HC serves indictments on Rajitha, Rumi

Colombo High Court today served indictments on MP Rajitha Senaratne and former State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Chairman Mohammad Rumi over the ‘white van’ press conference case.

Kush worth Rs.2.2mn seized

Customs officials seized 222 grams of Kush cannabis with a street value of over Rs. 2.2 million today.

Pujith arrives at PCoI

Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing political victimization a short while ago.

Dinesh as Leader of House, Johnston as Chief Govt. Whip

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane today announced Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardane as the Leader of the House while Minister Johnston Fernando as the Chief Government Whip

More SJB MPs want Ranil to enter Parliament

Two more Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs yesterday called for the appointment of former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Parliament though the solitary national list slot which the UNP had received at this year’s general election.

Cabinet appoints Ministerial committee to draft new constitutional proposals

The new government, in its first Cabinet meeting, appointed a ministerial committee to work on drafting the new constitutional proposals to be enacted by repealing the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Mahinda Yapa new Speaker, Siyambalapitiya Dy. Speaker Ranjith

The new government’s parliament decided today to nominate Matara district MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane as the Speaker of the new Parliament, Kegalle district MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya as the Deputy Speaker and Jaffna district MP Angajan Ramanathan as the Deputy Chairman of Committees.

Prez meets protesting graduates, says cabinet approves to recruit 10,000 more

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today made a stop to talk to the graduates who were protesting outside the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo and assured that they would be given jobs.

Customs destroys illegal fags worth Rs.35mn at CTC

A stock of illegally imported foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 35 million found hidden in a 40-foot container was destroyed at the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) destruction yard under the supervision of Customs officials today.

Cabinet nod to draft 20A abolishing 19A

The Cabinet today granted the approval to abolish the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and to draft the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told Daily Mirror.

We invite UNPers to join us: SJB

The only alternative left for the United National Party (UNP) is to ally with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) led by Sajith Premadasa, newly-elected SJB MPs Hesha Withanage and Chaminda Wijesiri told a news conference today.

Ruwan leaves PCoI Police Unit after giving statement

Former State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene left the Police Unit attached to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing the Easter Sunday Attack a short while ago, after giving a statement.

Probe underway into fire at Thondaman’s bungalow in Kotmale

Investigations are underway into the fire that broke out at late Minster Arumugam Thondaman’s Bungalow at Ramboda Vavanton Estate in Kotmale.

Ruwan at PCoI

Former State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene arrived at the Police Unit attached to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks, a short while ago.

Five more oil refineries, Sapugaskanda to be redeveloped: Minister

Only 20 per cent of local fuel consumption was refined in the country and therefore five oil refineries would be opened up apart from the plans to refurbishing the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, New Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said assuming duties at the Ministry this morning.

Heavy traffic due to defunct signal lights

Heavy traffic was reported along several roads in Colombo due to defunct signal lights as a result of islandwide power failure. The CEB said it could take two more hours to restore the power supply.

STF security to be provided for prisons in Colombo

The Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel would be deployed at the entrance of prisons in the Colombo city from next week, the Prisons Department said.

Island-wide power failure

An island-wide power outage was experienced a short while ago due to a failure in the transmission system at the Kerawalapitiya Grid-Substation, The Ceylon Electricity Board said.

Torture of boy while fishing at sea: Boat owner, four others arrested

Five suspects, including the owner of a multi-day trawler, had been arrested in connection with the alleged assault and torture of a 16-year-old boy in the seas off Mirissa, Police Spokesman SSP Jaliya Senaratna said.

Suspect arrested with Rs. 200 million worth of drugs

A suspect had been arrested in Ambalangoda with 12 kgs of synthetic drug known as ’Mandy’ yesterday, Police said.

Cabinet structure outlines govt. intentions: SJB

The government has made its intentions clear through the synopsis of its cabinet, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said yesterday.

Will discuss with institutions to identify skills needed for jobs: Minister

The Education Ministry is hoping to discuss with private institutions to identify the skills and abilities needed for job opportunities available in both the government and private sectors, Education Minister Professor G.L. Pieris said.

No restrictions or suppression of media: Keheliya

One of the main priorities of the government would be to consolidate the confidence placed by the people in the media and hence the newly formed SLPP government under no circumstances would put restrictions on the media or suppress it, Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Young couple nabbed with 8,000 packets of heroin in Piliyandala

A couple had been arrested at Pelenwatta in Piliyandala by the Colombo Crimes Division Officers with about 8,000 packets of heroin, the Police said.

Navy seizes over 6000 kgs of turmeric in Chilaw sea

The Navy has taken four people into custody along with a stock of turmeric weighing 6,381kgs on board a trawler in the sea area about 10 nautical miles (18km) off Chilaw yesterday.

TPA decides against national list slot

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) which claimed to be the second-largest Party in the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today said it has decided not to request for a national list slot as they wanted, in view to prevent the breakup of the alliance.

Easter Sunday attacks probe: Rishad questioned at CID for 6 hours.

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today for six hours over the Easter Sunday attacks, Police Spokesman SSP Jaliya Senaratne said.

Appeal Court orders not to arrest Kurunegala Mayor

The Court of Appeal today ordered not to execute the arrest warrants issued against Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa and four others until it issues an order regarding the writ petition filed by the Mayor on August 24.

GMOA requests Govt. to probe alleged illegal activities of SLMC chairman

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today requested the Government to appoint a commission to commence investigations over the illegal activities of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Chairman Prof. Harendra De Silva.

Drunk driver to be charged with murder

The driver who was arrested over the accident in which a student was killed and eleven others were injured when a double cab ran over them at Aralaganwila had been charged with murder, Police said today.