Largest ever cocaine haul seized

The largest ever detection of cocaine, weighing 274 kilograms and valued at around Rs. 4.1 billion, was made this evening. It had been found inside a container of sugar in the Peliyagoda container yard, police said.

Parents of 800 students not willing to send children to Jaffna uni.

A Parents collective of the injured Jaffna University students said today they would not send their children to the university until the security of the students were guaranteed.

Shops in Olcott Mawatha catch fire

Several shops along the Olcott Mawatha in Pettah, near the Fort Railway Station, had caught fire a short while ago, police said.

SL, Pak communities urge UN to resolve Kashmir issue

The Kashmir Study Forum Sri Lanka along with Pakistani and Sri Lankan community organized a peaceful demonstration outside the United Nation Office in Colombo today to highlight the recent violent incidences in Kashmir.

SLFP threatens defeat of VAT

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would defeat the VAT Amendment if SLFP proposals were not incorporated or if the tax was increased to fifteen percent, SLFP Spokesman Dilan Perera said today.

No loss to Govt. on coal deal: Siyambalapitiya

The Government had not incurred any loss due to the coal purchasing deal as alleged  by some people and a committee of experts had been appointed to look into the matter, Minister of Power and Energy Ranjith Siyambalapitiya  said today.

SL declared as Filaria free

The World Health Organisation today declared Sri Lanka as a Filariasis free country, and awarded a certificate in recognition of the declaration, the Health Ministry said

Fmr Sathosa Chairman arrested

Former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) on charges of misusing vehicles belonging to the Lanka Sathosa during the last Presidential election campaign.

Man stabbed to death inside a hotel

A 32-year-old man was stabbed to death inside a hotel at Minuwangoda early this morning, Police said.

Elephant in Kartaragama under Wild life custody

A female elephant aged about six years was taken into custody by the Wildlife officers this morning at the Kataragama temple area, Police said.

SL will play constructive role in Asia’s peaceful development: Mangala

Sri Lanka will play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and cooperation for peaceful development in the region, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.  

Ranil-Wimal exchange words over CBK friendship

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday that he did not have any knowledge about the existence of an organization by the name of the Task Force for National Reconciliation headed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

A pricing formula for private sector healthcare services

Private hospital charges for surgeries, medical tests, scanning and drugs will be regulated by pricing formula making it affordable to the rich and the middle class while the National Medicinal Drugs Policy will introduced in six months, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

TUs want President to take over Customs

Hitting back at Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake on his remarks to go ahead with the new Customs Act despite objections, Customs Trade Unions yesterday urged President Maithripala Sirisena to either remove Minister Karunanayake or to bring the Customs under his purview.

New Airport Terminal for BIA

Work on a new Airport Terminal that is capable of handling 20 million people will be begun at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) next year, Deputy Transport Minster Asoka Abeysinghe said yesterday.

Women too affected by cigarette, alcohol price increases: Geetha

Joint Opposition MP Geetha Kumarasinghe yesterday said the impact of the increase in the prices of cigarette and alcohol would effect women as well because it was unlikely that those who were in the habit of drinking and smoking would stop or even reduce their alcohol and nicotine intake even if prices for these items go up.

All educational institutions must be reconciliation centres: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena said all educational institutions, including universities and vocational training centres should act as reconciliation centres and reconciliation should be included as a subject in the school curriculum.  

SL in a mess; so many trying to govern it: Gammanpila

UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila said today the country was in a mess because too many groups including the US and India, apart from the President and the Prime Minister, are attempting to govern the country.

CMC to take legal action against 800 Pettah vendors for non-payment

Taking a new turn on the ongoing saga between vendors in Bodhiraja Mawatha and Fifth Street in Pettah and the Colombo Municipality, the Treasurer of the Colombo Municipality K.D.Chitrapala today said they had decided to take legal actions against 831 vendors who have not paid initial deposits and lease payments.

45 consultants paid Rs.65, 000 monthly by Highways Ministry

While admitting in Parliament today that 45 people were appointed as consultants of the Southern Transport Development Project of the Road Development Authority on a monthly payment of Rs.65,000 each, Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella said the government should look after those who ensured a thumping electoral victory from the Kandy district at the two elections.

Swiss AG indicts 13 LTTE supporters

Switzerland’s Attorney General (AG) has indicted 13 people associated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for providing financial support to the organisation via a sophisticated microcredit system, the swissinfo.ch reported today.

Jaffna University Clash: Student leader released on bail

Jaffna University Students' Federation President T. Sasidaran was today released on bail by the Jaffna Magistrate after he surrendered to Court in connection with the recent clash among two student factions at the Jaffna University.

Body found in Bolgoda Lake

The body of a 40-year-old man was found in Bolgoda Lake in Piliyandala this morning, Police said. They said the deceased was yet to be identified.

Thewarapperuma fiasco: children get a new school

The nine children who had been refused admission to Meegahathenna Primary School were admitted today to Matugama St. Mary’s College on a Presidential order.

Mahendran will not be part of Trade negotiations: Ministry

The Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade today sent the following note:

Strong winds: Naval and fishing communities warned

The Meteorology Department today requested the Navy and the fishing communities to be vigilant as the seas extending from Puttalam to Potuvil via Colombo, Galle, Matara and Hambantota could be rough at times.

H.W. Gunasena SPC’s new Fisheries Minister

President Maitripala Sirisena has today appointed Southern Provincial Councillor H.W. Gunasena as the SPC’s Minister of Fisheries, Livestock, Environment, Electricity and Rural Industries.

Thajudeen's murder: Ex- SDIG, ex-Crimes OIC re-remanded

Former Western Province Senior DIG Anura Senanayake and former Narahenpita Crimes OIC Sumith Perera were ordered to be further remanded till August 3 by the Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris today over the Magisterial Inquiry relating to the murder of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen.

China’s Hainan frontrunner for SriLankan: sources

On a quest to find a strategic investor to help revive the loss-making national carrier, it is learnt that the government is close to finding a prospective partner to manage SriLankan Airlines.

Armed forces will be betrayed through OMP Bill: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today charged that the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) Bill has many provisions designed to persecute armed forces personnel.