Mother and son jump into Nilwala River

A 35-year-old woman and her 10-year-old son are believed to have jumped into the Nilwala River from the Mahanama Bridge in Matara last night. Police and navy divers are searching for them.

2km long queue at Godagama exit on E01

A two kilometer long traffic line has blocked the Godagama exit of the Southern Expressway, the Southern Expressway officials said.

Rs.30mn fraud in Enrique concert

The Treasury Department of the Colombo Municipal Council has filed a case yesterday against the organiser of the live concert by Latin music idol Enrique Iglesias held last Sunday at the CR&FC Grounds -- for failing to pay nearly Rs. 30 million in taxes.

Hirunika questioned by CCD

MP Hirunika Premachandra was questioned by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) on Tuesday following a complaint by a 34-year-old man that he had been abducted by the MP's personal staff, Police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

'Mahinda Gang' caused budget defeat-Nishantha

Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya’s kneeling before some provincial councillors belonging to the ‘Mahinda Gang’ led to the defeat of the health budget of Western Province presented by the Jathika Hela Urumaya, said the Western Provincial Council's Minister of Health, Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe (of the JHU), yesterday.

Abducted man tells his story

Amila Priyanga Amarasinghe, the 34-year-old man who was allegedly abducted by several supporters of UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra, said today that he did not know why he was abducted.

Dilan lashes out at Kabir Hashim

UPFA Minister Dilan Perera today lashed out at UNP General Secretary and Minister Kabir Hashim for allegedly making statements belittling previous UPFA governments.

Opposition calls for fresh budget proposals

The joint opposition today requested the government to table fresh budget proposals in Parliament in January, to enact new amendments proposed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, so as to cover the budget expenditure and lessen its deficit.

Take action against Hirunika: Gammanpila

UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila said today that action should be taken against the “young female Parliamentarian’ in connection with the abduction of a man in Dematagoda on Monday afternoon.

Saudi Govt. commutes SL maid’s sentence

The Government of Saudi Arabia had decided not to carry out the death sentence on the Sri Lankan housemaid who was to be stoned to death for adultery, and to imprison her instead, said Acting Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva at a media briefing at the Foreign Affairs Ministry today.

Detached compartments stall Batticaloa-Colombo train

A train travelling from Batticaloa to Colombo had suddenly stalled near the railway traffic lights at the Hunupitiya Railway Station after some of compartments had got detached, the Railway Department said.

SriLankan sends plane to bring passengers stranded in Bangkok

SriLankan airlines has dispatched a plane to Bangkok to bring bank the remaining passengers because of the cancellation of a SriLankan flight from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, the airlines said.     

A commission should look into Wilpattu: Bathiudeen

A commission should be appointed to look into the Wilpattu deforestation controversy, Minister of Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said today.

Mother, girl nabbed over shoe shop thievery

The eight-year-old girl who had allegedly taken Rs.55,000 from a shoe shop in Ingiriya with the help of her mother, had been taken into Police custody last night, the Police said.

Black defenders in place of white vans: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today described, the use of a vehicle belonging to MP Hirunika Premachandra to abduct a youth, as a transition from the white van culture to a black defender vehicle culture.

Hirunika's staff members remanded

Six supporters of UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra, who were arrested in connection with the abduction of a 26-year-old youth in Dematagoda, were remanded till January 4 by Colombo Chief Magistrate today.   

Nalaka Godahewa re-remanded

Former Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, and two others, been further remanded until January 4 by Colombo Additional Magistrate today.

LPBOA to stop beggars, peddlers in buses

The Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) said it was going to request Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K. Illangakoon take action to bar beggars and peddlers in their buses.

Reshuffle of positions in UNP: Hashim

A reshuffle of positions in the United National Party (UNP) and a change in the party's constitution is on the cards in January, General Secretary Kabir Hashim said yesterday.

MR courting the Dragon

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to visit China during the middle of January, sources close to him said yesterday.

Ranil on trip to UK

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe left on a ten day trip to the UK yesterday. According to sources from the Prime Minister’s office it is not an official visit. He is expected to spend some time in Ireland as well

WPC Health budget defeated

The expenditure head of the Western Province Health Ministry was defeated by a majority of 12 votes with 23 members voting in favour and 45 voting against.

Changes to budget won't affect mid-term economic plan

The mid-term economic development plan presented to Parliament by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will not be hampered despite amendments to several of the budget proposals, Deputy Minister Harsha De Silva said today.

"I wanted to prevent a family from breaking up"- Hirunika

Dismissing allegations that she had threatened and assaulted a 26-year-old man who had been abducted by her support staff in a "Defender" vehicle, UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said today that all she wanted to do was to prevent a family from breaking up.

Namal posted Yoga picture without my permission

Former president and Kurunegala district MP Mahinda Rajapaksa said his son Namal had published his photograph doing Yoga without his permission in the Facebook.

Abducted youth allegedly threatened by Hirunika

In a statement to the police a 26-year-old youth -- who was abducted by some supporters of parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra -- said he was personally threatened by her, the Police Spokesman said today.

CMC cries foul over Enrique’s “Sex and Love” show

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) today alleged that a 'huge tax fraud' had been committed on the income earned from the Latin Musical Idol Enrique Iglesias’s “Sex and Love Tour” live concert held last Sunday at the CR&FC Grounds

‘Thinner’ pipe causalities reach 50

The number of patients hospitalized from the “Thinner” pipe explosion that occurred at a paint factory in Keselwatta, Panadura has risen to 50.

Eight SSPs promoted as DIGs

Eight Senior Superintendents (SSPs) have been promoted to the posts of Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs), the Police Department said.

'Thinner' pipe explosion in Panadura

At least 17 people were hospitalized after developing breathing difficulties following an explosion of a “Thinner” pipe in a paint factory in Keselwatta, Panadura, police said.