Withdrawal from UN Resolution: AI calls for int’l accountability mechanism

Following Sri Lanka’s decision to withdraw from the UN Resolution, the Amnesty International (AI) today called on the Human Rights Council to establish an international accountability mechanism.

Met. Dept. extends ‘Extreme Caution’ heat advisory

The Meteorology Department today extended the heat weather advisory to ’ Extreme Caution’ level to be expected in most parts of the North-Western and Western Provinces in addition to Mannar, Galle and Matara Districts.

Statements recorded over child abuse video

The National Child Protection Authority is to record statements from individuals who had made mentions about the child abuse video which went viral on social media, sources close to the Authority said.

Ranjan’s only flaw is hiding the wig: Hirunika

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said the only flaw MP Ranjan Ramanayake had done, was hiding that he was wearing a wig.

12 released, four charged

Twelve out of 16 Kelaniya university undergraduates who were arrested in connection with the removal of newly installed CCTV cameras at the university premises were released on police bail, Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said.

Not convinced of another Commission of Inquiry in SL: HR Chief

UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet today expressed regret over the new Sri Lankan Government’s decision to withdraw from the UN Resolution 30/1 and said she was not convinced of yet another Commission of Inquiry as domestic processes have consistently failed to deliver accountability in the past.

Ministry Additional Secretary killed in accident

An additional Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Cultural Affairs was killed after he was hit by a van at Malkaduwawa in Kurunegala this morning.

President orders to stop Oil Palm cultivation

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today ordered the relevant officials to take measures to immediately stop Oil Palm (Katu Pol) cultivation in the country, the President’s Media Division said.

Removal of CCTV cameras at Kelaniya Uni.; 16 including monk arrested

Sixteen Kelaniya university undergraduates including a monk were taken into police custody in connection with the removal of newly installed CCTV cameras at the university premises, Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said.

Sajin De Vass remanded

Former MP Sajin De Vass Gunawardena was remanded till March 12 by the Colombo High Court today on charges of intimidating witnesses of a court case.

SL withdrawing from UN resolution: Canada, UK say disappointed

Canada and the UK yesterday expressed their disappointment over the decision taken by the Sri Lankan Government to withdraw from the UNHRC Resolution on Sri Lanka.

Two Lankans to undergo quarantine period in Army facility in India

Ministry of Foreign Relations said the two Sri Lankans who were evacuated from the Diamond Princess Cruise ship will undergo a quarantine period in the Army facility in Haryana, India.

Clash at Sooriyawewa Stadium: Namal wants immediate inquiry

UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa in a twitter post said that the Government must conduct an immediate inquiry into the incident that occurred at the Sooriyawewa Cricket Stadium between cricket fans and the security personnel.

White Van case: Voices match, ASG informs court

The voices of two individuals, who had been arrested over making controversial statements on ’white van abduction’ at a media briefing conducted by former minister Rajitha Senaratne, matched with the unedited video clips provided by the television channels, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate today.

PM thanks India for evacuation of two Lankans from cruise ship

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today expressed his gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating the evacuation of two Sri Lankans on board the Coronavirus-hit and quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess.

Two Sri Lankans from coronavirus-hit cruise ship land in India

A special Air India flight carrying 119 Indians and five nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru, who were on board the coronavirus-hit quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, landed in New Delhi this morning Indian media reported.

Travel ban on Namal lifted

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today lifted the overseas travel ban imposed on MP Namal Rajapaksa till July 23, 2020.

SL closely monitoring COVID-19 outbreak in new countries

The Health Ministry is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak in the new countries where the virus is fast spreading and will implement medical checks and a 14-day monitoring mechanism on nationals arriving from those countries if the situation further aggravates, a source from the Ministry told Daily Mirror yesterday.

AG seeks arrest warrant against Pilapitiya

Appearing for the Attorney General (AG), Senior Deputy Solicitor General Haripriya Jayasundera yesterday requested the Nugegoda Magistrate to issue an arrest warrant against interdicted judge Gihan Pilapitiya invoking the powers of the AG vested under Section 393 of the Criminal Procedure Code to institute criminal proceedings on his own where it appears to be a difficulty.

Immigration beef up security at BIA

In a bid to escalate the security and to counter all suspicious movements, the Department of Immigration and Emigration has set up three special surveillance units at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) recently.

Power outages could have been avoided: Ministry

A committee appointed by the Power and Energy Ministry to probe unannounced power cuts by CEB – which is suspected of sabotaging electricity supply – has submitted a report revealing power cuts on February 3 could have been avoided, Daily Mirror learns.

Is Gazette on elephant registration approved? : PCoI asks P’ment Gen. Sec.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to probe public sector political victimization yesterday issued a notice to Parliament General Secretary to submit details regarding Gazette no. 622/4 dated 1991.05.14 on Registration and Licensing of Tuskers and Elephants regulation.

Unauthorised mobile stall near Gregory Lake removed

The steps were taken by the Urban Development Authority to remove an unauthorized mobile stall near the Gregory Lake yesterday in the presence of police security of 100 personnel.

SLFP neither forms joint govt with UNP nor supports Sajith’s SJB: Dayasiri

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will neither form any joint-governments with the UNP nor support Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), SLFP General Secretary and State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said.

Sajith invites Ranil, UNP to join SJB

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa today said he had invited UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to join the Samagi Jana Balawegaya together with his party.

Sri Lanka crush West Indies by 161 runs to clinch ODI series

Sri Lanka crushed West Indies by 161 runs in the second one-day international to clinch the series in Hambantota today.

Gotabaya taking over presidency makes no change: JVP

While claiming that shifting of presidency from Maithripala Sirisena to Gotabaya Rajapaksa had made no change in the governance or the economy in the country, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today the government has neither fulfilled any of its promises nor provided any concession to the people for the last three months.

Will use duty-free vehicle to work for the poor: Saman Ratnapriya

Newly appointed UNF MP Saman Ratnapriya said on Tuesday that he would accept a duty-free vehicle with the sole objective of working for the people.

Ranjan may contest general elections under SJB: Hirunika

MP Ranjan Ramanayake might get the ticket to contest the general election under the Samagi Jana Balawegaya as he has not done anything wrong other than recording phone conversations unethically, MP Hirunika Premachandra said today.

First ever electric rail track to be built in Kandy: Ministry

The Transport Services Management Ministry had decided to build Sri Lanka’s first electric rail track in Kandy to ease the traffic in the Kandy town and suburbs.