Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has died after 70 years on the throne, the palace says.

Maldives pulls out of Commonwealth

The Maldivian Government today announced that it would leave the Commonwealth, a collection of countries made up largely of former British colonies, citing the organisation had taken punitive actions against the Maldives despite the progress made by the country to strengthen democratic institutions.

US judge reduces jail sentence of three LTTErs

Three men convicted by the US of being LTTE terrorists would get their sentences reduced by 10 years after a Brooklyn judge revealed that he had been “haunted” by the case, the New York Daily News reported on Thursday.

Female heroin-peddler nabbed at Dematagoda

Police Narcotic Bureau arrested a woman who was found in possession of 55.39 grams of heroin worth Rs.180,000 in a housing complex at Dematagoda a short while ago, Police said.

Imtiaz Bakeer Marker's son Adhil passes away

National Media Centre Chairman and former Media, Postal and Telecommunications Minister Imtiaz Bakeer Marker's son Adhil had passed away in London, UK yesterday.  

Dead teenager’s parents claim damages from KMC and RDA

The parents of the 17-year-old schoolgirl, who died last year after falling into an unprotected drain at the Nittawela Junction on the Kandy-Katugastota Road, filed a civil law suit, in the Kaduwela District Court today, claiming damages from the Kandy Municipal Council (KMC) and the Road Development Authority (RDA).

Ex-chief JMO's revision application: HC notices respondents

Colombo High Court Judge Pathmini N Ranawaka today noticed the respondents, cited by former chief JMO Ananda Samarasekara in his revision application, to appear in court on October 27.

Renault to recall some of its top-selling Kwid cars

French carmaker Renault SA will recall some of its top-selling, entry-level cars in India, called Kwid, to inspect the fuel system, foreign media reports said yesterday.

Two injured in scuffle outside Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court

Two individuals were admitted to the Trincomalee Hospital following a police shooting in front of the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court this morning, Police said.

Complain to me any abused, harassment of children

The Governor of the Central Province Ms.Niluka Ekanayake has announced that persons could complain to her office of any cruelty to children and also abuse of children. She also said that all information would be confidential, and should be written out giving details of the incidents.

Vidura tries to usurp Champika’s place at opening ceremony

A tense situation arose at the opening ceremony of the Moragahahena bus stand in Horana when MP Vidura Wickremanayaka forcibly attempted to preside over the ceremony.

Focus on present, not dwell on past- Special UN Rapporteur

More focus should be placed on the current situation, with regard to human rights and minority issues, rather than dwelling on the past, the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues of the United Nations Human Rights Council Rita Izsák-Ndiaye has said.

CB information leak to be probed

Probes will take place shortly of the alleged leakage of confidential information from the Central Bank, informed sources said yesterday.

China assures help for PPPs

China would help support the Private Public Partnership projects, which Sri Lanka was envisaging including the ones in the South, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen said.

CTA to replace PTA: Gets Cabinet nod

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Policy and Legal Framework relating to the proposed Counter Terrorism Act (CTA) which would replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Cabinet Spokesman, acting Mass Media and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Karunaratne Paranawithana said yesterday.

President hits out

President Maithripala Sirisena expressed his extreme displeasure and disgust today at the dragging to court of the former defence secretary and three former commanders of the Navy, in a case filed by the Bribery Commission.

Cops with cases against them recruited to FCID: Namal

MP Namal Rajapaksa said today that the IGP should conduct an investigation to find out how police officers with outstanding cases against them were recruited to the FCID.

PM says would renegotiate GSP Plus

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today he would visit Brussels on Saturday to re-negotiate GSP Plus trade facility with the European Union.

JO wants Perpetual Treasuries sealed

The Joint Opposition today questioned whether the unclear manner, in which the Perpetual Treasuries Limited earned an excessive profit of Rs. 5 billion by trading Government Bonds, could fall under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

SriLankan: A320 Neo aircraft ordered by Fmr. managament

Responding to the media reports published recently that the SriLankan Airlines was adding brand new A320 Neo aircraft to its fleet, the Airline today stated that these aircraft were ordered by the former management of the SriLankan Airlines under the previous Government.

Woman Police officers to go up to DIG rank: NPC

Measures would be taken to allow women to hold the post of Deputy Inspector General of Police, a higher rank than the current Senior Superintendent of Police, women are allowed to hold in the Police Department, the National Police Commission said today.

30 State, Private importers to get Green Channel at Customs

The Sri Lanka Customs Department would facilitate thirty Government and private sector institutes to clear their imports without checking, Customs Spokesman Dharmasena Kahandawa said.

President orders separate probes into nightclub din

Concerned over the linking of his son Daham Sirisena’s name to the brawl allegedly took place at the ‘Clique’ Night Club at the Union Place early Saturday morning, President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed the Police Chief and the Director of the Presidential Security Division (PSD) to conduct two separate and thorough investigations, Cabinet Spokesman Acting Media and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Karunaratne Paranawithana

Toyota recalls 3.4mn Prius hybrid cars for faulty brakes

Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) said on Wednesday it was recalling around 340,000 of its latest Prius gasoline hybrid model in Japan and overseas to fix a parking brake issue.

Court re-issues notices to Ravi and 13 others

The Court of Appeal today re-issued notices to Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and 13 others to appear in Court on November 7 in regard to a writ petition filed by Ven. Agulugalle Jinananda Thera against the decision of the Finance Ministry to exempt a beer manufacturer in Biyagama from paying the customs levy normally charged.

Student arrested for stealing phones

A 16 year old student and 30 year old man were arrested by the Ambalangoda Police for stealing smart phones worth Rs. 6 million.

Appropriation Bill - An estimated expenditure of Rs.1,819 Bn

The 2017 Appropriation Bill shows an estimated expenditure of Rs.1,819 billion with an allocation of Rs.283 billion, the highest as usual, in the budget for next year and Rs.242 billion for the Finance Ministry.

Water cuts likely if drought continues

The Water Resources and Drainage Board said yesterday it might be compelled to restrict the supply of water in the event that the drought continues.

New system to detect speeding vehicles on expressways

Steps were being taken to establish a speed detector system at the Southern and Katunayake Expressways so that the speeding drivers could be fined at the exit points, Expressway Operation, Maintenance and Management Division Director S. Opanayaka said today.

Night club attack: No arrests yet

No arrests have been made in connection with the incident where a group of people led by a VVIP's son are alleged to have assaulted security personnel at a leading nightclub last week.