Lotus Road closed from Ceramic Junction

The Lotus Road from Ceramic Junction towards Galle Road has been closed due to a protest march carrying out by the Survey Department employees, Police said.

New rules restricting fag sales rattle tobacco retailers

The Tobacco Retailers’ Association yesterday voiced opposition against the government’s intentions to ban the sale of cigarettes at outlets within 100 metres of schools and places of religious worship since such a move would drive most eateries and shops out of business.

Two children fall into agro-well, died

Two children were killed after they fell into an unprotected agro well at Irogoirippu Kulam in Madhu last evening, Police said.

Namal offers coaching help to a girls’ rugby team in Kashmir

In an unlikely collaboration, Sri Lankan parliamentarian and rugby player Namal Rajapaksa has offered coaching help to a girls’ rugby team in distant Kashmir.

Gazette naming LG members published

The gazette notification naming the elected members of Local Government bodies has been published, Government Printer’s Department said.

Extending state of emergency: PM to consult President

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to discuss a request made by the defence authorities to extend the state of emergency with President Maithripala Sirisena, sources close to Mr. Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Govt. ends search for foreign partner for Srilankan

The Government has decided to stop looking for a foreign partner for the national carrier SriLankan Airlines, informed sources said.

Social factors, complex lifestyle decrease fertility: Study

A group of medical professionals yesterday said the fertility of men in the country was currently decreasing because of several reasons including the complex lifestyle of the people.Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Lakshman

New law to disclose conflict of interests and relationships

The Bribery Commission is to give more teeth to the penal code soon by introducing a new law to 'Disclose Conflict of Interests and Relationships' which will filter the roles of all law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and politicians in a bid to curb corruption and nepotism.

Cabinet nod to set up 'Reparation Office'

Following the establishment of the Office on Missing Persons, the government has decided to constitute a ‘Reparation Office’ to pay compensation to the families of victims of war, victims of civil unrest, enforced disappearance or victims of human rights violations.  

Two SC Judges recuse themselves from hearing Writ petitions

Two judges of the Supreme Court yesterday recused themselves from being members of the Bench hearing the Writ petitions against the decision of the Bribery Commission to institute proceedings against former Chief Justice and incumbent superior court judge.

Prov. Councillor started brawl: Preliminary investigation reveals

According to the preliminary investigation that was held into an incident where a Provincial Councillor and his wife were seen allegedly assaulting a private bus driver, it was found that Southern Provincial Councillor M. K. Kasun had started the brawl with the private bus driver, Investigation officer Thalangama Police OIC Arjun Mahimkanda said yesterday.

Govt. will soon correct itself and deliver goods: PM

The government will soon correct itself speedily and deliver what the people need just after the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today

JO to proceed with no faith motion against PM

The Joint Opposition has decided on Wednesday evening to proceed with the motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, it is learnt. The leaders of the Joint Opposition briefed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the progress made in this regard at a meeting on Wednesday.

Fire breaks out at Sahaspura housing complex

A fire has broken out at the Sahaspura housing complex in Wanathamulla in Borella a short while ago, the Colombo Municipal Council’s Fire Brigade said.

Lasantha murder probe: CID to use SF’s, Mervyn’s statements

The CID today informed Court that it has decided to use statements recorded in 2016 from Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and former Minister Mervyn Silva in relation to the murder of former Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga for further investigations into the case.

Hate speech increasing on FB, shouldn’t be tolerated: Harsha

State Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva today said hate speech is increasing on Facebook and it cannot and should not be tolerated.

Arrest warrant issued on Gnanasara Thera

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday issued an arrest warrant against Ven.Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera for failing to appear in Courts over an ongoing case against him.

Petitions against Judicature Act: JHU to mediate

While claiming that some joint opposition members who were fear-stricken due to their past wrong doings had gone before the Supreme Court against the Judicature Act, the Jathika Hela Urumaya said today it would appear in court today to ensure that the Act would be passed in Parliament without any hindrance.

Sri Lankans happier than previous year – Happiness index

Jumping four slots ahead, Sri Lankans were found to be happier in 2017 compared to the previous year, the World Happiness Report 2018 stated.

Prez instructs TRC to lift ban on Facebook

The temporarily restriction to access the social media site Facebook was lifted this afternoon, following the instruction of President Maithripala Sirisena, the Presidential Media Division said in a statement today.

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 March 29 by the Fort Magistrate Court this morning.

Arrest warrant issued on Arjuna Mahendran

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today issued an arrest warrant on former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran as he failed to turn up to the CID inquiry over the controversial Central Bank Bond Issuance.

SL thankful for China’s long term support: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday thanked China for its long-term support to Sri Lanka's economic and social development and hoped that China's assistance and aid would benefit more at the grass root level.

Dayasiri invites Kohli for holiday in SL

Sports minister Dayasiri Jaysekera has invited Indian captain Virat Kohli for a holiday in Sri Lanka, Indian media reported.

Emergency intact till President decides: Prez Secy.

The state of emergency would remain for as long as President Maithripala Sirisena decides to revoke it upon his return to the country on March 17, Presidential Secretary Austin Fernando said yesterday.

Private Co. grabs Muturajawela land for housing scheme

Environmentalists are perturbed about a private company alienating 406 acres from the Muthurajawela sanctuary to construct a housing scheme.

Mixing sugar into tea: Explanations called from 53 factories

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board Rohan Pethiyagoda said yesterday that explanations have been called from 53 tea factory owners who were suspected of mixing sugar and glucose with tea during the threshing process.

SC to consider four petitions against Judicature Bill

The Supreme Court would consider four petitions against the Judicature Bill tomorrow under a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Priyasath Dep.

Two Nawinna Ayurvedic Dept. officials nabbed for accepting bribe

Two officials attached to the Department of Ayurveda in Nawinna were nabbed by Bribery Commission sleuths yesterday in the act of soliciting a sum of Rs.50, 000 from an Ayurvedic medicinal producer.