Grade 5 scholarship exam

Grade five scholarship examination was held this morning countrywide examination centres. Students are seen entering in to the examination centers accompanied by their parents. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Principal transferred for asking students to lick and clean littered rice

The principal of Matara Godauda Maha Vidyalaya, who is said to have told a group of students to use their tongues to clean the littered rice on the table after the children had finished their lunch, has been transferred from the school with immediate effect.

Cadet officers pass out in grand ceremony

President Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in the 97th Passing out Parade of the cadet officers of the Diyatalawa Military Academy today. Three hundred and fifty-one (351) cadet officers who completed their training at the Diyatalawa Military Academy were commissioned at the passing out ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Two dead bodies found In Wellampitiya, Kalawana

The police have launched investigations after unidentified corpses of two males were found in two separate locations, one was found floating in Kelani River and other from Kalawana yesterday.

Police raid party in Bentota; 30 arrested with ICE

At least 30 persons have been arrested with ICE during a raid conducted at a holiday bungalow in Bentota yesterday.

Stamps, coins exhibition at Public Library

A three-day exhibition of vintage stamps, coins, currency notes and first-day covers was commenced on Friday at the Public Library in Colombo. the exhibition will be held till today (18). The event was organized by the Sri Lanka Independent Philatelic Association. Several stamps and other vintage articles are also exhibited and sold at this exhibition. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

World Cup: Croatia beat Morocco to seal third-place finish

Croatia have won the third place play-off and are now the owners of a silver and a bronze medal. They beat Morocco 2-1 in the third-place play-off at Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar.

Sri Lanka, Mauritius banks open rupee trade accounts

After Russia, banks from Sri Lanka and Mauritius have also opened special rupee trading accounts in local branches in New Delhi. So far 18 foreign banks have opened special rupee Vostro accounts with 11 local bank branches in India, sources in the Indian commerce ministry said.

No evidence of space aliens so far in the Pentagon’s UFO deep-dive

The Pentagon’s new push to investigate reports of UFOs has so far not yielded any evidence to suggest that aliens have visited Earth or crash-landed in US, senior military leaders said on Friday.

Schaffter’s death: Statements recorded from 23 people

Statements have been recorded from 23 people so far by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) in connection with the death of businessman and director of Janashakthi Group Dinesh Schaffter, Police said.

Over 150mm rain forecast in Eastern Province: Met. Dept.

Heavy rainfall above 150mm could be expected in the Eastern province and 100mm rain in the Uva and Central Provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambanthota districts due to the low atmospheric disturbance in the area over Southeast Bay of Bengal, the Metrology Department said.

Two fold increase in dengue cases than past year

The number of dengue cases recorded this year has almost doubled compared to last year, the Federation of Health Professionals President Ravi Kumudesh said.

Two youths killed in train tragedy in Dehiwala

Two youths aged 22 were killed and another one injured when they were knocked down by a train at the Dehiwala Railway Station today.

Grade 5 scholarship examination tomorrow: Exam. Dept.

The grade five scholarship examination for the year 2022 will be held tomorrow, the Examinations Department said.

Price of bread reduced by Rs. 10: Bakery Owners

The price of a 450gm loaf of bread will be reduced by Rs. 10 with effect from midnight today, All Island Bakery Owners’ Association announced.

Sri Lanka should maintain good relations with all countries: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka should adopt a non-aligned foreign policy in dealing with the international community, as an island nation.

75 arrested with drugs near schools

Police have arrested 75 individuals during a drug raid carried out near 122 schools in the Western Province, police said.

Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne promoted to the rank of Admiral

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, promoted Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne to the rank of Admiral effective from today.

Cricketer Danushka allowed to move house in Australia

Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka will settle into life in Sydney after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman multiple times, a court has heard, The Weekend Australian reported.

Easter Sunday attacks: Court orders to lay by cases against Ranil and proceed against Maithri

The Negombo District Court yesterday ordered to lay by the cases filed against President Ranil Wickremesinghe by the next of kin of those who have died and those who were injured during the suicide bomb blast that took place at St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo.

Tourist arrivals for December 01-13 cross 30,000 mark

The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka for the first two weeks have crossed the 30,000 mark, bringing the total number of international visitors entering the country to 658,210.

Kollupitiya accident: Driver released on bail

The 26-year old driver of the Mercedes car, Mohammad Ryzul Rizzaq, who was remanded over the fatal accident in Kollupitiya, was released on bail today.

Alleged murder of businessman Dinesh Schaffter: Travel ban imposed on Brian Thomas

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued an order preventing former English cricket commentator Brian Thomas from leaving the country in connection with investigations into the murder of Chairman of Janashakti Insurance Company Chairman Dinesh Schaffter.

Alleged kidney racket: Western Hospital files writ petition against health authorities

While denying any involvement with organ trafficking or the smuggling of organs, the Western Infirmary Hospital has filed a writ petition in Court of Appeal challenging the Health Ministry’s decision to temporarily suspend organ transplantation surgeries at the hospital.

Petitions against Presidential Pardon granted to Duminda Silva to be heard on February

Three Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the legality of the Presidential Pardon granted to former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva were yesterday fixed for argument by Supreme Court.

Fmr President Media DG Sudewa Hettiarachchi arrested

Sudewa Hettiarachchi, the Director General of Presidential Media during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency, has been arrested over traffic violation in Kandy.

Security at Borella Cemetery handled by Rakna Lanka and not CMC

Security of Borella Cemetery where businessman Dinesh Schaffter was found tied in his car is being handled by Rakna Lanka, an official from Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said today.

Applications called for youth representatives to 17 Sectoral Oversight Committees

Applications have been called to select youth representatives to represent the Sectoral Oversight Committees to be established in Parliament, Communications Department of Parliament said.

Dinesh Schaffter informs Secretary he was scheduled to meet Brian Thomas; probe reveals

The initial investigation into the death of businessman and director of Janashakthi Group, Dinesh Schaffter has revealed that Schaffter had been planning to meet former cricket presenter Brian Thomas yesterday. According to the police, Scaffter’s secretary had informed this in the statement.

Some members of my own party oppose me for criticizing President: Hirunika

Some members from my own party are unhappy with me for criticizing President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former MP and Head of Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya Hirunika Premchandra said today.