No Sri Lankan casualties in Thailand blasts

No Sri Lankan casualties had been reported in the series of blasts that took place across Thailand, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said today.

Three Lebanese arrested at BIA with forged passports

Three Lebanese were arrested by the Immigration and Emigration Department at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning when they attempted to enter the country on forged passports. The husband, wife and their son are being questioned by the CID.

Had most enjoyable holiday in SL: Norwegian PM

While praising the tourism industry in Sri Lanka, visiting Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said today she had a most enjoyable holiday in the island during the last week.

Chinese translating racket busted

It was revealed in Court today that sixteen Chinese, who are in Sri Lanka on tourist visas are violating Immigration laws by being engaged in language translation activities for guides in the tourism industry.

UNESCO Chief to visit SL, witness Esala Perahera

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova will undertake her first official visit to Sri Lanka from Sunday to Wednesday, a statement issued by the UN compound in Colombo said today.

Thailand blasts kill four: More explosions target tourist towns

A series of coordinated blasts across Thailand has targeted tourist towns leaving four dead and many injured, with reports of more explosions.

PM to visit China tomorrow

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremeshinghe is to undertake an observation visit in China from tomorrow to August 17, Prime Minister’s office said.

US commends SL on passage of OMP Bill

The US said today the passage of the Bill to set up an Office of Missing Persons (OMP) by the Sri Lankan Government was an historic step towards achieving reconciliation.  

Jackson Anthony at PRECIFAC

Veteran artiste Jackson Anthony and eight others arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud and Corruption (PRECIFAC) a short while ago over financial irregularities connected to the inauguration ceremony of the Hambantota Port in 2010.  

Office of Missing Persons is necessary: JVP

A fully local permanent office was needed to provide redress to the relatives of missing persons, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday.

'Swiss Challenge Procedure' for unsolicited proposals: Govt.

The Cabinet has approved the use of what's known as the 'Swiss Challenge Procedure' in future to entertain unsolicited proposals for project implementation.

OMP Bill will be nullified under JO Govt: Dinesh

The joint opposition said yesterday it would consider the Office of Missing Persons Bill invalid because the due procedure was not followed in passing it and as such it would be nullified under a future government headed by it.

Rathana Thera unhappy over OMP Bill:

Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera MP expressed his displeasure yesterday over the passage of the amended draft Bill to set up an Office of Missing Persons (OMP).  

Norwegian PM to undertake official visit tomorrow

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, who is already in Sri Lanka on a private visit, will have an official Programme at the invitation of the Government on Friday and Saturday, The Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement today.   

OMP findings held no criminal liability: DM

Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera said today no criminal liability would arise from the findings of the Office of Missing Persons to be set up under the legislation passed today..

Accountability issues: Govt. to set up judicial mechanism

In the wake of the Office of Missing Persons Bill being passed in Parliament, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the Government would go ahead with the setting up of a judicial mechanism to hear accountability issues.

Fighter jets are necessary: Amunugama

Special Assignment Minister Sarath Amunugama today justified the government’s decisions to purchase eight multirole fighter jets to upgrade the Sri Lanka Air Force fleet.

Lasantha's killing: CID to probe 63 bank accounts of AIU officers

Mount Lavinia Additional Magistrate Sulochana Weerasinghe on Thursday allowed the CID to check the 63 bank accounts held by 60 Army Intelligence Unit (AIU) officers including that of Kandegedera Piyawansa who was remanded in connection with the killing of Sunday Leader Chief Editor Lasantha Wickramatunge.

No Indo-Lanka bridge: President

President Maithripala Sirisena has rubbished as "baseless" claims by supporters of predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa that Sri Lanka had agreed to an Indian proposal to build a bridge linking the island to India.

OMP Bill passed sans vote

The amended draft Bill to set up an Office of Missing Persons (OMP) was passed in Parliament a short while ago without a vote being taken.

Pillayan further remanded

The former Eastern Province chief minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan was today further remanded till August 24 by Batticaloa Magistrate M. Ganesharaja.

Parliament adjourned due to JO's protest

Parliament proceedings were adjourned a short while ago after joint opposition MPs wearing black bands protested against the enactment of the Office of Missing Persons Bill.

Johnston permitted to travel to Singapore

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today permitted former minister Johnston Fernando to travel to Singapore for medical treatment for his wife.

Spanish police detain seven people for child pornography

Spanish Civil Guards have arrested seven people for forming part of a network accused of distributing in the world over a million photos or videos containing pornographic images of children from several countries including Sri Lanka.

Woman killed by wild elephant

A 42-year-old mother of one child was killed by a wild elephant at Suriyawewa this morning. The victim was identified as H.E. Chandrani of Meegahathenna.

Veteran photo journalist Srilal Gomes passes away

Veteran photo journalist Srilal Gomes passed away at the age of 61 this morning.

Office of Missing Persons Bill: Vote to be taken tomorrow

 The government, yesterday, decided to advance the date of enactment of the Office of Missing Persons Bill in Parliament to Friday, it is learnt.

Veteran Journalist Elmo Fernando passes away

Veteran Journalist Elmo Fernando passed away at the age of 75 at his residence, early this morning.

Indian Commerce Minister to come soon to talk ETCA: Ranil

The Commerce Minister of India will arrive in the country soon to hold talks on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament today.

JO asks President to seek SC opinion on OMP Bill

The Joint Opposition today urged President Maithripala Sirisena in a letter to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court (SC) over the constitutionality of the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) Bill before it is debated in Parliament.