Court allows arrest warrant on Udayanga via Interpol

Colombo Fort Magistrate today granted the FCID request to issue an arrest warrant through Interpol on Udayanga Weeratunga, a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia in connection with the investigation into the huge financial loss caused to the Government in purchasing Ukraine-built MiG-27 aircraft in 2006.

Senadhipathi permitted to travel abroad for one year

Avant Garde Maritime Security Services Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi was granted permission by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today to travel to Singapore and Germany for medical treatments for a period of one year.

Decision on ‘Usawiya Nihadai’ tomorrow

The decision on the restraining order imposed on the film 'Usawiya Nihandai' has been fixed tomorrow by Colombo District Court Judge M. U. Gunawardena.

Appropriation Bill for 2017 presented in Parliament

The government today presented the Appropriation Bill to provide financial provisions in respect of various activities of the state in the 2017 thus indicating a slashing of expenses.  

Four men on trial for trafficking 492 Lankans to Canada

Six years after the vessel-MV Sun Sea-with nearly 500 Sri Lankan Tamils aboard arrived off the coast of British Colombia (BC), four men who were charged with human-smuggling saw their trial open Wednesday in BC Supreme Court in Vancouver, Canada.

SL woman arrested for running liquor factory in Kuwait

A Sri Lankan woman was arrested for running a liquor factory in Faiha area after security operatives confiscated 10 barrels of alcohol, 400 bottles of ready-made liquor, 13 pumps for distillation, and raw materials for brewing the contraband.

Searching Welgama’s garden for bulletproof vehicles immature: President

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday told the Lankadeepa that searching UPFA MP Kumar Welgama’s garden for illegally keeping bulletproof vehicles was an immature act.

Former Army Commander Daya Ratnayake at PRECIFAC

Former Army Commander Lt. General Daya Ratnayake arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) to give a statement.

Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe resumes duties as Additional Solicitor General

Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, who resigned as Bribery commission Director General, resumed duties as Additional Solicitor General, informed sources said.

Indian Foreign Secretary to visit SL this weekend

Indian Foreign Secretary S.Jaishankar is to visit Sri Lanka with a business delegation this weekend, to promote Indian business and investment in the island nation in accordance with the Narendra Modi government’s policy of using diplomacy to promote India’s trade and investment abroad.

SLC stays firm on player contracts: D-Day for players

The Sri Lanka cricketers were given time till this afternoon to accept the terms of their contracts after a fresh issue over payments surfaced earlier this week.

India offers solar plant in Trincomalee

A month after Sri Lanka decided to scrap a coal power project involving the NTPC, in Trincomalee, India has offered to build a solar power plant in the port town.

SL will regain GSP+: PM

Sri Lanka will regain the GSP plus facility by early next year without a doubt, as the European Union authorities are ready to grant the facility by about that time, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday.

TNA: UN rep advises to enlist minority members to forces

The visiting UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues Rita Izsak Ndiaye had stressed yesterday the recruitment of minority community members to security forces, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said.

Ramanayake criticizes minister for shielding officers

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake on Tuesday came out against a minister, who had shielded his ministry officers from being interrogated by the FCID when they were called to give a statement.

Navy Ratings assaulted in Silawathurai

Three Navy Ratings had been admitted to the Mannar Hospital following an ambush by the villagers of Arippu on Tuesday night, the Silawathurai Police said.

Sunethra Jayasinghe appointed Acting Bribery Commission DG

Sunethra Jayasinghe, the Deputy Director General of the Bribery Commission, has been appointed as Acting Director General by President Maithripala Sirisena.

President never said that: Rajitha

President Maithripala Sirisena never attempted to defend former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in his speech at the SLFI on the 12th but only expressed his displeasure over the treatment on former Navy Commanders, when they were summoned to the courts on the Avant- garde floating armoury case, Cabinet Spokesman Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

Approved: Engine kits for SLTB, wagons for Railways

Proposals have been made to procure 163 new Ashok Leyland engine kits for Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) under Indian assistance, Cabinet Co-Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilake said.

Noraichcholai repaired, no more power cuts: Minister

There wouldn’t be power cuts from today as the broken unit of the Noraichcholai Coal Power Plant had been repaired and was operational from this evening, Power and Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

President accepts Dilrukshi’s resignation

President Maithripala Sirisena today accepted the letter of resignation of Bribery Commission Director General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, sources said.

Cabinet approves tyre plant in Horana

The cabinet had approved the establishment of a radial and solid tyre plant in the Horana area with the investment of US$ 75 million, within the next four years, Cabinet Co-Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilake said.

Light turns red for beggars at traffic lights

The Police today launched an operation to arrest beggars frequenting traffic lights in a move to prevent traffic congestion and possible road accidents.

Kumara to trigger Privilege issue in House tomorrow

UPFA MP Kumara Welgama would raise a Privilege issue in Parliament tomorrow over the incident in which Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU) officers inspected his residence in search of unauthorised vehicles belonging to the Government, the Joint Opposition (JO) said today.

Cabinet approves five more LRTs

The Cabinet had approved another five Light Rail Transits (LRTs) in the Western Region as a long-term measure to cater to the future transport demands, Cabinet Co-Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilake said.

Army officer’s body to be exhumed today

The body of 52-year-old retired sergeant major, who is alleged to have committed suicide in Kegalle on Friday, will be exhumed today on a court order obtained by the CID because it had failed to remove the fingerprints from the body before burial.

Tissa remanded for forging documents

The Colombo High Court today remanded former United National Party Secretary, Tissa Attanayake until December 5.

Cricketers refuse to sign contract ahead of Zimbabwe tour

Sri Lanka’s National cricketers and their Board are squaring off for a stand-off over a fresh contract, with the players firmly rejecting to sign the new performance-based agreements on offer.

Court extends injunction order on 'Usawiya Nihandai'

The Colombo District Court today extended the injunction order halting the screening of 'Usawiya Nihandai' until October 20.

No power cuts if Norochcholai is operational tomorrow

If one of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant’s is operational by tomorrow there would be no need for power cuts, the Power and Energy Ministry said.