New Kelani Bridge closes for repairs under three phases from today

The Road Development Authority (RDA) announced the closure of the New Kelani Bridge, popularly known as the ‘Golden Gate Kalyani’ bridge, in three phases, beginning today. The Transport and Highways Ministry said as construction work on the New Kelani Bridge has been completed, it has reached the point where all responsibilities related to the project have to be reviewed

Constitutional Council yet to reveal its stance on new acting IGP’s appointment

The Constitutional Council is yet to give its stance on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s decision to appoint Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon as the new acting IGP, the Speaker announced yesterday. Speaker M

Principal who forced students to eat Polythene wrappers, remanded

The principal of Rambukpitiya Madya Maha Vidyalaya in Nawalapitiya, who forced five children to eat polythene wrappers, was produced before Nawalapitiya Magistrate Nilantha Wimalaw

Deshabandu reveals his plans

Newly appointed acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon told reporters yesterday that everyone would soon witness how he operates as the police chief. QHow do you expect to work for the people and the country in your new position? I have held various positions in the police service for 25 years. So, I have experience. I will take foward the police service for the betterment of the people of Sri Lanka. QDrugs and crimes are on the rise these days

SL and Paris Club agree on preliminary debt deal

Sri Lanka and the country’s Official Creditor Committee (OCC) co-chaired by India, Japan and France as the Chair of the Paris Club have agreed on a preliminary debt restructuring deal, a statement issued by the Paris Club Secretariat said, yesterday.

NSW Police push for restraining order against Danushka Gunathilaka

Sydney, Nov 29 (Daily Mail) - New South Wales Police are pushing for an apprehended violence order to be taken out against a Sri Lankan cricket star despite him being cleared of sexually assaulting a woman at her Sydney home. Danushka Gunathilaka, 32, was finally allowed to leave Australia in October after about 10 months on bail after he was acquitted following a judge-alone trial in September.

Why was Deshabandu appointed as ‘Acting’ IGP?

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday appointed Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon as the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) after months of speculation as to who would get the seat. The appointment has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising Tennakoon’s experience and expertise saying it will be valuable in leading the police force and implementing strategies to curb crime, while others have expressed concerns about his alleged

Talks with Sajith, Roshan on cricket Diplomatic inning by Indian envoy

In the wake of reports about Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and deposed Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe having talks with Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on the Sri Lanka cricket crisis, an authoritative source said it is the legitimate duty of the Indian envoy to respond to calls for meetings with political leaders. Asserting that Mr. Baglay, as an Indian diplomat heading the mission, keeps contact with the political leaders, the

Contempt of court case filed against Roshan Ranasinghe

A Contempt of Court application has been filed in the Court of Appeal seeking an order to take action against former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe for committing the offence of contempt of court.

Roshan will not be the common opposition candidate: SJB

Former Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe has been invited to join the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) but he will not be the common opposition candidate, an SJB MP yesterday said scoffing speculations in political circles. “ Roshan Ranasinghe has been invited to join the SJB but we will not change the original decision to field Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa as the common opposition candidate,” SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna said in response to

Deshabandu’s appointment an insult to Easter Sunday Bomb victims : Cardinal

Appointing DIG Deshabandu Tennekoon as the acting IGP is an insult to Easter Sunday bomb victims, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today. “Some 273 people were killed as a result of Easter Sunday bombing and further 500 were injured. The Presidential Commission of Inquiry had blamed DIG Tennekoon for not being able to prevent Easter Sunday attacks.

Intern Medical Officers paid unlawful allowances worth Rs.47Mn

The Intern Medical Officers who were assigned to 22 central government hospitals for training from January 2016 to March 2022 had been paid Rs.47 million unlawful allowances. This was disclosed in the annual report 2022 of the Auditor General. The report further said information about the value of illegal allowances paid in excess from 2016 to December 2022 in respect of other hospitals was not submitted to the audit.

Proposal to limit Police Chief’s tenure to 3 yrs

A proposal to limit the tenure of the police officer, who will be appointed as Inspector General of Police to a maximum of three years, is to be submitted to the Cabinet. If the officer appointed to the post of Inspector General of Police does not complete 60 years of service, the above decision also applies to that officer and accordingly, he should retire after three years of assuming the post of Inspector General of Police.

President, Tiran Alles agree on next IGP

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles is reported to have held discussion with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on the appointment of the next Inspector General of Police (IGP), a matter to be completed ‘very soon’, and it is likely that DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon will be appointed to the post, a source said. According to the

Harin urges Court to recognize him as Sports Minister in cricket case

The new Sports Minister through his lawyer yesterday gave an undertaking, not to take any further action regarding the gazette notification issued by the former Minister

Sajith, Roshan admit having met at Opposition Leader’s Office

Opposition Leader says he invited the former Sports Minister to discuss removing Sri Lanka’s cricket ban and not for any political conspiracy

Two underworld figures reportedly netted in Malaysia

Two prominent underworld criminals, Midigama Chuti and Jile, who allegedly planned to launch a commando style attack to help two underworld figures Harak Kata and Kudu Salindu escape from Criminal Investigation Department custody, were reportedly arrested in Malaysia, on November 25, informed sources said. A senior police

W. M. Mendis and Randenigala to resume production

The Excise Department yesterday allowed the resumption of alcohol production at W. M. Mendis and Co. and Randenigala liquor manufacturing companies after these two companies had paid Rs 116 million in taxes,

CID grills Finance Ministry Secretary, officials over Immunoglobulin importation

Statements recorded in compliance with an order from the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court

Rs 1.3Bn wasted in importing organic fertilizers from China

This was revealed in the annual report 2022 of the Auditor General

Individual debt burden soars to Rs. 1.2 Million

The government is expected to face increased pressure to implement effective fiscal policies and debt management strategies to address this growing economic challenge

Escalation in showery condition pegged in coming days

The showery weather conditions across the island are slated to intensify, commencing today (29), owing to an atmospheric disturbance lingering over the Southeast Bay of Bengal sea area, according to the Department of Meteorology. Accordingly, forecasts indicate the likelihood of heavy showers exceeding 100 mm in specific locales within the Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and Uva provinces, as well as the Kalutara District.

AI generated daughter of Prabhakaran delivers ‘Maveerar Day’ speech

It has also been revealed that the International LTTE network based in Norway is planning to raise funds in foreign countries by using this video clip

Appointing judges to Apex Courts:Petition filed against Constitutional Council

The petition alleged that the Constitutional Council had taken this decision in the context of such judges being nominated by the President for appointment to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal

Absence of competent Police OICs

Officials point out that the drug traffickers are distributing drugs among schoolchildren

Roshan’s alleged vehicle scam MP Nimal vouches for Daily Mirror news report

The Daily Mirror report on November 25, 2023, under the title “Alleged smuggled Land Cruiser seized from Minister Roshan Ranasinghe’s ve

40 Government hospitals shut down, 100 on brink of closure

An alarming number of approximately 40 government hospitals across the island have shut down, with an additional 100 on the verge of closure. The affected hospitals, lacking medical staff, are predominantly located in the Northern Province, Puttalam, and Nuwara Eliya Districts.

Israel warns SL against middlemen charging extra in job recruitment

Israel has also requested SL to expedite the recruitment process

Rs. 20,000 salary demand unacceptable: Cabinet spokesman

Tax revenue mainly goes for salaries, pensions

CSD fails to collect outstanding Rs.334 Mn from public, private entities

2,569 CSD personnel assigned for duties