​Mullaitivu Magistrate bans LTTE remembrance event

The Mullaitivu Magistrate today banned holding any pro-LTTE remembrance events in the Mullaitivu police division for 14 days starting from May 18, the Police said.

​Kanchi acharya likely to visit SL

Kanchi Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi has agreed to visit Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Friday.

Evening showers to decrease: Met Dep.

The Meteorology Department said today evening thundershowers over the country would decrease as Inter Tropical Convergence Zone has moved northward away from the country.

Majority of Tamil refugees not willing to return: Minister

Only 35 per cent of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in Tamil Nadu are willing to come back, D.M. Swaminathan, Minister for Resettlement, Reconstruction and Hindu Religious Affairs, said yesterday.

Lankan charged in US for seeking sex with underage girl

A 23-year-old Sri Lankan was charged for attempted sexual encounter with an underage girl he met via Craigslist in US.

Russian national drowns in Hikkaduwa seas

A 40-year-old Russian national drowned in the seas off Thiranagama in Hikkaduwa while having a sea bath last evening, the Police said.

May 19 is Remembrance Day: Rajitha

The new government has decided to declare May 19 as Remembrance Day instead of Victory Day as it named by the previous regime, Government Spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne

​Bribery Commissioner Wimalachandra resigns

Former Court of Appeal Justice Keerthi Wimalachandra has resigned from his post as a Commissioner of the Bribery Commissioner.

British HC hits through the gaps

Commenting on the incident where Cricketer Kumar Sangakkara faced an unpleasant experience with a UK immigration officer in London, the British High Commission in Colombo Friday said their Border Force officers were trained to maintain high standards of professionalism and courtesy, especially at the UK Border.

Complain to BC: Avant Garde Chief tells Rajitha

Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi said today Minister Rajitha Senaratne should complain to the Bribery Commission according to the proper procedure without making allegations to the media.

Ranil’s statement undermines judiciary: JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), which is a constituent party of the government, said today Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s remarks on the Supreme Court order staying the arrest of former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa undermined the judiciary.

Man climbs tree to demand justice for family

An individual from Habaraduwa had climbed a tree in the vicinity of Parliament a short while ago to demonstrate his opposition to his wife being remanded, police said.

Shashi’s submitted forged documents: CID

The documents submitted to the Immigration and Emigration Department by former minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife Shasi were found to have been forged, the CID told Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya.

Tense situation at opening of Panadura -Keselwatta market

A tense atmosphere prevailed at the Keselwatta new market complex when it was declared open by Panadura Pradeshiya Sabha opposition leader Saheer Fhasy (UNP).

Stay order not in line with Constitution: Ranil

According to Article 132 and Sub-Article 2 of the Constitution, the interim order given by the Supreme Court staying the arrest of former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not effective, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Speaker signs blueprint of 19 A

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa signed the blueprint of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution a short while ago, General Secretary of Parliament said.

Indo-Sri Lanka trade up 10-fold after FTA

Trade between India and Sri Lanka has increased 10-fold after the Free Trade Agreement. But there is more to be explored, said Y.K. Sinha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.

SL first nation to protect all mangrove forests

Sri Lanka has become the first nation in the world to comprehensively protect all of its mangrove forests. A scheme backed by the government will include alternative job training, replanting projects and microloans.

Mahanayake Thera displeased by questioning of Diyawadana Nilame

Asgiriya Mahanayake the Most Ven. Galagama Aththadassi Thera today expressed displeasure over the manner in which the Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara was questioned by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID)

I refused a bribe of Rs. 300 m - Rajitha

Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne alleged yesterday that a respondent involved in the controversial Avant – Garde case had offered him a bribe of Rs. 40 million to remain silent on the issue for just two weeks and that another person had offered him a bribe of Rs. 300 million.

Video: Gotabaya’s FR Petition will face problem - Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that the Fundamental Rights Petition filed by former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa would face a problem as the Cabinet which is named as the respondent may not be in existence on the next hearing date.

UN refugee agency wants India, SL ferry service to resume

The UN refugee agency today appealed for the resumption of ferry services between India and Sri Lanka saying it would help in the return of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from India, the Economic Times said.

Jagath Dias new Army Chief of Staff

Major General Jagath Dias had been appointed as the Army Chief of Staff with effect from May 7, Military Spokesman Jayanath Jayaweera said.

Video: ADB or Japanese aid for Northern Expressway: Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said torday that financial assistance would be sought from Japan or the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the construction of the northern expressway.

Mariott hotel not mine: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today denied reports that the Ceylon Steel Corporation and the Mariott hotel in Dubai were his property, which were ‘paper owned’ by a frontman.

Three private power stations to be closed

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka today said the operations of three private thermal power stations would be closed down as a measure of energy conservation.

Govt. should celebrate War Victory: Nalaka Thera

The National Movement for the Protection of Liberated Land (NMPLL) said today the government was duty bound to celebrate the war victory.

Dilith Jayaweera at FCID

Businessman Dilith Jayaweera, has been summoned to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) to record a statement regarding an alleged financial irregularity over share transaction.

Russian woman arrested for overstaying

A Russian woman was arrested by the Matara Police near the Matara hospital yesterday for overstaying her visa and violating immigration laws.

Ministerial committee appointed to draft electoral reforms bill

The Cabinet of Ministers yesterday discussed the proposed electoral reforms and appointed a committee comprising five ministers to identify the principles laid down by each party in this respect prior to drafting the bill on the subject, informed sources said.