Raavana 1 launched to ISS

The ’Raavana 1’ cube satellite designed and developed by two Sri Lankan engineers was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in the 400km orbit by the Cygnus spacecraft of NASA today at 2.16 am Sri Lanka time, Director Communication Engineering (Project Manager Nano satellite projects) at Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, Kavindra Jayawardena told Daily Mirror.

Dimuth to lead SL cricket team in World Cup

Sri Lanka’s national selectors put to an end days of speculation by appointing batsman Dimuth Karunaratne as captain of the Sri Lankan ODI team. This means the left-hander will lead the national side in the upcoming World Cup in England, Cricbuzz reported.

Education Ministry misuses Govt funds: Wijeyadasa tells PCoI

Former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa has provided a statement to the Police Unit attached to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to investigate allegations of large scale corruption between January 15, 2015 and December 31, 2018, last week.

Lawyer among three arrested with ’ice’ in Kollupitiya

A lawyer and two others have been arrested for possession of drug, known as crystal methamphetamine (ice), during a raid in Kollupitiya early this morning, police said.

Ten killed in head-on collision in Mahiyanganaya

Ten people were killed and two others injured when a van they were travelling in collided head-on with a bus, near the Mahiyanganaya National College early this morning.

Lasantha’s murder: Civil lawsuit unsealed in US against Gota

A civil lawsuit has been unsealed by a US federal judge on Monday against former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking damages for his alleged involvement in the killing of Lasantha Wickramatunga, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported on Monday.

President leaves for India on private visit

President Maithripala Sirisena has left for India this morning for a private visit. President Sirisena is scheduled to visit and offer prayers to the Lord Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala tomorrow.

Four Lankans arrested by UK counter-terror police, released

Four Sri Lankan men who were arrested by counter-terrorism police hours after flying into the country have been released under investigation.

Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral is on fire

The spire atop the iconic Notre Dame cathedral collapsed amid a devastating fire at the Paris cathedral on Monday, just days before Easter Sunday.

Four Lankans arrested by UK counter-terror police

Four Sri Lankan men have been arrested at Luton Airport, London, by British counter-terror police on suspicion of being members of a banned organisation, UK’s The Independent news agency reported.

Printing Dept. gazetted under Ministry of Lands

The Department of Government Printing which was under the purview of the Ministry of Defence, has been gazetted under the Ministry of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms today.

Procedure to renounce US citizenship successfully concluded: Gota

Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today that all steps needed to renounce his US citizenship were successfully concluded while he was in the US.

Mangala betrayed the country: SB

Former minister and SLFP stalwart S.B.Dissanayaka charged today that Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has betrayed the country and war heroes to secure a position in the UNO and added the joint opposition would do its utmost to thwart it.

My successor will not tolerate character assassination: Prez

I am the most harangued and insulted Head of State by the media among all six presidents since J.R. Jayewardene, but the one to assume presidency after me will not tolerate mudslinging and character assassination like how I do, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

Governor signs gazette dissolving SPC

Southern Province Governor Keerthi Thennakoon today signed the gazette notification dissolving the Southern Provincial Council (SPC) with effect from midnight today.

Madush will be brought to SL in two weeks: DSG

Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris informed court today that steps had been taken to bring down Makandure Madush to Sri Lanka within the next two weeks.

Sri Lankan gets 30-year RI in Chennai over heroin seizure

Ten years after 1.14kg heroin was seized from his bank locker, a Sri Lankan national was on Monday sentenced to 30 years in jail for the offence, the Times of India reported.

Vehicles with unauthorised lights and horns banned from July 1

Tough action will be taken against the use of unauthorised lights and horns in vehicles causing noise pollution from July 1, police said.

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.