Journos who reported on COPE should be summoned: Sujeewa

State Minister of International Trade and Development Strategies Sujeewa Senasinghe today suggested that all journalists who reported on the proceedings of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) should be summoned to Parliament to determine as to how information was leaked.

Indian boss gives 1,260 cars, 400 flats as Diwali bonus

A diamond tycoon in India has once again given away hundreds of cars and flats to his employees as a bonus for meeting company targets, the Guardian reported today.

Myanmar investigators dismiss missing plane reports, end search

Myanmar has halted an investigation into unconfirmed reports of an aircraft crashing into the sea off the country's west coast on Friday, a senior official with the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) said.

JO wants debate on COPE report

The joint opposition (JO) today called for a debate on the report of the parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) presented in Parliament this morning.

Forward COPE report to AG for action: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday the COPE report which held former CB governor Arjuna Mahendran responsible for the bond scam be forwarded to the Attorney General for him to act upon.

Man arrested for sexually abusing air hostess

A man was arrested today on charges of sexually abusing an air hostess at her residence in Kalapaluwawa, Rajagiriya, the Welikada Police said.

Unidentified plane crashes into sea off Myanmar

A senior official from Myanmar's Civil Aviation Department said "an unidentified aircraft" has crashed into the sea off the west coast today and authorities were trying to locate it.

Mahendran is in S’pore to attend a wedding: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today that former central bank governor Arjuna Mahendran had gone to Singapore to attend a wedding.

CV goes abroad without informing NP Governor

Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran has gone abroad without informing the NP Governor. According to reports no other member has been appointed to act for Mr. Wigneswaran.

Mahendran responsible for CB Bond scam: COPE report

The parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), in its final report on the investigation into the Central Bank bond controversy, held former Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendran directly responsible for the questionable transaction and called for legal action.

COPE report on Bond issue presented in Parliament

The COPE report on the Central Bank Bond issue was presented to Parliament by Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman MP Sunil Handunnetti, a short while ago.

Murder of kids: Madras HC imposes life sentence on SL refugee

Shocked over the ghastly murder of a 12-year-old boy and his seven-year-old sister for resisting an attempt to rob their house and the inability of police to crack the case on their own, the Madras High Court Bench has confirmed the conviction and life sentence imposed on a Sri Lankan refugee solely on the basis of his extra-judicial confession to a Tahsildar.

Parents tie young son and go away: Police

Police had found an eight year old boy tied to table with a rope, inside a house in Kowul Ara South in Sevenagala. The boy had been left alone at home while his parents were away.

Inappropriately dressed MP leaves chambers

Badulla District MP Aravindh Kumar who was wearing a dark orange shirt in Parliament was cautioned about his attire by the employees who were on duty inside the chambers yesterday.

MPs abstained from voting due to dictatorial manner of govt-MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday charged that many Parliamentarians, even those who were within government ranks, had abstained from voting for the VAT Bill on Wednesday (27), as this ‘Yahapalanaya’ government was not listening to anyone but doing things in a dictatorial manner.

President slams some NGOs, media, traitorous forces

President Maithripala Sirisena said on Thursday that certain media organisations, journalists, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and traitorous forces act without realizing the importance of ensuring national security.

CB has given Rs. 66 bn to Perpetual Treasuries: Minister

COPE member and Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said the Central Bank had given Rs. 66 billion to the primary dealer Perpetual Treasuries between February 2015 to March 2016 and added there was a prima facie case against former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran in respect of his tenure as the governor.

Goods and services exempted from VAT

The Finance Ministry today published the list of goods and services which are exempted from the Value Added Tax (VAT). The list includes goods such as rice, bread, dhal, coconut, medicinal drugs, fuel and electricity.  

Heavy rush-hour traffic in Colombo

Heavy rush-hour traffic was reported in Fort and several other parts in Colombo, Police said. It said none of the roads were closed but there was heavy rush-hour traffic.  

62 students in hospital

Sixty two students from Grades 6, 7 and 8 of the Bandaranayake Maha Vidyalaya at Hettimulla in Kegalle, were admitted to the Kegalle Hospital today as a result of a sudden respiratory ailment.  

Govt. to repeal Export and Import Control Act: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his pre-budget statement on the status of economy and outlining plans for the next year, said today a new set of investment incentives based on Capital Allowances and low tax regime would be introduced.

Track rider arrested

A popular motorcycle racing rider from Horana was arrested today on charges of assembling six motorcycles with enhanced engine capacities from parts he had imported having concealed them among other items, Police said.

VAT and NBT from Nov.1

The Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Nation Building Tax (NBT) will be implemented from November 1, The Finance Ministry announced a short while ago.

Udalagama granted bail, re-remanded due to absence of sureties

Army Intelligence Officer Premananda Udalagama, who was remanded in connection with the assassination of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, was granted bail by Mount Lavinia Magistrate Mohammed Sahabdeen today.  

JO urges govt. to allow CSN to broadcast

The Joint Opposition today urged the government to reverse the decision to suspend the broadcasting license of Carlton Sports Network (CSN) stating that suspension of the licence would set a dangerous precedent.

Raviraj case to be tried before Special Jury

The Colombo High Court today allowed the trial over the assassination of former TNA MP Nadaraja Raviraj in the presence of special jury.

Kudu Roshan, ten others ordered to be detained under CCD custody

Colombo Additional Magistrate Chandana Kalansuriya today ordered the CCD to detain the eleven suspects, who were arrested in connection with the Mattakkuliya quadruple murder, till October 31 for further interrogation.

Unfair to level war crime allegations: Gen. Gerry de Silva

Former Army Commander, Retired General Gerry de Silva yesterday said that it was unfair to level war crime allegations against Sri Lankan forces and having inquiries into them, without having a proper idea on what really took place in the humanitarian mission and finding out both sides of the story.

Three Indians nabbed with heroin

The Sri Lankan Navy today arrested three Indian nationals who had attempted to smuggle in two kilogrammes of heroin in a boat in the seas off Arippu in Mannar.

Health Min. employee protests on rooftop

A Health Ministry employee is staging a protest on the roof of a building at the Health Ministry demanding a salary hike.