New state media heads appointed

Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera today appointed four Chairmen to state media institutions with immediate effect.

China approves funds for Central Expressway

Chinese Ambassador in Colombo Cheng Xueyuan has informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the Chinese government has approved USD 1 billion as funding for the phase one of the Central Expressway project.

TID summons Dilum Amunugama

Joint Opposition MP Dilum Amunugama has been summoned by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) to present at the TID tomorrow to record a statement, UPFA MP Shehan Semasinghe told Daily Mirror.

The body of a PC found in forest

A body of a Police constable was found in a forest at Weeraketiya this evening, Police said.

Lasantha murder: Ex-DIG, ex-OIC re-remanded

Former DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara and former Mount Lavinia Crimes OIC Tissa Sugathapala, who were arrested on charges of concealing the evidence of the investigation into the murder of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickramatunga, were further remanded till May 25 by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate today.(Yoshitha Perera)

Petrol can be sold for Rs 90, if taxes removed: Gammanpila

A litre of petrol could be sold for Rs. 90, if not for the taxes, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Robot-assisted surgery performed aboard USNS Mercy

US and Sri Lankan surgeons conducted the first ever robot-assisted surgery aboard the USNS Mercy recently, US Embassy in Colombo said.

British ruggerite dies in Colombo, another hospitalized

A British Rugby player, who was in Sri Lanka to attend a friendly Rugby match died due to breathing difficulties on Sunday, while another was hospitalized , Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Man killed in gambling den misfire

A 54-year-old man was killed after a firearm of a Policeman misfired during a raid on a gambling den in Kaluwala, Uragasmanhandiya last night, the Police said.

Thunderstorms, dust storms kill 41 in India

At least 41 people were killed on Sunday in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi after dust storms and thunderstorms wreaked havoc in multiple parts across India, the Indian Express reported today.  

FCID head Waidyalankara allowed to retire on his own

The National Police Commission (NPC) has turned down a recommendation by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara and the Law and Order Ministry to send the Head of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) DIG Ravi Waidyalankara on retirement subject to disciplinary inquiries.

Rulers, officials should refrain from corruption

If Sri Lanka’s economy is to develop to the level expected, measures should be taken to keep corruption out of State institutions, former Defence Secretary and the Chairman of the "Viyath Maga" Organisation Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Indian Army Chief General Rawat arrives in SL

The Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, General Bipin Rawat arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday on a seven-day long official visit at the invitation of Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake.

Govt. in secret agreement with ADB: ICEU

Government has got into a secret agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB ) and with a US company to prepare a white paper to expand investment of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) on the Colombo Stock Exchange and on corporate Bonds by the year 2025, Inter Company Employees Union (ICEU) charged today.

Prez urged to reveal names of 108 persons funded by Aloysius

President of Inter Company Employers Union and the National Organizer of Voice against Corruption Wasantha Samarasinghe today urged President Maithripala Sirisena to reveal the names of those who have obtained money from Mendis Distilleries belonging to Arjun Aloysius.

Norochcholai Coal Power Plant could affect Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi: Ecologist

The toxic acids evaporated from the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant could pose a threat to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest living tree of the world with a written history, Ecologist Dr. Ranil Senanayake said today.

People attend first OMP meeting despite scepticism

The first outreach meeting of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) was held in Mannar on Saturday and many people had engaged in the meeting despite scepticism, OMP Chairman Saliya Pieris PC said today.

Over 8,000 affected due to floods: DMC

Around 8,377 individuals in the Galle and Kalutara Districts have been affected with the flood situation due to torrential rains received early hours today, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Sea Surge in coming days

There is a possibility of surging of the sea along the coastal areas from Mannar to Batticaloa via Colombo and Galle, Department of Meteorology warned today.

President meets Iranian President Rouhani

President Maithripala Sirisena is on a two-day official visit to Iran met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani today.

ACPBOF wants 20% fare hike; to strike from May 16

The All Ceylon Private Bus Owners' Federation (ACPBOF) would launch a strike from midnight Wednesday (May 16) if the Government failed to increase bus fares by 20 percent, ACPBOF Secretary Anjana Priyanjith said.

Fishermen block Tissa-Kataragama Road

The Tissamaharama-Kataragama Main Road has been blocked at Kalamatiya, Hungama due to a protest carried out by the area fishermen.

Cabinet reshuffle: Gazette on subject purview of ministers released

The gazette notification which was signed by President Maithripala Sirisena indicating the subject purview of ministers of the recent Cabinet reshuffle, was released yesterday.

Two men arrested with 1kg of heroin in Palei

Two suspects were arrested by the Police Special Task Force (STF) for possessing 1kg of heroin at Karandai in Palei yesterday.

President leaves for Iran

President Maithripala Sirisena left for Iran this morning (12) for a two day state visit at the invitation of the Iran President Hassan Rouhani, President’s Media Division said.

1,480 suspects on warrants arrested

A total of 1,480 suspects on arrest warrants had been taken into custody during a special raid carried out islandwide from 11 pm yesterday until 3am today, Police said.

Nine DIGs, six senior SPs, five SPs transferred

Three DIGs, six acting DIGs, six Senior SPs and five SPs had been transferred with immediate effect under the approval of National Police Commission (NPC)

PM initiates dialogue to revive UNF under new symbol

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have initiated a dialogue with parties aligned with his United National Party (UNP) to form a broad front under a new symbol and policy plan to face future elections.

Speaker turns down Marikkar’s request

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday turned down a request by UNP MP S.M. Marikkar for an investigation against former deputy speaker Thilanga Sumathipala alleging that he had used Parliament property for political work.

CB's Annual Report disclosed to media prior to Parliament: Bandula

Joint opposition MP Bandula Gunawardane yesterday alleged that the Finance Minister had disclosed the Central Bank's annual report to the media a week ago even before submitting it in parliament.