Not possible to mete out justice on behalf of Easter attack victims in a month or two: Minister

It is not possible to mete out justice for those who were affected by the Easter Sunday attacks within a month or two, Minister of Science and Technology Chrishantha Abeysena told Parliament yesterday.

Batalanda Commission faults JVP for acts of terrorism

The commission which looked into what is called the torture chamber in Batalanda way back in 1989 has faulted Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in addition to the then government, for engaging in severe acts of violence, during the given period.

It is regrettable that Police Chief evades arrest -Court of Appeal Judge

While dismissing the writ petition filed by Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, the Court of Appeal yesterday observed that it is regrettable that the head of the police department, who possesses extensive knowledge of the law, hid for several days to prevent his arrest and this would not only undermine the judiciary but also tarnishes the reputation of the police department.

Another tusker found dead

The carcass of a tusker was recovered yesterday from the Ihakuluwewa tank reservation in Polonnaruwa by the Diyabeduma Police.

Shooting spree continues

The shooting spree continues, with the latest incident leaving two people injured in Grandpass, Colombo, late last night. According to police, two gunmen arrived in a lorry and opened fire on the victims at Nagalagam Street.

Veddah Chief sues YouTube channel

Criticizing a recent on a programme telecast over a YouTube channel , Veddah Chief Uruvarigelage Vannila Ettho said he would take legal action against the channel.

Will Govt opt for private sector partnership for Srilankan Airlines?

Partnership with the private sector is among the multiple options for the development of the state-run SriLankan Airlines but the government has not decided on any since its focus is now on the national carrier’s debt restructuring, Daily Mirror learns.

Immigration raids another blessing festival at Nuwara Eliya: Foreign Preachers Sans Proper Documents Removed From SL

Amidst a strict ruling by the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) regarding foreign preachers entering Sri Lanka for prayer festivals sans relevant religious visas is in place, the authorities raided another congregation in Nuwara Eliya during the weekend and ordered two foreign pastors to leave country with immediate effect,the Dailymirror learns.

Too late for Ranil to talk about Batalanda now: Nalinda

Claiming that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is now too late to talk about the Batalanda Commission report, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday the government will take legal action based on the report.

Batalanda Commission report : No provision to debate a P’ment sessional paper presented 25 years ago: Ranil

Taking up a debate on a sessional paper which had been presented to Parliament nearly 25 years ago is against both Sri Lankan and global parliamentary tradition.

WNL Sponsors illumination of Thanthirimale Temple

Wijeya Newspapers Ltd will sponsor the illumination of the Thanthirimale Temple and the Chaithiya to mark the Poson festival this year.

W. M. Mendis and Co. remains shut for three months Fin. Min. rejects Excise proposal to bring Mendis back on track

The Department of Excise, the competent authority managing the liquor industry is left with no other option but to seek the Attorney General’s assistance to deal with the Rs.5.8 billion tax evading W. M. Mendis and Co.,

Underworld criminals suspected in killing of ex-prison superintendent

Sidath Dhammika, the former superintendent of Boossa Prison, was shot and killed yesterday in the Thalagaha area of Akmeemana, Galle, allegedly by underworld criminals.

Apeksha Hospital director clarifies Only two linear accelerators dysfunctional

Responding to claims made by the Government Radiology Technologists Association regarding the malfunction of three out of the five linear accelerators at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, the hospital management clarified the situation.

Sri Lankan company among entities designated by US over supply of Iranian oil to China

According to the US embassy, Marshall Islands-registered Celestite Maritime Inc. and Sri Lanka-based Marine Solution Pvt. Ltd. serve as the registered owner and technical manager of Barbados-flagged SHANNON II, which was designated for shipping Iranian oil.

Aussie man survives 100 days with Artificial heart in world’s-first success

An Australian man with heart failure has become the first person in the world to walk out of a hospital with a total artificial heart implant, The Guardian reported.

CID searches Sagala’s house to locate Ex-IGP Tennakoon

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducted a search at the house of former Parliamentarian Sagala Ratnayaka in Morawaka, Matara, on Tuesday as part of ongoing efforts to locate former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Police probe whether rape of lady doctor pre-planned

The suspect, who has a criminal history, was previously a disrobed Buddhist monk and an army deserter.

Health Professionals Up In Arms Over Alternative To ‘Kasippu’

Medical professionals have strongly opposed the Excise Department’s plan to introduce a lower-priced alcohol product calling it a move that will fuel consumption rather than curb illicit alcohol use.

Court of Appeal to rule on March 17 on Deshabandu’s arrest

The Court of Appeal yesterday fixed for March 17 to deliver its order on whether or not to issue an interim order preventing the arrest of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon in connection with the Weligama hotel shooting incident.

Proposal to offer cash to people who capture toque monkeys

Opposition MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera yesterday proposed the government to offer at least Rs. 500 or Rs. 1,000 in cash to people who capture toque monkeys as a solution to the crop damage caused by animals. >>A2

Dy. Minister says Relocate toque monkeys to an island, feed them similar to an alms-giving tradition

Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage has proposed relocating toque monkeys to an island and feeding them daily, similar to an alms-giving tradition, as a solution to the ongoing toque monkey menace that is causing significant crop damage across the country.

Authorities yet to locate Royal Park convict - AG

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court yesterday that authorities have yet to trace the whereabouts of Jude Shamantha Jayamaha, who was sentenced to death in connection with the Royal Park murder case. Therefore, the CID has launched an investigation to locate him.

No procurement guidelines followed when purchases made for MR’s official residence renovation

Startling revelations have now emerged how building materials for the renovation of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official residence have been purchased from selected suppliers on the direction of the Project Engineer Lt. Com. Aravinda of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Sri Lanka to develop two digital systems to register and authenticate its citizens

Sri Lanka is to get into a joint project with India to design and implement its own digital identity system to register and authenticate its citizens while there will be a second project to develop an electronic national identity card, it was revealed in Parliament yesterday.

Rs. 2.4 Mn spent on printing documents for wild animal census - Ministry

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation has revealed that Rs. 2.4 million has been spent on printing documents related to the upcoming census of wild animals that damage agricultural crops.

President instructs Excise to effectively regulate alcohol industry

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday instructed the Department of Excise to effectively regulate the alcohol industry in the country to increase state revenue generation, thus supporting economic growth and countering illicit liquor.

Very special to have opportunity to work with Sri Lankan govt.: Aloe Blacc

Visiting American singer and entrepreneur Aloe Blacc said it is very special to have the opportunity to work with Sri Lankan government and the National Initiative for Research and Development Commercialisation (NIRDC).

Two-month old infant abandoned on the roadside

A two-month-old male infant who had been abandoned by the roadside at Devagoda in Madampe off Ambalangoda was recovered by Ambalangoda Police yesterday morning. The infant, wrapped in a piece of cloth and left near a garden wall, was crying when the police arrived.

What lies next ?

Four former presidents are at the state ceremony to confer the ‘Sannas Patra’ on the Supreme Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithri Murthi Maha Thero which was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.