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.

WTC owners freed from trespassing and mischief charges

Fort Magistrate Court freed Messrs, Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC and the owner of World Trade Centre (WTC), from alleged offences punishable for criminal trespassing and mischief charges framed against them.

First SL nurse leaves for the US

A nurse of the Kandy General Hospital has left for the USA, being the first ever Sri Lankan female nurse to work in a US hospital, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) said.

Hit and run accident: Borella Traffic OIC succumbs to injuries

Traffic OIC of the Borella Police, IP Sarathchandra, who was injured in a hit and run accident involving a Defender vehicle in Bambalapitiya, succumbed to his injuries yesterday, police said.

25 UNP backbenchers to defeat President’s expenditure head

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said yesterday more than 25 UNP backbenchers were prepared to defeat the President’s expenditure head.

The law should apply to Karannagoda: SF

The law should apply to former navy commander Wasantha Karannangoda if he had done anything wrong, Field Marshal and MP Sarath Fonseka said today during the debate on the second reading of the Budget.

Heat weather warning revised for fourteen districts

The Department of Meteorology today issued a heat weather advisory for tomorrow, warning people in 14 districts to be extremely cautious of the hot weather.

Report reveals bone samples belong to 1499-1719 AD era

The carbon dating report from the Beta Analytic Institute of Florida, USA, has revealed that the skeletal remains found in the Mannar mass grave to date back to a period between 1499 and 1719 AD (Anno Domini).

Prez’s delegation to Geneva shows he has no faith in govt.: Dinesh

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a separate three-member delegation to represent the country at the forthcoming UNHRC sessions in Geneva as he does not have confidence in the government, MEP MP front liner Dinesh Gunawardana said yesterday. Mr. Gunawaerdana said.

U.K. top court rules in favour of Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seeker

Britain’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of a Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seeker’s claim that the Home Office was wrong to reject his contention that he was tortured back in Sri Lanka, and asked the Upper Tribunal to look at the case afresh, in what is considered a landmark judgment, the Hindu reported.

Vehicle prices up after Budget

Due to the revision of Excise Duty on motor vehicles and implementation of the luxury tax on the recent budget proposal, the local vehicle prices would be increased by a minimum of Rs.150,000, Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) Chairman Ranjan Peiris said.

Ban lifted on ’Angampora’: Wellessa heroes honoured

The Cabinet decided today to lift the ban imposed by the British rulers in 1818 on the indigenous marshal art called ‘Angampora’.

Court orders CID to file summary of evidence

Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today directed the CID to file a summary of evidence on the next hearing as to ascertain whether there is sufficient evidence against former DIG Nalaka de Silva over the alleged assassination plot of VIPs. Ps.

SLC to host LPL in September

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will host the Lanka Premier League (LPL) this year in the month of September. This was revealed yesterday by the new President of SLC Shammi Silva.