Tapping of HC Judge's phone/JO calls for inquiry

The Joint Opposition yesterday urged the government to investigate the alleged tapping of a mobile phone belonging to a senior High Court judge who was a member of the Bench that tried Duminda Silva and others for the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.

Four months concessionary period to register motorcycles

Cabinet approval was received to grant a concessionary period of four months from October 2016 to January 2017 to register motorcycles that had not yet been registered or licensed by their owners to date, the Motor Traffic Department said today.

Bail condition relaxed on Vass Gunawardena

The High Court relaxed former Monitoring Minister Sajin de Vass Gunawardena’s bail conditions on consideration of a revision application filed by him in court pleading to relax the bail conditions.

Woman shot dead, three injured in Welipenna

A woman was killed and three others including a child were injured when they were shot at by gunmen at the 5th Mile Post in Welipenna a short while ago, Police said.

CV's protest confirms northern people given equal rights

UNP Colombo District MP Mijibur Rahaman told a media briefing that the protest had confirmed that the people in the Northern are being given equal rights.   

Three faculties of Rajarata Uni. closed indefinitely

Three faculties of the Rajarata University situated at Mihinthale have been closed indefinitely due to the prevailing water scarcity in the North Central Province, University sources said.

India, three more countries pull out of Islamabad SAARC Summit

After India said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not travel to Islamabad for the regional SAARC summit in November, three other members - Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Bhutan - have also pulled out of the meet, isolating host Pakistan.

Jayantha Samaraweera remanded till Oct. 05

UPFA MP Jayantha Samaraweera, who was arrested by the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) this afternoon, was remanded till October 05.

Chanuka Ratwatte, four others re-remanded

Anuruddha Ratwatte's son Chanuka and four others, who were arrested by the FCID on charges of misusing Rs.4.2 billion in government funds were re-remanded till September 30 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.  

Two women killed, infant injured in road tragedy

Two women were killed and a one-year-old infant was seriously injured when a speeding jeep veered off the road and knocked them down before crashing into a wayside tree at Pubbogama in Galkiriyagama last evening.

Jayantha Samaraweera arrested

UPFA MP Jayantha Samaraweera was arrested by the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) a short while ago on charges of misusing vehicles belonging to the government.

Govt. only keen to exhume bodies, survey lands: Namal

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said today the biggest problem for the government was the extent of my grandmother’s land and not the hardships faced by the drought affected people in Hambantota and Polonnaruwa or the possibility of the IMF loan being turned down because of the failure to implement the VAT increase.

63-year-old killed in road accident

A 63-year-old man was killed in a road accident in Rajagiriya this morning. The victim’s motorcycle had collided with a bus heading to Sethsiripaya in front of the Ayurveda General Hospital in Rajagiriya. The victim was identified as a resident of Dematagoda.

MR's ex security chief released on bail

Former Chief Security Officer of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Neville Wanniarachchi, had been released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya in five cases filed by the Bribery Commission.

SLC to slash player fees

The National cricketers are in for a substantial pay-cut in their contract fees as well as on match-fees as their paymaster - Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) prepares a performance based pay-packet for the ensuing year.

HC allows Yoshitha to travel overseas

The Colombo High Court today permitted Yoshitha Rajapakse to travel overseas to obtain medical treatment for a sports injury.

Man shot dead entering at coconut estate

A 46-year-old man, who attempted to trespass a coconut estate in Gampaha had been shot dead by the security guard of the estate yesterday, the Weliwerya Police said.

Ranil off to New Zealand

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will begin a tour of New Zealand tomorrow, during which Sri Lanka will sign several agreements, including one which will pave the way for development of the local dairy industry.

Former Israeli president dies at 93

Former Israeli president and elder statesman Shimon Peres died in Tel Aviv on Wednesday aged 93, Israel Radio said.

Perpetual Treasuries records over Rs.5bn profit from bond trading

Perpetual Treasuries Limited, the controversial primary dealer connected to the family of the former Central Bank Governor, Arjuna Mahendran, has made an after-tax profit of Rs.5.1 billion for the year ended in March 31, 2016, increasing from Rs.959.5 million recorded a year ago, the financial results showed.

India looking forward to sign ETCA: Sitharaman

Visiting Indian Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharamana said yesterday India looked forward to sign the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) and that negotiations had been carried out by both sides with ease and without any pressure on timelines.

Ranjan loses temper, hits video camera

A heated argument between Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake and a journalist from the electronic media ended up with the former hitting a video camera at a media briefing this evening.

Govt. suffering from tax mania: Gemunu

The government is suffering from a tax mania and trying to collect even from private buses, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said.

Miscommunication led to foreign visit: Governor

Central Province Governor Neluka Ekanayaka said today a miscommunication between her and Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka had resulted in 29 PC members travelling to Russia last morning in violation of presidential guidelines.

Govt. must make responsible statement on C.V.’s allegations: JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today the Government must make a responsible statement with regard to the false and baseless statements made by Northern Province Chief Minister on resettlement of Sinhalese in the North and constructing of places of worship without having backbenches to do so.

Foreign visits by PC members: Follow prescribed guidelines: MS

In the wake of 29 Central Provincial Councillors travelling to Russia yesterday using public funds, the Presidential Secretariat directed the nine Provincial Councils to adhere to the guidelines issued by President Maithripala Sirisena when undertaking foreign trips by public officials and PC members.

Welder caught carrying a bullet

A welder with a bullet in his possession was arrested today at the National School of Business Management (NSBM) which is under construction at Pitipana in Homagama, Police said.

JVP condemns 'extremist' remarks made by Wigneswaran

Northern Province Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran has started making radical, extremist statements because of his political bankruptcy, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) charged today.

JO vows to take VAT to SC again

The Joint Opposition today said that it would go to Supreme Court for the second time against the Government’s attempts to introduce the revised VAT, since the Gazette notification on the revision had been printed way before the Cabinet Approval was granted.  

Ramith: Pleads guilty on three counts, says not guilty to DUI

Colombo Additional Magistrate Chandana Kalansooriya today suspended the driving licence of Cricketer Ramith Rambukwella following an accident that occurred at Independence Avenue, Colombo 7 recently.