Ramith Rambukwella arrested

Cricketer Ramith Rambukwella has been arrested by the Narahenpita Police last night on charges of drunk driving and assaulting an undergraduate, Police said.They said Mr. Rambukwella is to be produced in the courts today. 

Normalcy restored: President informs foreign envoys

The disturbing incidents prevailed in certain parts of the country are completely under control and a peaceful environment has been established, President Maithripala Sirisena has assured foreign ambassadors yesterday.

JO calls for PSC on Kandy incidents

The joint opposition yesterday urged the government to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the tense situation in Kandy.

Immediate probe needed to identify links of arrested suspects: Champika

Impartial investigations should be conducted immediately over the suspects who were arrested recently for propagating hate sentiments among the public, to identify connection of any political or religious conspirators involvement and prevent such incidents from continuing in the future, Jathika Hela Urumaya General Secretary and Minister Patali Champika Ranwaka said yesterday.

I am ashamed to be in Govt: Mujibar

UNP MP Mujibur Rahman said yesterday he was ashamed to remain in the government as it had been unable to take any action to stem racism during the past two and half years.

Kandy violence: President to appoint three-member committee

President Maithripala Sirisena would to appoint a three-member committee to look into the violent incidents took place in Kandy, President’s Media Division said. Accordingly, the committee would be consisted of three retired judges and would look into the implementation of law and order with regard to the incidents and whether there was a conspiracy behind the violence.

Party leaders to visit Kandy today

The leaders of the political parties, represented in Parliament, will today visit areas affected by communal violence, Minister Rauff Hakeem said yesterday.

Social media networks back to normal today: Harsha

State minister Harsha De Silva said yesterday the blocking of social media networks contributed to the mitigation of the recent communal tension in Kandy and assured that these networks would return to normal by today.

Curfew after reviewing security situ today: Police

The decision to re-impose the curfew in the Kandy administrative district today would be taken after reviewing the security situation in the affected areas because the situation in the district was improving and fast returning to normal, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said last evening.

Govt. mulling legislation for social media: Madduma Bandara

In the aftermath of communal clashes, the government is hoping to introduce fresh legislation to ensure a code of conduct for the operation of social media websites in line with international best practices, Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said yesterday.

Kandy Clashes: Diluted intelligence services failed to update Govt.

Joint opposition MP Gamini Lokuge said yesterday the recent communal clashes could have been prevented if the government had obtained the services of the intelligence agencies.

Lankadeepa wins most popular newspaper award

Our sister papers Daily Lankadeepa and the Sunday Lankadeepa won the most popular newspaper award for the twelveth consecutive year at ‘SLIM-Nielsen People’s Awards 2018’ this evening at the Water's Edge, Battaramulla.

Hospital laundry services to India: GMOA asks Prez to intervene

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today urged President Maithripala Sirisena to immediately intervene in to the issue where the government had decided to outsource laundry service of local hospitals to an Indian company, which could result in thousands of Sri Lankans losing their jobs.

Japan assures fullest support in SL maritime security

Chief of Japanese Defense Staff Admiral Katsutoshi Kawana today assured President Maithripala Sirisena that the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force would extend its fullest support to ensure Sri Lanka’s maritime security, the President’s Media Unit said.

PC member and his wife arrested over assault on private bus driver

Southern Provincial Councillor M.K Kasun and his wife Tharaka Perera were arrested by the Police for assaulting a private bus driver when he had allegedly blocked the way of the vehicle of the PC member at the Koswatta Junction in Battaramulla today, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Ex-president Rajapaksa visits Kandy

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Kandy today and met the Anunayake Theras of the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters, the Muslim Moulavis and Hindu Priests at Lohan Ratwatte's residence in Mahiyawa and discussed ways and means of restoring peace in Kandy.

UN political officer pleased with reconciliation process

Jeffrey Feltman, UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, has said he was pleased with the action taken by Sri Lanka in terms of the reconciliation process, the Defence Ministry said.Mr. Feltmen, who arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday (8), has expressed these views upon meeting Defence Secretary Kapila Waidyaratne at the Defence Ministry today.

Kandy schools to reopen on Monday

All schools in the Kandy Administrative District which remained closed this week owing to violent incidents reported in several areas, would be reopened on Monday, Education Ministry sources said.

Curfew re-imposed in Kandy except municipality areas

Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara today said the curfew would be re-imposed in the Kandy District except in the Kandy Municipality areas from 8 p.m today till 5 a.m. tomorrow.

Gampaha Hospital staff strike over elevator death

The staff, including the doctors of the Gampaha General Hospital, had launched a strike following the death of 33-year-old man, who was killed in a mishap involving the elevator at the hospital yesterday.  

UK says it supports SL’s determination to end violence

The UK Government yesterday said it supports the Sri Lankan Government’s determination to end inter-communal violence in the country swiftly. In its statement to the 37th UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, the UK said Sri Lanka should end violence using measures that are proportionate and respect human rights.

Revision bail applications of Aloysius, Palisena rejected

The revision bail applications filed by Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius and its CEO Kasun Palisena in Colombo High Court, were rejected today.High Court Judge Sampath Wijeratne dismissed the applications which were filed by the two suspects

Govt. failed to control riots, don't blame the Police: MR

Though some ministers blamed the police for their failure to control the prevailing tense situation, the Police is also part of the government, former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Trump accepts offer to meet Kim Jong Un

US President Donald Trump has agreed to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, setting the scene for a historic, unprecedented encounter, the CNN said today.The meeting, which would be the first between a sitting US President and a North Korean leader, will happen by May, according to South Korea's national security advis

Kandy violence leads tourists to cancel visits

The religious and communal violence that erupted in Kandy could end up stymying the momentum built up in the tourism industry over the past three months, as signs are emerging that foreign tourists are cancelling their visits to Sri Lanka.

MR meets envoys of Islamic diplomatic missions

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have met the heads of diplomatic missions of some Islamic countries yesterday and discussed the violence that erupted in the country during the past few days.

Heated arguments in House over Rajitha's statement

Heated arguments ensued in Parliament yesterday over a statement made by Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne at the recent Cabinet briefing that two MPs and several others connected to a political party were behind the communal tension in Kandy.

JO wants Bill presented in Parliament again

Joint Opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardane said yesterday the passing of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Bill was not valid and requested the Speaker to present it to Parliament again.

Hakeem tells govt. to issue 'shoot at sight' orders

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Minister Rauff Hakeem yesterday asked the government to issue ‘shoot at sight’ orders to enforce the police curfew in the affected areas.

FUTA hits out at govt.'s inability to curb violence

The Federation of University Teachers' Association (FUTA) yesterday said the government’s inability and reluctance to enforce the law against perpetrators of communal violence had led to the serious escalation of communal tensions.