Yoshitha ordered to appear before FCID on May 3

Kaduwela Acting Magistrate Hemantha Wettasinghe today ordered former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha and four others, including Nishantha Ranatunga, Rohan Weliwita, who were charged with financial irregularities at the CSN, to appear before the FCID on May 03 to make statements. The Magistrate made this order when they appeared before the Kaduwela Magistrates’ Court today.  

Police fire tear gas to disperse protesting students

The Police had used water cannons and fired tear gas to disperse the medical students who were protesting near the Lotus Road in Colombo against the Private Medical University Malambe.

CV, MR instigating racism: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) alleged today certain politicians in the North and South were instigating racism in the country to cover up their inefficiencies, as a shield to the rising protest against them and to suppress the burning issues.  

Bell 206 makes “hard landing” in Hinguraggoda

Bell 206 training helicopter has made a ‘hard landing’ during a training session in Hinguraggoda this morning, Air Force said.

JR's grandson appointed SLFP Gampaha district organizer

Grandson of former President J.R Jayewardene, Pradeep Jayewardene has been appointed as Gampaha District Organizer of the SLFP by President Maithripala Sirisena today, President’s Media said.

CID concludes probe into Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera

The CID today informed court that investigation into the alleged illegal possession of an elephant by Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera at Alan Mathiniyaramaya temple in Kirulapone had been concluded and the extracts sent to the Attorney General’s Department.

Geetha removed from organizer post

Benthara – Elpitiya SLFP Organizer Geetha Kumarasinghe has been removed from the organizer post by party leader, President Maithripala Sirisena while appointing former Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Gayan Sirimanna as the Organizer of Benthara electorate and former Pradeshiya Shaba Chairman Amila Harshana Kariyawasam as the Organizer of Elpitiya electorate.

Opp. Leader should give prior notice when visiting Army camp: Ruwan

The leader of the opposition has been advised to give prior notice when visiting an army camp in the future, said State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene.

NPC wants Regional Council for hill country

Apart from the Federal structure and the re-merger of the northern and eastern provinces, the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) has proposed a separate administrative unit called ‘Upcountry Regional Council’ for Tamils living in the central part of the country, it is learnt.

Danuna goes to HRC against Wijeyadasa

Danuna Thilakaratne, the son-in-law of Minister Sarath Fonseka, today lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) against Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, claiming that the minister had refused to release the monies that were contained in his bank accounts that were frozen as a result of him being named as a suspect in a case brought against Hi-Corp, even after he was acquitted.

TNA: Sampanthan went to a private land; Not a camp

The Opposition Leader did not try to forcibly enter the army camp, but entered a private land the Army was illegally occupying in Kilinochchi, TNA Spokesman M. A Sumanthiran said today.

Thai Chief of Defence Forces calls on Ruwan

Man arrested at BIA for threatening President

A man, who was alleged to have threatened President Maithripala Sirisena in the social media, was arrested by the CID at the Bandaranaike International Airport today, Police said.    

Swedish FM declines the request of CV

The Swedish Minister of Foreign Ms. Margo Wolstorm presently on a visit to Jaffna stressed on Tuesday, that as Sri Lanka had now assumed a position of a middle income country, her country was not in a position to assist the North and East separately.

Ruwan at prefects’ guild ceremony

Rajagiriya accident: Police will decide after examining CCTV visuals

Police today told Colombo Traffic Court Magistrate that they would decide whether Minister Champika Ranawaka should be made a suspect in the accident that injured Sandeep Sampath, a motorcyclist at Rajagiriya after examining the CCTV visuals.

Election of Asgiri Chapter Anunayaka Thera postponed

The election of the new Anunayake Thera of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Nikaya was postponed indefinitely this evening.

Cabinet nod for media guidlines

The Cabinet has given green light to legalise criteria or guidelines issued by the Elections Commissioner during elections to be complied by the print and electronic media, Cabinet Spokesman Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said today.

SLC Selection Committee appointed: Jayasuriya new Chairman

Selection Committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) (2016/2017) headed by Sanath Jayasuriya has been appointed today by Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara.

Govt. cannot be toppled: President

President Maitripala Sirisena, while noting today that the Government was stable, said there was no crisis in the SLFP but only a clash between a group of ‘rogues’ and those who were committed to taking forward Bandaranaike’s policies and principles forward.

We try to protect SLFP: Joint opp.

Joint Opposition Chief Organiser and MP Dullas Alahapperuma said today that their May Day rally would be in the best interest of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) since their intention is to protect the SLFP from the United National Party (UNP) led Government.

MRIA: Govt. for a management contract with Pvt. Company

The ownership of the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport in Mattala (MRIA) and the Hambantota Port would not be handed over to private companies, a United National Party (UNP) Deputy Minister said today.  

Malinga acted against medical advice- Dr. Siri Kannangara

Injured pacer Lasith Malinga is believed to have acted against the medical advice given by another Sri Lankan doctor (now based in Australia) Siri Kannangara.

Lankan maid in Dubai steals cash, jewellery

The Dubai Public Prosecution has accused a Sri Lankan maid of robbing from her employer an estimated amount of 40,000 Dirham and jewellery, the Gulf Today reported.

Wimal’s wife at Bribery Commission

Shashi Weerawansa, the wife of former minister Wimal Weerawansa arrived at the Commission to Investigate Cases of Bribery and Corruption this morning to give a statement.

Two UN Special Rapporteurs due here

Construction of two domestic airports to commence this year

The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said yesterday that construction work on two out of four proposed domestic airports would be commenced this year in Bandarawela and Palavi.

MRIA to be privatised

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) is to be privatised within the year, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said.

UPFA to refrain from inviting MR for SLFP rally

The UPFA has decided against inviting former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the SLFP May Day rally at Galle, personally, as he continues to be-little the party’s official May Day rally, UPFA General Secretary, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Another ex LTTE leader arrested

Following the arrest of former Batticaloa LTTE leader Ram on Sunday, the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) yesterday arrested another ex -LTTE leader at Koppai in Jaffna.