Vegetable prices set to rise due to inclement weather

Inclement weather conditions that are prevailing in Sri Lanka currently will increase vegetable prices, a trader in the Manning Market said yesterday.

Govt. to fast-track bond scam probe under new unit: Minister

Claiming that some major scams including Central Bank Bond scam are in the hands of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said yesterday the newly established Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division would facilitate and expedite investigations into such major financial crimes.

Man arrested with intoxicant tablets valued Rs.100Mn smuggled from India

A consignment of more than 359,000 intoxicant tablets was seized in transit, and a suspect was arrested during a raid at Mandimuruppu yesterday.

The end of Socialism in Sri Lanka

Anura Kumara Dissanayake became the pallbearer at the funeral of Socialism in Sri Lanka. In the coffin lay the Communist Party, LSSP, NLSSP, MEP — and the JVP itself.

Adverse weather conditions destroy vegetable cultivations

Additional reports by Prasad Rukmal and Ramesh Madushanka Rains coming down in torrents has destroyed vegetable cultivations in the Badulla District, it was reported yesterday.

Govt. still uncertain on KKS Port development under US $ 62 million Indian grant

Despite the offer of over US $ 62 million grant by India, the government has not yet firmed up its decision on the development of the Kankesanthurai Port, an official said yesterday.

Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division to begin operations

The Sri Lanka Police are to set up a new unit, Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division (PCID), to investigate property acquired through criminal activities, today.

Heavy rain to lash island till month-end

The adverse weather condition is expected to continue across most parts of the country until the end of the month, the Department of Meteorology said.

No legal action yet in 12-year-old National Museum artefact theft

Twelve years after the theft of 221 valuable artefacts from the Colombo National Museum, the case remains unresolved, with the Attorney General’s Department yet to file charges against the accused, according to the latest

Lal Kantha says he holds no educational certificates

23,000 MT of imported salt held at port over quality and deadline violations

A stock of 22,950 metric tons of imported salt, valued at over Rs. 910 million, has been detained by Sri Lanka Customs after being found non-compliant with national standards and imported after the government’s permitted

Government MP influencing judiciary is a serious matter: Opposition MP

The statement by government MP Lakmali Hemachandra, asking to prevent the implementation of an order given by the judiciary, is a serious matter and amounts to influencing the judiciary, Opposition MP Kavinda Jayawardena said

Police probe after flower garland found on photo of Mirihana Police female OIC

A special police investigation has been launched into an unusual incident where a flower garland was found placed around a photograph of Chief Woman Police Inspector Varuni Keshala Bogahawatta, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of

Russian ‘cancer vaccine’ still in early stages: SL health authorities

Sri Lankan Health authorities have cautioned against sensational claims surrounding Russia’s so-called cancer vaccine ‘Enteromix’, saying it remains at a pre-clinical stage and has yet to prove its effectiveness through scientific

Sewwandi hid for three months in Matugama and Middeniya under female bodyguard protection

Ishara Sewwandi, the suspect accused of disguising herself as a lawyer and supplying the revolver used in the courtroom assassination of underworld figure “Ganemulla Sanjeewa”, had spent three months in hiding in Matugama and Middeniya under the protection of female bodyguards, before she left for Nepal, police investigations have revealed.

Engineer abandoned Port Access Elevated Highway project to drag 2 more years

Much delayed Port Access Elevated Highway (PAEH) which was planned to ease Colombo’s major traffic is to delay for nearly two more years with the Engineer abandoning the site on October 1 without any notice.

CMC declares emergency amid conflicting weather reports

Confusion reigned with regard to the weather, with Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) declaring an emergency disaster response period while the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Department of Meteorology stated that they had not issued any special warnings.

Several Coast Guard ships remain inactive for years, Audit finds

An audit report has revealed that several Sri Lanka Coast Guard vessels remain inactive for years, while others await costly repairs or disposal.

CID ordered to verify quality of creams marketed by Piumi Hansamali

Colombo Additional Magistrate Nuwan Kaushalya today directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to obtain a report from the Government Analyst regarding the quality standards of cosmetic creams distributed island wide by Lolliya Skin Care (pvt) Ltd. A business owned by actress and model Piumi Hansamali.

Almost 25 percent of Sri Lanka’s population will be above 60 by 2041

Within the next decade almost 25 percent of Sri Lankans will be above the age of 60, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said, addressing the issue in Sri Lanka’s population growth decline that has been consistent for the past few years.

Injection for whitening? There’s no such thing: Experts

Dermatologists warned that no country including Sri Lanka, has ever approved or registered any injection or multivitamin for skin whitening.

Even corrupt institutions invite me to lecture on integrity,’ says Bribery Chief

Institutions that have already been labelled as corrupt often invite me to deliver lectures on integrity, says Justice Ranga Dissanayake, the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Sewwandi fled by boat, spent three weeks in India before reaching Nepal

Police investigations have revealed that Ishara Sewwandi, the main suspect in the murder of organized crime figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa, fled Sri Lanka by boat from Jaffna and spent about three weeks in India before travelling to

Limited export base restrains Sri Lanka from fully benefiting from EU’s GSP+ scheme

Sri Lanka’s limited export diversification and narrow production base have constrained the country from fully capitalizing on the benefits of the GSP+ (Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus) trade facility with the European

US advises increased caution in Sri Lanka

The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory advising its citizens to exercise increased caution when travelling to Sri Lanka due to unrest, terrorism, and landmines.

Policeman welcomed by supporters after release

The policeman accused of assaulting an attorney-at-law at the Mount Lavinia Court premises is seen being welcomed by people gathered outside the court after his release on bail yesterday.

Police say attorney Wanninayaka evading investigation after failing to give statement

The Police yesterday informed Mt. Lavinia Magistrate Pasan Amarasena that they had launched an investigation against Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake, the President of the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court Bar Association, over allegations of verbally abusing and threatening a policeman who was on duty within court premises on October 10.

Mahinda, Maithripala ask for bullet proof vehicles back

The Ministry of Public Security is reviewing requests by former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena to return bulletproof vehicles previously allocated to them, Minister Ananda Wijepala told the Daily Mirror.

Motorist gets judge’s sympathy

A motorist who allegedly blocked a High Court judge’s vehicle, used obscene language, and threatened him was released after the judge personally intervened, police said.

Govt. agrees for a PSC to probe container clearance drama

The Government has agreed to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to probe the clearance of 323 red labelled containers from the port.