Don't abolish executive presidency: Maha Sangha

The Jathika Vidwath Sangha Sabh said the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution on abolishing the executive presidency was a move to divide the country and urged the President and the Prime Minister not to go ahead with this amendment.

SL housemaids in Lebanon sent back for overstaying

A total of 58 Lankan housemaids who overstayed in Lebanon were returned to the country today.

Heavy rains likely in several places: Met. Dept.

Heavy showers exceeding 100mm is likely in the Southern, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and North-central province and in Kalutara district as a result of low level atmospheric disturbances in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Meteorology Department said today.

Another 7 SriLankan flights delayed due to dust storm in India

SriLankan Airlines today announced that seven flights have been delayed due to the dust storm in India.

Milk powder prices up by Rs.20

The price of 400 gram packet of full cream milk powder has been increased by Rs.20 with effect from midnight today, the Industry and Commerce Ministry said.

President's Chief of Staff, STC Chairman remanded

The senior official attached to the Presidential Secretariat and the Chairman of State Timber Corporation (STC), who were arrested for allegedly receiving a bribe, were remanded till next Thursday (9) by the Colombo Chief Magistrate last night.

PM to meet Prez about objections against reshuffle

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to meet and discuss with President Maithripala Sirisena certain objections that have been raised by UNP backbenchers on the recent reshuffle, with emphasis on the appointment of new deputy and state ministers, UNP sources said yesterday.

Venison served at NSC meetings during previous regime: SF

During the Rajapaksa administration venison was usually included on the menu for members attending National Security Council (NSC) meetings as a delicacy, Minister of Sustainable Development,Wildlife and Regional Development Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka disclosed.

Twitter urges all users to change passwords after glitch

Twitter Inc urged its more than 330 million users to change their passwords after a glitch caused some to be stored in readable text on its internal computer system rather than disguised by a process known as “hashing”.

Thajudeen case: CID seeks details of Navy personnel

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filing a report before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday sought details from the Navy personnel who had provided security to the members of former President’s family during the period of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen’s murder.

Cabinet reshuffle further empowers UNP: GL

The recent Cabinet reshuffle has further empowered the United National Party (UNP) and weakened the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), said Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) leader G.L. Peiris.

President instructs officials to suspend STC Chairman, Presidential Secretary

President Maithripala Sirisena today instructed officials to suspend the services of a senior official attached to the Presidential Secretariat and the Chairman of the State Timber Corporation (STC) who were facing bribery allegations and advised the authorities to strictly enforce the law against the two offenders.

Loss of Lester’s award: Law and Order minister instructs formal probe

Law and Order Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara said today that he had instructed to conduct formal and rapid investigation into the incident involving the loss of ‘Ranamayura’ Golden Peacock Award of the late filmmaker Dr Lester James Peries that was stolen from his residence.

SAITM students psychologically affected: SACS

While stating that some SAITM students were psychologically affected due to the prolonged SAITM issue and undergoing medical treatment, the Student Action Committee of SAITM (SACS) urged the government to proceed with the decision to enroll SAITM students to General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU).

President’s Chief of Staff Mahanama, STC Chairman arrested

The President’s Chief of Staff I. H. K. Mahanama and State Timber Corporation (STC) Chairman P. Dissanayaka were arrested by the Bribery Commission this evening in the act of accepting a bribe of Rs.20 million from an Indian businessman.

Several Srilankan Airlines flights delayed

Several flights of SriLankan Airlines were delayed today due to a dust storm that occurred unexpectedly, SriLankan Airlines sources said.

Defeated SLFP LG candidate assaults school cricketer

A video footage of a Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidate who had unsuccessfully contested the last Local Government election for the Kuliyapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, assaulting a teenage cricketer playing for a leading Kurunegala school is circulating in the social media.

11 missing youths: CID still hunting for ‘Navy Sampath’

The CID today, once again released a photograph of Hettiarachchi Mudiyanselage Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi alias Navy Sampath seeking public assistance to trace the suspect wanted in connection with the abduction and disappearance of 11 youths in 2008 and 2009.

Severe thunderstorm warning for next seven hours: Met. Dep.

The Meteorology Department today warned of thunderstorms accompanied by severe lightning and thunder in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Southern provinces during next seven hours starting from 4.00 pm today.

New minister to move Agriculture Ministry from DPA building

New Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said he would do his utmost to move the Agriculture Ministry to its original place, the state owned ‘Govijana Mandiraya’ from the current location of the costly and luxurious D.P.A.Jayasinghe building in Battaramulla.

32 kg of gold smuggled from SL seized in Chennai

Indian Law Enforcement Authorities today seized 32.249 kg of gold valued at Sri Lankan Rs. 240 million smuggled to Chennai from Sri Lanka through coastal Tamil Nadu.

GMOA warns of TU action without prior notice

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today said it would launch a countrywide work stoppage next week without prior notice in protest of several issues including the proposed Kotelawala National Defence University (KNDU) Bill and recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) inked with Singapore.

Increase on import levy on potatoes, big onions from tonight

The special commodity levy imposed on the import of potatoes and big onions has been increased from tonight, the Finance Ministry said.

Even President unaware ban on Glyphosate was lifted: Rathana Thera

MP Athureliye Rathana Thera said that when he made inquiries from President Maithripala Sirisena on the ban on Glyphosate being lifted, he had been informed that he was not aware of such a move.

77 killed from dust storms in India

Dust storms that tore across northern India killed at least 77 people and left 143 injured as trees and walls were brought down by powerful winds, officials said.

Debate on President’s policy statement on May 10

Party leaders today decided to hold a one-day debate on May 10 on the policy statement to be made by President Maithripala Sirisena at the inaugural parliamentary session on May 8, an official said today

Lankan arrested for entering Kuwait illegally

Kuwait police have arrested a Sri Lankan in Farwaniya, Kuwait for entering the country illegally, Arab Times reported.

Cambridge Analytica: FB data-harvest firm to shut

Cambridge Analytica, the political consultancy at the centre of the Facebook data-sharing scandal, is shutting down.

Milk powder shortage in fortnight: Importers

Milk powder importers said yesterday they stopped importing milk powder from last week following its increase in the world market.

Tea records highest concentration of Glyphosate: US research

Tea is among the agricultural products that record the highest concentration of Glyphosate, according to a latest research conducted by a top university in the United States.