Modi arrives

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Sri Lanka early this morning and he was welcomed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Video: If this is ‘Yahapalanaya,’ may the gods have mercy on us – MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says if this is ‘Yahapalanaya’ may the gods have mercy on us.

Nepali sentenced to death

The Kandy High Court Judge Manilal Waidyatilleke sentenced to death a Nepalese National, who had been in possession pure heroin in September, 2009.

Video: Ray Wijewardene’s airplane given to AF Museum

The light aircraft found abandoned at a warehouse in Narahenpita Economic Centre was handed over to the Sri Lanka Air Force today to place it on display at the Air Force museum at Ratmalana.

SC issues notice on UNP leaders

The Supreme Court today issued notices on UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Secretary General Kabeer Hashim and other respondents through the petitioner sequent to a petition filed by former UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake against his expulsion from the party.

Skeletons of two women recovered

Skeletons of two women were recovered today from the ground floor of a two storied house at Uyankele in Panadura, the Police said.

Avant Guarde Chairman refused business travel

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today refused the Chairman H.N. Yapa Senadipathi of Avant Guarde Maritime Service (Pvt.) Ltd to go to Nigeria for business as the CID objected asserting that if the petitioner travelled to Nigeria it would hold back the on-going investigations.

Video: NEC has no powers to decide on anyone’s arrest: NFF

The National Executive Council (NEC) had no authority to decide or call for the arrest of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa or any person, the National Freedom Front (NFF) said today.

Update: Sarana remanded till March 23

Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on charges of a financial fraud, the Police said.

Three arrested with forged visas to UK

Three young men had been arrested at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport by the CID while attempting to illegally take flight to the UK on forged visa, airport officials said.

Sarana at the CID

UPFA MP Sarana Gunawardane arrived at the CID office today on being summoned to record a statement from him.

CP Councillors want Chief Minister out

Nearly 32 out of the 57 members in the UPFA-controlled Central Provincial Council today handed over affidavits to Governor Surangani Ellawala requesting that Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake be removed and UPFA councillor Thilina Bandara Tennakoon to the post.

Storming Rishard’s office: BBS monks get bail

Six Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) monks, who were alleged to have stormed Minister Rishard Bathiudeen’s office during the previous government, were ordered to be released on a surety bail of Rs.100, 000 each by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage today.

Sajin at Bribery Commission

UPFA MP Sajin de Vaas Gunawardena appeared before the Bribery Commission today to record a statement on his assets and liabilities.

Traffic restricted at Galle Face Roundabout for 15 minutes

Vehicular movement at Galle Face Roundabout, N.S.A. Roundabout on the Galle Road, Ceramic Junction, up to Regal Roundabout would be restricted from 11.00 a.m. to 11.15 a.m. today due to a traffic rehearsal, police said.

SSP Ajith Rohana transferred

SSP Ajith Rohana has been appointed as Colombo - North SSP and ASP Ruwan Gunasekara has been appointed as new police media spokesperson with immediate effect, Police Headquarters said today.

Video: Elections only after reforms: Sobitha Thera

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, who heads the National Movement for Social Justice and the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) which were instrumental in the setting up of this Government yesterday stressed the need to put in place the promised electoral reforms before declaring a general election.

Minor tremor in Polonnaruwa

A minor tremor was reported in several areas in Polonnaruwa at about 8.31 P.M. today, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

President orders release of 86 Indian fishermen

President Maithripala Sirisena today ordered the release of 86 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody as a goodwill gesture ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, Presidential Media Unit said.

UNP decides to go for General Election after April 23

The United National Party (UNP) Working Committee today unanimously decided to go for General Elections under the present system after April 23, sources said.  

SLFP wants political reforms, executive powers pruned concurrently

Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva said today the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would oppose any form of ‘urgent’ parliament Bill to curtail powers of the executive presidency and said the amendments to the executive presidency and electoral reforms should introduced simultaneously.

74 Indians arrested for overstaying their visas

In one of the major detections carried out in the recent past, the Department of Immigration and Emigration arrested 74 Indian workers who were overstaying their visas.

Ray Wijewardene’s airplane to Air Force Museum

The light aircraft found abandoned at a warehouse in Narahenpita Economic Centre will be handed over to the Sri Lanka Air Force tomorrow at the Economic Centre, the State Ministry of Defence said.

Sanga leads SL rout of Scotland

Kumar Sangakkara became the first batsman to score four consecutive one-day centuries as Sri Lanka thrashed Scotland by 148 runs in the World Cup in Hobart on Wednesday.

Birth of conjoined babies

Birth of two conjoined babies was reported today from Mahamodara Teaching Hospital in Galle. Hospital Director Dr. Priyani Senadeera who confirmed the information said the two babies were now under treatment in the intensive care unit.

Case against airplane withdrawn

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) today informed Colombo Magistrate Nishantha Pieris that no offence had been committed in the incident where a small airplane was found in the stores belonging to CSN TV Channel at Narahenpitiya and that the case would be withdrawn.

Video:​Drunk man challenges elephant in Udawalawe

Alcohol often goes hand in hand with violence, but no matter the level of intoxication most people would dare not pick a fight with an elephant.

UPFA complaints to BC against Mahendran

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP and former Minister Mahinda Amaraweera today lodged a complaint at the Bribery Commission against Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran over the alleged irregularities in the sale of Central Bank Bonds.

​UN hopes for ‘credible’ Lanka reconciliation process

Sri Lanka has a “historic opportunity” to set up a domestic reconciliation process that is “credible, accountable and on par with international norms and standards”, the UN has said.

Video: Wives of Sajin and Priyath questioned

The CID has recorded statements from wife of MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardene and wife of former Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Priyath Bandu Wickrama today over money laundering complaints against their husbands, Police said.