Avant Garde sues Navy for Rs.2B

Avant Garde Maritime Services Ltd has sent a letter of demand seeking a sum of Rs. 2 billion from the Sri Lanka Navy, stating that serious losses and damage had been caused to Avant Garde after the navy took over the Galle floating armoury unlawfully on November 13, 2015, Counsel for Avant Garde, Nishan Premathiratne said yesterday.

Bread up by one rupee

The price of a 450 g of loaf of bread will be increased by Re.1.00 with effect from midnight tomorrow, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association Chairman N.K.Jayawardana said.

Now Ananda College principal under a cloud

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam today ordered that a fresh investigation be launched into allegations made against Ananda College Principal Kithsiri Liyanagamage that he had violated ministry circulars on grade-1 admissions.

Minister to inquire into poor performance in NZ

Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera will meet the national team’s top management on their return to the island from New Zealand to unearth the factors which may have contributed to team’s shocking performance.

Rs. 3,500 more for private sector employees

The government on Tuesday presented an amendment paving the way to grant private sector employees a salary increment of Rs.3,500.The regulation on the salary increment is being submitted by Labour Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne under Section 63 of the Wages Board Ordinance.

Dematagoda abduction: Video footage to be sent to Moratuwa Uni

Colombo Additional Magistrate Mohamed Mihar today directed the Wellampitiya Police to forward the CCTV footage of the abduction of a drapery shop employee at Dematagoda to the Moratuwa University for examination.

Grade 1 admission: Shortlist of tri-forces online now

The shortlisted finalists for Grade 1 admission in government schools for 2016 from the Tri-forces and police are now available on www.defence.lk. In total 11,767 students have been selected for government schools.

Lotus Tower: No added expenses due to construction delay

Despite the delays in constructing the Lotus Tower, which is scheduled to be completed by October 2017, the estimated expenses have not increased, the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) yesterday said.

Indian foreign secretary arrives in SL

Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar arrived in Sri Lanka this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.He is expected to meet several dignitaries including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

IUSF to complain to Mirihana Police

The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) said today it would lodge a complaint with the Mirihana Police against the Principal of St. John’s College, Nugegoda for allegedly assaulting two students from the Sri Jayawardenapura University.

Sarath de Abrew indicted

The case against retired Supreme Court Judge Sarath De Abrew, on charges of sexually abusing and assaulting his domestic aide, was fixed for hearing on May 23 by Colombo High Court Judge Prithi Pathman Soorasena after the accused pleaded not guilty.  

Five Lankans held for villa thefts in Dubai

The Dubai Police have busted a gang of five Sri Lankans who stand accused of stealing millions of dirhams worth of valuables from villas in Dubai before attempting to flee the country.

Royal College principal removed

Colombo Royal College Principal Upali Gunasekera has been transferred to the Education Ministry with immediate effect, informed sources said yesterday.

UNP-SLFP consensus on resolution

The SLFP said today the nine-point amendment presented by them on the resolution to convert Parliament into a Constitutional Assembly was accepted by the UNP and the resolution was likely to be passed in Parliament tomorrow.

Belgian investor to defend SL rupee: Ravi

A Belgian investor has promised to park $1 billion in dollar deposits in Sri Lanka to help defend its currency, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has told Reuters, in an unusual move that highlights the country's precarious finances.

UNHR chief here in February: UN official

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein would visit Sri Lanka in the first-half of February, Resident Coordinator of United Nations in Sri Lanka Subinay Nandy said today.

One killed at Kandy level crossing

A 27-year-old woman had been killed and another injured after being hit by a train that plies between Kandy and Matale at the railway crossing near the Kandy Police Station this evening, the Police said.

SL has only friends in world today: President

While briefing the envoys about the middle-path foreign policy of Sri Lanka, President Maithripala Sirisena said that Sri Lanka has only friends in the world today and that the country extends a hand of friendship to all countries in the world.

Two opposing forces blocking new constitution: JVP

Two opposing forces are preventing the enacting of a new constitution which is more suitable for the country through a proper democratic process, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today.

Hirunika sets world record: Gammanpila

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra has created a world record by being the world’s first person to be bailed out within the shortest time ever after being arrested, UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Fan asks Dilshan to retire from cricket

A Sri Lankan cricket fan, who was at the Eden Park pavilion during the second T20 match against New Zealand yesterday, was overheard asking Sri Lanka cricketer T.M. Dilshan to retire from cricket immediately.

No official song to mark President’s Anniversary: PMD

President’s Secretary P.B. Abeykoon today said that there was no official song released by the President’s Secretariat or other responsible entities to mark the one year anniversary of democratic governance under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Man drowns during search for drowned youth

A 16-year-old drowned last evening while another 34-year-old man, who went looking for the youth also drowned at the Galle Face beach, Police said.

Two dead after scaffolding collapses

Two construction workers died after a scaffolding collapsed on them at the new Anuradhapura Bus Terminal, police said.

FR Petition of Sarath de Abrew refused

The Supreme Court today refused to grant leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petition filed by former Supreme Court Judge Sarath De Abrew, due to the criminal proceedings against him in the High Court of Colombo as well as the Magistrate Court Mount Lavinia.

New policy on police recruitments, promotions and transfers

The Police Department will adopt a new policy regarding recruitments, promotions and transfers. The policy has been referred to the National Police Commission, police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said yesterday.

Meethotamulla garbage case: Bopage and another get bail

Attorney Nuwan Bopage and Kirthi Ratna Perera, who were arrested on charges of having been involved in a protest against the dumping of garbage at Meethotamulla were today released on bail after an identification parade held at the Court premises.

Constitution with basic structure that cannot be changed: Kiriella

The government is looking towards compiling a Constitution with a basic structure that cannot be changed forever, Senior Minister and Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday.

Hirunika and eight others to appear before court tomorrow

Colombo Additional Magistrate M.M.H. Mihal, on Saturday, ordered the nine suspects, comprising MP Hirunika Eranjali Premachandra and her security officers, to appear before court tomorrow (12)

Govt. to introduce health insurance scheme- PM

Promising major social and economic reforms, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the government intended to introduce a health insurance scheme this year.