Police SIU search Welgama’s house

A group of officers from the Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU) today searched UPFA MP Kumara Welgama’s residence at Horawala, Mathugama for bulletproof state vehicles.

Draft of National Trade Policy given to GMOA

A draft of the much-awaited National Trade Policy had been given yesterday to the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) for their opinion, by International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama.

Samsung Note 7 banned aboard SriLankan, Mihin

SriLankan Airlines today banned passengers and crew members from using and carrying Samsung Note 7 phones on board SriLankan and Mihin Lanka aircraft with immediate effect.

Not the President but somebody else ruling SL: PHU

The recent statement by President Maithripala Sirisena on the manner in which the FCID, CID and the Bribery Commission function indicates that the country was not governed by the democratically elected President but by someone else, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) today said.  

Traffic around Lotus Roundabout

Heavy traffic was reported around the Lotus Roundabout in Colombo due to a protest march carried out by a group of fishermen urging the ban of illegal fishing methods.

NFF calls for IGP’s resignation

The National Freedom Front (NFF) today asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to resign from his post because he was the one who was responsible for politicizing the independent institutions including the CID, FCID and the Bribery Commission.

Avant Garde case: Senadhipathi seeks permission to travel abroad

Avant Garde Chairman, Nissanka Senadhipathi, today sought court permission to travel to Singapore for medical treatment.

Fmr. Army Lt. compensates family of dead LTTE suspect

Former Army Lieutenant, who was convicted for the death of a LTTE suspect, when he was attempting to escape military custody in 1998, today paid Rs. two million to the victim’s family as compensation.

Adhil Bakeer Markar’s death not suspicious: Scotland Yard

The Scotland Yard is treating the death of Adhil Bakeer Markar, son of Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, as unexplained but not suspicious, the London Evening Standard reported.

Sri Lanka ranks 87th in Hunger Index

Sri Lanka ranked 87th among developing countries in the Global Hunger index indicating the country had some levels of poverty and malnutrition to combat.

Independent Commissions: Speaker underlines stance of President, PM

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has informed members of independent commissions that neither President Maithripala Sirisena nor Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had negative attitudes towards any of the said commissions.

Don't change provisions on NF, NA, Buddhism: JO

In its proposals to the Steering Committee on Constitutional Reforms, the joint opposition (JO) has said the constitutional provisions on matters such as the National Flag (NF) and National Anthem (NA)and the status accorded to Buddhism should in no way be compromised.

President' statement twisted by trouble makers: Minister

President Maithripala Sirisena has no intention of abolishing or disrupting the investigations being carried out by the independent commissions, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said yesterday.

MR says surprised over President's FCID remark

Former President and Kurunegala district MP Mahinda Rajapaksa said he was surprised to note that President Maithripala Sirisena was unaware of the action of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).

Japanese firm withdraws from third stage construction of the Central Expressway

The Japanese firm which was to be given the contract to carry out the third stage of the Central Expressway is said to have withdrawn, thus compelling the government to search for another construction company.

Bribery Com. DG resigned to avoid action on bond scam culprits: JHU

Yesterday’s resignation of Bribery Commission (BC) Director General Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe is a move to avoid possible action against the culprits of the Central Bank (CB) bond scam, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today

Two men, woman killed in road tragedy

Two men and a woman, travelling in a private bus from Colombo to Moneragala, were killed and ten others injured in a head-on collision with a tipper truck travelling in the opposite direction in Udawalawe today.

Negombo fishermen block Colombo- Puttalam Main Road

Traffic on the Colombo- Puttalam Main Road at the Galkanda Junction and the train service on the Colombo- Puttalam line at the Thelwatta Junction were blocked by fishermen and residents of Negombo protesting against the Port City Project.  

President returns from India

President Maithripala Sirisena returned to the country a short while ago after successfully concluding his two-day official visit to India.

Power cuts reduced by two hours per day

The scheduled three-and-a-half hour power cuts would be reduced to one-and-a-half hour, after the Mahaweli Authority had agreed to release more water to the hydro power plants, Minister of Power and Energy Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced a short while ago.

CEB hoping to reduce daily power cut

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) hopes to reduce the time period of three-and-a-half hour daily power cut after the Mahaweli Authority had agreed to release more water to the hydro power plants, sources close to Power and Renewable Energy Ministry said today.

Thirukumar Nadesan released on bail

Businessman Thirukumar Nadesan, who was arrested by the FCID this morning in connection with a controversial land in Malwana, was released on bail by Pugoda Magistrate D. A. Ruwanpathirana.

Bribery Commission DG resigns

The Director General of Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe had tendered her resignation letter to President Maithripala Sirisena today.

‘Signal tower’ protest by SLT manpower workers

Two manpower workers of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) launched a protest on the top of a signal tower at the SLT Head Office, Fort this morning, demanding the authorities to add them to the permanent cadre, Police said.

FCID arrests Nirupama Rajapaksa’s husband

Thirukumar Nadesan, a relative of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) in connection with the 16 acres of land at Mapitigama in Malwana which was said to have been owned by former minister Basil Rajapaksa.

We are ready to support Sri Lanka: Putin

While hailing the ‘transformation’ taking place in Sri Lanka, Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured President Maithripala Sirisena that Russia was always willing to support Sri Lanka.

Keen to strengthen links with China in int’l affairs: SL

President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and said Sri Lanka is willing to strengthen coordination and communication with China in international and regional affairs.  

President’s visit: India beef up security at Tiruchi airport

Security has been enhanced at the Tiruchi international airport in India in view of President Maithiripala Sirisena’s impending transit halt at the airport on Monday, the Hindu reported.

Daily power cuts till Friday: CEB

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) announced that three-and-a-half hour daily power cuts would be imposed till Friday (21) with effect from today due to a breakdown at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.

Bank’s legal officer in sexual harassment case

A legal officer in a State bank had been accused of sexually abusing two women employees in the same office, the Daily Mirror learned today.