Perpetual Treasuries licence should be cancelled: JO

The joint opposition’s economic research unit yesterday urged the government to cancel the primary dealer licence of Perpetual Treasuries Limited allegedly connected to the Central Bank bond scam.

UK Minister for UN to visit SL

UK Minister for the UN and Commonwealth Baroness Anelay will visit Colombo and Jaffna from November 6 to 9 on her first official visit to Sri Lanka, the British High Commission in Colombo announced today.  

Container of milk powder packets seized

A container filled with milk powder packets issued by a private factory in Biyagama was seized in transit and four suspects were arrested by the Biyagama Police today.

Pandith Amaradewa no more

Veteran singer and musician Pandith W. D. Amaradewa, who was admitted to the Sri Jayawardanapura Hospital this morning following a heart attack, passed away a short while ago, the hospital sources confirmed.

CV complains to EU about SL army running schools

Northern Province Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran has complained to the European Union (EU) human rights inspection team that the Sri Lankan army is running hundreds of schools in his province when it has no right to do so under the 13th amendment of the constitution, New Indian Express reported today.

PM arrives in Hong Kong

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived Hong Kong this morning with seven a member delegation to take part in the fifteenth Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2016.

No mention in COPE report involving Ranil: Rajitha

While vowing that the government was determined to take strict legal action against those who were allegedly involved in the Bond scam, Cabinet Spokesman Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said there was no mention whatsoever in the COPE report or in the Auditor General’s review on the issue to level the accusing finger at Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Drug addict sells kidney to satisfy urge for heroin

A drug addict who sold his kidney for Rs.500,000 and used the money to finance his heroin addiction was taken into custody by the Galle police after he was found in possession of a packet heroin weighing 100mg during a raid at Dangedara. Investigations revealed that he had gone to Colombo after selling his kidney and spent Rs.120,000 to buy heroin and returned to Galle after all his money was exhausted.

Amaradewa hospitalised

Pandith W. D. Amaradewa was admitted to the Sri Jayawardanapura Hospital this morning following a heart attack, hospital sources said.

Cabinet raises age of criminal responsibility from 8 to 12

Cabinet on Tuesday (1) decided to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years from the current minimum age which is 8 and in case of children who were between the ages of 12 and 14 to confer discretion to the Magistrate.

FCID refers 60 completed cases to AG

Out of over 325 complaints received by the much debated probing body Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) since its inception in early 2015, about 60 completed cases have already been referred to the Attorney General for legal action, sources said.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s daughter passes away at 40

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s youngest daughter Sanjeewanie Indira Jayasuriya Dicker yesterday succumbed to a terminal illness in London, England.

No illegal construction in Sri Pada: Dpty. Minister Paranawithan

There would be no illegal construction of any buildings in the land near the Sri Pada Forest Reserve, Deputy Minister Parliament Reforms and Mass Media Karunarathna Paranawithana said today.

Gota rejects links with 'Aava'

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today vehemently denied the allegations made by Cabinet Spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne that the ‘Aava’ gang was established under the approval of Mr. Rajapaksa during the previous government.

'Aava', a Gota creation: Rajitha

Cabinet spokesman, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne today said the underworld gang "Aava" active in the North was a creation of former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and certain top military officers.

Monetary Board will probe Greek Bond issue: PM

Asserting that the COPE report was a victory for the Yahapalana Government, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today he would call for a meeting of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank next week and take steps for probing the Greek Bond.

JO wants PSC on COPE report

The Joint Opposition today urged the government to appoint a special Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to monitor the progress of the action taken by the Attorney General (AG) into the COPE report on Central Bank (CB) Bond sale issue.  

Brigadier Gunatilake new DMI

Brigadier M.D.U.V. Gunatilake has been appointed as new Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) with immediate effect.

Tiran Alles, three others remanded

Former MP Tiran Alles and two others have been remanded till November 10 after being indicted, over the case in which they were accused of misappropriating Rs. 124 million at RADA in 2006.

GL named Chairman of Podujana Peramuna

The political party  Ape Sri Lanka Nidahas Peramuna  had been renamed as Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and Prof. G.L. Peiris was named as its new Chairman, sources said.

Will not respond to individuals who are sick: MR

Responding to the statement made by former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga claiming that he former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was paid by J.R. Jayawardena to divide the SLFP, Rajapaksa yesterday said that he will not to respond to statements by individuals who were sick.

Monetary Board verdict on bond scam soon

The Monetary Board is soon expected to come up with its verdict on the alleged treasury bond scam based on an on-site report prepared by the Central Bank officials, which is now being deliberated by the Monetary Board.

Mannar STF camp shifted to Parayanakulam

The Special Task Force (STF) camp in Mannar which was established in 2010 has been shifted to Parayanakulam with effect from yesterday, the STF said.

Lankan missing during pilgrimage to India

A Sri Lankan national, Wrad Stewan Ratnayaka (78), has been reported missing in Andhra Pradesh, during a pilgrimage to Bhopal.

Up country railway service at a standstill

Up country railway services had been disrupted due to caving in of the railway line between Kadugannawa and Balana, the Railway Control room said.

If Chinese loans are expensive, why ask for another?- Envoy

Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang , who responded yesterday to criticism that the Chinese loans were expensive, said yesterday that he had asked Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake why he talked about yet another loan from China if the loans were expensive.

Three bribery cases against Duminda on Jan.5

Colombo Additional Magistrate Aruni Attigalle yesterday directed Prisons Chief to produce Duminda Silva in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on January 5 for the hearing of three bribery cases filed against him on charges of not declaring his assets and liabilities for three years.

Ministry to appoint IGs to monitor foreign missions

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has sought to appoint Inspectors' General (IGs) to monitor the work of Sri Lanka’s missions abroad and report on the progress.

CSN challenges revocation of broadcasting licence

Court of Appeal yesterday issued Notices on the Mass Media Ministry secretary, Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunatillake, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and its director general, pursuant to a Writ petition filed by Carlton Sports Network (Private) Limited challenging the impugned decision to revoke its Television Broadcasting Licence”.

Power restored

Power failures were experienced in several parts of the country this evening, including the Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces. Power has now been restored in the areas, CEB Spokesman Sulakshana Jayawardana said.