Immigration nabs 27 Indians engaged in black magic in North

Twenty seven Indian nationals who were engaged in soothsaying and sorcery in the North by violating their visa regulations were nabbed by the Immigration and Emigration Department officials in a special operation last week.

Nuwara Eliya recorded 4.7 C. temperature

Nuwara Eliya district has recorded the minimum temperature of 4.7 degrees Celsius as of yesterday, Department of Meteorology said.

PM requests debate on Bond Commission report

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that he requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to convene Parliament to hold debate on Bond Commission report.

Six women arrested in Ratmalana brothel raid

Seven persons including six women were arrested on charges of having run a brothel under the guise of a massage parlour in Ratmalana on the Galle Road yesterday.

Latvian President arrives in SL

Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis arrived in Sri Lanka for a ten-day state visit yesterday.

TN assures release of Indian fishermen in SL custody

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has assured fishermen, that the State government would request the Centre to prevail upon the Sri Lankan government and secure the release of all fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan navy along with their confiscated boats at the earliest.

Navy recovers Rs 30 million worth of narcotics

A stock of 90 Kgs of Cannabis (KG), 4 Kgs of Opium and 4 Kgs of Hashish, worth over Rs. 30 million, was recovered from the Velvetithurai coastal line, in Jaffna during a raid carried out by the Navy, this morning.

No campaigning at places of worship: EC

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday that if any candidate contesting the LG polls, uses a place of religious worship for his election propaganda work, not only the candidate but the one in charge of the place of worship was liable for prosecution and a 7-year term of imprisonment under election laws.

GMOA alleges 'Sunset' and 'Sunrise' an eyewash

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday alleged that the decision taken by the government to create two separate entities called ‘Sunset’ and ‘Sunrise’ under the SLIIT by abolishing SAITM was a mere deception and they would not accept it.

Japanese FM visits Colombo port

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has visited the port of Colombo in Sri Lanka on Friday

PCoI report -- President should strike with the sword now: Ranjan

President Maithripala Sirisena should strike with his sword and take action against the wrongdoers mentioned in the PCoI report and the others engaged in large scale fraud and corruption, Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said yesterday.

Sword or axe; just use it: Wimal to President

MP Wimal Weerawansa yesterday urged President Maithripala Sirisena to use whatever the weapon he had - be it a sword or an axe - to punish the culprits of the Central Bank (CB) bond scam.

Legal provisions to destroy narcotics worth over Rs 375 mn: Sagala

The government will bring in laws to destroy various kinds of narcotics worth over Rs. 375 million which were seized last year, Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake said yesterday.

Bond Commission report: Speaker to convene party leaders meeting

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has convened a party leaders meeting on Tuesday to discuss the request made by several political parties to hold an emergency parliamentary meeting to table and debate the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report, a Source said yesterday.

UNP and Ravi ask for copy of PCoI report

The United National Party (UNP) has asked for a copy of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry report on the CB bond issue, MP Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday.

Fertilizer ship to arrive on Monday: CFC

The ship carrying 50,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer from Pakistan is to arrive at the Colombo Port on Monday, Ceylon Fertilizer Company Chairman Roshana Waduge said today.

Body parts of another tusker found

Body parts including the tusks of an elephant known as the ‘Kallaru tusker’ were found in Thanthrimale today, sources said.

JO mulls no-faith motion against PM on bond issue

The joint opposition (JO) said today it was planning to submit a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in connection with the Central Bank (CB) bond sale issue.

CCD ordered to probe JVP councillor threatening Acting OIC

Law and Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake a short while ago ordered the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) to inquire into the incident where JVP Western Provincial Councillor Asoka Ranwala allegedly threatened Sapugaskanda Police Acting OIC.

Bond Commission Report: CB to begin forensic audit soon

Central Bank Governor Indrajith Coomaraswamy informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today that action had been taken to conduct a forensic audit as recommended by the Presidential Commission that probed the bond scam.

JVP’s Asoka Ranwala remanded

JVP’s Western Provincial Council member Asoka Ranwala was remanded until January 19 after being arrested and produced in Court on charges of threatening Sapugaskanda Police Acting OIC.

Suspension on PTL’s license extended

The suspension of the Perpetual Treasuries Limited’s (PTL) Primary Dealer license was extended by six more months by the Central Bank today.

Japan assures fullest support for development in SL

The Foreign Minister of Japan Tharo Kono said that the Government of Japan was ready to provide its fullest support for the development and reconciliation process of Sri Lanka.

Virginia designates Thai Pongal as state holiday

US State of Virginia has passed a resolution declaring Thai Pongal a state holiday.

Safari jeeps entering Yala increased to 600 a day

Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said today the government had agreed to increase the number of safari jeeps entering the Yala National Park to 600 a day following a request made to President Maithripala Sirisena by several hotels and safari jeep owners in the area.

Open warrant issued on Jaliya Wickramasuriya

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today issued open warrant on former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States, Jaliya Wickramasuriya.

LTTE financiers to stand trial in Switzerland

Thirteen financiers accused of funnelling more than CH15 million ($15.3 million) to the Sri Lankan Tamil separatist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) will stand trial before the Swiss Federal Criminal Court on Monday.

JVP’s WPC member Asoka Ranwala arrested

JVP Western Provincial Council (WPC) member Asoka Ranwala was arrested on charges of threatening the Sapugaskanda Police OIC yesterday, police said.

China to launch satellites for SL, other countries in 2018

China will launch over 35 satellites this year including satellites for Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt as well as for commercial companies, GB times reported on Wednesday.

I am at loss to understand how I became a suspect: Ravi K

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, against whom the Bond Commission presses bribery charges, said he was at a loss to understand how he turned up as a suspect since the Central Bank and the State Banks did not remain under his purview.