Hacked to death

A man was hacked to death and his wife admitted to the Kalubowila Hospital with stab injuries in Ratmalana early this morning. Police said a personal dispute between two groups had led to the death.

Land law to be amended

Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem said today the Land Law in the country would be amended with regards to the Law on Prescriptive rights by excluding the 30-year conflict period.

No conspiracy to destroy stock market:Alahapperuma

The United National Peoples Alliance said today that there were no conspiracies within the government to destroy the stock market.

FUTA on positive govt. response

 After a meeting with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Tuesday the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) said that there was a possibility that the ongoing countrywide university strike would be called off next week.

VIDEO: Heavy traffic in Fort

Heavy traffic reported in the Colombo Fort area due to a protest by the Joint Opposition political parties in front of the Fort Railway station reported.

Akashi briefed

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris this morning, briefed  Japan’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Yasushi Akashi in detail about the procedures set in motion by the government for implementation of the LLRC recommendations, the progress already achieved and priority objectives for the future.

Repairs to N’cholai power plant to finish by Monday

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman W. Wickramasinghe said the repair work at the Norochcholai Power Plant would be completed on Monday. He said a decision would also be taken at that time whether to continue with the power cuts.

UPFA regrets A’pura incident

The UPFA today expressed its remorse over difficulties faced by the A/L students who were disturbed by the noisy election campaign held in Anuradhapura while they were sitting the exam.

Excreta thrown at Judge

An accused, who is alleged to have rushed out of a prison cell in the Chilaw High Court and thrown a parcel of human excreta at the Judge, was arrested by the police officers on duty.

Enjoining order on UNP extended

Mount Lavinia District Court today extended till September 5 the enjoining order restraining the UNP working committee from extending the term of office of party leader Ranil Wickramasinghe to six years

Museum robbery: More recovery

Another suspect was arrested in connection with the museum robbery from Maligawatte with a gem- studded gold ring, police said

Speaker allows motion to summon ex-SEC boss

The Speaker yesterday allowed the United National Party (UNP) to move a motion summoning former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Thilak Karunaratne to the parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) to obtain details on insider trading in the Colombo Stock Market

Video: Dilith says ‘I’m clean’

Dilith Jayweera, an advertiser turned investor who makes investments in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) through his investment vehicle Divasa Equity, yesterday affirmed that he has no involvement in the controversial resignation of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman, Tilak Karunaratne

GL asks Britain to amend latest travel advisory

External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris met the British High Commissioner on Monday to discuss the British Foreign Office travel advisory issued for British nationals visiting Sri Lanka

I did not disturb A/L exam - Berty

Former North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake said he rejected claims that he disturbed the GCE A/L examination during his election campaign in Anuradahapura last Saturday

Tourists who took mocking pics given suspended sentence

Three French nationals - two women and a man were today sentenced to six months rigorous imprisonment suspended for five years and fined Rs.1,500 each for taking photographs by possing in an unbecoming manner beside the Buddha statues at the Embekka Devale

Rs.500,000 for info on museum robber

Police are offering a Rs.500,000 reward for anyone who provides accurate information on the main suspect in the museum robbery

SL braces for nuclear disaster

Sri Lanka installed five nuclear disaster detectors to alert the people on nuclear accidents, the Power and Energy Ministry said today. It said three more detectors will be also installed soon

Universities closed until further notice

Amid the continuing strike by university teachers, Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanyake said today all universities excluding the medical faculties would be shut down with immediate effect until further notice.

69 persons intercepted

Sri Lanka Navy intercepted 69 persons illegally bound for Australia in a multi-day trawler today, the navy said. The trawler named “Asha Duwa” was intercepted by a Fast Naval Patrol Craft attached to the Western Naval Command in the seas off Negombo

Duminda will surrender on his return -Lawyer

Lawyers told the Colombo Magistrate today that MP Duminda Silva who is currently undergoing treatment abroad for injuries sustained at the Kolonnawa shootout will surrender, once he returns to the country after his recovery.

Video: Museum robbers caught

At least two suspects in the Colombo Museum robbery case were arrested by the police in Piliyandala last night, together with some of the stolen items, police said. PICTURES

Military presence in north should not be judged – Japan

The Japanese government said yesterday that the military presence in the North should not be judged at the moment since it was a moving process and noted that the presence of the security forces was decreasing

Akashi due here tomorrow

Representative of the Government of Japan for Peace-Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka Yasushi Akashi will arrive in the island tomorrow

IMF concerned over resignation of SEC head

The International Monetary Fund today raised concerns over the resignation of the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, observing that the regulator had been taking the right steps to ensure market participants obeyed the rules

Disciplinary probe against Dayasiri on Aug. 29

UNP Kurunegala district MP Dayasiri Jayasekera who had been in the news in recent times over crossover rumours, is to face a disciplinary inquiry on August 29 at party headquarters Sirikotha

83 asylum seekers arrested in Trinco

At least 83 people bound to Australia were arrested by the Navy together with two multi-day trawlers today in the Trincomalee seas

138 bus strike called off

The Private bus strike on 138 bus route which was launched this morning was called off, LPBOA Chairman Gamunu Wijerathne said. This strike was due to a dispute with the traffic police over a license of a driver.

Video: Education blunders led to terrorism - Ranil

United National Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today education blunders in the North was one of the main reason that led to terrorism in Sri Lanka

138 route private buses on strike

All Private buses starting from Kottawa, including those on the 138 bus route (Kottawa-Pettah) are on strike, the LPBOA said. The Private Bus Owners Association further said that the strike was due to a dispute with traffic police.