S’pore citizen issued bonds to repay loans taken by US citizen: Harsha

The Government had to go in for a bond issue to generate funds to repay the loans obtained by the previous regime, Policy Planning Deputy Minister Harsha De Silva told Parliament today.

Fmr. Govt. VIPs to be arrested on Wele Suda disclosures: John

Several powerful personalities of the previous government will have to be arrested based on the information divulged by underworld narcotics kingpin ‘Wele Suda’, Public Order and Disaster Management Minister John Amaratunga told parliament today.

BBS asks President to pardon Sigiriya girl

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today requested President Maithripala Sirisena to pardon Uthayasiri who was jailed on charges of having scribbled on the Sigiriya mirror wall.

Thurstan principal out

The Principal of Thurstan College, Colombo had been removed from his position and posted to the Education Ministry with effect from today, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

Wild Life officer killed by wild elephant

Wild Life Department officials said one of their officers was killed by a wild elephant which they were attempting to chase into the forest in Wellawaaya today.

Charges filed against Sajin

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today filed charges against Sajin de Vass Gunawardena in the Colombo Chief  Magistrate’s Court under Section 9 of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 1 of 1975.

President Sirisena to visit Indonesia in April

President Maithripala Sirisena has confirmed his participation at the 60th Anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (AAC) and 10th Anniversary of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) in Jakarta, Bandung (West Java), on April 22-24.

Yasasiri Kasthuriarachchi acting Kataragama Basnayake Nilame

Yasasiri Kasthuriarachchi has been appointed the acting Basnayake Nilame of the Kataragama Devalaya by the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs.

Saudi HC orders sponsor to pay SL maid’s wages of 13 years

A high court in Saudi Arabia has ordered a Saudi sponsor to pay his Sri Lankan housemaid 68, 000 Saudi Riyals in back wages owed for the past 13 years.

SIU summons Anura Yapa

The Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) today questioned former Petroleum Industries Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa in connection with Rs.35 million loss incurred by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation during his term of office.

Rajitha and family noticed by HC

Colombo High Court today noticed Minister Rajitha Senaratne, his wife, both sons and eight others to appear in court on April 2 to inquire into a habeas corpus application seeking that a girl allegedly abducted and detained by the respondents be produced in Court.

Video: We will not hesitate to banish those who scuttle reforms - JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said yesterday that they would not hesitate to send home those who were trying to scuttle political reforms just as they sent one president home.

China looks to Maithri for better ties

Ahead of President Maithripala Sirisena's visit to China, a top Chinese official said on Monday that the leaders of the two countries would seek to further consolidate bilateral relations.

Lankan held in India

Customs officials detained a passenger, who arrived from Colombo, on charges of smuggling seven gold biscuits weighing 2.5 kg at Madurai airport on Wednesday afternoon.

Task force to seize illegal assets abroad

President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to establish a 13-member Special Presidential Task Force (SPTF) to track down and seize illegally acquired assets in other countries owned by Sri Lankans and transfer them to the government. The cabinet approval for the task force had been granted on Wednesday.

Four MPs imported ethanol sans taxes: Ravi

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament today that four members of Parliament had imported ethanol without paying taxes.

Drug kingpin Mohammed Siddique arrested

Drug kingpin Mohammed Siddique, had been arrested in Pakistan and was brought to Sri Lanka this morning, the Police said.

Circular on Tamil national anthem unconstitutional: BBS

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation today emphasised that issuing a circular to let the National Anthem be sung in the Tamil language violates the constitution.

Tea, hopper prices regulated by CAA

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has introduced a fixed-price for three food items sold at canteens. Accordingly, the price of a cup of milk tea would be Rs.25, plain tea Rs. 10 and a price of a hopper would be 10, the CAA said today.

Rohitha questioned over Rs.500mn assets

The Bribery Commission had questioned former Minister Rohitha Abeygunawaradena over his assets and liabilities this morning, sources said.

Fonseka calls on India, Pak to resolve Kashmir issue

Former Sri Lanka army chief General Sarath Fonseka on Thursday urged India and Pakistan to speedily resolve the Kashmir issue, adding that countries of the region should start behaving like neighbours.

Calf seized from a house at Kandalama

A baby elephant was removed from a house at Kandalama in Dambulla this morning by the Dambulla police.

Tissa’s petition in SC on Mar.26

The petition filed by former UNP general Secretary Tissa Attanayake against his expulsion from the UNP was today fixed for argument before a three-judge Supreme Court bench on March 26 and 27.

Police are mixing up civil and criminal cases: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that the police are mixing up civil cases and criminal cases for political ends and that we should be careful about it.

SF awarded Field Marshal title

Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka had been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal with effect from March 22, 2015 by President Maithripala Sirisena, the President’s Media Division said.

Buddhist monks from India, SL hold dialogue

Buddhist monks from India and Sri Lanka started a two-day dialogue in New Delhi beginning on Wednesday to discuss their respective spiritual traditions, values.

FB pages of MR, Wimal, Udaya attacked

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) claims the Facebook fan pages of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Provincial Councillor Udaya Gammanpila and MP Wimal Weerawansa have been subjected to a cyber-attack.

Man stabbed to death in Borella

A 39-year-old man was stabbed to death at Seewalipura in Borella last night, police said.

President has no power to grant elephants: Dy. Minister

Tourism and Sports Deputy Minister Wasantha Senanayake said yesterday that it was illegal for any president to make grants of elephants on ‘Sannas Pathraya’ as no legal provisions had been vested in them by the constitution to do so.

UNHRC chief due in June

UN Human Rights Commissioner Prince Zeid bin  Ra’ad, will visit Sri Lanka in June this year, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera informed Parliament.