Unusual representations made by the US: Dullas

While an unusually great number of US envoys visited Sri Lanka during the past couple of months, it appears that they tend to spend more time in Sri Lanka instead of the US Congress or the State Department, UPFA MP Dullas Alahapperuma said today.

Dilan to Namal: SLFP is not your father’s property

State Minister for Highways, Dilan Perera said today that MP Namal Rajapaksa should remember that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was no longer his father Mahinda Rajapaksa’s property and not to make statements about the party as he wished.

Update; CA deploys decoy to test BIA security

An attempt to enter the apron of the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake by an armed airline staff member bewildered the airport security personnel today until he exposed himself to be a decoy sent to check the security parameters.

India to build sea bridge, tunnel to connect SL

India is set to build a sea bridge and tunnel connecting Sri Lanka while a pact has been inked with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal for seamless flow of traffic and passenger vehicles, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.

10 tame elephants to be trained for religious festivals

About 10 domesticated elephants would be given for peraharas and other functions for a nominal fee while annual permits would be given to adopt elephants, Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera today said.

Man armed with pistol arrested at BIA

A man armed with a 9mm pistol was arrested by the airport police at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today.The BIA police found the man had concealed the pistol under his socks during President Maithripala Sirisena’s arrival at the airport after his State-visit to the Vatican.

Navy gets Rs. 220 Mn from Avant Garde operations

The Navy had earned an income of Rs. 220 million (USD 1.55 million) from the operations of Avant Garde Maritime Services Ltd (AGMSL) during the period from November 13 to December 13, Navy Spokesman Akram Alavi said in a statement today.

Gov. to destroy 5,000 of blood ivory

The Wildlife Ministry said today that 5,000 African tusks confiscated by the Customs in 2012 would be destroyed next month with maximum security.

BBS complains to HRC on amendments

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today complained to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) regarding Government moves to amend the Criminal Justice Procedure Code and the Penal Code.

Customs officials call off strike at BIA

The strike launched by Customs officials at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport this morning against being subjected to strict screening by BIA security officials, was called off a short while ago.

Sanga says selectors should focus on Test cricket

The Sri Lankan selectors need to prioritise Test cricket, batting great Kumar Sangakkara says.

Flights delayed by Customs officers’ strike

Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport launched a sudden strike against being subjected to strict screening by BIA security officials, especially their food and beverage.

Heavy traffic in Colombo Fort

Heavy traffic was reported in Colombo Fort because of a protest carrying out by two groups outside the Fort Railway Station, Police said.

One killed, 40 injured in road tragedy

One person died while 40 others were injured when a bus fell off a cliff at Lindula in Nuwara Eliya this morning.

PM proposes PSC to probe allegations against Ravi K.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday suggested the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to probe the allegations made by the Opposition against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake instead of the no confidence motion against him.

President returns from Rome

President Maithripala Sirisena who was in Rome for a two-day official visit arrived in the country a short while ago.During the visit, the President met Pope Francis and a host of other leaders.

Returning SL refugee baggage increased to 60 kg

In a move that would benefit Sri Lankan refugees living in camps across the State who intend to return to the island-nation voluntarily, the UNHCR has assisted the Sri Lankan government in increasing the flight baggage allowance for repatriating refugees by 20 kg. Now, the total entitlement is 60 kg per person.

Four women arrested at a brothel

Police yesterday arrested three women including the manager of a brothel being operated in the guise of an Ayurvedic Medical Centre on Kanatta Road in Battaramulla.

NFF calls on people to oppose amendments

The Code of Criminal Procedure and Penal Code amendments proposed by the government to ban hate speeches would only intensify disharmony amongst different ethnic and religious groups, National Freedom Front (NFF) National Organiser MP Jayantha Samaraweera charged today.

"Release Army intelligence officers as done to ex-LTTEers"

Family members of Army intelligence officers who were arrested and detained under the PTA in connection with the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda today requested the government to release their loved ones similar to the way in which ex-LTTE detainees were released.

SL ranked 73rd in Human Development Index

Sri Lanka has maintained its rank in the 'high human development category' at 73rd place according to the Human Development Report (HDR) 2015 released yesterday in Ethiopia by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

SL will be an example to rest of the world-US Envoy

The efforts taken by Sri Lanka to successfully rebuild the country and to reconcile its people would set an example to the rest of the world which is burdened with conflict today, visiting US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs-Designate Thomas Shannon said today.

Don't amend Penal Code: BBS

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today objected to the amending of the Criminal Justice Procedure Code and the Penal Code.

Withdraw Penal Code Amend -TNA

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has called for the withdrawal of the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, placed on the Order Paper, citing that its provisions were identical to those of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), it is learnt.

SAITM to get clinical training at Avissawella Hospital

The Health Ministry today gave an undertaking to the Supreme Court to provide clinical training to the students of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) at the Avissawella Base Hospital and the Kaduwela MOH.

Eknaligoda probe won’t affect intelligence officers: Ruwan

State Minister for Defense, Ruwan Wijewardene today assured that the probe on the alleged abduction and killing of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda would be carried out in a manner which would not affect any intelligence officers.

Suspect’s DNA matches with six killings in Kotakethana

The CID informed the Pelmadulla Magistrate today that the results of the DNA tests had proved that the 35-year-old man arrested on Friday was involved in the killings of six of the seven women at Kotakethana and Kahawatta.

Johnston granted bail

Former Minister Johnston Fernando was granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate over cases filed by the Bribery Commission for not declaring assets.

Heavy traffic in Colombo Fort

Heavy traffic is reported in Fort area, Colombo due to a protest held by a group of bank employees in front of the Fort Railway Station.

Parliament to be made Constitutional Assembly

President Maithripala Sirisena is to present a motion to convert the Parliament into a Constitutional Assembly on January 9, 2016, informed sources said yesterday.