MR too old at 70 to form new party: Rajitha

Taking a swipe at moves by the joint opposition to from a new party headed by ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday such attempts were not conducive for a person who was 70 years of age.

Govt. to discuss Peace-Building-Fund with UNSG

The Government will discuss the setting up of a Multi-Million Dollar ‘Peace Building Fund’ (PBF) for Sri Lanka, sponsored by the UN, during the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s three-day visit to Sri Lanka, a senior Foreign Affairs Ministry source said yesterday.

Volkswagen car plant: Proposal handed over to company

State Enterprise Development Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne said today that the process of setting up a Volkswagen car plant in Kuliyapitiya, Kurunegala is moving ahead and the BOI had handed over the concluded proposal to the project company.

ECT joint venture terms changed: JVP

The conditions pertaining to the proposed joint venture to administer the Eastern Container Terminal at the Colombo Port has been changed bypassing the Cabinet, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today.

RDA warns of traffic in Rajagiriya

Due to the impending construction of a four-lane fly over spanning 533 metres in Welikada Rajagiriya, the Road Development Authority (RDA) warned of congestions in the area commencing today.

Hacking Prez website: Schoolboy arrested

The CID today arrested a school boy in Kadugannawa on charges of hacking the official website of President Maithripala Sirisena.The website was hacked once on Thursday, August 25 and then again on Friday.

Committee should probe bribery charges against MS: PHU

A commission comprising former Attorney Generals and Auditor Generals should be appointed to probe the bribery charges against the President as reported in the Australian media, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila said today.  

Hooted at Minister John: Three arrested

Two women and a man had been arrested by the Police last night over allegedly hooting at Minister of Land John Amaratunga at a function in Wattala on Saturday.

Man remanded over blackmailing girls

A man, who was arrested by the CID on charges of blackmailing a girl by threatening to publish her pictures, which were doctored, in the internet, was remanded till August 31 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today.

Fire at Port

A fire had broken out in one of the rubber dumps at the Colombo Harbour a short while ago, Police said. They said the Fire Brigade unit at the Port was dousing the fire.

Dhammaloka Thera seeks travel to UK

Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera today sought Colombo High Court permission to travel abroad between September 3 and 7.

New Constitution by November: FM

The new draft Constitution could be presented in Parliament before the next budget which would be announced by mid-November this year, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera has said while hoping that it will celebrate the country’s diversity.

Welgama at PRECIFAC

Former transport minister Kumara Welgama reported to PRECIFAC this morning to give a statement in connection with the use of Shalika Grounds in Narahenpita for election propaganda activities of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

SL maid sentenced to be stoned will return this week

The 45-year-old Sri Lankan woman whose death sentence by stoning for adultery, was commuted by the Saudi Arabian government last December, will return to Sri Lanka this week, the Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) confirmed today.

BC summons Muzammil

National Freedom Front (NFF) Spokesman Muhammad Muzammil arrived at the Bribery Commission this morning to give a statement over several appointments he made while serving as a Working Director of the State Engineering Corporation (SEC).

Three killed in highway accidents

At least three people were killed and two others were injured in two separate accidents in Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and the Southern Expressway.

New model to administer loss making plantation companies

The government will introduce a new model to run the plantation companies soon, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.  

John Amaratunga hooted

Police had to escort the Minister of Land, Tourism and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga, when the people of the area hooted him on Saturday when he arrived to lay the foundation stone for a Tamil school at Olyyamulla in Wattala.

No VAT (Amendment) Bill before Budget

The government is unlikely to present the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill before the budget to be presented to Parliament on November 10, it is learnt.

Australia beat Sri Lanka by 2 wickets in 3rd ODI

Australia beat Sri Lanka to take a 2-1 lead in the five match One Day International series, at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium today.

Video: SLFP was snatched from me: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa last evening said Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which was headed by him until 2015 when he lost the Presidential Election, was forcibly snatched by his successor President Maithripala Sirisena.

Dilshan scores 42 in his final ODI

TM Dilshan today ended his ODI career after he was dismissed for 42 in the 3rd ODI against Australia at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, in a total score of 226

Fmr. Pres. Wijetunga’s daughter to enter politics?

Former President D.B. Wijetunga’s daughter Chithrani Kumari Wijetunga today said she would consider entering active politics if she receives a ‘formal’ invitation.

Army Colonel gives statement over wife’s gun attack

Army Lieutenant Colonel Pradeep Kumara Nettasinghe gave a statement to the Athurugiriya Police today over the shooting of his wife by an unidentified gang at Isurupura, Malabe in Athurugiriya yesterday night.

Indian Minister skips meeting with Malik

Indian Minister of State for Commerce, Nirmala Sitharaman, who was to visit Sri Lanka on August 25 for a short visit at the invitation of the Sri Lankan Minister of International Trade, Malik Samarawickrama, cancelled her visit on account of pressing engagements in New Delhi, reliable sources told Indian Express on Saturday.

US Navy vessel to visit SL

The USS Frank Cable (AS-40) vessel is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow for a routine refueling and port visit, US Embassy in Sri Lanka said.

Indian arrested with heroin at BIA

An Indian national was arrested with 838 grams of heroin at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

Health Min. investigates alleged sexual abuse at Kalubowila Hospital

Director General of Health Dr. Palitha Maheepala yesterday ordered the Director of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital to investigate the incident where a woman was allegedly sexually abused during a medical examination.

LeJ terrorists involved in SL cricket team attack killed

Four LeJ terrorists who were allegedly involved in the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009 were shot dead by Pakistan police in the wee hours today in Lahore.

Army officer’s wife shot at in Athurugiryia

The wife of an Army Lieutenant Colonel was injured after she was shot by unidentified men at Isurupura, Malabe in Athurugiriya last night.