Perpetual Treasuries 14-month profit exceeds Rs.10bn: leaked CB report

Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL), the controversial primary dealer connected to the family of former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, has recorded a mammoth after-tax profit exceeding Rs.10 billion within a period of 14 months, according to a draft report by the Central Bank, which was leaked to the public domain by a whistleblower within the bank.

President, PM, Sagala hold special meeting

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met last night for a special discussion at the official residence of the former, informed sources disclosed.

Top official of Independent commission to resign?

An high-ranking official who holds a top position in an independent institution is expected to resign soon, informed government sources said yesterday.

President or Govt. can take action if unhappy with FCID

While declining to comment on the views expressed by President Maithripala Sirisena on the FCID at a function held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on Wednesday, its Chief DIG Ravi Waidyalankara said action could be taken in case the President or the Government was not happy with the manner in which the FCID functioned.

Police conduct special operation in WP

Despite rumours that all police personnel in the Western Province had been stationed in their respective police stations last night, the Province's Senior DIG Nandana Munasinghe said that they were conducting a special crime operation covering all areas of the province.

JO challenges Ranil to respond to remarks by President

The joint opposition today challenged Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to give a direct response to the statement made by President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday including the President’s displeasure at former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa being dragged to court after a case was filed against him by the Bribery Commission.

SAARC has not lived up to its potential: US

SAARC has not lived up to its potential, a top White House official has said adding that they regretted that the regional summit has to be postponed after most of the member countries pulled out of it.  

Guterres appointed new UN Chief

The UN General Assembly unanimously appointed former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres on Thursday as the ninth secretary-general of the world body for five years beginning January 1, 2017, the Reuters said.

CID, FCID faulted: Time for MS to walk the talk: Wimal

In the wake of President Maitripala Sirisena lashing out at the alleged politicization of the FCID, CID and the Bribery Commission, National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader and MP Wimal Weerawansa said it was time for the President to walk the talk.

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.