Suwa Seriya name, logo to be changed: Harsha

Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva today sounded an alarm over a move to change the name and logo of the Suwa Seriya ambulance service.

Main conspirator behind Easter Sunday attacks identified: Kariapper quotes Ravi Seneviratna

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) MP Nizam Kariapper said that Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratna has revealed that the main conspirator behind the Easter Sunday bomb attacks has been identified.

Vehicle imports surge – Less takers

Vehicle importers have reported a slowdown in demand for new vehicle purchases following a surge in imports over the past several months. They said the influx of vehicles brought in to meet pent-up demand after years of restrictions has now led to a cooling-off period, as the initial rush of buyers have subsided.

Wildlife Office to be established at Mattala Airport

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of a dedicated Wildlife Department office at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Hambantota.

New number plates to include seven safety features: Bimal

The new vehicle number plates will include seven safety features and six features have already been accredited by the Moratuwa University, Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake said today.

Huge scam in driving licence printing: Minister

A huge scam has been uncovered in the printing of driving licences by a single private company for more than two decades, Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

Threat of power cuts looms?

The country is at risk of facing power cuts and potential instability following the Electricity Engineers’ Union’s decision to suspend all work regulations from 4:15 p.m. yesterday, intensifying its ongoing trade union action, Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance Convener Ananda Palitha warned.

WARNING! Mafia Running Schools Rugby

Zahira College’s Chairman of the Board of Governors, Fouzul Hameed, has issued a passionate warning against what he described as a growing “school rugby mafia”, accusing a handful of elite schools of monopolising the sport, poaching players, showing no ethics, no values and focusing only on winning trophies - destroying the true purpose of school sports.

Supreme Court upholds death sentence on Julampitiye Amare

The Supreme Court today upheld the death sentence imposed by the Tangalle High Court on Geeganage Gamage Amarasiri, alias ‘Julampitiye Amare,’ who was found guilty of killing two individuals and injuring another in 2012 at Katuwana, Hambantota.

Strict Sri Lankan vegetarian passenger dies on board Qatar Airways

A Southern California cardiologist flying Qatar Airways from Los Angeles to Sri Lanka was denied the vegetarian meal he had ordered, then died after choking on a piece of food while attempting to “eat around” the meat in meal he was given instead, according to his grieving family, The Independent UK reported.

Govt. doubles down on action against religious fanaticism

In response to growing concerns over the spread of distorted and misleading versions of the four major religions, the government has taken steps to prevent such misinterpretations by various fringe groups.

Three women killed, one injured in accident in Gampola

A tragic incident occurred in the Doluwa area of Gampola today (06), where three women observing Poya Day were killed in a collision with a motor vehicle.

Sri Lanka ready for investment in offshore oil, gas extraction

Sri Lanka is ready to complete the selection of a marketing consultant this week to proceed with calling for bids for commercial extraction of offshore natural oil and gas reserves in the Mannar basin soon, an informed source said.

Harsha raises concerns on Central Expressway contract

Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) Harsha De Silva raised concerns on the new contract for the construction of the Central Expressway, claiming that negotiations with neither the contractor (MCC) on their claims nor with China EXIM Bank on terms and conditions on the reduced USD 500 million facility have been completed.

Fuel station to be established on Delft island for the first time

An agreement was reached today with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to establish a fuel station on Delft Island for the first time in history, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister and Leader of the House, Bimal Ratnayake said.

Ask government if situation is good: Ranil

Commenting on whether the present government follows his policies, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that those in the government should answer this question.

Fresh probes on Thajudeen launched based on Manamperi’s disclosures: Nalinda

Fresh investigations into the death of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen have been launched based on the disclosures made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) local politician Sampath Manamperi, who was remanded over a drug case, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

NPP refutes President visiting ’’Puwakdandawe Sana’s’’ home

Refuting allegations by former MP Wimal Weerawansa, the National People’s Power (NPP) said that the NPP has no political connection with recently arrested ’’Puwakdandawe Sana’’ as claimed by Weerawansa.

Maheepala Herath’s hotel on tank reservation demolished

The hotel belonging to former North-Central Province Governor Maheepala Herath, situated on the Peramiyankulama tank reservation, was demolished on the orders of the Divisional Secretary in keeping with the ongoing demarcation of tank reservations in the Anuradhapura district.

Water aerodrome opens at Beira Lake to resume flights between Colombo and Katunayake

Cinnamon Air’s demonstration flight to reinstate Beira Lake as a Water Aerodrome departed from Katunayake International Airport and touched down at the Cinnamon Lakeside Pier on Beira Lake today, under the patronage of Hon. Bimal Ratnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports & Civil Aviation, bringing domestic air connectivity right into the heart of Colombo city.

Bribery probe in progress against Kumara Jayakody; legal action if Commission decides

Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake said yesterday that he would institute legal action against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody over charges against him, depending on the Commission’s conclusion.

Don’t jump the gun over Thajudeen’s death: Mahinda Jayasinghe tells Namal

Claiming that Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa’s excitement on fresh investigations into the death of Wasim Thajudeen is suspicious, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe urged Namal Rajapaksa not to panic and jump the gun.

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Chief Security Officer arrested

Neville Wanniarachchi, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested a short while ago after arriving at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Drug addiction on the rise, prisons overflow

Sri Lanka is facing increasing challenges with drug addiction and prison overcrowding. Authorities are struggling to provide effective rehabilitation for the growing number of people affected by substance abuse.

Crimes like Thajudeen’s murder not committed by Siripala or Gnanaratnam in the village: Bimal

Crimes like the murder of Wasim Thajudeen were not committed by Siripala or Gnanaratnam in the village, but by rulers who governed the country, Minister Bimal Ratnayake said today.

Teacher assaulted by student in Moneragala

A teacher of a leading school in Moneragala town was assualted by a Grade Elevan student today and was hospitalised.

Father lodges complaint after son suffers brain damage in Colombo Swimming Club pool

The father of an eight-year-old boy has lodged a complaint against the Colombo Swimming Club, alleging negligence after his son fell into the pool and suffered brain damage.

Nine months on: US $3.7Bn Sinopec investment in limbo

Despite the lapse of nine months since the signing of the MoU, the government is yet to finalise the proposed US $3.7 billion investment by China’s Sinopec for a refinery facility in Hambantota, the Daily Mirror learns.

Fuel prices reduced: Ceypetco announces new rates

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has announced a revision in fuel prices with effect from midnight today.

Police reveal fresh information in Thajudeen murder case

Police today (30) confirmed that Anura Vidanagamage, alias “Kajja”, who was recently shot dead along with his two children in Middeniya, had been in the vehicle that followed the late rugby player Wasim Thajudeen’s car moments before his death.