Space object should pose no danger to SL-Dr. Jayaratne

A space object, now better known as WTF1190F, would not cause any damage in Sri Lanka, Senior Lecturer in Physics, University of Colombo and Consultant on Astronomy and Space Science, Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, Dr. Chandana Jayaratne, said yesterday.

​SL govt living up to its commitment-US

While strongly criticizing the previous Rajapaksa government in Sri Lanka, US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said that the new Sri Lankan government “moved swiftly to show it was serious about living up to its commitments, from stopping harassment of human rights defenders and journalists, to exposing rampant corruption.”

Video: SL could impose fine on TN for damage to fisheries: Amaraweera

The government was contemplating the imposition of a fine on Tamil Nadu for the damages done to the underwater marine life and the pollution caused by its fishermen the Sri Lankan fisheries industry, Subject Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Video: We used minimal force on the students: Police

Police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said today that the police had used minimal force to disperse the students who had protested aggressively on the main road.

President to guide SLFP at LG election

President Maithripala Sirisena said today that he would provide leadership and guidance to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to win the forthcoming Local Government election, the President’s Media Unit said.

Video: Karate Soysa killing: three more suspects arrested

Three more suspects including a naval rating attached to the Karainagar Naval base were arrested yesterday in connection with the killing of Anuradhapura nightclub owner Wasantha Soysa while 8 more suspects taken into custody on Wednesday evening were produced before Anuradhapura Additional Magistrate and Additional District Judge and remanded till Novemebr 9.

Lankan tourists injured in Thai bus accident

Twenty-two people, mainly Sri Lankan tourists, were injured when their tour bus overturned into a ditch in Ratchaburi’s Photharam district in Thailand Thursday afternoon, Bangkok Post said.

Video: Police fire tear gas at protesting students

Police fired tear gas and aimed water cannons at the students of the Higher Diploma in Accountancy while they were on a protest march to the University Grant Commission (UGC) in Colombo 7.

Heavy traffic at Town Hall

Heavy traffic was reported in the Town Hall area due to a protest march carrying out by the students of Higher Diploma in Accountancy, towards the University Grant Commission (UGC) in Colombo 7.

Nishantha informs PRECIFAC he is abroad

Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe has informed that he was abroad and unable to give a statement to the Presidential Commission PRECIFAC this Friday.

90% loan margin for vehicle leasing effective from today

The 90 per cent loan margin for the leasing of vehicles will be effective from today, the Finance Ministry announced.

Video: MR, Keheliya at PRECIFAC

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) with regard to the non-payment of bills owed to state owned ITN .

Video: Paba, Ruwanthi at PRECIFAC

Actresses Upeksha Swarnamali and Ruwanthi Mangala arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC).

Space junk could land 100km south of H'tota

Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies yesterday said WT1190F, which is believed to be a part of a spacecraft was expected fall 100km south of Hambantota.

Dodgy SLC tender handling irks suppliers

Questions have been raised by different parties over the manner in which Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has handled a tender estimated to be worth Rs. 20 million to supply 200 cricket kit bags to schools and an e-mail exchange between one of the bidders and some SLC interim committee members shows how certain members of SLC interim committee had attempted to influence the tender process.

Govt. seeks Chinese loan for Central Expressway

The government has sought a loan arrangement with China to construct the first phase of the Colombo –Kandy expressway commonly called the Central Highway, a Minister said.

PRECIFAC summons Paba and Bandula Wijeweera

Actress and former MP Upeksha Swarnamalee (Paba) and veteran artiste Bandula Wijeweera have been summoned to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) today.

SB's counsel demand CID stance

Colombo Chief Magistrate today ordered the Financial Crime Investigation Division to report whether the former Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake was a suspect or not over the alleged stealing of movable properties in a valuable residence in Colombo 7, which was a gift to the Colombo University by an eminent Gyneacologist.

PRECIFAC unable to locate Nishantha Wickramasinghe

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) said today it was unable to hand over the notice summoning former SriLankan airlines chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe because he was not at his residence in Mount Lavinia.

Video: Tamil Prisoners' bail plea: Magistrate awaits AG's report

Colombo Additional Magistrate Amila Ariyasena today rejected a bail appeal by Tamil prisoners, who were in remand prison for alleged terrorist involvement, since the Attorney General’s report on them was not received by the TID of the Police.

Nightclub owner killing: Six more suspects arrested

Six more suspects had been arrested today in connection with the killing of the nightclub owner in Anuradhapura, the Police said.

BC recruits 50 more officers

Director General of the Bribery Commission, Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe today said that the Commission has approved to recruit 50 new police officers to its investigative branch.

PRECIFAC team boards Avant Garde vessel

A Police team attached of the PRECIFAC (Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to Investigate Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State resources, and Privileges) boarded MV Avant Garde at the Galle Port for investigations today.

Heavy traffic in Kollupitiya

Heavy traffic was reported along Galle Road because of a demonstration by the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) blocking the road outside the US embassy in Kollupitiya.

Video: Priyankara Jayaratne at PRECIFAC

A statement is being recorded from former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) over irregularities in connection with the SriLankan airlines catering service.

Ban cattle slaughter: Mervyn urges Govt.

Former Minister Dr. Mervyn Silva, who claimed that he is following the non-violence path adopted by Anagarika Dharmapala, today urged the government to bring in laws to ban cattle slaughter.

Video: Wimal’s passport released, hearing fixed for May

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s passport was granted conditional release by the Negombo Magistrate today. No travel restriction was imposed by the Magistrate on the MP and the hearing was fixed for May 3, next year.   

Video: Wimal at court over passport issue

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa arrived at the Negombo Magistrate’s Court this morning over the issue concerning his passport.

Wooden stick removed, student under life support machine

The student who was transferred to the Colombo National Hospital after a wooden stick that had pierced just below his neck after falling off a tree had undergone a three- and- half- hours surgery at the hospital.

Electronic NIC from January: Ravi K.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday that plans were afoot to issue electronic national identity cards to all citizens of Sri Lanka using the state of the art technology employed by developed countries of the world.