Paranagama Com. recommends Int’l technical assistance and observers

The Maxwell Paranagama Presidential Commission on Missing Persons has strongly recommended in its final report that in the event of Sri Lanka were to set up a purely domestic tribunal without the participation of any foreign judges, there must be an international technical assistance and observers to ensure the acceptance of the mechanism, the Daily Mirror learns.

New legislation to restructure State Ventures: PM

The government will introduce legislation to deal with the process of converting loss making state ventures into viable entities under a new formula, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament last week.  

President to address UN General Assembly

President Maithripala Sirisena is scheduled to visit New York, US to attend the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations (UN). He will address the UN General Assembly on September 21.

Disappearance of youth in custody: H'tota OIC transferred

Four police officers including the OIC of Hambantota police had been transferred pending an inquiry into the disappearance of a youth who was in police custody over a theft he allegedly involved in.

Police probe into double murder in Eravur

The police have launched an investigation into the murder of a 55-year -old woman and her 32-year-old daughter in Eravur, Batticaloa last evening, Police said.

Medical student's body found

The body of a 27-year-old medical student of Colombo University 's Medical Faculty was found in a hostel at Norris Canal Road in Colombo-10, Police said today.

16-year-old drowns in suspicious manner

A sixteen-year-old boy had allegedly drowned in Kande Ela falls in Nuwara Eliya yesterday, while he was on a picnic with his friends, the Police said.

UPFA member arrested over assault

Former UPFA member of the Kolonna Pradeshiya Sabha and two others were arrested today on charges of allegedly assaulting to a youth.

Drought affects 15,790

More than 15,790 individuals (4781 families) are facing a severe shortage of drinking water due to drought conditions in Polonnaruwa district.

Fire destroys 300 acres in Knuckles

Around 300 acres in the Knuckles mountain range was destroyed by a fire which broke out on Friday.

Bangladesh factory fire: 23 killed in Tongi

At least 23 people have been killed in a huge fire that broke out at a packaging factory in Bangladesh.

334 killings so far this year

A total of 334 killings were carried out in Sri Lanka from January to August this year, Parliament was informed yesterday. This was compared to 443 killings in 2015.

We should rise up for unity: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said today all Sri Lankans should rise up for unity just as late Anagarika Dharamapala said Sinhalese should rise to save their nation from the colonial powers.

Ranil vows to rescue country from debt trap

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today the government would rescue the country from the debt trap without leaving the challenge of resolving it to the future generations.

Severe weather advisory on strong winds

The Meteorology Department said today strong winds exceeding 60 kmph was expected in the Southern sea areas while fairly strong winds up to 50-60kmph could be expected over the island.

Northern expressway to be extended to Trinco: Kiriella

The Government has decided to extend the northern expressway up to Trincomalee via Dambulla and Habarana, Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday.

Sri Lanka national with LTTE links deported from India

The Indian police yesterday deported Sudhan Subbiah (37), a Sri Lankan national having LTTE links.

President at UNP convention today

President Maithripala Sirisena will attend the 70th UNP convention which will begin at 9.30 am today (10) at Campbell Park Colombo, under the leadership of party leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe .

Probe on EX-IGP Balasuriya

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) has begun an investigation against former IGP Mahinda Balasuriya for abuse of power in providing police security to eight members of People’s Freedom Front (PFF).

Australia beat Sri Lanka, sweep series

Australia overcame a late challenge by hosts Sri Lanka to win the second T20 by four wickets, at the R. Premadasa Stadium, and win the two-match series.

Finance ministry officials blocking 90% tax on Tobacco, Cigerettes

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today certain officials in the Finance Ministry were sabotaging the government’s effort to control the use of tobacco and cigarettes by scuttling the cabinet proposal to increase tobacco tax to 90%.

AG indicts Tissa Attanayake

The Attorney General today indicted former United National Party (UNP) general secretary Tissa Attanayake in the Colombo High Court on charges of publishing a letter with forged signatures of the then common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena and the then opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe during the 2015 presidential election campaign.

Thajudeen’s body parts: EX-chief JMO seeks SC to prevent his arrest

The Supreme Court today fixed to be mentioned on September 23 the fundamental rights petition filed by Colombo's former JMO Ananda Samarasekera requesting Court to prevent his arrest in connection with the loss of Wasim Thajudeen's body parts.

Cache of ancient fire arms discovered in Matale

A cache of ancient fire arms were unearthed today during excavation work for the construction of the Matale District Administrative Complex, police said.

Travel ban on Abeygunawardane temporarily lifted

The travel ban imposed on MP Rohitha Abeygunawardane was temporarily lifted today by Colombo High Court Judge Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne.

Three sentenced to death in N’Eliya

Three people including a father and son were today sentenced to death by Nuwara-Eliya High Court judge Lalith Ekanayake on charges of having murdered a man on August 06, 2003 in Dayagama.

Two charged over assault on SL envoy at KLIA

Two men were charged in the Sessions Court in Sepang today with rioting and causing hurt on Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Malaysia Ibrahim Sahib Ansar last Sunday.

Bambalapitiya businessman killing: Another suspect remanded

Another suspect, who was arrested by the CCD in connection with the alleged abduction and killing of a Bambalapitiya businessman, was today ordered to be remanded till September 15 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris.

Sri Lankan refugees in HK sheltered Snowden

A group of Sri Lankan and Filipino refugees in Hong Kong had sheltered US whistleblower Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor, until he fled toRussia from Hong Kong, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

Assault on HC to Malaysia: one suspect earlier arrested under PTA

One of the five suspects who had been arrested over the assaulting of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ibrahim Ansar, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, was reported to be a man who was arrested in Sri Lanka under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the Joint Opposition said yesterday.