Visa on arrival programme likely to make comeback

The government plans to revive the recently suspended free visa and visa on arrival programme from August 1 this year for 39 countries.

Police bust plot to assassinate Prez: Dayasiri

SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said yesterday police intelligence has busted a plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena by convicted drug kingpins now on death row.

Will not allow to sign any agreement harmful to SL-Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena today said that he will not allow to sign any foreign agreement which is a challenge to the country’s independence and sovereignty with any world power during his tenure.

SC issues stay order on death sentence

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order staying the implementation of death sentence for convicted drug offenders until October 30.

Ready to fulfil pledges made to the people-Gota tells MPs

Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has told a group of MPs who visited him at a Singapore hospital yesterday that he is ready to fulfil the pledges given to the people and promised to dedicate his time and energy to make sure that this was done after he arrives in the country.

Hemasiri Fernando arrested

Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando was arrested by the CID at the Colombo National Hospital a short while ago, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

AG instructs Act. IG to name Pujith and Hemasiri as suspects

In a letter dated June 27, the Attorney General (AG) has instructed the Acting IGP to take necessary steps under the criminal procedure code by naming former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando as suspects and to produce them in the relevant Magistrate’s Court after recording statements over the alleged criminal negligence and failure to prevent or minimise the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

Religious leaders file FR petitions against death penalty

Several religious denominations, professionals and public interest activists are looking to initiate litigation on the much-debated decision to implement the death penalty.

I left ’’Pohottuwa’’ because I’m against Gota: Welgama

Kalutara District United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Parliamentarian Kumara Welgama said that he would leave all nominal posts of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) as he is opposed to Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa being put forward as the party’s presidential candidate.

CPC stops supply of diesel and furnace oil to CEB

The Joint Trade Union Collective of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) had taken a decision not to supply diesel and furnace oil from today to private power houses that operate under the purview of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Power and Energy Ministry.

SL in the headlines for wrong reasons: German envoy

German Ambassador Joern Rohde said Sri Lanka was unfortunately again in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Welgama says will not support Gota for Prez

UPFA MP Kumara Welgama said that he will not support Gotabhaya Rajapaksa if he contests the next presidential election.

No evidence against Dr.Shafi : CID informs Court

The investigations carried out so far had not proven that Dr. Mohammed Shafi had blocked the fallopian tubes of mothers, amassed wealth in illegal manner or had maintained links with a terrorist organisation, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court today.

CID seizes large stocks of gelignite sticks, detonators, live ammunition

The CID today recovered over 300 gelignite sticks, 1,000 detonators, 485 T56 live ammunition and several other explosive material at Ollikulam in Kattankudy following information given by one of the suspects arrested in Jeddah, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Thajudeen murder: Anura Senanayake served indictment

The Colombo High Court today served an indictment on former DIG Anura Senanayake for allegedly fabricating and concealing evidence in the case of rugby player Thajudeen’s murder.

Ex-employee alleges SL women ’harassed’ at US Embassy

A former employee of the US Embassy today alleged that there were incidents of Sri Lankan women being harassed by some American diplomats at the US Embassy.

176 children lost their parents in dastardly Easter Sunday attacks

One hundred and seventy-six children have lost either both or one of their parents in the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith told the foreign media during his recent visit to Rome.

18A, 19A should be abolished, says President

President Maithripala Sirisena today said that both 18th and 19th Amendments to the Constitution should be abolished.

IS was initially unaware of Easter attacks-top official

The Islamic State (IS) may have claimed responsibility for the Easter terror attacks in Sri Lanka, but its chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was initially not aware of the horrific serial bombings, according to a top official familiar with the probe, the Hindu reported today.

NTJ, JMI and WAS banned under PTA

The Parliament today approved the regulations under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act to ban three Muslim organisations -- National Thawheed Jama’at (NTJ), Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) and Wilayat As Seylani (WAS).

SLFP will take honourable decision at Presidential polls: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena today promised that an honourable decision which will not cause injustice or embarrassment to the party or its supporters would be taken by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) at the next presidential election.

Govt. to cut capital expenditure by 15 percent

The Finance Ministry is reported to have instructed all ministries to curtail their capital expenditure announced in the budget by 15 per cent because of financial constraints faced by the government.

Esala Perahara will be held on a grand scale

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday assured that the annual Esala Perahara will be held on a grand scale this year.

SLPP slams idea of referendum

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today pooh-poohed the idea of seeking the approval of people by a referendum to conduct a snap parliamentary election.

Calling intelligence officials: PSC to meet Speaker

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, is said to be in a dilemma after President Maithripala Sirisena vowed not to send intelligence officers presently in service to testify before it.

Sri Lanka snub media duties after World Cup defeat

Sri Lanka are likely to be hit with an International Cricket Council sanction after failing to fulfil their media duties following Saturday’s damaging World Cup defeat against Australia.

It’s time to change UNP leadership: Ajith P Perera

The United National Party (UNP) leadership should be changed before the next presidential election, Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera said yesterday.

Zahran supported MS, I supported MR: Hizbullah

Former Eastern Province Governor M. L. A. M. Hizbullah yesterday said National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) Leader Zahran Hashim supported President Maithripala Sirisena at the last Presidential Election in 2015 while he had supported former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Doubtful whether political leadership can stabilise country: Cardinal

People have doubts about whether our political leaders can bring stability to the country and save us from the unfortunate situation we are in, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said yesterday.

Hizbullah began Arabization in Kattankudy: Muslim Org.

Arabization was started and fostered in Kattankudy during the tenure of former Eastern province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, member of the federation of Kattankudy mosques and institutions Aboosali Uvais yesterday told the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) appointed to probe Easter Sunday attack.