People were taxed even during the time of King Parakramabahu: PM

People were taxed even during the time of King Parakramabahu, although it was criticized today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said at the 52nd Aluth Sahal Mangalaya at Jaya Srimaha Bodhi in Anurdhapura this morning.

Appointment as State Ministers - UNP submits names of 6 MPs to Prez

The United National Party (UNP) is reported to have submitted the names of six MPs to President Maithripala Sirisena to be appointed as state ministers.

Impossible to hold PC polls in Aug: EC tells Speaker

The Election Commissioner has informed Speaker that it will not be possible to hold the provincial council elections this year as the changes to the Provincial Council Elections Amendment Act has not been made on time, UPFA MP Dallas Alahaperuma told Parliament today.

Wele Suda’s death sentence affirmed

The Court of Appeal today affirmed the death sentence given against Gampola Widanelage Samantha Kumara, alias Wele Suda, in 2015 by the High Court.

All eyes on SLFP stance during today’s Budget vote: SLPP

Ahead of bilateral talks scheduled for April 10, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said everyone would cast doubts about the genuineness of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) if it abstained from voting on the budget today.

President vows to eradicate drug menace

President Maithripala Sirisena vowed that he was firmly determined to eradicate the drug menace from the country and as such severe legal measures would be imposed against those who smuggle such harmful substances to the country.

Nearly 49 per cent of Colombo’s water wasted due to leakages

Nearly 49 per cent of water supplied to Colombo is lost due to leakages in the distribution pipe system, incurring a considerable loss, Deputy General Manager of the Colombo Water Supply Service Project Eng. Abdul Rasheed said.

Cricketer Dimuth Karunaratne arrested for drunk driving

Sri Lanka Test Cricket captain Dimuth Karunaratne was arrested this morning on charges of driving under the influence of liquor after his car met with an accident at Kinsey Road in Borella.

Govt. to appoint more non-Cabinet and state ministers

The government is expected to make changes to the Cabinet by appointing a few more non- Cabinet and state ministers.

Individuals deported from Dubai: Top police team to monitor probe

A seven-member committee comprising of senior police personnel and headed by Senior DIG of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Ravi Seneviratne, has been appointed by IGP Pujith Jayasundara today. The aim being, to monitor investigations being carried out against the individuals who had been deported from Dubai to Sri Lanka, police said.

Recall Azeez, arrest Mano Tittawela: SB

UPFA MP S.B. Dissanayake addressing a press conference called on the President to immediately recall Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Geneva A.L.A. Azeez and to arrest Mano Tittawela for directing him to put the signature on the UNHRC resolution without the knowledge of the President, the Foreign Ministry and the Parliament.

SL signed UNHRC resolution without my knowledge: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that he is not ready to do anything that is contrary to the country’s constitution or harmful to its sovereignty simply because the international community or anyone else was saying so.

Mausakelle and Castlereagh - CEB suspends artificial rain project

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has suspended the project to trigger artificial rain over the Mausakelle and Castlereagh catchment area, a senior CEB officer told Daily Mirror today.

President says as per his proposal: Govt. to scrap Grade 5 scholarship exam

President Maithripala Sirisena said that the Government has decided to cancel the Garde 5 Scholarship exam according to one of his proposals.

Geoffrey Aloysius and 4 others remanded till April 5

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank P. Samarasiri, and Directors of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd Geoffrey Aloysius, Pushyamithra Gunawardena, R. Hulugalla, and M. Surendran were ordered to be remanded till April 5 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.

Fmr CB Deputy Governor, three PTL directors arrested over bond scam

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank P. Samarasiri and three directors of the Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) were arrested by the CID this morning in connection with the Central Band bond scam, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Oman’s oil minister in SL for refinery project launch

Oman’s oil minister arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday to participate in the launching of a $3.85 billion oil refinery project, government officials in Colombo said, three days after Oman said it had not yet agreed to invest in the facility, Reuters reported.

If no special courts - TNA threatens to haul SL before Int'l tribunal

The TNA today pointed out that the Sri Lankan Constitution did not prevent the setting up of special courts with foreign judges to hear human rights cases and that it would do its best to haul Sri Lanka before an international tribunal if it failed to set up such courts.

DMK link to controversial Oman oil refinery project

A Singapore-based company in which stakes are held by the family members of former Union Minister of State of India S. Jagathrakshakan of the DMK has been linked to a record foreign direct investment of $3.85 billion in an oil refinery in Sri Lanka, the Hindu Newspaper reported.

Unscheduled power cuts?

While stressing that the technical issue in the unit 2 generator of the Norochcholai coal power plant has been fully restored, Power and Energy Ministry Media Spokesman and Development Director Sulakshana Jayawardena said power outages could still be experienced due to the prevailing dry weather conditions.

UNHRC resolution on SL adopted without a vote

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on Sri Lanka, that gives two more years to fully implement the Resolution 30/1, was adopted at the Human Rights Council in Geneva without a vote today.

80 percent of construction workers in Colombo addicted to drugs

Almost 80 percent of workers at construction sites in Colombo are addicted to drugs, Director Presidential Task Force on Prevention of Drugs Dr. Samantha Kitalagama said yesterday.

BC withdraws four cases against Johnston

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today discharged MP Johnston Fernando from the four cases filed by the Bribery Commission in connection with the non-declaration of assets.

Ministers using cocaine: Ranjan undertook a govt. contract - Gammanpila

While claiming that State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake’s recent remarks on cocaine being used by several ministers, were baseless, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila said it was a contract given by the Government to the State Minister.

26 police officers transferred

Twenty-six police officers, including two Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and ASP N.V. Lorenz of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), have been transferred, police said.

Teaching students from Grades 1-5 in English should stop: Ven. Ratana Thera

National List MP Venerable Athuraliye Ratana Thera yesterday urged the government to stop teaching school children from grades one to five in the English medium.

Two men arrested with drugs worth Rs.250mn

The STF arrested two men on charges of being in possession of four revolvers, 16 kg of heroin, five 5.5 kg of hash, 1 kg of cocaine and 1. 5 kg of ice worth more than Rs.250 million in Weligampitiya, Ja-Ela this evening, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

49 killed in Christchurch mosque attacks

Forty nine people have been killed and several others injured in shootings at two mosques at Christchurch in New Zealand. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a news conference that 20 people were in a serious condition after the ’’terrorist’’ attack.

Some chairs at Lanka hospital infested with bugs: CMC

At least ten chairs at the Lanka Hospital’s consultation area were recently found with bed bugs, Chief Medical Officer of the CMC Dr Ruwan Wijemuni said.

MS wants int’l telecom levy reconsidered

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday requested the Cabinet to reconsider the Budget proposal to do away with the international telecommunication levy as otherwise it would deprive the State of revenue amounting to Rs.6 billion.