Rs. 3.8 mn dessert: Sanga says no one had to pay

Responding to his twitter followers’ criticisms made on Rs. 3. 8 million worth dessert, former star cricketer Kumar Sangakkara said yesterday it was just the launch of the dessert and no one had to pay the price on the day of the launch.

Commission clears PM: Minister Musthapha

While appealing to the media not to politicise the statement made by President Maithripala Sirisena on the Central Bank bond scam, Minister Faizer Musthapha yesterday said the Bond Commission had clearly said that there was no involvement whatsoever by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in the bond controversy.

President clears PM's name in Bond scam: Namal

Joint Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday said President Maithripala Sirisena had cleared the good name of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe through his Wednesday’s statement on the Central Bank bond scam.

Japanese Foreign Minister arrives in SL

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono arrived in Sri Lanka this evening with a delegation of 24 members on a official visit.

MoU signed to create two institutions abolishing SAITM

The Government today said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the SAITM and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) on December 30 to create two separate not-for-profit entities called ‘Sunset’ and ‘Sunrise’ under the SLIIT by abolishing SAITM.

Immense progress in SL govt. programmes: UK

A group of four UK Parliament members today said there is immense progress in the Sri Lankan government’s programmes to strengthen the democracy and the steps taken to develop the economy of the country, implementation of the special development projects as well as promotion of foreign trade.    

PM referred COPE report on bond issue to AG in 2016

In the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena’s statement on the fraud involving the bond issue, the Prime Minister’s office said today that even Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe requested the Attorney General in December, 2016 to make recommendations on legal action against those officials responsible for the controversial bond transaction.

Killing of 5 youth in Trinco: Case now progressing with Skype evidence

Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayaka said today the case involving the 2006 killing of five Tamil students in Trincomalee was now progressing as new reforms have allowed the use of Skype evidence.

President must also be held responsible: JO

In the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena’s statement on the Central Bank bond scam, the joint opposition today said President Sirisena should also be held responsible for the fraud as he was the appointing authority of Arjuna Mahendran as the Central Bank Governor who cleaned out the Treasury.

Manoj Sirisena sworn-in as SPC Sports Minister

Southern Provincial Council (SPC) member Manoj Sirisena was appointed as the Minister of Sports and Youth affairs, Culture and Arts, Social Welfare, Probationary Care and Child Protection, Women’s Affairs, Housing and Construction and Manpower and Employment.

Two Sri Lankan leopard cubs born in England Zoo

Banham Zoo at Norfolk in England is celebrating the birth of two rare and endangered Sri Lankan leopard cubs which were born in September, the Eastern Daily Press reported on Wednesday.

Ravi's penthouse: Nettikumara ordered to give statement to CID

Shanil Nettikumara-who allegedly levelled death threats to the brother of Anika Wijeysuriya for giving evidence before the Bond Commission regarding Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake's Penthouse rental payment by Arjun Aloysius-was today directed to record statement with the CID over the inquiry by Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne

Motorcycles, bus registration up last year: DMT

The registration of motorcycles and buses showed an increment during 2017, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) said.

Bond Report-Convene Parliament immediately: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today called on the Government to convene Parliament immediately so as to amend laws, including the Monetary Act, as recommended by the PCoI Report. MP Herath said Parliament is scheduled to be convened on January 23 and urged the Government to convene it immediately as normal procedure would take long time to amend laws.

Two arrested over death of British national

Two suspects were apprehended yesterday in connection with the mysterious death of a British National whose body was recovered at Araliya Uyana in Maligawatte on Tuesday (2), the Police said.

One dies after being knocked down by a lorry

One person died while another sustained injuries after being knocked down by a lorry at the D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo this morning, the Police said.

CH - Navy brawl - Dhanushka Perera writes

In response to our article titled ‘CH shocked over Yoshitha criticism’ Mr. Dhanushka Perera has sent the following letter in which he states as follows.     This is to bring to you notice that I was shocked and dismayed to see the way my name has been dragged into and unnecessarily mentioned repeatedly regarding the incident that happened at the rugby match between CH & FC and Navy SC on December 30, 2017. 

13 Indian fishermen arrested; two trawlers seized

Thirteen Indian fishermen had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for engaging in illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan territorial waters in the seas off Kachchathivu Island this morning, Navy Media Spokesman Commander Dinesh Bandara said today.

DMT announces new series of motorcar registration numbers

A new series of motorcar registration numbers starting from ‘CBA 0001’ will be printed into vehicle registration plates, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) said yesterday.

Chinese company has no authority to hoist Chinese flag: Gammanpila

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) yesterday claimed that the Chinese Company which was handling the Hambantota Port Project did not have the authority to hoist the Chinese flag within Sri Lankan territory.

LG election win is important for the government: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the UNP candidates contesting for the February 10 local government election that this poll is of importance for the government if it is to return to power in the year 2020.

JO says Cabinet unconstitutional, illegal

The extra set of Cabinet and non-Cabinet ministers appointed by the National Government has become unconstitutional and illegal today, the Joint Opposition (JO) said today.

Bond Commission recommends legal action against Ravi

The PCoI report has recommended that necessary action should be taken against former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake under the section of bribery and corruption as he was responsible for the allegation against him regarding the payment of rent for the penthouse apartment belongs to the Aloysius Family and their Walt and Rowe Company.

Mahendran responsible: Bond report

Former Central Bank (CB) governor Arjuna Mahendran was responsible for providing internal information to outsiders and has interfered into bond auctions through a system of incorrect and unconventional methods, President Maithripala Sirisena today said quoting the Bond report.

Youth allegedly kills 16-year-old girl friend

A 26-year-old youth is reported to have killed his 16-year-old girl friend by slitting her throat and had allegedly committed suicide by cutting his own throat.

President’s statement on PCoI report at 6 pm

President Maithripala Sirisena’s special statement on the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report on the Central Bank bond issue will be aired at 6 pm this evening.

CH shocked over Yoshitha criticism

CH & FC have been left fuming over ‘unfair’ criticism on flanker Yoshitha Rajapaksa especially in social media, following a brawl that broke out at the end of their Dialog Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament match against Navy Sports Club at Welisara on Saturday (30).

Welikada Prison escape attempt foiled

An attempt by four inmates of the Welikada Prison to escape had been foiled by jailors this morning, Prisons Spokesman said.

Fmr. Divulapitiya OIC arrested over inmate’s death

Former OIC of the Divulapitiya Police, IP Sumith Premakumara had been arrested by the CID in connection with the death of a suspect in detention at the Negombo Prison.

NPC could have done better: Sampanthan

Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan has said the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) should have addressed people’s issues in a much more constructive way than they have done.