VIPs to be put on display

Eight bullet-proof cars used by VIPs including former presidents are to be displayed at the Gangarama Temple in Hunupitiya, the Presidential Secretariat said today.

Some 70,000 still living in 265 temporary shelters

Some 70,000 people displaced by the rains and floods are living in 265 temporary shelters, Disaster Management Centre Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili said today.

Prez, PM haven't fulfilled their promises: Arjuna

The President and the Prime Minister had failed to fulfill the promises made by them at the time the unity government was formed, Petroleum Resources Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said at a function in Diyagama, Kadawatha.

Railways Union launches 48-hour token strike

The members of the Railway Technical Services Trade Union Committee (RTSTUC) launched their 48-hour token strike from 4.00 p.m. today.

Govt. must take a cue from PM Mahathir: Duminda

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary and Minister, Duminda Dissanayake said today that by now legal action should have been taken against those of the previous government alleged to have committed acts of fraud and corruption had the government acted in a manner similar to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

STF arrests 1 of the 6 prison escapees

One of the six prisoners, who escaped from the Baddegama Magistrate’s Court cell last evening, was arrested this morning by the Special Task Force (STF), Police said.

Death toll due to Pneumonia rises to twelve

Five patients who sought treatment for Pneumonia at the Matara General Hospital during the last few days, have died, the inquirer into sudden deaths T.M. Lalith de Silva said.