Road closed in Fort

The road from the Ceramic Junction towards the NSA Roundabout in Colombo had been closed temporarily because of a protest march, the Police said.

Vass appeals over death sentence

Former DIG Vass Gunawardena, his son and four others filed petition before Supreme Court challenging the death sentence served on them in Mohammed Shiyam murder case.

Ind-Pak series in SL likely to be called off

The eagerly anticipated cricket series between India and Pakistan is on the verge of being called off.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall

Heavy traffic was reported in the Town Hall area because of a protest carrying out by the Engineering Faculty students of the Eastern University outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) in Colombo 7.

Thajudeen case: court wants report on CCTV footage within 14 days

Colombo Additional Magistrate Nihantha peiris today ordered the Colombo University to produce a report on the alleged CCTV footage connected to the death of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen within 14 days.

Texas-based TPG buys 28% of Asiri shares

Texas-based global investment giant, TPG, one of the world's largest private equity (PE) funds, has bought 28 percent of the shares of Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC in a transaction of over Rs. 7.5 billion this morning from Actis Investment Holdings SL Limited.

Hudson Samarasinghe at PRECIFAC

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) a short while ago to recorded a statement from former SLBC Chairman Hudson Samarasinghe over an alleged financial irregularity.

Harvard economists to advise SL: Harsha

The government is to conduct a forum of world renowned economists including some attached to the Harvard University , to advise on the implementation of the economic policy plan laid down by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, a Deputy Minister said yesterday.

Lankan arrested with Rs. 1mn forex and 109 ATM cards

A 32-year-old Sri Lankan man was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), while attempting to smuggle out foreign currency worth more than one million Rupees and 109 ATM cards yesterday evening.

Now, cadet training for kids

School children in the Western Province from Grade 8 and above would be given cadet training from next year to improve discipline and skills among them, Western Province Chief Minister Isuru Dewapriya said yesterday.

Water supply to Colombo may be disrupted today

The Engineering Diplomates' Association and Technical Officers' Union of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said yesterday that there might be some disruption of the water supply to Colombo District as a result of a work-to-rule campaign conducted by them in Colombo today.

Thajudeen case: CID says CCTV footage not clear

The Criminal Investigation Department probing into the controversial death of Havelock’s rugby star Wasim Thajudeen would seek expert assistance to retrieve the footages captured on CCTV camera system that would reveal a substantial amount of evidence on the suspected murder.

Heroin hidden in fried sprats

What would have been a lavish dinner for inmates of the New Magazine Prison was ruined when police nabbed a woman carrying a dish of stir fried sprats spiced with heroin.

Nimal, Welgama clash over SLTB EPF

The Minister of Transport Nimal Siripala De Silva and his predecessor Kumara Welgama had a showdown over the payment of EPF to Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) employees in Parliament today.

Temporary closure of Roads around Independence square

Roads surrounding the Independence Square and Foundation Avenue were temporarily closed because of the Anti-corruption Walk to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day.

Accepting UK help for military reforms dangerous: GL

An offer by the UK to provide UKP six million to upgrade Sri Lankan Armed forces and a move followed by the offer to appoint the Military Attaché of the UK High Commission in New Delhi to oversee these reforms were detrimental to the national security of the country, former External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris said today.

SF declares war on Wijeyadasa, AG

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka today displayed several photographs of families of the Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi enjoying a holiday in Disneyland, California and also said they are taking measure to arrest the Attorney General as well on his retirement.

Rs. 2.9 bn of CEB Welfare Fund missing

A complaint would be lodged today with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) by Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) Chairman to probe into missing Rs.2.9 billion belonging to CEB Welfare Fund that had been invested in Treasury Bonds through a private company in 2009.

Govt. changing lanes on vehicle permits

The government has again changed its policy on Concessionary Vehicle Permits (CVP) for Public Servants and said all Public Servants who were entitled for vehicle permits could purchase his or her first duty-free vehicle after completion of five years in service, but the second permit would be issued only after 10 years.

Mahinda Kahandagamage arrested

Mahinda Kahandagamage, the former chairman of the Federation of Self Employed (FOSE) in Pettah, was today arrested by the Cinnamon Gardens Police on charges of stealing a cheque for Rs.50,000 belonging to a lawyer.

Neither CEPA nor any other similar pact with India: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today told Parliament that neither the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) nor any other similar pact under different names would be signed with India.

LG elections likely to be postponed

Government is likely to postpone the Local Government elections scheduled to be held in March 2016, State Minister of Finance, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena today said.

17 year old drowns in canal

The body of a seventeen year old youth was discovered this morning in a canal in Melwatta, Grandpass.

Drug trafficker sentenced to death

A person who had been arrested in connection with drug trafficking with two Pakistanis was sentenced to death today, by High Court Judge Preethi Padman Surasena.

Two bodies found hanging in Pannala

Two unidentified bodies, suspected to be of a mother (45) and a daughter (20), were found hanging in a house at Maguruwela area in Pannala this morning, police said.

36 injured in bus accident at Payagala

Thirty six passengers including 33 men and three women were injured when a private bus collided with another at Katukurunda Junction in Payagala this morning, Police said.

Two accidental deaths due to hostile weather condition

A 19-year-old youth drowned and a middle-aged woman was crushed to death under a collapsed parapet wall in two separate cases reported from Grandpass yesterday due to the hostile weather conditions.

Ex-LTTE cadres: 20 more cases being reviewed

The Attorney General is studying the cases of 20 more LTTE suspects detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act to see whether they can be released, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Prison Reforms Minister said yesterday.

BBS condemns issuing of vouchers for school uniforms

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), today, condemned the distribution of vouchers to buy school uniforms and said this would heighten communal and racial tensions.

Kumar, Murali donate 16 mn for Chennai flood victims

Sri Lankan Cricket legends Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralitharan have donated Rs. 16 million to help the Chennai flood victims.