SL missing persons’ office lacks consultations: HRW

The Sri Lankan government ratified the Convention against Enforced Disappearance but in the same week created an Office of Missing Persons without promised consultations with families of the disappeared, the Human Rights Watch said today.

Ministers demand wage hike for estate workers

PM seeks separate reports from Navy and CM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested both Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed and the Navy to submit reports on the incident that took place in a school in the East where the Chief Minister had verbally abused a senior naval officer.

GMOA gives new ultimatum for TU action

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said today they had given a few more days to the government to find a solution to the issue which had arisen due to the undue intervention of the Medical Services Director in the post-Internships appointment process before their proposed trade union action on May 31.  

Protestors demand Chief Minister to make an apology

The people and Buddhist monks in the Batticaloa area held a protest today against the rebuking of a navy officer by Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed during an event held at the Sampur Maha Vidyalaya on Friday.

HC sets aside Magistrate’s order to release 15 elephants

The Colombo High Court today set aside an order given by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya to entrust the custody of 15 elephants that were kept in Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to their owners on a Rs. 30 million bond each.  

Unnatural punishment; teacher released on bail

The teacher of Anuladevi Girls’ School, Galle who had allegedly told three students of grade four to punish another student, was released on a surety bail of Rs. 100,000 by the Galle Additional Magistrate Kesara Samaradivakara today.

CM's tirade: MR urges probe

Responding to the behaviour of Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed who slandered a Navy officer at an event, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa urged a full investigation into the matter, and said insults directed at the security forces by political authorities should stop.

MR’s ex-coordinating secy. arrested with 1.1kg of gold

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s coordinating secretary Champika Karunaratne was yesterday arrested by the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) on charges of being in possession of 1.1 kilograms of gold.

Anura Senanayake in Courts

Ex-Senior DIG, Ex-Crimes OIC re-remanded till June 09

Former Western Province Senior DIG Anura Senanayake and Former Narahenpita Crimes OIC Sumith Perera were ordered to be further remanded till June 09 over the Magisterial Inquiry relating to the murder of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen by the Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris today.

Chief Minister Nazeer not allowed in military camps

Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed would not be allowed to enter military camps and the three forces would not participate in functions attended by the Chief Minister, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said.  

Horowpathana OIC's wife, daughter stabbed

The 46-year-old wife and the 20-year-old daughter of Horowpathana Police OIC had been stabbed by his son-in-law last night at their residence in Galenbindunuwewa, Anuradhapura, Police said.

Unity vital in serving victims: MR

Former President and Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa said in Parliament yesterday that all persons should act in unison rather than hurling allegations against each other to serve the victims of natural catastrophes.

Damage to antique Buddha statue: JO calls for inquiry

The Joint Opposition (JO), today, called for an inquiry into how a valuable bronze Buddha statue belonging to the Anuradhapura era had been damaged after it was taken to Temple Trees to grace an exposition of relics.

Alleged money laundering by MR’s bodyguards: CID to peruse bank accounts

Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris, today, permitted the CID to peruse the records of 72 commercial banks and financial institutions in connection with the inquiry, conducted under the Money Laundering Act, into the actions of three of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's bodyguards -- Wanniarachchige Neville, Tissa Wimalasena and Gomin Ranasinghe.  

Habarana elephant attack: Ukrainian tourist attempted to take photograph: Official

The Ukranian national who had been killed by a wild elephant’s attack in Habarana had attempted to take a photograph with the elephant, the Wildlife Conservation Department said today.

EP Governor rejects allegations

Commenting on the allegations made by Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed alleging that Eastern Province Governor Austin Fernando did not know the protocol and frequently undermining the Chief Minister’s authority in the Province and interfering in his work, Mr. Fernando said he was a protocol minded man and thus respected everybody.

Helping the affected

Defence Sec. briefs President over EP CM incident

Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachci today said he had briefed President Maithripala Sirisena regarding the incident, where Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed allegedly rebuked a naval officer.

Granted bail…

GMOA to strike across the country except in disaster-hit areas

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) today decided to go on strike next Tuesday (31) in all government hospitals in the country except in disaster-hit districts, against the ‘arbitrary action’ of the Medical Services Director (MSD) of the Health Ministry.

Navy wants action against EP CM Nazeer

The navy today handed a report to the Defence Ministry requesting action be taken against Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed for allegedly rebuking a naval officer at an event at the Sampur Maha Vidyalaya on Friday.

President leaves for Japan

President Maithripala Sirisena left for Japan a short while ago to participate in the G7 Summit to be held on May 26 and 27.

FSP front-liners Jagoda, Kuruwita get bail

Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Propaganda Secretary Pubudu Jagoda and Central Committee Member Sujith Kuruwita were released by the Maligakanda Magistrate Court today with two sureties of Rs. 100,000 each.  

Minister Harin makes a public apology

Telecommunication and Digital Technology Minister Harin Fernando apologised in Parliament today over the use of obscene language against Joint Opposition MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

Nalin and Channa summoned by PRECIFAC

Well-known dancer Channa Wijewardane and popular singer Nalin Perera have been asked to report to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) on May 27 to record their statements on the monies paid to them for their performances at the opening ceremony of the Hambantota Harbour.

FSP front-liners Jagoda and Kuruwita arrested

Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Propaganda Secretary Pubudu Jagoda and Central Committee Member Sujith Kuruwita were arrested by the Maradana Police today.

Helicopter damaged during take off

A Bell 206 helicopter was damaged during takeoff in Hingurakgoda SLAF Camp, Air Force Spokesman Group Captain Chandima Alwis said.

Vehicle permits for public servants in executive category

The Cabinet yesterday approved a paper to give vehicle permits for public servants in the executive category, Cabinet sources said.