UNP ready to work with SJB in Parliament: Ruwan

Newly appointed United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today he was prepared to work with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) when it came to the activities in the opposition.

No crude oil leakage from Oil Tanker: Govt. Analyst

The Government Analyst’s Department has confirmed that there was no leakage of crude oil from the MT New Diamond Oil Tanker which caught fire off Sangamankanda Point recently, Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura said today.

Committee studying 20A hands over report to PM

The report of the Committee appointed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to study the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, was handed over to the Prime Minister today.

Motorcycles, three-wheelers entering Colombo requested to use bus lane

Police today requested all motorcyclists and three-wheelers entering Colombo City to use only the left lane or the Bus Priority Lane tomorrow.

Sivajilingam detained for questioning

Former MP and Northern Provincial Council member M.K. Sivajilingam was detained by the Kopai Police to record a statement, Police said.

Rishad, Kiriella arrive at Police Unit of PCoI on Easter Sunday attacks

Former Ministers Rishad Bathiudeen and Lakshman Kiriella arrived at the Police Unit attached to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday attacks to give a statement this morning.

SJB urges Govt. to withdraw the gazetted 20A

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today urged the government to withdraw the gazetted 20th Amendment to the Constitution as it had already created issues within the government itself and to bring in a new legislation to rectify the technical issues in the 19th Amendment

Demerit Points System for driving licenses soon: State Minister

The Transport Ministry is to introduce the driving licence including the Driver Improvement Points which was known as Drivers’ Demerit Points System in the future, State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama said

Ruwan Wijewardene elected Deputy Leader of UNP

Former State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene was elected Deputy Leader at a secret ballot today.

Kidneys that whisper death

A flute version of Beethoven’s ‘Für Elise’ was echoing from a distance, indicating the hour of the choon paan vehicle. The young and the old alike had arrived at the roadside to purchase an evening snack. Harmonising the background noise was the chatter of few women walking back home from an evening bath. We were in Galenbindunuwew

Goods Receiving Officer at Parliament supply unit remanded over bribe

The Goods Receiving Officer at the Parliament Supply and Service unit, who was arrested yesterday by the Bribery Commission officials at Kaduwela while soliciting a bribe of Rs.60,000 from a food supplier, was remanded till September 18.

Filipino seaman dies in a boiler explosion; mission underway to control the fire

A Filipino seaman, onboard the MT New Diamond, an oil tanker caught on fire while sailing 38 nautical miles off Sangamankanda Point east of Sri Lankan seas yesterday morning, had died in a boiler explosion, the Navy said.

229 stranded Lankans in Nepal, Israel arrive

Two special SriLankan Airlines flights carrying 229 Sri Lankans stranded in Nepal and Israel due to COVID- 19, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake last night.

Too early to re-open airports: Minister

The Government is still studying the possibility of reopening Sri Lankan airports, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Ex-CID Director Shani Abeysekara, SI Mendis further remanded

Former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekara and Sub Inspector (SI) Mendis further remanded till September 17 by Gampaha Magistrate’s Court today.

Cabinet to pause vehicle imports, decides to repair 4116 state vehicles

The Cabinet has decided to temporarily suspend the import of vehicles for a period of one year as there is a sufficient stock prevailing in the country to meet requirements, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Two killed, two injured in accident at Navinna

Two individuals were killed and two others injured when a car crashed into a Bo-tree at the Navinna Junction on the High Level Road early this morning, Police said today.

Lack of supervision by top brass in Police Department: Chamal

New State Minister of Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management Chamal Rajapaksa said yesterday a significant lack of supervision by the higher officials can be observed in the Police force.

553,000 Sri Lankans addicted to drugs: Justice Minister

Justice Minister Ali Sabry said yesterday 553,000 Sri Lankans were addicted to drugs. Speaking at a function held at Viyangalla in Kalutara, Minister Sabry assured that measures would be taken to eradicate the drug menace from the country.

Referendum not needed for 20A: AG

The Attorney General had advised the Justice Ministry Secretary that the draft of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution did not attract the holding of a referendum in terms of Article 83 of the Constitution, AG’s Coordinating Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said.

23 kgs of heroin recovered in Sapugaskanda

At stock of 23 kilograms of heroin was recovered in Sapugaskanda area today, the Police said.

ILLEGAL AUSTRALIAN DRUG REHAB

To have received her son’s death certificate on the day she brought him to the world — exactly 37 years ago — was the hardest experience for British national Maryanne India Beare.

‘Kudu Ruwan’ arrested over drug trafficking

An accomplice of drug trafficker Ranjith Kumara alias ’Kondaya’ was arrested for allegedly involved in drug trafficking network.

Three-wheeler driver arrested with two kilos of cannabis

A three-wheeler driver was arrested with two kilos of cannabis valued at Rs.500,000 at Dharmarama Road in Ratmalana today, the Mt.Lavinia Police said.

Will get the cost of living reduced: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said steps will be taken to reduce the cost of living by implementing the decisions which were taken based on stable policies.

640 stranded Sri Lankans return from Kuwait, Qatar & UAE

A total of 640 Sri Lankans, who were stranded in Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the Corona-19 pandemic, arrived in the country this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake.

AG has no power to decide on Premalal attending Parliament sittings: Vasu

While claiming that the Attorney General had no power to decide on Premalal Jayasekara attending Parliament sittings, Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said today it should be decided by the Speaker and Parliament.

Anuruddha Sampayo and three prison officers granted bail

Former Negombo Prison Superintendent Anuruddha Sampayo and three prison officers, who were taken into the CID custody, were granted bail by the Negombo Magistrate Court today.

Three Nigerians, two Lankans arrested over fraud

Three Nigerians and two Sri Lankans have been arrested by the Prevention of Organized Crimes Division at Mount Lavinia yesterday.

Podi Lassi’s accomplice arrested with stock of weapons

The STF has arrested an accomplice of organized criminal Janith Madusanka de Silva alias ’Podi Lassi’ with a stock firearms and ammunition at a house at Wathugedara in Ambalangoda.