Iranian crude oil deal: US rep meets CPC chief

Despite Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Mahishini Kolonne denying any attempt to unload one million barrels of Iranian crude oil in the Colombo Port, a White House-nominated US State Department envoy met Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman Ranjith Wickremasingha to discuss this matter, the Daily Mirror learns.

SL to raise up to $2bn in foreign borrowings

Sri Lanka's new government plans to borrow up to $2.0 billion from overseas, the finance minister said Thursday, just two weeks after raising a billion through its first international bond issue.

Lankan on trial for 'inappropriately kissing' 3-year-old boy

A 49-year-old unemployed man faced charges on Thursday for allegedly molesting a 3-year-old boy on the beach.

No-faith motion against Ravi on July 4

The government yesterday agreed to allow the debate on the no-confidence motion against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake on July 4, but the opposition insisted that it should be taken up next week.

Appointments of new ministers: Acts of political bribery-JVP

The recent appointments of four deputy ministers were acts of political bribery by President Maithripala Sirisena to retain power, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva charged today.

Kolitha Gunatilleke new CDS

Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke has been appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff with effect from June 16, Air Force Spokesman Wing Commander Gihan Seneviratne said today.

MPs with no A/Levels, questioning CC: CaFFE

It was ironic that MPs who were among the 142 MPs who hadn’t passed their Advanced Level, were questioning the qualifications of the three members nominated to the Constitutional Council (CC), the CaFFE organisation said today.

Champika objects compensation to LTTE cadres

Minister of Power and Energy and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka said today the cabinet paper submitted to grant government compensation for injured LTTE terrorists had to be withdrawn after he protested against it.

Audio: No bus fare hike - LPBOA

Bus fares would not be increased as claimed by certain persons, who claimed to be the general secretary of a private bus federation, President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) Gemunu Wijerathne said today.

Jaic Hilton residents stuck without lifts

The residents of the 32 story apartment complex, Jaic Hilton in Colombo today complained that the elevators in the building were not functioning properly causing great inconvenience to them.

Sajin files FR case in SC

UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardane today filed a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order directing the Colombo Fort Magistrate to release him from remand custody.

Writ applications on FCID: CA notices AG, IGP

The Court of Appeal today issued notices on the Attorney General and Inspector General of Police to appear in court on June 17 in connection with two writ applications filed by Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera and Professor Carlo Fonseka seeking an order to suspend the operation of the gazette notification on setting up of the FCID.

Two ex-PMs now presidential advisers

Former Prime Ministers D.M. Jayaratne and Ratnasiri Wickremanayake have been appointed senior advisors to President Maithripala Sirisena on political matters, the Government Information Department said today.

Vavuniya businessman pays Rs.1 Mn as ransom

A Vavuniya businessman had complained that he paid Rs.1 million as ransom to some abductors to have his five-year-old son released, Vavuniya Police said.

Tiran won’t be arrested till June 29: AG

The Attorney General today undertook not to arrest MP Tiran Alles until June 29 in connection with an alleged fraud at the Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) when the matter was taken up before a three judge bench of the Supreme Court.

Australia denies officials paid refugee smugglers

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has denied claims by Indonesian police that Australian Customs officials paid thousands of dollars to people smugglers to take asylum seekers back to Indonesia, ABC News reported.

British tourist tattoo case reserved for order

The Supreme Court yesterday reserved its order on a Fundamental Rights Petition filed by British tourist Naomi Coleman challenging the infringement of her fundamental rights when she was arrested and detained for allegedly displaying a Buddha tattoo on her upper limb at Katunayake last year.

Dissolve in event of no-faith motion: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that dissolution of Parliament was the option in the event of a no-confidence motion being mooted against him.

My government achieved this: MR

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said the declaration of Colombo as the fastest growing destination city by the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index for 2015 was an achievement of his government and that it was the responsibility of the present government to maintain what his government had achieved.

Video: Present parliament has no mandate to change PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said the Mahinda Rajapaksa government that was defeated at the January 8 election had no mandate in the present Parliament and that if they were attempting to change the Prime Minister in this Parliament, it would be a betrayal of the people's mandate.

Hashish worth of Rs.1.3m seized by Customs

The Sri Lanka Customs thwarted an attempt to smuggle a stock of hashish worth over Rs.1.3 million into the country this evening in the form of a packet of chocolates.

Kalam to visit SL to discuss power and energy

Former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will be the Chief Guest at a Sri Lankan government - organized conference on issues relating to power and energy to be held on June 26 and 27.

Video: Work on Northern Expressway to begin soon

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said today everything was in place to begin the construction of the first phase of the Northern Expressway within a couple of days.

President didn’t request to withdraw motion: Yapa

President Maithripala Sirisena had not requested to withdraw the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said today.

Govt. to host Diaspora festival

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was planning to host a festival of Diaspora by the end of the year in a bid to facilitate meaningful interactions between the government and the Diaspora communities to move forward reconciliation and development efforts.

Four SLFP deputy ministers appointed

Four Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Parliamentarians were today appointed as deputy ministers by President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat.

Video: President protecting Ranil: NFF

President Maithripala Sirisena was attempting to protect Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe from the no- confidence motion because the United National Party (UNP) votes were procured by Mr. Wickremesinghe for the victory of the President, the National Freedom Front (NFF) charged today.

OCH closed for renovations

The Outer Circular Highway (OCH) from Kottawa to Kaduwela, would be closed from midnight today till June 16 for renovations, the Road Development Authority (RDA) said today.

D.V. Upul further remanded

Southern Provincial Council Minister D.V. Upul was further remanded till June 15 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today on charges of threatening FCID Police officers.

Two Glyphosate containers sent back to China

The Customs said two containers containing Glyphosate imported by a businessman residing Mahailluppallama would be returned today to the Chinese supplier.