Govt. to use LTTE suspects as witnesses: Wimal

The government was planning to produce former LTTE members, who are to be released from prisons in the near future, as witnesses against the armed forces for the proceedings of the proposed Hybrid Court, Opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa charged today.

13 Navy personnel injured in bus-tipper collision

Fourteen persons including 13 Naval personal were injured, when a bus and a tipper collided head-on at Pankulama in Morawewa this morning.

23 arrested for dumping garbage into rivers

Twenty three persons including 13 women were arrested by the Police Marine Division on charges of dumping garbage into the Kelani and Bolgoda rivers.

Video: Thamilini dies of cancer

Former LTTE women's wing leader Subramaniam Sivakamy alias Thamilini aged 43 has died, while undergoing treatment for cancer at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. She had been rehabilitated and released in 2013.

SL not to approach EU against Indian fishermen

The government will not make any complaint to the European Union (EU) about alleged poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, even as it has decided to increase the amount of penalty for violation of fisheries laws in international waters, Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said.

Attempt to smuggle Ganja to SL foiled in Ramanthapuram

Over 130 kg of ganja, allegedly meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka, was seized and two persons were arrested in this connection at S P Pattinam in Ramanathapuram District, Indian police said.

Herath spins Sri Lanka to big win over West Indies

Sri Lanka needed less than four days to thrash West Indies by an innings and six runs in the opening test at Galle on Saturday with Rangana Herath leading the victory charge by claiming his fifth 10-wicket haul.

Ranil meets Singapore’s Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday and discussed further means of promoting bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Hunger strike by ex-LTTE detainees called off

The hunger strike launched by suspected ex-LTTE detainees has been called off after the assurance given by the President to set up a mechanism to look into their issues.

Sri Lankan man missing in Australia

Search operation for missing Sri Lankan man Rajah Thangarajah of Eastlakes has been launched after the father-of-two mysteriously vanished in Australia over a week ago.

Marriages on a downward trend

The number of marriages taking place in Sri Lanka has declined according to the latest data published by the Department of Census and Statistics.

Possible release for some Tamil prisoners

Some prisoners held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) are likely to be released soon in the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena directing that this matter be expedited, Opposition Leader R. Sampathan said yesterday.

Treasure hunters: Kashyapa’s golden sword elude them

Wildlife officers have arrested six treasure hunters who were excavating the area close to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress in search of King Kashyappa's golden sword said to be buried inside the forest reserve.

PC appears for MR with rights reserved for appeal

President's Counsel Gamini Marapana appearing for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa informed the President Commission to Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud Corruption and Abuse of Power that he will reserve the right to appeal to a higher Court against the Commission’s decision to turn down his client's preliminary objections.

Video: CID says drug baron funded LTTE

The CID today informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitya that drug kingpin Mohamed Siddeek had funded the LTTE, and that some persons had deposited money in Siddeek’s wife’s accounts which the CID and the Interpol were investigating.

Mervyn Silva complains of death threat

Narahenpitiya Police today informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Pieris that former minister Mervyn Silva had in a police complaint said somebody unknown to him had phoned him threatening him with death.

Video: LG elections by March next year

Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils, Faizer Mustapha said today the government was making every effort to hold the elections to the local government by March next year under the first-past-the-post system.

Video: Three Customs officers remanded over Rs. 125 mn bribe

The three Customs officers who were arrested yesterday while soliciting a bribe of Rs. 125 million were remanded till October 30 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate today.

Opp. leader only concerned with NE: PHU

The Opposition Leader is not paying attention to the concerns of the people unless they were related to the North or East, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary and UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Video: Schoolgirl drowns in water-filled drain

A 17-year-old school girl has drowned after falling into a wayside drain which was overflowing with rain water at Nittawela in Kandy today, Police said.

​PRECIFAC decides to continue with proceedings

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 decided to continue its proceedings, despite the protest.

Jamaican Court restores Sri Lankan’s bail

The Supreme Court of Jamaica has restored the bail of a Sri Lankan man and criticised senior magistrate Judith Pusey for revoking it.

Road to Kolonnawa from IDH, Gothatuwa blocked

Motorists proceeding from IDH and Gothatuwa to Kolonnawa along Gothatuwa road have been advised to use alternate routes, Police said.

Video: MR at PRECIFAC again

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry for a second day, to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) over the ITN controversy, this morning.

MR lauds MS for Sinhala speech at UN

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he felt proud when he saw President Maithripala Sirisena speaking in Sinhala at the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York early few weeks ago.

Govt. to regulate issue of diplomatic passports

The government has decided to regulate the number of diplomatic passport holders.

Begging in trains banned

The Railways Department has said that from November 1, begging will be completely prohibited in trains and at railway stations. According to the railways ordinance, begging is completely prohibited inside trains and at railway stations.

Maj. Gen Madawala as military adviser to SL mission in UN

Security Forces Commander-West, Major General Ubaya Medawela has been appointed as the Military Adviser at the Office of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, defence sources said.

Young female doctor dies after consuming food

A young female doctor (25), serving at the Chilaw District Hospital, had suddenly fallen ill while on duty and had passed away after admission to the same hospital on Wednesday (14) night.

VVIP dollar account holders: Govt. to name names soon

The government has gathered information on eight Dollar Accounts held in foreign banks by members of a VVIP family of the previous regime and the names of account holders will be disclosed after the ongoing investigations are over, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senarathe said today.