Use electricity sparingly between 6pm and 10pm: CEB

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman Anura Wijepala today requested consumers to use electricity sparingly between the peak hours of 6pm and 10pm until Monday because of the breakdown at the Lakviajaya Coal Power Plant (LCPP) in Norochcholai.

285 drivers held for noise pollution

Two hundred and eighty five drivers have been held by the Environmental Police Unit of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) during a noise pollution control programme carried out recently, CEA Chairman Lal Dharmasiri said yesterday.

Motor Show 2016 commences

Land belonging to MR’s security chief dug-up

A block of land in Medamulana belonging to Major Neville Wanniarachchi, who was former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s chief security officer, was dug up using a backhoe in search of buried cash, jewellery and weapons.

Another power failure in Colombo and suburbs

A day after the four-hour countrywide blackout, another sudden power failure was reported from several areas in Colombo and its suburbs, said officials of the CEB area engineering offices.

Joint oppn. to meet EC on LG polls

Joint opposition MPs are expected to meet Elections Commissioner (EC) Mahinda Deshapriya this afternoon to urge him to hold the Local Government (LG) elections without delay, MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage said today.  

Kerry lauds SL’s efforts to address regional issues

US State Secretary John Kerry on Thursday said it was noteworthy to mention the efforts made by the Sri Lankan Government to address regional issues and most importantly to make peace in its own country.

SL could accept int'l actors in war crimes probe: Mangala

Foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Thursday he is willing to consider international participation in investigating possible war crimes during the 26-year Tamil insurgency.

Malinga hints at retirement post World T20

Lasith Malinga dropped a hint that World T20 in India in March-April could be his last as far as international cricket is concerned. 

All Blacks support for SL rugby

Visiting New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is reported to have told Telecommunication and Digital Technology Minister Harin Fernando that his government will assist to set an academy to improve Rugby in Sri Lanka.

Cycle parade for Thurstan-Isipathana big match

Magistrate orders that Sicille's jewellery be valued

Colombo chief magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya ordered the CID yesterday to obtain a valuation certificate from the National Gem and Jewellery Authority concerning the gold jewellery belonging to Sicille Kotelawala (that was kept in a safe deposit box) in order to auction it.

CFW showcases for the third day

Ven. Dhammaloka Thera files petition to avoid arrest

Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera had filed a fundamental rights petition seeking the Supreme Court to issue an Interim Order preventing the police from arresting him, allegedly for illegally keeping a baby elephant in his possession.

IUSF protest at Fort

Countrywide blackout: PM calls for report

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested the Power and Renewable Energy Ministry to submit a report to him on the countrywide power failure that lasted for about four hours today.

COPE flexes muscle: Ranjan

Raids would be conducted islandwide on corrupt officials and malpractices in Government Departments, State Committees, Banks, and State Boards, including all Government institutions soon, Social Empowerment and Welfare Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said.

Protest by trade unions at Parliament Road

GMOA to stay away from talks with govt.

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said today it would temporarily stay away from all discussions with the government until a national policy regarding international trade was formulated; the government reached a firm stance without making contradictory statements on the ECTA and back away from its hostile attitude towards the GMOA.

Yoshitha at courts

Power restored in several areas in the country

The power supplies in several areas in the country was restored, the Power and Renewable Energy Ministry said a short while ago.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall due to protest

Heavy traffic congestion was reported in most of the roads around Town Hall in Colombo because of a protest carried out by the University students, police said.  

Island-wide blackout lasting hours

The entire country plunged into total darkness following a major power failure this afternoon and the Engineers of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) were struggling to detect the cause for the breakdown.

SF Regional Development Minister

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka took oaths as the Regional Development Minister a short while ago at the Presidential Secretariat before President Maithripala Sirisena, President’s Media division announced.

Indian nabbed with Rs. 10mn worth heroin

A 26-year-old Indian was arrested with Rs.10 million worth heroin, while trying to smuggle it into the country at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning, the Police said.

Road opening: I get death threats: Asgiriya Mahanayake

Asgiriya Chapter Mahanayake Ven. Galagama Sri Atthadassi Thera said yesterday he was intimidated with death threats from various factions as he objected to the reopening of the road opposite the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy.

Thajudeen’s death appeared to be a murder: Court

Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Pieris pronounced today that the death of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen appeared to be a murder under the 296 Penal Code.

Yositha further remanded

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha and four others including Nishantha Ranatunga and Rohan Weliwita were further remanded till March 10 by the Kaduwela Magistrate Dammika Hemapala today.

Nine police transfers with immediate effect

Nine police officers including four Chief Inspectors and five Police Inspectors were transferred with immediate effect due to service requirement, the police media division said today.

Yoshitha arrives at courts

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha and four others including Nishantha Ranatunga and Rohan Weliwita, who were in remand custody, arrived at the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court a short while ago.