Cassilingham challenges Jaffna candidates to declare no involvement in liquor licenses

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Politburo member Geethanath Cassilingham, who is contesting the upcoming General Election from the Jaffna District, today challenged his co-candidates to prove they have never solicited or mediated liquor licenses.

Five DIGs including CID chief transferred: Ampavila to lead CID

The National Police Commission has transferred five Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), including DIG Rohan Premaratne, who was overseeing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Damitha removed from SJB’s Ratnapura nominations list

Actress Damitha Abeyratne, who claimed that she will contest the general elections from the Ratnapura District, has not been included in the nominations list of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in the Ratnapura District.

Nomination papers submitted...

Nomination papers were handed over by recognised political parties and independent groups at their respective dsitrict offices to contest the 2024 General Elections. Representatives of the political parties handed over their nomination papers at the District Secretariat, Narahenpita to contest the Colombo District. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Minor floods in Kalutara, Ratnapura

Heavy rains experienced in the Kalutara and Ratnapura districts have resulted in the overflow of the Kalu Ganga creating a minor flood situation in the low lying areas.

Elon Musk unveils two-door robotaxi

Elon Musk showcased a robotaxi with two gull-wing doors and no steering wheel or pedals at a splashy event on Thursday and added a robovan to the roster as Tesla’s goal shifts from low-priced mass-market automaker to robotics manufacturer.

Gunmen kill at least 20 miners in Pakistan

Gunmen have killed at least 20 people at a coal mine in Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan, according to local police.

18 passengers hospitalised after bus accident

A total of 18 persons have been injured following a bus accident in the Utuwankanda area on the Kandy-Colombo main road, police said.

Former Deputy Minister W.B. Ekanayake dies at 76

Former Anuradhapura district MP and Deputy Minister W.B. Ekanayake passed away at the age of 76.

Welipanna interchange closed due to floods

The entrance of the Welipanna interchange on the Southern Expressway has been closed due to a minor flood situation around the area, the Road Development Authority said.

In memory of late schoolmates

Students of Colombo International School (CIS) held a walk this morning in memory of their late school mates, including the female student who tragically fell from the Lotus Tower recently. The silent walk began at Independence Square and ended at the school. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Shani appointed as Director Crimes of SL police

Former Director CID, SSP Shani Abeysekera has been appointed Director of Crimes of Sri Lanka Police.

Nomination period for General Election ends today

The accepting of nominations for the 2024 General Election which commenced on October 4, will conclude today (11) at 12 noon.

CMC continues removal of high-risk trees in Colombo

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) yesterday said that it is still in the process of identifying trees that pose a risk to the public within the CMC areas and the trees already flagged as high-risk by the police and the public, are currently being removed.

More key politicians back out from contesting General Election

More key political figures have backed out from contesting the November 14 General Election, marking an end to their parliamentary careers and paving way for the new Parliament to have new faces representing the political parties.

Resigned Cey-Nor Chairman complains to police over Piyal Nishantha’s threats

The former Chairman of Cey-Nor Foundation Dr. Dulan Hettiarachchi who resigned last March owing to alleged threats by former Fisheries State Minister Piyal Nishantha has lodged a complaint with the police yesterday owing to the continuing threats.

Colombo Excise seize Rs.7.5Mn worth devil’s brew from Muthurajawela swamp

Colombo Excise Station busted a major illicit liquor manufacturing distillery carried out in the depths of Muthurajawela swamp and seized a large quantity of Kasippu worth over Rs.7.5 million yesterday.

PM seeks Thai help to rescue Sri Lankans in Myanmar’s cybercrime zone

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today requested the Thailand Government to assist the Sri Lankan government in rescuing the Sri Lankans still held in the cyber crimes area in the Myawaddy district in Myanmar.

Over 150mm rain likely tomorrow

Due to the development of atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of the country, heavy showers above 150mm are likely in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts in the next 24 hours, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department said.

Reappointment of Shani Abeysekera to police service approved

The Police Commission has approved the reappointment of former SSP Shani Abeysekera to the Police service on a one-year contract, effective from today (10 October).

SriLankan flight to Riyadh encounters technical issue: Returns safely

SriLankan Airlines said that Flight UL 265 from Colombo to Riyadh safely returned to Colombo as a precautionary measure after encountering a technical issue mid-flight.

Written approval required for publishing President’s photographs

Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, has directed all government institutions to obtain written approval from the Presidential Secretariat prior to displaying the President’s photographs or messages on commemorative plaques or in designated celebration areas for various events.

11,000 acres from Kantale sugar company allocated to farmers

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to allocate 11,000 acres of land, owned by the Kantale Sugar Company, to farmers for short-term crop cultivation.

Sri Lanka Air Force receives $19 Mn Beechcraft from US

The US government yesterday officially handed over a Beechcraft King Air 360ER, valued at $19 million, to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) for maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue operations.

Ruwan to contest Gampaha from New Democratic Front

United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader and Gampaha District Leader Ruwan Wijewardene is to contest the General Elections under the gas cylinder symbol of the New Democratic Front.

Air Force receives Beechcraft from US

The US government has officially handed over a Beechcraft King Air 360ER, valued at $19 million, to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) for maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue operations. The SLAF inducted the aircraft during a ceremony attended by Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, Admiral Stephen Koehler, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet and Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Udeni R

Bribery Commission gets new Director General

M.R.Y.K. Udawela has been appointed as the new Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

NPP’s national list includes candidate representing differently-abled community

For the first time in Sri Lankan history, the National People’s Power (NPP) has included a candidate representing the differently-abled community in its National List for the general election.

Pakistan’s Fatima Sana to leave Women’s T20 World Cup after father passes away

Fatima Sana is to depart from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after the passing of her father.

Israeli strike kills 28 sheltering in a school in central Gaza

An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people in central Gaza killed at least 28 people, including women and children, on Thursday, while three hospitals in the north were told to evacuate putting patients’ lives at risk, medics say.