Permission refused for Aksha to travel abroad

Teledrama actress Aksha Sudhari who is presently enlarged on bail over charges of criminal breach of trust for allegedly having defrauded an Indian national of Rs 140 million (after having an affair with him) was refused permission to travel abroad by Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris today.

Attack on students: NPC tells IGP to take action

The National Police Commission (NPC) said today it had informed Police Chief N.K. Illangakoon to take disciplinary action against the low-ranking police personnel who were found to have been involved in the attack on HNDA students.

Body of teenager found near Kokkuvil

A body of a young man lying by the railway line at Kokkuvil was recovered by the police this morning, police said.

Govt. shouldn’t ban Prabhakaran commemoration: Vickramabahu

New Left Front leader Vickramabahu Karunaratne said today that if Rohana Wijeweera could be commemorated, the same privilege should be given to commemorate slain LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Sharma lauds President Sirisena

Secretary General of Commonwealth Kamlesh Sharma today said the Chair in Office President Maithripala Sirisena has done a wonderful job to promote Commonwealth ideals.

Canteens increase prices; challenges Ravi K

While increasing the price on hoppers, plain tea and varieties of items sold at canteens from today the national organiser of the Canteen Owners Association  Asela Sampath said the association would challenge the Finance Minister Ravi Karunanaya to tell a place where one could buy food items at prices mention in the budget.

725 booked for breaking lane law

The Police Department today said that it had taken action against 725 drivers for violating the newly implemented lane law during the 10 hours period from 6.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. today.

18-hour water cut in Colombo

The water supply to Colombo and suburbs would be suspended for 18 hours from 11.00 a.m. on Saturday (28) to 5.00 a.m. on Sunday, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Sunil for COPE, Lasantha for PAC

JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti was appointed as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) while State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna was appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), following a decision taken by the government today.

Sharif allows India-Pak series to hold in SL

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday gave green signal to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for series against India in Sri Lanka next month, Dunya News reported.

Body found in a canal at Dematagoda

The body of a male was found floating in a canal near the Mihindusenpura housing complex in Dematagoda, Police said. They said they were waiting for the Colombo Magistrate’s arrival before taking the body out of the canal.   

Heavy traffic in Battaramulla

Heavy traffic was reported along the Sri Jayewardenepura Road at the Polduwa Junction and near parliament in Battaramulla due to a protest carrying out by a group of unemployed graduates blocking the road.

15 Indian fishermen caught poaching in SL waters

Fifteen Indian fishermen were arrested and their three trawlers taken into custody while poaching in Sri Lankan waters near the Delft Island and North-West of Thalai-mannar this morning, Navy Media Spokesman Akram Alavi said.  

KP’s bank details to be checked for Rajiv Gandhi’s killing

The Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA) is keen to know about the bank details of Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias ‘KP’ and some of his associates over the investigation on Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case.

Restraining order on Unemployed Graduates’ protest

Kaduwela Magistrate today issued a restraining order on the Convener of the Unemployed Graduates’ Union Dhammika Munasinghe and five others preventing the entry of a demonstration by the Unemployed Graduates’ Union into the parliament road this morning.

Rakna Lanka issue: Lawyers object to inclusion of Gota, four others as respondents

Lawyers appearing for former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadipathi, former Navy Commanders Jayantha Kolabage, Jayantha Perera, and former assistant secretary to the defense ministry Damayanthi Jayaratne raised objections over the PRECIFAC naming their clients as respondents in an inquiry into the alleged fraud and corruption at Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd when the matter was taken up before the commission t

Gota arrives at PRECIFAC

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived at PRECIFAC a short while ago to record a statement on the controversy with regard to the floating armoury belonging to Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd.

India may link terror to decision on India-Pak series

The Indian government is examining BCCI's request for a green signal for the Indian cricket team to play Pakistan in Sri Lanka in December, amid indications that Islamabad's continuing support to terror groups will be a major factor in shaping the decision.

Stick to your lane: Police

The traffic lane law would be strictly implemented starting today especially along the Sri Jayewardenepura Road from Jayanthipura to Colombo, the Police said yesterday.

TNA wants a DS who can converse in Tamil

The confidence the people in North placed on the government had begun to crumble, TNA Parliamentarians and Provincial Council members said at a media conference today (25).

Two ex-navy commanders at PRECIFIC tomorrow

Former Navy Commanders Admirals Jayanath Colombage and Jayantha Perera have been summoned by PRECIFIC for the purpose of recording their statements over allegations of fraud and corruption at the Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd.

Nothing for the govt. servants in the budget: Lal Kantha

The budget presented by the government was the first budget that had provided nothing for the government servants, whereas at least something was granted for them in every budget presented since 2005, former Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP) Provincial Councillor K.D. Lal Kantha said.

Geetha demands action on Saudi maid

UPFA Galle District MP Geetha Kumarasinghe urged the government to take immediate steps to save the Sri Lankan maid in Saudi Arabia who is to be stoned to death on charge of adultery.

Rejected MPs not appointed to Parliament to help Rajapaksas return: Minister

State Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Palitha Range Bandara said those who were rejected by the people at the last general election had been taken back to parliament by the President and entrusted with ministerial portfolios not with the intention of bringing the Rajapaksas back to power.

President wants to re-impose tax on beer

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed finance minister Ravi Karunanayaka to increase the tax on imported beer (5% alcohol content) which was reduced by Rs.30 in the budget proposal, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said

Three Directors for Special Presidential Projects

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed three Directors for Special Presidential Projects in the Uva, North-Western and Central Provinces while another Special Presidential Project Officer has been appointed for the Polonnaruwa District, the Presidential Media Unit said.

Ravi pooh-poohs no-confidence motion

People who were personally benefitted by the public money were now trying to bring a no- confidence motion against him as they were no longer able to misappropriate the people’s money, Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake said in Colombo today

Soldier, two teenagers drown in Maiyawa Tank

A soldier and two teenagers were drowned today while bathing in the Maiyawa Tank which is situated within the Kuruluwewa Sanctuary in Anawilundawa. Their bodies were later recovered by the Chilaw police.

Strike after engine driver changes two engines

A strike by engine drivers launched for few hours this morning was called off on an assurance that disciplinary action will be taken against an engine driver who had changed two railway engines without permission, Railway Station Masters' Union said.

VAT won’t apply to water, electricity or telephone bills

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said the newly amended Value Added Tax (VAT) system would not be applicable to utilities such as water, electricity and telecommunication.