FCID illegal, therefore whole process not lawful, say counsel

Continuing submissions in the fundamental rights applications filed by former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and three others, counsel for the petitioners argued that since the setting up of the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) has been illegal



Chaminda Vaas lauds Trevor Bayliss selection as England coach

Former Sri Lankan fast bowler Chaminda Vaas has lauded England’s selection of Trevor Bayliss as their new coach but believes they will still find it ‘tough’ to beat Australia in the upcoming Ashes series.



Govt. reduces taxes on potatoes, big onion imports

The Ministry of Finance has announced that the import taxes on big onions and potatoes have been reduced with effect from midnight Friday (05).



Four dead after three-wheeler collides with bus

Four persons were killed following a traffic collision involving a three-wheeler and a bus at Eheliyagoda on the Ratnapura-Colombo main road this morning, police said.



Sri Lankan premier faces no-confidence motion

Sri Lanka’s opposition said Friday it has filed a motion of no confidence in the country’s new prime minister, a move likely to hasten the dissolution of parliament in the politically divided country.



No-faith motion against PM handed over

The no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with more than 100 signatures of opposition members including ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers was handed over to Parliament Secretary General Dammika Dassanayaka a short while ago



Maggi to be taken off shelves across India

Manufacturer Nestle India decided to take “Maggi” off the shelves late on Thursday after six states, including national capital Delhi, imposed ban on the instant noodles following a controversy over food safety fears.



110 MPs sign no faith motion

The no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with 110 signatures of opposition members including ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers was to be handed over to the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa last afternoon despite attempts by the government to thwart it, UNP Parliamentarian Manusha Nanayakkara said.



Colombo first among world’s fastest growing tourist cities

Colombo has been named among the 10 fastest growing tourist cities in the world (based on data gathered over the last six years). Seven of the 10 fastest growing tourist cities are in Asia, CNN reported.



DV Upul banned from leaving country

The Colombo Chief Magistrate today issued a directive prohibiting Southern Provincial Councillor D.V. Upul from travelling overseas, following a request by the CID.



Casino ban fails to deter developer’s postwar Sri Lanka Plan

A ban on casinos by Sri Lanka’s new government isn’t stopping the nation’s biggest conglomerate from pressing ahead with a $850 million development project as the island rebuilds from a 30-year civil war.



Shehzad back in Pakistan Test squad for Sri Lanka tour

Maverick opener Ahmed Shehzad Wednesday earned a recall in Pakistan’s 15-man Test squad for the three-match Test series in Sri Lanka after being sidelined over disciplinary problems.



Speaker suggests dissolving Parliament

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today said he too is in favour of dissolving Parliament.



Sajin further remanded

UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardane was further remanded till June 17 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage for allegedly misusing 23 vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.



President Sirisena has moved country away from divisive politics – US

President Maithripala Sirisena has moved the country away from divisive politics and crony capitalism toward a new path of reconciliation and inclusive development, the United States said today.



Jaya writes Modi on arrest of Indian fishermen

In her first letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after taking over as chief minister, J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday sought his personal intervention for the release of 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen who were arrested by Sri Lankan authorities on Monday night.