Seven missing in Knuckles Range

Seven people who went trekking in the Knuckles Range had gone missing when they lost their way yesterday, Police said.

Crucial meeting of SLFP CC today

A crucial meeting of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee (CC) is due to be held today at President’s House at Mahagamasekara Mawatha in Colombo under the patronage of the President Maithripala Sirisena.

Power hungry politicians still betraying country for money: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that just as in the past when there were certain individuals that betrayed the nation for money, it was a matter for concern to see that even today there are power-hungry politicians who are willing to betray the country in their quest for power.

Authorities had not made any attempt to resolve Uni. non-academic strike: UTAJU

The Higher Education Ministry(HEM) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) had not made any substantial attempt to resolve month long non-academic strike leading the entire university system in the country to a standstill, University Teachers’ Association of Jayewardenepura University (UTAJU) said.

Excise notification, imposing restriction on females: SC fixes rights petition for May 21

Supreme Court fixed for support on May 21 for granting of leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petition challenging the Excise Notification, imposing restriction on females, allegedly discriminating them.

New UNP committee will become a permanent politburo - Akila

The newly appointed 12 member committee which was elected in a secret ballot of the UNP Parliamentary Group will act as a permanent politburo of the party, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

Ex- army officer arrested

A former army officer was arrested by the Organized Crimes Unit of the STF along with 1,150 ammunitions.

Customs seize Rs.1Mn worth illicit fags and cardamom at BIA

Two local traders who attempted to smuggle in a stock of illegal cigarettes and cardamom worth over Rs.1 million was intercepted by the Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning.

Heavy rainfalls expected at Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces: Met

Heavy showers above 75mm could be expected in some places, particularly in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts, Meteorology Department said today.

Speaker's chopper spoils Avurudu celebrations

Matale International School laments that its annual New Year celebrations which was scheduled to be held on Saturday could not be held as a helicopter that carried Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had been kept landed in the venue of the celebrations.

Malik resigns as UNP Chairman

Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama has resigned from the post of United National Party (UNP) Chairman.

Work to rule protest by CEB Engineers

The Engineers of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have decided to engage in a work to rule trade union action within two weeks.

Cabinet reshuffle before the National New Year-Akila

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had met for a discussion Saturday night, had agreed on a Cabinet reshuffle within the next four days, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

NCPA probes over 500 child abuse cases

The National Child Protection Authority had launched investigations into 582 child abuse incidents reported within last three months, its Chairperson said.

Syria war: At least 70 reported dead in suspected gas attack

Rescuers and medics say at least 70 people have died in Syria in a suspected gas attack in Douma, the last rebel-held town in Eastern Ghouta.

UNP decides leadership shouldn’t be changed immediately

The United National Party (UNP) Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group which met today had decided that the party leadership should not be changed immediately, Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said.

Rathnavali Kekunawela passes away

Veteran film, stage, tele-drama and radio artiste Rathnavali Kekunawela who became a household name following her hit character as ‘Menike’ in the Muwan Pelessa radio play passed away today at the age of 87.

PAFFREL urges EC to take legal action on LG polls violations

The People's Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) yesterday urged the Election Commission (EC) to take legal action on reported election law violations during the last Local Government (LG) Elections.

GMOA urges Prez to intervene to resolve health crisis in East

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday in a letter urged President Maithripala Sirisena to intervene in the unrest created among doctors in the Eastern Province due to what it called sluggish and arbitrary nature of the Eastern Province Governor.

Three Royal Thai Naval Ships arrive at Colombo Port

Three Royal Thai Naval Ships; HTMS Bangpakong, Makutrajakumarn and Pattani  arrived at the Colombo Port on a training and goodwill visit yesterday, the Navy said.

SLPP's Ranaweera elected Seethawakapura Mayor

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) councillor K.A. Ranaweera was elected Mayor of Seethawakapura in which the United National Party (UNP) secured the most number of seats at the local government election.

Govt. rejects administering contraceptives to female migrant workers

The government said yesterday no contraceptives were administered to Lankan female migrant workers and added that only a medical check-up would be conducted prior to leaving the country.

President - UNP meeting heats up

A meeting between President Maithripala Sirisena and a UNP delegation led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday turned tense with heated arguments, after the UNP insisted that SLFP ministers who voted for the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister should quit the government.

PM agrees to TNA conditions to please Tamil Diaspora: Sarath Weerasekera

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe has given his consent to ten conditions proposed by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), to apparently please the Tamil Diaspora, former MP and retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera alleged yesterday.

Army violates agreement on UN Peacekeeping missions: HRCSL

The Sri Lanka Army has sent its troops for UN Peacekeeping missions in Lebanon without obtaining clearance from the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) violating the agreement with the United Nations, HRCSL said in response to several media reports.

PM instructs to withdraw no-faith motion against SLFP ministers

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had instructed the UNP backbench parliamentarians to withdraw the No-Confidence motions submitted to the Speaker against six ministers and the deputy speaker, Department of Information Director General Sudharshana Gunawardana said today.

MIG aircraft deal: Six suspects noticed

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today issued notices on four individual suspects and a Ukrainian and Singapore business institutions during the magisterial inquiry on the US$14 million loss caused to the government when purchasing four Ukraine–built MiG 27 aircraft in 2006.

We don't condone attacks on media: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said today he did not condone the attack on Sirasa TV on the day of the no-confidence motion.

No-faith motion against 6 SLFP ministers, Dy Speaker handed over

The no-confidence motions signed by 20 UNP MPs against six SLFP Ministers and the Deputy Speaker who voted for the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, were handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya a short while ago, UNP MP Mujibur Rahman said.

Rtd. Major General Karunasekara remanded

Former Military Intelligence Director and Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General (Retired) Amal Karunasekara, who was arrested yesterday, was remanded till April 18 by the Colombo Additional Magistrate today.