CMC employee injured in accident

An employee of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) was hospitalised when he fell into an elevator shaft at the Municipal Council building today.

IP Rangajeewa and Lamahewa re-remanded

Police Narcotic Bureau Inspector Neomal Rangajeewa and Prisons Department Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa, who were in remand custody over the Welikada Prison riots in 2012, were further remanded till June 5 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

12.5% bus fare hike from midnight; Rs.12 for the first segment

The Cabinet has approved a 12.5% bus fare hike with the fare Rs. 12 for the first segment of the journey with effect from midnight, Deputy Minister of Transport Ashoka Abeysinghe said.

Mahanama, Dissanayake re-remanded till June 5

President Maithripala Sirisena's former chief of staff I.H.K. Mahanama and State Timber Corporation (STC) former chairman P. Dissanayaka, in remand custody on charges of accepting a Rs.20 million bribe, were today re-remanded till June 5 by Court today.

Navy rescues 172 marooned flood victims

At least 172 people including nine pregnant women, marooned by the flood waters, were rescued by the Navy.

Four-way battle for SLC Presidency

Incumbent Thilanga Sumathipala will face familiar foes Jayantha Dharmadasa and Nishantha Ranatunga in his bid to remain as President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), when it conducts its elections on May 31.

Johann Peries second Sri Lankan to summit Mt. Everest

Sri Lanka's Johann Peries successfully summited the 29,030 feet of Mount Everest at 5.55 a.m in Nepal time today.

SLPP will contest future elections under lotus bud: GL

Ahead of talks between the 16-member Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) group and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said yesterday that it would contest all the future elections only under its ‘lotus bud’ symbol.

JVP to present 20A in parliament today

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday it would today present the 20th Amendment to the Constitution on abolishing the executive presidency

Rainfall of more than 300mm in some areas

The heavy rains in the onset of the Southwest Monsoon has exceeded 300mm in some areas by this morning, the Department of Meteorology said.

GMOA blames Epidemiology Unit for its silence

Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today said that the Epidemiology Unit is inactive and had not taken sufficient measures to mitigate the spreading viral flu in Southern Province.

Emissions from N'cholai Power Plant: No apparent effect on Sri Maha Bodhi

Emissions from the Norochcholai Power Plant do not appear to have caused any adverse effect to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura but a scientific test should be carried out to obtain a clearer picture, Energy expert Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya said today.

Viral disease in South: Pre and primary schools closed

All preschools in the Southern Province will remain closed this week while the primary section of other schools situated in the areas where the disease is spreading will be closed for two-days from tomorrow because of an unidentified disease spreading in the Province, Provincial Education Ministry said today.

President instructs to provide immediate relief

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed relevant authorities to provide immediate relief to the victims of the adverse weather conditions, the President's Media Division said today.The President instructed officials to provide relief without considering financial funds as an issue.

30 regional forensic experts in Colombo for ICRC Summit

About 30 senior forensic specialists and policymakers from the regional countries would gather in Colombo for the third Asia Conference on Regional Cooperation and Policy Development in Management of the Dead in Emergencies on May 22 and 23, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Monday. 

Mangala knows I can, that’s why false propaganda: Gota

Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on Sunday said Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera was spreading false propaganda against him because the minister was aware of his ability.

Water level increasing in several rivers: People warned of possible floods

People living in downstream of Nilvala, Gin Ganga, Kalu, Kelani, Mahaweli, Attanagalu Oya and Ma Oya rivers were advised to be on alert of possible floods as their water level was increasing, Irrigation Department said today.

President reduces Rajitha's delegation to 14 from 20

President Maithripala Sirisena has pruned Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne 's delegation to attend the 70th summit of the World Health Organization (WHO) from 20 to 14.

SL immigrant stabbed to death in UK

A man stabbed to death in south London was identified as a Sri Lankan immigrant who moved to the UK in search of a new life.

Avissawella-Kegalle Main Road inundated at Thalduwa

The vehicular movement along the Avissawella-Kegalle Main Road has been hampered due to the overflowing of the Seethawaka River at Thalduwa, Police said. They requested motorists to use alternative routes.

Monsoon wreaks havoc: Claims four lives, six missing

The South West monsoon has wreaked havoc in many parts of the country already claiming four lives while six remain missing, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

New laws to protect Buddhist religious sites: Wijeyadasa

Higher Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said the government was considering amending the existing laws in order to protect the Buddhist religious sites as well as the places with archaeological value.

NBRO issues landslide warnings for 9 districts including Colombo

Landslide warnings have been issued to Kalutara, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Nuwara-Eliya, Badulla, Galle, Colombo and Gampaha Districts since the rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 100mm, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) said.

Water levels increasing-- Be vigilant: DMC

Disaster Management Centre (DMC) today warned the people living along the downstream of the Gin Ganga, Attanagalu Oya and Kalu Ganga to be cautious as the water levels of the rivers reached the spill level due to the heavy rainfall experienced in the catchment areas.

Do not send children to school with feverish symptoms

Southern Province Education Minister Chandima Rasaputhra today requested the parents to not to send their children to schools if they are suffering from cold, cough and fever.

Six accidents in Expressways

At least six road accidents have been reported by this evening on the Southern and Katunayake expressways, Police Media Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Rajapaksas trying to throw nation again into "Vipath Maga": Mangala

Taking a swipe at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera today said that both former leaders now seem to be engaged in an untiring effort to throw the country again into “Vipath Maga” (the destructive path).

RDA urges motorist using highways to drive at 60 kmph

The Road Development Authority (RDA) requested motorist using expressways to maintain an average speed of 60 kmph and switch on headlights due to heavy rains.

Six PT-6 aircraft ready to join SLAF fleet

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) to receive six brand new PT-6 Aircraft from the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for primary training of the SLAF.

Power disruptions in several areas due to rain

Electricity supply in the Kegalle, Rambukkana, Mathugama and Agalawatta areas had been disrupted due to the heavy rain, the Ceylon Electricity Board said.