No pandals on Vesak, Poson Poya Days: Minister

Buddhasasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said today the government had decided to prohibit pandals on Vesak and Poson Poya Days to stress the need to focus on the spiritual aspect of religion rather than on mundane activities.

Licenses to excavate sand, stones for construction industry at one place: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena has given instructions to the relevant authorities to prepare a system to issue licenses to excavate sand and stones needed for the construction industry, at one place.

Small cars drive vehicle registrations in February

Sri Lanka’s small car registrations continued its strong momentum in February although the total vehicle registrations slightly slipped from its January high, perhaps due to less number of days, according to registration data tracked by Colombo-based stock brokerage, JB Securities.

Italian man drowns in Nilaveli

A 71-year-old Italian man was drowned in the sea off Nilaveli Trincomalee last evening while he was sea bathing near a hotel at the Nilaveli police area, police said.

Russia expels US diplomats in tit-for-tat measure

Russia has expelled 60 US diplomats and closed the country's St Petersburg consulate in a tit-for-tat response to US action over a spy poisoning case in the UK.

Govt. invited China, India power struggle into SL: Gota

The government has invited the power struggle between China and India into the country by handing over national assets to these two countries, former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said. He said the Hambantota Port was leased out to China by the government citing false reasons and India was offered the Mattala Airport afterwards.

President closes stable after horse bolted: JO

While welcoming the President’s decision to move the Central Bank which was under the Prime Minister’s purview back to the Finance Ministry, the joint opposition yesterday said however, the said decision could be regarded as closing the stable after the horse had bolted.

Introducing bond report in court illegal: Gamini Marapana PC

Gamini Marapana PC who appeared for Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena in the revision bail application filed before the Court of Appeal yesterday, challenged the introduction of the bond report into the Magisterial Inquiry as it was inadmissible in a court of law. Therefore, the materials, based on which the Fort Magistrate had given the bail order on the suspects, cannot be regarded as evidence, the PC said.

Action on Ravi put off

The UNP working committee had decided to put off taking action against Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake till it gets the opinion from the Attorney General on the recommendations made on the former Minister over the bond commission report, party sources said yesterday.

No Confidence Motion: UNF to support PM

The leaders of the political parties of the United National Front (UNF) pledged to stand in solidarity with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday in the face of no confidence motion brought against him.

O/L passes up; 9,960 students obtain all ‘A’s

The percentage of students who had qualified to follow the GCE Advanced Level had increased, based on the results of the GCE OL examination released yesterday, the Education Department said.

No faith motion will affect PM, not President: SLFP

Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faizer Musthapha countering the claim of Home Affairs Minister Wajira Abeywardana today said the No Confidence Motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe affected only the PM and not President Maithripala Sirisena.

Man knocked down by train engine in Wellawatta

A 29-year-old man was killed after he was hit by a train engine near the Wellawatte Bridge today, Police said.

Ranil tells Sajith: 'Get ready to play a bigger role in party'

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa to be prepared to play a greater role in the party in the future. Mr. Wickremesinghe had told this to Mr. Premadasa during the UNP working committee meeting this morning.

Exchanging mutilated currency notes: Deadline extended

The Central Bank having considered the requests from the public and the difficulties faced by them in exchanging willfully-defaced currency notes at licensed commercial banks (LCBs), has further extended the time period for exchanging such currency notes until further notice.

Emil, Rangajeewa now in Prison Hospital

Prison Department’s Rehabilitation Commissioner and Magazine Prison’s former superintendent Emil Ranjan Lamahewa and Police Narcotic Bureau Inspector Neomal Rangajeewa who were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital were transferred to the Welikada Prison Hospital a short while ago, Prisons Spokesman T.N. Upuldeniya said.

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 April 12 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Court re-issues arrest warrant on Mahendran

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today re-issued an arrest warrant on former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran as the prosecution is currently working on getting the red notices from Interpol.  

Emil Ranjan, Rangajeewa remanded till April 10

Prison Department’s Rehabilitation Commissioner and Magazine Prison’s former superintendent Emil Ranjan Lamahewa and Police Narcotic Bureau Inspector Neomal Rangajeewa were remanded till April 10 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today.

Avant Garde case: Rtd. Army officer arrested

Retired Army Colonel Don Thomas Alfred Wijethunga was arrested yesterday by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the investigation of the floating armoury of Avant Garde Maritime Services Ltd, Police said.

No faith-motion: UNP Working Committee decides to back PM

The UNP Working Committee today passed a resolution to back Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to defeat the no-faith motion brought in by the Joint Opposition against him, Minister Navin Dissanayake said.

Kandy unrest: Suspects further remanded

Prime suspect of Kandy unrest, the leader of the Mahasohon Balakaya Widana Pathiranage Amith Jeewan Weerasinghe and nine others were further remanded until April 10 by the Teldeniya Magistrate today.

Welikada riots: A Commissioner of Prisons Department arrested

A Commissioner of Prisons Department Emil Ranjan Lamahewa was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) last night in connection with the Welikada Prison riot in 2012.

Kundasale PS member arrested for Digana clash

Another suspect who was allegedly involved with the Digana clash was arrested last night by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) officers, Police said.

Kiriella-Thilanga lock horns

The Leader of the House, Lakshman Kiriella was reported to have locked horns with Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala at the party leaders’ meeting over his participation at a press conference along with Minister S.B. Dissanayake.

Vehicle Importers: Can’t meet Euro IV standards by July 1

Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA) yesterday claimed that they required more time for transition on Government’s decision to change to importing vehicles compatible with the Euro four standards from July 1.

Liquor quota regulations to be implemented strictly for inbound passengers

There has been growing concern among the authorities with regards to increasing number of Sri Lankans returning to the country for the upcoming festive holidays and the excessive amount of alcoholic spirits they would bring along, pointing out that an individual was only entitled to bring 2.5 litres of liquor into Sri Lanka.

Committee to look into electronic voting malfunction

The party leaders have appointed a committee to look into last week’s system error while voting using the electronic voting system, Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament Neil Iddawala told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

UNP ready for drastic changes in Govt - Rajitha

If the SLFP Ministers of the Yahapalana Government propose to the other coalition partner UNP to effect drastic changes in the Government including the replacement of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, before April 4, the UNP was ready to consider them positively, Cabinet Spokesman Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

GCE O/L 2017 exam results released

The Examinations Department today announced that the GCE O/L examination results-2017 had been released and could be viewed and downloaded from its website http://www.doenets.lk