60 condemned prisoners get deaths sentence commuted to life imprisonment

President Maithripala Sirisena has given his consent to commute deaths sentence to life imprisonment on 60 condemned prisoners on account of the 69th Independence Day.

Special certificate a must for bus drivers from June 1: DMT

All SLTB and private passenger bus drivers must possess a special driving certificate issued after a special training provided by the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) with effect from June 1, Motor Traffic Department Commissioner General Jagath Chandrasiri said today.

Both sides should act responsibly: Minister

Public Administration and Management Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara today said he regretted if Divulapitiya Divisional Secretary had to face any inconvenience because of the phone conversation with Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake.

Sirisena Govt. responsible for SAITM-SLMC tie: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today charged that it was not the court but President Sirisena’s government that was responsible for the verdict permitting the registration of SAITM medical graduates with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).

Solomon Islands to probe Sri Lankan over accident

Solomon Police have been urged to investigate a Sri Lankan, who was involved in an accident at the Mendana Avenue in Honiaraon the night of October 29, 2016, Solomon Star reported today.

Illegal vehicle assembly complex raided: 54 vehicles found

At least 54 vehicles, which were illegally assembled, causing a loss of Rs. 325 million to the government, were recovered by the Panadura-Walana Central Anti-Corruption Unit and the Sri Lanka Customs during a raid yesterday.

Trump’s ban: Sri Lankans too detained at JFK

In the chaotic aftermath of US President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration ban, 71 individuals from 20 countries including Sri Lanka were detained at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday, Asian Correspondent said today.

Police fire tear gas at protesting port employees

Police fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse protesting employees of the port’s Authority at Lotus Road in Colombo a short while ago, Police said.    

JO complains to BC against P. Harrison

The joint opposition (JO) complained to the Bribery Commission (BC) today against Rural Economic Affairs Minister P. Harrison of causing a loss of Rs.10 billion to the State when releasing stocks of paddy on one occasion to produce animal feed and on the other for human consumption.

Missing SLT manpower employee found

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) Manpower Union Vice President M.S. Mangala who was reported missing since Saturday, was found abandoned in Ingiriya this morning.

Astrologer Wijemuni released on bail

Astrologer Vijitha Rohana Wijemuni was released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara a short while ago.

Ten women arrested in Slave Island brothel

At least ten women were arrested when the Colombo Central Divisional Law Enforcement Unit had raided a brothel which was operating at Malay Street in Slave Island last night.

Four more men accused of smuggling 72 Lankan into Canada go on trial

Less than a week after four men accused in a human smuggling case involving Tamil migrants walked free, four more men charged in a similar case saw their trial open in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver.

Central Expressway Project-2 commenced

The second stage of the construction of the Central Expressway Project (CEP Project-2) from Meerigama to Kurunegala was launched today.

New mosquito that can transmit malaria discovered

Malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. There have been several malaria epidemics in the past and a major attempt in eradicating the disease failed and consequently there was a resurgence of the epidemic.

Don't eat croton warns Dr. Jayasumana

A medical expert said croton leaves were not edible and as such urged people not to consume them.

Property in Ireland: I won't respond to FB claims: Anura Kumara

Referring to claims that he owns a property in Ireland, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said he had no interest in responding to claims made on social media.

Kansa to be produced locally for herbal medicines: Rajitha

The Ayurvedic Department is to launch a project to legally grow Kansa on a large scale and import Opium from India to be used in producing medicinal drugs, Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Astrologer Vijitha Rohana Wijemuni arrested

Astrologer Vijitha Rohana Wijemuni was arrested by the CID on charges of circulating a video forecasting the death of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Muzammil to assume duties as HC to Malaysia

Former Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil left for Kuala Lumpur yesterday to assume duties as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia.  

Road accident kills 15 head of cattle, 20 badly injured

Fifteen head of cattle were killed and 20 seriously injured after the herd was knocked down by a speeding private bus at Mankulam, Police said.

Biswal, Power, Malinowski replaced, a slap in Govt's face: JO

The replacement of key US State Department officials such as Samantha Power, Nisha Biswal, Tom Malinowski and Susan Rice who were ‘interested’ in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka, is a slap aimed at the Sri Lankan Government, the joint opposition said today.

Hello Corp case: FCID allowed to check bank accounts

Colombo Additional Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa today permitted the FCID to check the bank accounts of company known as Hovell Constructions in the inquiry being conducted under the Money Laundering Act against Namal Rajapaksa and five others for purchasing Hello Corp shares from questionable funds.

Several Roads in Colombo closed due to protest

The Ceramic Junction, Lotus Road and Bank Street in Colombo have been temporary closed because of a protest.

Court directs SLMC to register SAITM's MBBS graduates

The Malambe Private Medical College better known as SAITM, hailed the Appeal Court ruling which allows the provisional registration of SAITM's MBBS graduates.

Presence of Chinese submarines in SL purely for economic reasons: Navy chief

Sri Lankan Navy chief Vice Admiral RC Wijegunaratne has assured India that the presence of Chinese nuclear submarines in Sri Lanka was "purely economic reasons" even as India's views the development with suspicion.

Trump sacks defiant attorney general

Donald Trump has fired the acting US attorney general, after she questioned the legality of his immigration ban.

I will not apologise: Ranjan

An unwavering Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said yesterday that he had not done anything wrong and therefore, he would not apologise to the Divulapitiya Divisional Secretary.

Two Lankans nabbed with gold nuggets hidden under tongues

Two Sri Lankan men were arrested with 180gramms of gold nuggets worth Rs.1 million hidden under their tongues at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning while trying to smuggle them out to Trivandrum, India.

Health Ministry meeting goes berserk

Sri Lanka Society for Medical Laboratory Science (SLSMLS) President Ravi Kumudesh charged that Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) Assistant Secretary Dr. Naveen De Soysa had threatened him during a meeting held at the Health Ministry yesterday.