Road accident: Lohan apologizes in court and agrees to Pay Rs. 1 Mn to settle case

Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, who was arrested and remanded for driving under the influence of liquor, causing an accident, and allegedly threatening a lawyer, publicly apologized to the lawyer in open court yesterday (09). The case, which was taken up at the Fort Magistrate’s Court regarding the threat charge, saw Ratwatte offer his apology.

Coconut smashing as religious ritual impacted due to high prices, limited availability

The rising prices of coconuts and their limited availability have impacted the performance of the ritual of smashing coconuts at key Devalayas such as Seenigama and Munneswaram. Coconut prices have increased drastically and a shortage created making it difficult for devotees to engage in the ritual of smashing them on the ground at key Devalayas and Hindu temples.

Former CCD head Nevil Silva arrested over wrongful detention of man in Ratnapura

The former Director of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), Assistant Superintendent of Police Nevil Silva, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday and is to be produced in court today.

Police hunt gunman after fatal shooting in Gampaha

Several police teams have been deployed to arrest a gunman who shot and killed a 39-year-old man travelling on a motorcycle in Gampaha last night.

High coconut prices: No Sambol, Kiri Hodi in canteens

Serving of coconut Sambol (salad made of scraped coconut meat) and Kiri Hodi (gravy made of coconut milk) has been stopped at canteens in most of the places across the country due to the high prices of coconuts in the market, according to Harshana Rukshan who is the head of All Ceylon Canteen Operators’ Association.

Lalkantha should explain his method to prevent crop damage : farmer organizations

Farmer organizations said it is imperative that the Minister of Agriculture K.D. Lalkantha should clarify his advice to the farmers on preventing animals causing crop devastation and enlighten them on the way to do it.

Conch shells including a Valampuri seized in Madampe

Several rare conch shells including a Valampuri was seized and a suspect who had them in his possession to sell them for Rs.1.5 million was arrested in Madampe during a joint raid by the STF and the Wildlife Conservation Officers last morning.

Leaving the control of crop-damaging wild animals in the hands of people unacceptable: CEJ

In response to a statement by Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha in Parliament on December 5, Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) legal advisor Ravindranath Dabare said that as a government, it is unacceptable to leave the control of animals that damage crops entirely in the hands of the people without taking appropriate action .

No move to appoint rice mill owner as national list MP

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday refuted the claim made by New Rathna Rice Mill owner Mithrapala Lankeshwara that he is to be appointed to Parliament through the National List.

No plan to lay off public service: Minister

The government has no plans to lay off the public service, but will focus instead on improving productivity, a minister said.

Teenage daughter killed in assault by drug-addict father

An individual who had assaulted to death his 14-year-old daughter and dumped the body in a toilet pit. The victim Himasha Sandaruwani was a resident of Makevita in Gampaha. The suspect, with his wife and daughter, had been living in a partly built house and his wife had been employed in a garment factory

Disabled soldier netted for heroin peddling

A former disabled soldier, who had in his possession a stock of 320 packets of heroin, was arrested by Bandarawela Division Crime Investigation Bureau during a raid on a house in Bandarawela town in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Controversial letter withdrawn following medical specialists’ protest

The controversial letter, issued by the Regional Director of Health Services in Matale, instructing medical specialists aged 60 and above to retire by December 31 was withdrawn following agitation by specialists.

Opposition flares up over Govt. reducing its representation in House Business Committee

Govt. emphasises increased opposition representation in COPA, COPE and COPF

Vehicle imports are still strictly prohibited Do not fall prey to automobile smugglers and lose both money and car: Customs warn public

Smugglers attempt to bypass Customs regulations by packing dismantled vehicles in containers

Govt. considers sweet deal on brown sugar, VAT to be removed on imports: Minister

130,000 tonnes required annually but around 70,000 tonnes produced locally

No electricity price reduction for next six months: CEB

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has decided not to change electricity tariff for six months and to go for a revision by mid this year, it was revealed yesterday.

Tourists lean out from train doors for selfies, number of accidents keep rising

Hotels, tour guides and travel agencies urged to educate visitors on such dangers

SC suspends gazette issued which increased annual excise licence fees

The licence fee (excluding Palmyra arrack) was raised from Rs.1Mn to Rs. 25Mn

Prove you have a degree, Mahinda Deshapriya challenges Speaker

Former chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya has challenged Speaker Dr. Ashoka Ranwala to prove his degree if he had claimed so.

Vote on account passed without a vote

Parliament passed the resolution on the vote on account for the first quarter of next year passed without a vote yesterday.

Damage to crops by wild animals: No legal issues over farmers taking action against wild animals within their own lands: Minister

Farmers can take any action regarding damage to crops by wild animals within their cultivated lands, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Lalkantha said yesterday. “Take any action that is possible,” he said.

Railway engines in dire need of repair since 2017 yet to be attended to - AG’s Dept.

The Auditor General’s Department has reported that 78 railway engines that need repairs have been left in the running sheds and Ratmalana Main Railway Workshop without attention for seven years since 2017.

Foreigner among six hospitalized due to Steuart hotel Fire

Six individuals including a foreigner and five police personnel were hospitalized after a fire broke out at the Steuart Hotel in the Colombo Fort area last evening, according to the police.

Govt. Analyst’s Dept. information unit dysfunctional for four months

The Central Information Unit of the Government Analyst’s Department has been non-functional for four months, hindering access to crucial reports, Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Thennakoon informed the court yesterday (05).

Maaveerar Naal commemorations: Crackdown on video sharers is akin to shooting the messenger - Additional Magistrate

The Colombo Additional Magistrate questioned how the arrest and request to remand individuals who shared videos related to recent Maaveerar Naal commemorations can be justified without first investigating those who created and uploaded the videos. The Magistrate observed that this approach is akin to “shooting the messenger.”

Govt. to name politicians who recommended issue of liquor licences

The government today assured that the list of politicians who recommended the issuance of liquor licences will be released after investigations, Chief Government Whip and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Concerns raised over shortage of several drugs in hospitals

The Health Ministry is grappling with a shortage of multiple drugs, including several essential drugs, a senior official said.

Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa claims shortage of 300 drugs

Government hospitals across the country are facing a severe shortage of more than 300 types of essential medicines, according to Medical Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa.

Half a coconut selling at Rs. 120

Due to a shortage of coconuts in the country, it is reported that half a coconut is being sold at a price between Rs. 100 and Rs. 120.