US says concerned about reports of HR violations in SL

The US yesterday said it was concerned about ongoing reports of human rights violations and abuses in Sri Lanka by members of the security services and recent attacks targeting members of religious minority communities.

Don't enter politics seeking riches: PM

Don’t become politicians who search for luxuries after coming to the field as paupers, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the newly elected members of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) yesterday.

State not intending to set up separate HC trial-at-bar: SASG

Senior Additional Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda said yesterday the State did not intend setting up separate High Court Trial-at-Bar but a Bench constituted from the existing cadre of High Court judges.

PM asked to name a successor

The committee appointed to look into the reorganization of the United National Party (UNP) in its report had recommended that Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should name a person who would take over the party leadership as and when he steps down from the leadership.

UNHRC adopts Sri Lanka’s UPR report

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Report on Sri Lanka was adopted today at the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva said.

Russia will achieve new level of progress under Putin: President

While congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin on his election victory, President Maithripala Sirisena today said Sri Lanka was confident that Russia will achieve new level of progress under the leadership of President Putin.

MR congratulates Putin

Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa today congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his Presidential election victory. In a tweet, Mr. Rajapaksa said “Congratulations to Russian President Vladimir Putin on securing a fourth term in office,

Man shot at in Athurugiriya

A 44-year-old man, who was travelling on a motorbike, was shot at in Galwarusawa, Athurugiriya a short while ago, police said.

BMW not connected to President: Police

The social media post, that the BMW which plunged into the Diyawannawa Oya was connected to the President, is false, Police said.

BMW accident: Suspect arrested

The suspect involved in the accident where a BMW car ended up in a canal at the Diyawanna Oya after hitting two other cars on Saturday, had been arrested today. The suspect had surrendered to the Thalangama Police.  

Youth arrested over molesting Chinese woman

A 21-year-old youth was taken into custody today for sexually harassing a Chinese woman, aged 25, inside her trade outlet in Galle, Police said.

Buddha statue at SL Temple vandalized in Canada

Ottawa police in Canada are investigating a report of vandalism at a temple after a Buddha statue was destroyed overnight, CBC News reported.

Three-minister delegation to 37th UNHRC session

The Sri Lankan delegation to the 37th session of the UNHR Council will include Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana, Special Assignments Minister Sarath Amunugama and Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faiszer Musthapha, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

GSLF holds protest against UNHRC in Geneva

With the participation of a large number of Sri Lankans living overseas, a protest organised by the Global Sri Lankans Forum (GSLF) was held outside the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland on Sunday against the UN Human Rights Council's maltreatment of Sri Lanka.

Sanath Nishantha and brother remanded

Puttalam District parliamentarian Sanath Nishantha and his brother Jagath Samantha Perera  were remanded today until May 25 by the Chilaw High Court for violating bail conditions.

20 hospitalised after inhaling poisonous gas

About twenty employees of a garment factory in Ekala, Ja-Ela were hospitalized after allegedly inhaling a gas which was suspected to be poisonous, Police said.  

One dead, another injured in Armour Street shooting

A 42-year old man was killed and his wife was injured when two men arrived on a motorcycle opened fire at them at Messenger Street in Armour Street a short while ago.

Warrants issued on Wimal, Jayantha

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara today issued warrants on National Freedom Front (NFF) leader MP Wimal Weerawansa and MP Jayantha Samaraweera as they have failed to appear in Court when a case, which was filed against them, was taken up for hearing.

BMW driver a relative, not a Ministry official: Hashim

Commenting on the Saturday’s accident in Thalawathugoda involving a BMW and two other vehicles, UNP Minister Kabir Hashim in a facebook post said the 'individual who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident was one of his relatives.

OMP rejects GSLF allegations

The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) Chairman Saliya Pieris PC today rejected the allegations made by the Global Sri Lankan Forum (GSLF) raising concerns over the conduct of the OMP. In a statement, the OMP Chairman said their attention is drawn to a letter purported to be addressed to the President, by an organisation calling itself the Global Sri Lankan Forum which was published in Daily Mirror.

Platforms to complain on illegal surveillance & harassment-Govt

The Law and Order Ministry said that there are several platforms available for the public to lodge complaints of illegal surveillance and harassment.

UNP to meet Prez

In the wake of a no confidence motion being contemplated against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the UNP said it was seeking a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena to discuss how to proceed with the unity government during this trying time, it is learnt.

No Confidence Motion against PM: Confident of majority support: S.B

Minister of Social Empowerment S.B.Dissanayake said that they were extremely confident of passing the no confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and that he believed that many United National Party(UNP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members would support it.

Consensus among political parties to revert to PR system for PC polls

The political parties have, by and large, agreed to revert to the old Proportional Representation system for conducting the elections to the provincial councils, a Minister said yesterday.

Muslim ministers to have special meeting with PM

The Muslim Ministers of the government will have a special meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today to discuss action taken regarding communal violence in the Kandy District, a Minister said yesterday.

Putin wins Russian election

Russia’s Vladimir Putin won a landslide reelection victory on Sunday according to exit polls, extending his rule over the world’s largest country for another six years at a time when his ties with the west are on a hostile trajectory.

UNP members for reorganization: Harsha

Almost all prominent members of the United National Party (UNP) have agreed on the reorganization of the party, State Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva said yesterday.

Wait and see: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa commenting on the Joint Opposition’s No Confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe warned, "Wait and see how we will win this".

India seals title with Karthik’s last ball six

Dinesh Karthik smashed a six off the last ball to help India beat Bangladesh by four wickets at the Nidahas Trophy T20 finals held at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo a short while ago.

CID identifies burial spot of headless 'Kos Malli'

The Colombo Crime Investigation Division said that it has identified a place where the parts of the body of a man are believed to be buried, after arresting several suspects who had connection to his murder.