Rajitha becomes speechless…

Cabinet spokesman and Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Rajitha Senaratne became speechless during a news briefing held yesterday when a journalist asked about the appointment of Anuruddha Polgampola as the new Chairman of State Timber Corporation who had been arrested over two alleged major financial frauds during the past. 

President's fmr Chief of Staff, fmr STC Chairman re-remanded

President’s former Chief of Staff I. H. K. Mahanama and former State Timber Corporation (STC) Chairman P. Dissanayaka, who were in remanded custody over accepting a bribe of Rs. 20 million, were further remanded till May 22 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala today.

Fire breaks out at Katunayaka duty-free shopping mall

A fire broke out at an electrical home appliance shop in the Duty-Free shopping mall at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning, Airport duty manager said.

Iran nuclear deal: Trump pulls US out in break with Europe allies

US President Donald Trump says he will withdraw the US from an Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran.

Appointment of Mahanama as Chief of Staff - Should have warned Prez: Rajitha

I should have told President Sirisena not to appoint I. H. K. Mahanama as his Chief of Staff, as I knew that many allegations had been levelled against him, Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Rajitha Senaratne said.

FTA with Singapore detrimental to SL: JO

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed with Singapore was detrimental to the country because it would allow the flowing in of cheap labour from countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the joint opposition said today.

FCID permitted to investigate Cabraal's bank accounts

The Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Lanka Jayaratne today ordered the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) to investigate over the alleged financial fraud of Rs.600 million of Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

Inauguration ceremony: A waste of time and money: JVP

JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake today claimed that the ceremony herelding the inauguration of Parliament was a waste of time and money and said they had requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to reveal the cost of yesterday's ceremony.

Man impersonating as President’s private secretary arrested

A person who impersonated as a private secretary to the President and an additional secretary has been arrested by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) last night.

Judicature Act- No intention of political revenge: Thalatha

There is no intention of political revenge behind the Judicature Bill which is expected to be passed in Parliament tomorrow, Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Thalatha Atukorale said today.

Train strike postponed till tomorrow noon: TU

The islandwide train strike, which was scheduled to take effect tonight, was postponed till tomorrow noon, Railway Professional Trade Union Alliance Convener Janaka Fernando said today.

Two youth brutally assaulted by 'Ava' gang

23-year-old Kirinasan and 21-year-old Anujan were today admitted to the intensive care unit of the Jaffna Hospital after being attacked with sharp weapons by members of the 'Ava' gang at Kopay in Neeverly, Jaffna, Police said.

Opposition’s duty, govt.’s actions should change: President

The duty of the opposition and the course of action of the allies of the national government should take a different form in today’s political arena, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

Water cannons used to disperse protesters

Police used water cannons to disperse the protesting unemployed graduates at the Lotus Roundabout a short while ago. The graduates were protesting urging the government to provide them with employment opportunities.

Train strike to go ahead, no discussions yet: TU

No discussions have still been held regarding tonight’s threatened railway strike and no decision has been taken to call off the strike, the Railway Professional Trade Union Alliance Convener Janaka Fernando said.

USNS Mercy’s two women Navy personnel sexually harassed

Two US women Navy personnel attached to the US Navy Hospital Ship,USNS Mercy, had been subjected to an attempted act of sexual harassment by a hotel employee in Uppuveli on Sunday.

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 May 22 by Additional Magistrate Ranga Dissanayaka of the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court a short while ago.

SL born Harvard-educated activist writer among women abused by NY State AG

New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigned on Monday after allegations of physical abuse by four women, including a Sri Lankan born Harvard-educated activist writer, the New Yorker magazine reported.

President saying it to retain those left with him: MR

Responding to President Maithripala Sirisena’s statement that he won’t retire in 2020, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the Joint Opposition’s May Day rally in Galle yesterday that President Sirisena had to say so to hold on to those left with him today by his side.

Two SL women nabbed with gold jewellery worth Rs.10 mn

Two Sri Lankan women passengers were taken into custody this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with gold jewellery worth Rs.10 million by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) Officers attached to the airport, Customs Media spokesman and the Deputy Director Sunil Jayarathne said.

Demolishing illegal structures in Mirissa: Hotels Assoc. hails govt. decision

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) yesterday expressed its sincere appreciation of the resolution taken by the Government to demolish unauthorised structures and businesses on the Mirissa coastline under the directions of President Maithripala Sirisena.

How Mahanama appointed as President’s Chief of Staff: CHR

It is a question to be raised as to how I. H. K. Mahanama was appointed as the President’s Chief of Staff, when the investigation had been underway against him in relation to soliciting a bribe of Rs. 540 million from an Indian businessman, which was caught red handed recently, Centre for Human Rights (CHR) Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon said.

Ella-Wellawaya Road closed for vehicular traffic

The vehicular traffic along the Ella-Wellawaya main road has come to a standstill after an earth embankment collapsed at Karandagolla, Police said.

Won’t retire in 2020: President

President Maithripala Sirisena today declared that he would not retire from politics in 2020 as he had to complete his mission to serve the people and the country beyond 2020.

Samurdhi should not be distributed as relief among UNPers, SLFPers: JHU

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary and Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said today the Samurdhi programme should be used to help the poor to come out of poverty rather than a move to distribute relief to UNPers and SLFPers.  

Thunderstorm warning issued for six provinces

The Meteorology Department today warned of thunderstorms accompanied by severe lightning and thunder in Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Southern provinces during next eight hours starting from 3.00 pm today.

Heavy traffic in Narahenpita due to JVP procession

Heavy traffic was reported near Narahenpita and along the Baseline Road due to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) May Day procession which is heading towards the BRC Grounds in Colombo 5, Police said.

Putin sworn in as Russian president for fourth term

Vladimir Putin has been sworn in for a fourth term as president of Russia, after winning the election in March.

People-smuggling: Australia warns against softening stance

The head of Australia's military-led border security operations has warned against any attempts to water the hardline policy down, following the interception of a people-smuggling boat off the coast of Malaysia.

Theft of Lester’s award: Five suspects arrested

Five suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with the theft of the Ranamayura’ Golden Peacock Award of the late filmmaker Dr Lester James Peries that was stolen from his residence.