Protests block Galle Face Road

Heavy traffic was reported on the Galle Face Road opposite the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo and surrounding areas due to protests march.

Mahendran, Cabraal should both be arrested, tried: UNP

Former Central Bank (CB) Governors Arjuna Mahendran and Ajith Nivard Cabraal should be arrested and tired in court as the forensic audit reveals that the bond scam had taken place from 2005 onwards and continued even after 2015, UNP MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena told a press conference held yesterday.

CID grilled Rajitha

Former Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to give a statement over the controversial “White Van” media conference.

No decision to shut down University Colleges: Bandula

Higher Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane said yesterday that no decision had been taken to shut down university colleges and the future of the students would be ensured while being allowed to obtain degrees through the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC).

EU poll observers call for better cooperation between EC and Social media platforms

In its final report on Sri Lanka’s November 16 presidential election, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) yesterday proposed to empower the Election Commission and to develop more efficient mechanisms between the EC and Facebook to enhance transparency in campaigning.

HC remands Ajith Prasanna till Feb.7

High Court Judge Dhammika Ganepola today remanded retired Maj. Ajith Prasanna till February 7 on charges of making defamatory statements against the Colombo Chief Magistrate and a High Court Judge at a news conference held on December 6, 2019.

Wimal questions Judge Pilapitiya’s arrest

Minister Wimal Weerawansa today blamed the Attorney General for wrongly requesting that Judge Gihan Pilapitiya be arrested.

Easter Sunday Attack - Ex-prez should be arrested: Range Bandara

United National Party (UNP) MP Palitha Range Bandara yesterday called for the arrest of former president Maithripala Sirisena and said as the then commander-in-chief he held the prime responsibility for the Easter Sunday carnage.

Govt. to purchase paddy at higher prices

The government would purchase top quality paddy at a minimum certified price of Rs. 50 per kilogramme and a kilogramme of paddy with moisture at a certified price of Rs. 45 from the harvest of Maha season, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday.

12 injured as lorry crashes with Black Maria

Twelve people including nine suspects had been injured in an accident involving a Black Maria and a lorry at Kaluwilapathana, Ambanpola this morning, the Police said.

Rishad’s brother Rifkhan remanded

Rifkhan Bathiudeen, the brother of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) was remanded until February 06 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.

Three nabbed with gold biscuits worth Rs.50 mn

Three suspects including a 16-year-old boy was arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with gold biscuits worth more than Rs.50 million this morning, airport senior official said.

Shani Abeysekara arrives at CID

Former CID Director Shani Abeysekara arrived at the CID to give a statement with regard to the investigations carried out on the incident into the alleged abduction of Swiss Embassy local staffer Garnier Banister Francis.

Politicians shouldn’t chase after positions: Kiriella

Referring to the prevailing UNP leadership crisis, MP Lakshman Kiriella said they, as politicians, should not chase after positions, but positions should come in search of them, if they had worked properly.

Medical student stabbed to death in Jaffna

A soldier attached to the Paranthan Army camp had been allegedly stabbed to death his wife at a park near the Pannai lagoon in Jaffna this afternoon over a family dispute, the Defence Ministry said.

No need to make Ranjan a hero: MP Hesha Withanage

The incumbent government is trying to cover up the concerning issues in the country at present and there is no need of making former MP Ranjan Ramanayake a hero, and what he did was not suitable to consider him as such, UNP MP Hesha Withanage said at a media briefing today at the Opposition Leader’s office.

CB bond scam forensic audit: JVP calls for 2-day debate on report

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today requested the Speaker to allocate two days to debate the forensic audit report on the Central Bank bond scam.

SLFP is suffering for what they did: Marikkar

The SLFP is suffering for what they did to the UNP during the coalition government of 2015, a UNP MP said today.

Hemapala leaves CCD

Interdicted Magistrate Dhammika Hemapala, left the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) after giving 3-hour-long statement regarding the telephone conversation he held with MP Ranjan Ramanayake.

Ranjan tables audio clips in Parliament

MP Ranjan Ramanayake today tabled in Parliament several CDs containing audio clips of phone conversations he has had with many people including a few heads of State.

Ranjan to make statement in Parliament today

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake who is currently in the centre of a controversy over the recorded conversations he has had with various persons over the phone is expected to make a statement in Parliament today.

Hirunika lodges complaint at CID over telephone conversation

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra yesterday lodged a complaint at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in regards to the release of allegedly edited audio clips of her telephone conversations with MP Ranjan Ramanayake to the public without consent from either parties involved.

CHAINED ’PRINCE’ SUFFERS in silence at place of worship

As a Buddhist country, Sri Lanka’s temples undoubtedly practise Metta (Loving Kindness) meditation and chant the Metta prayer, wishing ‘all beings to be happy’ and most importantly ‘free of suffering’ on a daily basis. But it is appalling to see the same places inflicting pain and allowing living beings to suffer while in captivity.

Fmr Judge Ranawaka leaves CCD after giving statement

Retired Judge Padmini Ranawaka left the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) after giving a statement in connection with UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake’s phone recordings. The CCD officials had recorded her statement for over three hours.

Heavy traffic in Ward Place

Traffic congestion was reported in and around Ward Place in Colombo due to a protest carried out by the university students, Police said.

Keheliya and Jayampathy discharged over bribery case

Complying with the High Court Order over the maintainability of the case, the Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today discharged Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and former Chairman of the State Printing Corporation Jayampathi Bandara.

Pujith, Hemasiri further remanded

Former IGP Pujith Jayasundera and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were further remanded until February 3 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage today.

Two killed, one injured in head-on collision

Two individuals were killed and one injured after a three-wheeler collided head –on with a SLTB bus at Galigamuwa on the Kandy-Colombo main road early this morning, Police said.

Four killed, 20 injured in accident

Four persons including a three-year-old girl killed and 20 others injured when a tipper truck and a bus collided head-on at Bataatha in Hungama last night.

Video footage on Bellanwila jumbo: Temple sources reject media reports

Referring to the video footage circulating on social media, where an elephant was allegedly slapped with sticks by the keeper at Bellanwila Temple in Colombo, a spokesman of the temple told Daily Mirror that it was an incident which had been exaggerated by the so called media sites, which had received false information from NGOs.