100 Govt. MPs submit letter to Prez calling for probe into Riyaj Bathiudeen’s release

A group of over 100 Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs today handed over letters to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa calling for an investigation into the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen.

Bathiudeen’s brother helped Zahran to flee to India: Ex-Army Chief

The Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) in 2018 had informed at an Intelligence Review Meeting (IRM) that National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) Leader Zahran Hashim had fled to India in a boat and was assisted by former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother, former Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake on Wednesday informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

No quarantine, only PCR tests for Chinese delegation: Govt.

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said today the Chinese delegation would not undergo a quarantine process, but they would be subjected to a PCR test upon their arrival.

Be watchful next seven days, says Army Commander

The people living outside the curfew areas had been requested to be watchful when travelling or visiting public places as next seven days would be crucial in terms of reporting novel Covid-19 cases from society, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Harin’s PCR test suggestion triggers furore in Parliament

The Twitter message posted by SJB MP Harin Fernando that he had got a PCR test done, triggered a uproar in Parliament as government MP Premalal C. Dolawatte requesting that Mr. Fernando should go in for isolation.

Security beefed up at Immigration Detention Camp in Mirihana

Security has been beefed up at the Immigration and Emigration Department Detention Centre to keep a close tab on its foreign detainees and their carefree movements following the sudden emergence of a local Covid-19 patient from the community in Divulapitiya yesterday.

Man pushed to death from housing complex in Kollupitiya

Four suspects were arrested yesterday for killing a 27-year-old man by pushing him from a fifth floor of a housing complex in Kollupitiya after being assaulted and stabbed, Police said.

#IshiniGate: Social media influencer promises to return money

A social media influencer has promised to return large sums of donations secured to assist families affected by the Easter Sunday attacks after she was accused on social media of fraud, in an incident now tagged as #IshiniGate.

Mother finds son lost during tsunami

Abusali Sithi, a resident of Ampara is claiming that she has found her son who was five years old when he went missing in the deadly 2004 tsunami.

LRH staff clarifies statement by senior professor

Commenting on the recent severe criticism by Prof A.H. Sheriffdeen on the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) staff over their failure to promptly treat a 10-year-old boy with a ruptured appendix, the Paediatric Surgeons collective at LRH said the events that had taken place were misrepresented by the professor.

Thajudeen murder case: HC adjudicates case as key suspect dead

The case involving the suspicious death of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen was adjudicated in the Colombo High Court yesterday as former Chief JMO of Colombo Prof; Ananda Samarasekera who was the suspect in this case, had passed away.

Fmr President solely responsible for Easter Sunday carnage: Pujith

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has to take the sole responsibility of the coordinated terror attack that took place on April 21, 2019, and the tragic incident was a well planned attack, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara yesterday informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

Covid-19 centre not informed of Russian passengers placement: Army Chief

Officials of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPC) was not informed of where the Russian passengers were placed, following their arrival, Army Commander Shavendra Silva.

MEAP confirms marine pollution by MT New Diamond

The Panel of Scientists appointed by Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has confirmed marine pollution by the oil leak from ill-fated Crude Oil Tanker MT New Diamond.

SriLankan faces two more cases in India

Sri Lanka’s national airline, SriLankan Airlines is facing at least two more court cases in India after a former regional manager of SriLankan Airlines was recently convicted after being accused of an alleged sexual harassment of a former Indian employee of the airline.

Four more petitions filed challenging 20th Amendment

Another four petitions were filed before the Supreme Court challenging the 20th Amendment to the Constitution bringing the total petitions to six.

‘Chinese only’ casino den in luxury Kollupitiya condominium raided

A highly confidential ‘Chinese only’ casino den carried out on the 28th floor of a luxury condominium apartment in Kollupitiya without any licence and even when gaming centres are still not been permitted to open owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, was raided by the Colombo City Excise officials last night.

'UN should place due emphasis on non-interference in domestic affairs'

In a pre-recorded statement at the High-Level Meeting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations today, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, ‘We expect the United Nation will place due emphasis on non-interference in domestic affairs of other states.

Indictments filed against Ravi, Arjun Aloysius

The Bribery Commission has filed indictments against former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Perpetual Treasuries Ltd’s (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius at the Colombo High Court over leasing of an apartment in Kollupitiya.

Kandy building collapse: Bodies of parents recovered

The bodies of parents of the infant child, which was trapped under the debris of the building collapsed on the hotel in Buwelikada, Kandy had been recovered, an official said.

Building collapses in Kandy: Infant killed, two rescued

A one-and-a-half-month-old infant was killed and two others were rescued after a five-storey building collapsed on to another building at Buwelikada in Kandy this morning.

Sirisena promised Pujith retirement perks if he took responsibility: Hemasiri

Former President Maithripala Sirisena on April 24, 2019 informed former IGP Pujith Jayasundara that if he accepted responsibility for the co-ordinated terror attacks on April 21, 2019 and resigned from his position, he would be given the pension and a position as an ambassador in any country he wished to serve, former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando yesterday informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

Clearing Anawilundawa Wetland: Suspects released on bail

The two suspects including the businessman who were involved in clearing the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary in Mundalama, Puttalam were released on bail by the Chilaw Magistrate’s Court today.

Country will have to face repercussions of 20A before long: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday urged the government and opposition MPs to come forward to defeat the 20th Amendment to the Constitution claiming that the country would have to face repercussions of the 20A before long.

Inbound flights to be limited to one a day

The Government is considering limiting the number of flights arriving in Sri Lanka to one a day as more and more arrivals test positive for the coronavirus.

SJB has mixed feelings on Ruwan’s appointment

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs appear to have mixed feelings on the election of Ruwan Wijewardene as the Deputy Leader of United National Party (UNP).

Willing to resign at any moment: Ranil

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the party working committee that he is willing to resign from the leadership at any moment, party sources said.

UNHR Chief says 20A may negatively impact on independence of institutions

Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the proposed 20th amendment to the Constitution may negatively impact on the independence of key institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission.

Ordered to produce last will, testaments in Court on Sept. 22

Colombo High Court ordered the heir of late Miss Sri Lanka 1962 Jennifer Ingleton to produce the purported Last Will and Testaments in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on September 22.

No negotiation with criminals on hunger strike at Boossa: Prisons Dept.

While stating that the hunger strike which was launched by several high profile criminals at the Boosa Prison is continuing, the Prisons Department officials said they were not whatsoever ready to have any negotiation with those involved in the hunger strike.