Ukrainian drowns in Koggala

A Ukrainian national was drowned while bathing in the sea off Koggala in Habaraduwa last evening, the police said.

​Bribery Comm. allegedly split into factions

The Bribery Commission appears to have split into two factions following the resignation of one commissioner, informed sources said.

​Northern PC to pay tribute to war dead

Despite a ban on pro-LTTE commemorations in Mullaitivu District, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) –controlled Northern Provincial Council (NPC) intends to have a function in the North today to pay to tribute to those who lost their lives, party officials said yesterday. 

Ranil’s statement bad by law

The Leader of the Opposition has said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's statement regarding the Supreme Court judgment in the Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was a severe blow on the independence of the judiciary, rule of law and good governance.

I am eager to meet MR in Court: Mangala

Confirming that he has received the letter of demand sent by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa over his statement about the former first family’s assets, foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said he was ready to meet Mr. Rajapaksa in Court.

Brother of Wele Suda arrested with heroin

A man alleged to be the brother of drug lord Wele Suda was arrested this morning in Kohuwala with heroin, police said.

ASP and Police Sergeant interdicted

An ASP and a Police Sergeant were interdicted for neglecting their duties when an army soldier carried a gun to a meeting attended by President Maithripala Sirisena in Agunukalapalassa, police said.

Mexican police rescue 5 SL migrants from gangsters

The five Sri Lankan nationals were among a group of illegal migrants, who were rescued by the Mexican Police from the custody of gangsters early this month, foreign media reported.

Promoting Maj.Gen.Dias, a blow to justice-HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said today that promotion of a senior officer as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, whose division was implicated in serious human rights abuses, casts doubt on government pledges to credibly investigate alleged war crimes.

Several SLFPers to leave govt.: T.B.

At least 16 of the 26 SLFP Parliamentarians, who joined the government might leave their current positions and return to their original positions, Parliamentarian T. B Ekanayake said.

Man drowns at Galle Face

A 30-year-old man from Kollupitiya had gone missing while bathing in the sea off Galle Face in Colombo, the police said.

37 fishermen arrive at Karaikal

After spending 41 days in Sri Lankan jail, 37 Indian fishermen belonging to Nagapattinam arrived at the Indian Coast Guard station in Karaikal on Saturday to an emotional reception by family members, friends and officials.

Two cops killed and three injured in accident

Two police officers were killed and another three were injured when a van collided head on with a tipper truck at Ududumbara on the Kandy-Mahiyanganaya main road early this morning.

​Mullaitivu Magistrate bans LTTE remembrance event

The Mullaitivu Magistrate today banned holding any pro-LTTE remembrance events in the Mullaitivu police division for 14 days starting from May 18, the Police said.

​Kanchi acharya likely to visit SL

Kanchi Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi has agreed to visit Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Friday.

Evening showers to decrease: Met Dep.

The Meteorology Department said today evening thundershowers over the country would decrease as Inter Tropical Convergence Zone has moved northward away from the country.

Majority of Tamil refugees not willing to return: Minister

Only 35 per cent of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in Tamil Nadu are willing to come back, D.M. Swaminathan, Minister for Resettlement, Reconstruction and Hindu Religious Affairs, said yesterday.

Lankan charged in US for seeking sex with underage girl

A 23-year-old Sri Lankan was charged for attempted sexual encounter with an underage girl he met via Craigslist in US.

Russian national drowns in Hikkaduwa seas

A 40-year-old Russian national drowned in the seas off Thiranagama in Hikkaduwa while having a sea bath last evening, the Police said.

May 19 is Remembrance Day: Rajitha

The new government has decided to declare May 19 as Remembrance Day instead of Victory Day as it named by the previous regime, Government Spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne

​Bribery Commissioner Wimalachandra resigns

Former Court of Appeal Justice Keerthi Wimalachandra has resigned from his post as a Commissioner of the Bribery Commissioner.

British HC hits through the gaps

Commenting on the incident where Cricketer Kumar Sangakkara faced an unpleasant experience with a UK immigration officer in London, the British High Commission in Colombo Friday said their Border Force officers were trained to maintain high standards of professionalism and courtesy, especially at the UK Border.

Complain to BC: Avant Garde Chief tells Rajitha

Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi said today Minister Rajitha Senaratne should complain to the Bribery Commission according to the proper procedure without making allegations to the media.

Ranil’s statement undermines judiciary: JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), which is a constituent party of the government, said today Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s remarks on the Supreme Court order staying the arrest of former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa undermined the judiciary.

Man climbs tree to demand justice for family

An individual from Habaraduwa had climbed a tree in the vicinity of Parliament a short while ago to demonstrate his opposition to his wife being remanded, police said.

Shashi’s submitted forged documents: CID

The documents submitted to the Immigration and Emigration Department by former minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife Shasi were found to have been forged, the CID told Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya.

Tense situation at opening of Panadura -Keselwatta market

A tense atmosphere prevailed at the Keselwatta new market complex when it was declared open by Panadura Pradeshiya Sabha opposition leader Saheer Fhasy (UNP).

Stay order not in line with Constitution: Ranil

According to Article 132 and Sub-Article 2 of the Constitution, the interim order given by the Supreme Court staying the arrest of former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not effective, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Speaker signs blueprint of 19 A

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa signed the blueprint of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution a short while ago, General Secretary of Parliament said.

Indo-Sri Lanka trade up 10-fold after FTA

Trade between India and Sri Lanka has increased 10-fold after the Free Trade Agreement. But there is more to be explored, said Y.K. Sinha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.