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.

CNH to stop accepting unidentified bodies; morgue full

The Colombo National Hospital (CNH) had decided to stop accepting unidentified bodies to the mortuary following the Hospital’s morgue becoming full with unidentified and unclaimed human bodies, Deputy Director of the CNH Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Yameen loyalists take court action to remove Gayoom from PPM leadership

The Progressive Party of the Maldives has descended into open warfare with MPs loyal to incumbent president, Abdulla Yameen, seeking court action to remove his half-brother from the ruling party’s leadership.

Reconsider capital punishment given to a Nepali drug smuggler- Nepali PM

Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, today requested President Maithripala Sirisena to reconsider the capital punishment handed by Sri Lanka to Nepali citizen Chet Bahadur Thapa (Lalitpur) for smuggling drugs into the country.

Lasantha’s murder: Police can’t come to a conclusion on suicide note

IGP Pujith Jayasundara yesterday said the Police were unable to come a conclusion regarding the suicide note allegedly written by the retired army officer who claimed responsibility for the murder of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Norochcholai breakdown a result of new shoddy contractor: JVP

Stating that the breakdown of the Norochcholai power plant was a result of giving the construction contract to a party which had done a shoddy job, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today said an investigation has to be carried out to determine who was at fault.

Possible power cuts as Norochcholai breaks down, again

The Ministry of Power and Energy is to notify the public of possible power cuts in the coming days after assessing the damage at the Norochcholai power plant.

Met dept. expects showers and lightning

The Meteorology department said today that it expected showers with lightning, especially during the afternoon and night, due to the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

Actress killed in accident

Actress Kaveesha Ayeshani was killed when her car collided with a bus at Jubilee Post, Nugegoda early this morning, Police said.

Inmate found dead in a prison cell

A 51-year-old inmate was found dead hanging inside a cell at the Anuradhapura prisons yesterday.

President meets Modi at BRICS

President Maithripala Sirisena met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Outreach Summit in Goa, India this morning.

PM in Belgium

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Brussels, Belgium this morning for high level discussions with EU to obtain the GSP Plus relief back to Sri Lanka.

University intake to be increased by 10%: Mohan Lal

State Minister for Higher Education Mohan Lal Grero said today the ministry was targeting to increase the annual intake of state Universities by 10% in 2017.

Airman shoots himself in Katunayake

A 22-year-old airman attached to the Katunayake Air Force camp shot himself on the chest while on duty last night, Police said.

Horse runs amok, trainer injured in Dambulla

A 54-year-old horse trainer is reported to have been injured after a horse went on rampage while it was being trained on the Dambulla-Kandalama Road.

President to leave for India to attend BRICS Outreach Summit

President Maithripala Sirisena will leave for India today to attend the BRICS Outreach Summit to be held in Goa, India from 15th to 16th October.

30 women injured in wasp attack

At least thirty tea pluckers who were working at an estate in Bagawanthalawa have been hospitalised following a wasp attack this morning, Police said.

Power failure due to tripping of Norchcholai Coal Power Plant

Power supply in several areas mainly in the Northern part of the country was disrupted due to tripping of the Norchcholai Coal Power Plant, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Explosives and ammunition found in Kosgoda

Police have recovered 1.75 kilograms of C4 explosives and 17 bullets of T56 at a deserted land in Kosgoda this morning, Police said.

Two killed, two injured in head-on collision

Two women were killed and two others including a three year-old child injured when a three-wheeler collided head on with a cab at Madola on the Ratnapura-Avissawella Road early this morning, Police said.

Ranil off to Brussels today

Broad investigation over Rtd. Army officer’s suicide note

Police together with the CID have initiated a broad investigation over the incident where a 52-year-old retired sergeant major attached to the Intelligence Unit of the Army had allegedly committed suicide after writing a letter claiming that he had assassinated Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, Police said.

Modi's comment on Ravana draws flak

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comment that Ravana was the new form of terrorism, has drawn flak from Ravana followers in Sri Lanka.

Bribery charges: SIU to conduct initial probes against police officials

In a bid to expedite disciplinary action and ensure transparency, IGP Pujith Jayasundara said yesterday that the Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU) would conduct initial investigations against police officials who were arrested by the Bribery Commission on offences under the Bribery Act.

Focus on Govt. Policy decisions: President, PM to head new committee

In the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena’s outburst against the purported politicization of police, a committee headed by him and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to be set up to take policy decisions of the government regarding matters such as the war crimes probe, budgetary provisions and constitutional reforms, it is learnt.