Navy seizes 134 kg of Kerala Cannabis: five arrested

The Navy yesterday seized 134 kg of Kerala Cannabis and arrested five suspects along with the consignments in two separate raids in Kankasanthure and Kayts.

Over 350,000 students to sit Grade 5 Scholarship exam tomorrow

The Grade 5 Scholarship exam will be held tomorrow in 2959 examination centres throughout the country.

Next round of talks on ETCA to be held in Delhi

The next round of official talks on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India will be conducted in New Delhi, next month, diplomatic sources said yesterday.

President to visit Tirumala today

President Maithripala Sirisena is likely to reach Tirumala - the sacred abode of Lord Venkateswara, in India today to participate in the Suprabhata seva, The Hindu News Paper reported.

Bangladesh sack coach Kalpage for no-show

Bangladesh cricket authorities said Friday they have sacked the national team's assistant coach Ruwan Kalpage after he failed to report for duty.

Flight delayed due to unavailability of a crew member

A SriLankan Airlines flight UL554 19 from Frankfurt to Colombo was delayed by 15 hours due to late arrival of a flight crew member, SriLankan Airlines sources said.

SL woman deported from Sharjah for trying to sell one of her twin babies

A Sri Lankan mother was caught selling one of her twin babies in Sharjah and was charged by the Sharjah Court of First Instance with human trafficking.

Engineering Council envisaged to monitor engineering profession

The Government has drafted legislation for the setting up of an Engineering Council headed by a chairman appointed by the Prime Minister for the purpose of upholding the standards of the engineering profession.

Infra-red cameras no solution to save elephants

Several environmentalists said yesterday the Wildlife Conservation Department’s proposal to install infra-red cameras on trains in an attempt to save elephants from being run over was not practical.

Can't oblige JO by not signing OMP Bill: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday he could not oblige the joint opposition request to desist from signing the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) Bill which was passed in Parliament on August 11 amid protests by the JO.

Govt. now in cleaning up process- PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the government has embarked on a cleaning up process to put every aspect of the country on the right track.

More secrets will be revealed when new party formed-MS

President Maithripala Sirisena who seemed to be in an aggressive mood said he will disclose secrets about some opposition politicians as and when they form a new political party.  

Sri Lanka name squad for first two ODIs

Eighteen-year-old Avishka Fernando and leg-spinner Amila Aponso have been included in the Sri Lanka 16-man Squad for the five-match ODI series against Australia starting on Sunday in Colombo.

Gas-cooker explosion -- Burn victim sues dealer, agent for Rs.4.5 Mn in damages

A woman who suffered severe burn injuries when the new gas cooker exploded has sued the seller and the gas cooker agent for Rs.4.5 million in damages.

'Inquire JO attempt to stop you signing OMP Bill'

Deputy Government Whip and United National Party (UNP) MP Ashu Marasinghe said yesterday he had written to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya requesting him to launch an inquiry into statements made by some joint opposition MPs that they had urged him to refrain from certifying the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) Bill.

Court allows CID to take CCTV footage to Canadian Lab

Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris today permitted CID officials to handover the CCTV footage obtained from the site of Wasim Thajudeen's death to be checked at the laboratory of the British Columbia Institute in Canada.

Three die after taking poison

A 47-year-old man, his 12-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son died after allegedly taking poison in Wasala Road, Kotahena this morning, the Police said.

Court orders report on Sujani Bogollagama’s admission to paying ward

The Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris ordered Chief JMO of the Colombo National Hospital to submit a comprehensive report over Sujani Bogollagama, who is another suspect a suspect in the inquiry conducted under the Money Laundering Act for purchasing Rs. 100 mn worth shares of a company called Hellocorp, using allegedly ill-gotten funds by the Gowers Corporation headed by Namal Rajapaksa.

Hellocorp purchasing inquiry: Int’l arrest warrant issued

Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris today issued an arrest warrant through Interpol on Oranella Iresha Silva, who is a suspect in the inquiry conducted under the Money Laundering Act for purchasing Rs. 100 mn worth shares of a company called Hellocorp, using allegedly ill-gotten funds by the Gowers Corporation headed by Namal Rajapaksa.

Film critic awarded damages

Colombo Additional District Judge, M.A.A. Navaratne ordered popular Sinhala tuition master and film producer Upul Shantha Sannasgala and Powerhouse Private Limited to pay Rs 2.5 million each to journalist, film critic and author Ajith Galappathi for insulting his character during a TV interview on the Derana TV channel in their programme “360”.

Wanted SL terror suspect living as Canadian citizen

An internationally wanted Sri Lankan accused of terrorist activities is living just outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as a Canadian citizen, CTV Toronto reported on Thursday.

Dullas resigns

UPFA MP Dullas Allahapperuma today said he would resign from his post as SLFP Matara district leader.Addressing a news conference, the MP said he would hand over the resignation letter to SLFP Chairman and President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday.  

SLS certification mandatory for helmets from Sept. 1

The manufacturing, importation, distribution, storage and sale of helmets without an SLS certification issued by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) would be banned with effect from September 1, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said yesterday.

The truth will be sought; not retribution: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that the truth would be sought but that it would not result in retribution, as the past would be put aside.

Usain Bolt wins gold in 200m final

The Jamaican won gold in the men’s 200m final, beating his rivals with a time of 19.78 seconds.

Sacked due to poor performance: Duminda

The removal of 40 district and electoral organizers of the SLFP was not an act of vengeance, revenge or tit for tat but entirely resulting in their poor performance in their respective districts, constituencies and loyalty to the party, SLFP General Secretary and Minister Duminda Dissanayaka said today.

Engaging with SL to conserve Dambulla Temple: UNESCO

The UNESCO organization today said it had entered into a dialogue with the authorities in Sri Lanka in connection with the conservation of the Dambulla Temple.

Two hand grenades found in Wellawatta

Two hand grenades were recovered from a land in Wellawatta this afternoon, police said. They said the bomb disposal unit of the STF had disposed the grenades.

Speaker will respond to petition on OMP: JO

The joint opposition today said Speaker Karu Jasuriya had told them he would respond to their petition asking him not to endorse the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) Bill.

Infra-red cameras on trains to save wild elephants

The Wildlife Conservation Department has decided to install Infra-Red cameras in trains travelling through forest areas known to be frequented by wild elephants. This new move is an attempt to save the wild elephants from being run over by trains.