SL first nation to protect all mangrove forests

Sri Lanka has become the first nation in the world to comprehensively protect all of its mangrove forests. A scheme backed by the government will include alternative job training, replanting projects and microloans.

Mahanayake Thera displeased by questioning of Diyawadana Nilame

Asgiriya Mahanayake the Most Ven. Galagama Aththadassi Thera today expressed displeasure over the manner in which the Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara was questioned by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID)

I refused a bribe of Rs. 300 m - Rajitha

Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne alleged yesterday that a respondent involved in the controversial Avant – Garde case had offered him a bribe of Rs. 40 million to remain silent on the issue for just two weeks and that another person had offered him a bribe of Rs. 300 million.

Video: Gotabaya’s FR Petition will face problem - Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that the Fundamental Rights Petition filed by former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa would face a problem as the Cabinet which is named as the respondent may not be in existence on the next hearing date.

UN refugee agency wants India, SL ferry service to resume

The UN refugee agency today appealed for the resumption of ferry services between India and Sri Lanka saying it would help in the return of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from India, the Economic Times said.

Jagath Dias new Army Chief of Staff

Major General Jagath Dias had been appointed as the Army Chief of Staff with effect from May 7, Military Spokesman Jayanath Jayaweera said.

Video: ADB or Japanese aid for Northern Expressway: Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said torday that financial assistance would be sought from Japan or the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the construction of the northern expressway.

Mariott hotel not mine: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today denied reports that the Ceylon Steel Corporation and the Mariott hotel in Dubai were his property, which were ‘paper owned’ by a frontman.

Three private power stations to be closed

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka today said the operations of three private thermal power stations would be closed down as a measure of energy conservation.

Govt. should celebrate War Victory: Nalaka Thera

The National Movement for the Protection of Liberated Land (NMPLL) said today the government was duty bound to celebrate the war victory.

Dilith Jayaweera at FCID

Businessman Dilith Jayaweera, has been summoned to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) to record a statement regarding an alleged financial irregularity over share transaction.

Russian woman arrested for overstaying

A Russian woman was arrested by the Matara Police near the Matara hospital yesterday for overstaying her visa and violating immigration laws.

Ministerial committee appointed to draft electoral reforms bill

The Cabinet of Ministers yesterday discussed the proposed electoral reforms and appointed a committee comprising five ministers to identify the principles laid down by each party in this respect prior to drafting the bill on the subject, informed sources said.

Opposition to press for Mahendrans ouster

At next Monday’s meeting of party leaders, the combined opposition will press for the motion against Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to be taken up for debate and passage in parliament as early as possible, Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva said today.

No new Bills in parliament: Ranil

New legislations will not be tabled in the current parliament because there were some elements awaiting an opportunity to sabotage these Bills, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said.

Abduction case: Dinitha’s parents told not to comment

Dinitha Aloka Ranasinghe’s parents today assured Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya that they would refrain from commenting to the media nor launch any public protest over the abduction of their daughter or the pending habeas corpus inquiry in Court.

Baby jumbo handed over

A baby elephant allegedly kept by Magistrate Thilina Gamage without proper documents had been handed over to the Wild Life Conservation Department at Battaramulla this evening, Director General of the department H.D. Ratnayake said.

Sanga backs England's Pietersen

Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Kumar Sanagakkara was among those who criticsed Andrew Strauss over his handling of the latest Kevin Pietersen saga, questioning Strauss' logic in excluding the English batsman.

Kim Jong-Un executes defence minister for sleeping

Education mess not fault of SB or Amunugama: IUSF

The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) said today neither former Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake nor current Minister Sarath Amunugama were responsible for the breakdown of the education sector but it was the result of the country’s adverse educational policies.

MR demands Rs.1 bn from Mangala

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had sent a letter of demand to Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera demanding Rs.1 billion as compensations over a statement alleged to have made by the minister during a news conference.

Udaya goes to BC against Maithri, Ranil

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission this afternoon against President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Hambantota Mayor further remanded

Hambantota Mayor Eraj Fernando was further remanded today in connection with the alleged attack on a group of Opposition supporters in Hambantota by the Hambantota Magistrate Isuru Nettikumara, Police said.

Lankan robbed in Kuwait

A Sri Lankan man was kidnapped and his car had been stolen along with KD 870 and two phones in Kuwait by three persons in Kuwait, the Kuwait Times said.

Interim order stays Gota’s anticipated arrest

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order staying the arrest of former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and granted leave to proceed in the fundamental rights petition filed by him.

Pakistan Army Chief cancels SL visit

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has cancelled his scheduled visit to Sri Lanka following the deadly bus attack in Karachi, according to international media reports.

SL woman pleads in UK not to send her back

A Cromer woman who claimed she was raped and then tortured with cigarettes by security forces in Sri Lanka has pleaded with the Home Office not to send her back, the Norfolk Eastern Daily Press reported.

Gunmen kill 41 in Karachi bus attack

Gunmen on motorcycles killed 41 people in an attack on a bus in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi on Wednesday, police said, in what appeared to be the latest violence directed against religious minorities this year.

Lalith Weeratunga at Police SIU

Former president's secretary Lalith Weeratunga is being questioned by the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) over an alleged financial fraud amounting to Rs. 169 million at the Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA), the Police said.

SC Judge refuses to hear Gota’s petition

Supreme Court Judge Buwaneka Aluwihare who was one of the three judges appointed to hear the Fundamental Rights application filed by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, withdrew from the case today citing personal reasons.