Video: Police to bring down Basil

Former Economic Development Minister and then influential politician Basil Rajapaksa is to be grilled in connection with a series of major corruption cases amounting to millions of rupees being investigated by the Police Financial Fraud Investigation Division.

Video: No face-covered helmets from April 2

The wearing of face-covered helmets has been banned from April 2 in the wake of an increasing number of robberies and killings being carried out by motorcyclists wearing such helmets, Police said today.

TN fishermen may get 83-day access

The third round of talks between representatives of fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka ended in Chennai on Tuesday, a day ahead of schedule, with the two sides meeting each other half way.

Missing man believed dragged by a crocodile

A man who was fishing at Mahaweli River in Meewathpura, Aralaganwila is believed to have been dragged away by a crocodile, police said today.

Head of Govt. not specified

Cabinet approval has been granted to include a change to the draft of the 19th Amendment, through which the Head of the Government has not been specified leading to a further curtailing of executive powers, although the President will remain the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief.

Allegations focused on the Bureau not Dilan: Thalatha

Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorale today said that her allegations were focused on the Foreign Employment Bureau and not on the then Minister Dilan Perera.

Extend local councils by one year: UPFA

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) today urged the Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils to provide a year’s extension to local councils whose term expires on March 31 and to hold elections under the new electoral system.

19A requires referendum: Nimal

Referring to the 19th Amendment, Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva said the government appeared to have introduced some constitutional provisions which warrant approval by people at a referendum.

Man steals judge’s wallet in Court

A man who entered the chambers of Matara District Judge is reported to have stolen her wallet and with the cash and credit cards had bought jewellery and food items worth Rs.65, 000.

Passenger plane crashes in French Alps

A plane carrying 142 passengers has crashed in the southern French Alps en route from Spain to Germany. 

Video: MR given security which he did not provide Chandrika

Cabinet spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne today said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been provided with comprehensive security which included 21 vehicles and 213 officers.

Bribery case against Bogollagama

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today filed action in the Magistrate’s Court against former Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on corruption charges.

​Speaker in dilemma over Opposition Leader post

In the wake of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) joining hands with the government, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said today he was also in a dilemma regarding the opposition leader post, and that he would give his ruling in the near future.

New Zealand into World Cup final

?Grant Elliott has sent the Black Caps to their maiden Cricket World Cup final after hitting a six with two balls remaining to give New Zealand a tense four wicket semifinal win over South Africa.

Qatar Emir arrives

The Emir of Qatar Tamimi bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Sri Lanka a short while ago for a short visit.

19th Amendment in parliament

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today presented the 19th Amendment to the Constitution seeking to hold the Executive Presidency accountable to the Legislature and the Judiciary.

Audio: BBS challenges Maithri to prove wrongdoings

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera today challenged President Maithripala Sirisena to prove whether the BBS had harmed the Muslim community.

19A a ‘Constitutional Coup’-JHU

The 19th Amendment presented in Parliament by the Government was a result of a ‘Constitutional Coup’ to allow a person who is unable to win at an election to retain power, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today.

Colombo orders release of 54 fishermen

The Sri Lankan government on Monday ordered the release of the 54 Indian fishermen arrested early Sunday by the Navy on charges of poaching.

Ratgama PS Chairman shot dead

Ratgama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Manoj Mendis is reported to have been shot dead by some yet unidentified assailants at a tourist hotel in Wewala at Hikkaduwa on last night.

TB hits out at ‘Gandabba’ ministers

Former Minister T. B. Ekanayake today termed a group of SLFP MPs, who accepted the ministerial portfolios on Sunday as ‘Gandabbayo’ (people serving transition periods) and said that these ministers couldn’t say a word against the UNP.

Video: I will contest only under an SLFP-led alliance: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that if he was going to contest an election in the future it would only under an alliance led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

Task Force under CBK to solve minority issues

President Maitripala Sirisena today said a Special Presidential Task Force (SPTF) had been appointed under the Chair of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga to address the issues of minorities.

Video: I will be Opposition Leader: Nimal

Parliamentarian Nimal Siripala de Silva today said he would continue to remain the Opposition Leader despite the unique situation emerged in Parliament following the formation of the National Unity Government and added that the government’s 100-day programme may be extend into even 200-days depending on the pace with which, the promised amendments to the Constitution and the electoral reforms would be implemented.

SLFP given portfolios to cover up CB scandal: Dinesh

The appointment of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs as Ministers was an attempt to cover up the wrongdoings of the government led by the United National Party (UNP), especially the Central Bank Bond Sale issue, Parliamentarian Dinesh Gunawardane charged today.

Wele Suda disputes case against him

Wela Suda, his wife and another accused contended before High Court Judge Devika Tennakoon De Livera today that the prosecution cannot maintain the money laundering case against them as the indictment was erroneous.

Sarana further remanded

UPFA MP and Former Minister Sarana Gunawardane was further remanded till March 30 by the Attanagalle Magistrate Kavindya Nanayakkara.

Video: JVP to decide on NEC membership

The leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake today said that they would make a decision whether to remain in the National Executive Committee (NEC) consequent to the formation of the National Government.

Video: Vasu proposes Dinesh as Opp. Leader

UPFA MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara today proposed MP Dinesh Gunawardane to be appointed as the Opposition Leader claiming it was unethical for the SLFP to hold both Cabinet Ministerial posts as well as the position of the Opposition Leader.

Traffic arrangements for Qatar Emir's visit

Vehicle movement along several roads leading from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to Colombo will be restricted on tomorrow (24) for the Emir of Qatar Tamimi bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to Sri Lanka, the Police Department said.