India to send Sacred Sarnath Buddhist relics for Vesak

The sacred Buddhist relics of Sarnath, India will be sent to Sri Lanka on the occasion of Vesak, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said today.

Ten protesting uni. students arrested

At least 10 university students including a Buddihist monk were arrested by the Borella Police over attempting to enter the University Grants Commission during the protest march carried out by the Inter University Bhikku Federation (IUBF) today.

Two SLFP organizers for Colombo, Gampaha

Mr. Ajith Basnayake was appointed as SLFP organizer for Gampaha Electorate while Mr. Chaminda Kumara Sudusinghe was appointed as the District organizer for the Colombo District today.

Police tear-gas IUBF protest

Police used tear-gas and water cannon to disperse protesting undergraduates of the Inter University Bhikku Federation (IUBF), who attempted to forcibly enter the University Grants Commission (UGF) a short while ago.  

UNP WC ratifies names proposed by politburo for top party posts

The UNP Working Committee this morning ratified the names proposed by the United National Party (UNP) politburo for the top party posts.

Avant Garde case: Rtd. Navy officer arrested

Retired Navy Lieutenant Millaniyage Samudra Nilupul De Kostha was arrested this morning by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the investigation of the floating armoury of Avant Garde Maritime Services Ltd, Police said.

Joseph Michael resigns from UNP WC over Ravi’s appointment

Senior UNPer Joseph Michael Perera said today he had resigned from the party's Working Committee as a protest against the nomination of Ravi Karunanayake as the party’s assistant leader.

Eraj Fernando appointed H’tota Mayor

Beliatta SLFP organizer Eraj Ravindra Fernando, who was involved in the “toy pistol’ case several years ago, was appointed as the Mayor of the UNP-led Hambantota Municipal Council with a majority of two votes this morning.

Aloysius, Palisena re-remanded

Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius and its CEO Kasun Palisena, who were arrested by the CID over the Central Bank bond scam, were further remanded till May 10 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court this morning.

Vesak week declared from April 26 to May 2

April 29 and 30 were declared as the Vesak days for this year while the Vesak week was declared from April 26 to May 2, the Government Information Department said.

Car found floating in Viyana canal

A car had been found floating in the Viyana canal in Mahiyanganaya early this morning and a resident of the area had informed the police about it.

Mid-air bomb threat: Lankan to face court for pre-sentence hearing

The Sri Lankan student who threatened to set off a bomb on board a flight from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur is due to face court for a pre-sentence hearing, SBS News reported.

Flight diverted to Mattala due to bad weather

The Oman Air Boeing 737 flight which was scheduled to land at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake was diverted to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) last night due to adverse weather, the BIA Duty Manager said.

President promises far reaching reforms to the party

President Maithripala Sirisena reportedly promised to introduce political reforms to Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) with a change of some office bearers between May 8 and 15, it is learnt.

16 rebels kept mum about sitting in Opposition: Samarasinghe

The SLFP rebel group of 16 who quit the ‘Unity Government’ after supporting the No Faith Motion against the Prime Minister did not raise a mummer about sitting in the Opposition as an independent SLFP group in Parliament from May 8 onwards, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

11 pandals in Colombo on Vesak Day: Police

While stating that 3,000 police personnel will be deployed on Vesak Day for the security of the people and traffic controls in the Colombo City, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said five Vesak zones will be held in Colombo including 11 pandals.

Restriction on pandals: Not a Govt. decision, but a ministerial request

While stating that the proposal to restrict Pandals on Vesak and Poson Poya Days is not a governmental decision, but a ministerial request made to people, Buddhasasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera today said the request to restrict pandals on Vesak and Poson Poya Days still remain.

JVP to discuss 20A with all factions

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today they would discuss the Draft Bill of the 20th Amendment with all factions including the President, Prime Minister, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and present it in Parliament in May as a Private Members Bill.

SLMC rejects foreign medical team to hold clinics in SL

The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) rejected to register a foreign medical team of around 150 members who had sought approval to hold clinics in Sri Lanka, a spokesman to the SLMC today said.

UNP names Akila, Kabir, Navin, Ruwan and Harsha for party positions

The United National Party (UNP) politburo today named Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam as the General Secretary of the party while Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake was named the UNP National Organizer. Minister Kabir Hashim, the former General Secretary of the party, was named party Chairman.

More than 1,500 of PC vehicles not in running condition

More than 1,500 Government-owned vehicles under the purview of the nine Provincial Councils were not in running condition, a report issued at the Cabinet briefing revealed.

SL reiterates NPT’s importance to build peace, security

Sri Lanka has reiterated the importance of the Non-Proliferation of the Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the global regime for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament which ensures a balanced and non-discriminatory approach to building international peace and security.  

Lankan-born Canadian killed in Toronto incident

A 46-year-old Sri Lankan born woman with Canadian citizenship is among the identified victims killed in the Toronto incident where 10 people were killed and at least 15 were injured when a van ploughed down a crowded side-walk in Toronto, Canada on Monday.

Rupee has slipped to record lows this week due to importer dollar demand.

According to currency dealers, the rupee hit a fresh low of Rs.157.40 against US dollar yesterday, surpassing the previous record low of Rs.157.30 recorded on Tuesday.

Commission on SriLankan to start recording evidence: President

The Presidential Commission appointed to investigate financial irregularities which had taken place at SriLankan airlines, will begin recording evidence within the next two weeks, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

USNS Mercy arrives in SL for Pacific Partnership

Service members of the US and partner nations participating in Pacific Partnership 2018 arrived in Trincomalee aboard the US Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) today.

Ammonia tragedy a result of ignoring proper security methods: CEA

The recent tragedy in Crepe Rubber Manufacturing Factory at Horana where five people died due to an ammonia gas exposure on April 19, had been directly caused due to the lack of attention to the factory's safety programme, Director General of the Central Environment Authority (CEA) Hemantha Jayasinghe said.

SL citizens not among Toronto victims at present: MFA

Identified victims of the Toronto incident did not include any Sri Lankans at present, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today. Issuing a statement, the Ministry said it had seen news alerts and social media posts regarding a Sri Lankan woman who was a victim of the incident which took place on Monday.

Ammonia gas tragedy: Factory manager and lab controller re-remanded

The factory manager and the senior laboratory controller of the Horana Rubber Factory where five deaths were reported in the ammonia tank tragedy were further remanded till April 27 by the Horana Magistrate’s Court today.

Ministers not in favour of ban on pandals

The proposal made by the Minister of Buddha Sasana Gamini Jayawickrama Perera to the Cabinet yesterday banning Wesak Pandals and Danasalas was turned down by the Ministers severely objecting to the proposal.