Rakna Lanka GM sacked

The general manager of the security firm Rakna Lanka -- Major General Gamini Jayasundera (Rtd) has been removed from his post with immediate effect for giving false evidence during an inquiry held by the Presidential Commission Probing Acts of Serious Fraud and Corruption.

​New traffic plan in Rajagiriya area suspended

The new traffic plan along Sri Jayewardenepura Road from parliament and Battaramulla towards Colombo, that was implemented since last Monday, has been suspended, police said.

Code of conduct for MPs soon: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is reported to have told a delegation of civil society representatives yesterday that he would introduce a Code of Conduct for MPs soon.

Demo in France by former detainees: TNA

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said today that last Friday's demonstration in France against a meeting between its MPs and Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) provincial councillors, was carried out by some of those who had been harassed while being detained in TELO camps in the 1990s.

New traffic plan a success with few snags: Police

The new traffic plan along Sri Jayewardenepura Road from parliament and Battaramulla towards Colombo and Maharagama on the High Level Road was successful though some snags along the Sri Jayewardenepura Road near Baseline Road have to be straightened out, Police said.

Pope appoints new bishop to Jaffna

Pope Francis has appointed a new bishop to the Diocese of Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka.  Monsignor Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam, the Vicar General of the diocese is the new bishop of Jaffna. 

Police to launch probe on arms ship

A police investigation would be launched into the arms ship Avant Garde which is currently under the custody of the Sri Lanka Navy, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said today.

Ex-minister Velayudhan passes away

Former State Minister of Plantation Industries K. Velayudhan has passed away today at the age of 65 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai, India.

Video: Hangmen: 14 interviewed for two posts

Prisons Department said today 14 applicants for the two vacant posts of Hangmen were interviewed by a three-member panel comprising officials of the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry, Justice Ministry and Prisons Department at the Prisons Head Office.

Japan to help lankan reconciliation efforts

Sri Lanka should look towards the future as well while looking back at what happened during the final days of the armed conflict, Japanese Ambassador Kenichi Suganuma said today.

Video: Will continue to eradicate drug trafficking: Ruwan

State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene today said Sri Lanka would continue working with countries in the Indian Ocean Region and the Global Maritime Crimes Programme of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to eradicate drug trafficking and maritime crimes from the region.

Stay order on full-face helmet ban extended

The interim order issued staying the operation of the police circular banning the use of full-face helmets, was extended till November 2 by the Appeal Court today.

Magistrate recalls warrant on Gnanasara Thera

Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage has recalled the arrest warrant issued on Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven.Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera and ordered him to appear in Court at the next hearing date.

Video: Armed man robs bank in Dambulla

A man wearing a mask and armed with a hand grenade has robbed Rs.797,000 from a private bank in Dambulla and abducted an employee as well, Police said.

Presidential Media Deputy Director Herath resigns

Presidential Media Deputy Director Osala Herath has resigned from his post with effect from October 7, Presidential Media Unit said today.

US trains SL Navy on underwater de-mining

The US Navy recently concluded a two-week training session in Trincomalee to equip and support Sri Lanka’s underwater demining efforts.

​Video: Gnanasara Thera surrenders

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera, who was issued an arrest warrant for not appearing in court, surrendered to the Fort Magistrate’s Court a short while ago.

​Namal condemns police action

Hambantota District UPFA Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa today ‘strongly’ condemned the alleged assault on a group of civilians by police during a demonstration held at Badagiriya in Hambanthota yesterday.

24 Indian fishermen arrested for entering SL waters

Twenty-four Indian fishermen who violated the international Maritime Border and entered into Sri Lankan waters were arrested and four boats seized near the Gulf of Mannar yesterday by the Sri Lankan coast guard with the assistance of the Sri Lankan Navy, Navy Spokesman Commander Indika Silva said.

Impartial probe into Avant Garde controversy: MOD

Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said today that an impartial investigation would be carried out into the weapons detected on a ship named MT Avant Garde.

SLHRC summons JMO over contradictory reports

The Negombo Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) who inspected the schoolboy and the other suspect  who were previously arrested in connection with the killing of Seya Sadewmi in Kotadeniyawa has been summoned to the Human Rights Commission.

Video: Bharatha killing: Trial-at-Bar hearing begins

The hearing of the case over the Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra killing today began before a trial– at- bar comprising Colombo High Court Judges Shiran Guneratne (President),  Padmini Ranawaka Gunethillake, and M.C.B.S. Morais.

Shyam killing: Verdict on Nov. 27

The Colombo High Court will announce on November 27, the verdict in the trial of former DIG Vass Gunawardena, his son and four others accused of killing Bambalapitiya millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam.

Two youth struck by lightning

Two youth aged 19 and 24 were killed when they were struck by lightning while harvesting sugarcane at a field in Pelwatte, Buttala this afternoon, Police said.

Video: Wildlife Dept. accused of worsening human-elephant conflict

The Wildlife Department and several NGOs are worsening the human-elephant conflict instead of seeking solutions, alleged an organisation calling itself the National Movement for the Protection of Domesticated Elephants (NMPDE) today.

Abandoned infant: Police to obtain court order for foster parents

The Peradeniya Police said they were hoping to obtain a court order to find suitable foster parents who wish to adopt the now 22-day-old infant girl, who was abandoned by a roadside near the Dangolla Junction, until such time a permanent arrangement could be made.

Video: Twelve persons arrested over bus attack

Twelve persons have been arrested for attacking a bus during a tense situation that prevailed in Hambanthota this morning.

Arms ship probe report handed over to MOD

Navy Commander Ravindra Wijegunaratne today said the report into the arms ship- Avant Garde- was handed over to the Ministry of Defence this morning.

Ex-LTTEers on hunger strike at Magazine Prison

Ex-LTTE cadres detained at the Magazine Prison in Colombo launched a hunger strike this morning urging the authorities to release them, the Prisons Department said.

Video: Man’s body found at Thalahena Junction

The body of a man was found in a culvert at Thalahena Junction, Battaramulla this morning, police said. The Thalangama police are investigating the identity and cause of death of the deceased.