Suspect arrested with Heroin, Ice and Hashish at BIA

A 57-year-old Sri Lankan was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning while attempting to smuggle drugs including heroin, crystal methamphetamine (ice) and hashish worth Rs.4.7 million into the country, Police said.



Udayanga would return on my request: MR

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who the government has named as a fugitive, would return to Sri Lanka in a month on my request, Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.



Sri Lankan national arrested in India, two others escape

A Sri Lankan national, was arrested at Uchipuli Valangapuri coast near Rameswaram while two others escaped into a nearby forest, Tamil Nadu police said today.



Arjuna wants probe on bookies

World Cup winning Captain and Minister Arjuna Ranatunga yesterday said that he would soon formally request Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera to examine profits made by bookies on days the national cricket team lost international matches under controversial and arguable circumstances.



How China got Sri Lanka to cough up Hambantota Port – Report

China’s acquisition of the strategic Hambantota port from Sri Lanka has given it “control of a territory” just a few 100 miles off the shores of India, highlighting its “debt trap” and ambitious use of loans to gain influence around the world, a media report has said.



Postal strike suspended

The Joint Postal Trade Unions Front (JPTUF) yesterday announced that it would together with 24 of its unions, suspend the postal strike which has lasted for the past 16 days.



Bribery case: Bail rejected for Mahanama and Dissanayaka

Colombo Chief Magistrate rejects bail application filed by President’s former Chief of Staff and former Chairman of the State Timber Corporation (STC) over the Rs 20 million bribe case.



Kusal Janith Perera injured

Sri Lankan cricketer Kusal Janith Perera was injured during the third test match against West Indies. He sustained the injury when fielding.



SriLankan hoping to reduce excess staff

The government is considering retrenching the excess staff of SriLankan airlines by measures such as Voluntary Retirement Schemes, a report says.



Acid rain in NCP – Dr. Senanayake

Environmentalists claimed that the acidic gases, which are being released from the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, can lead to acid rain and deforestation in the North Central Province.



President vows to protect country’s cultural heritage

President Maithripala Sirisena said as we are a proud nation with an ancient history, the government is duty bound to protect and safeguard our cultural heritage and bequeath it to the future generations, President Maithripala Sirisena said.



Postal workers protest hampers traffic in Colombo, Fort

The D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha in Colombo Fort is reportedly hampered with traffic owing to the ongoing protest launched by the Postal Workers at the Central Mail Exchange.



Army Corporal shot at by unidentified gunmen

An army corporal was hospitalised after being shot at by a group of men arrived in a three-wheeler and a motorcycle at Chakindarama Road in Ratmalana this morning, police said.



BUDDHA NEVER PREACHED DICTATORIAL RULE – PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the Buddha had never preached a dictatorial rule such as Hitler, Polpot or Idi Amin, but preached to rule the country based on the Dasaraja Dharmaya.



Sri Lankan court remands villagers in custody over beating to death of leopard

A Sri Lankan court on Sunday ordered two suspects to be remanded in custody after their arrest over the beating to death of a leopard – animals which are endangered in the country.



Rule of law must prevail even for criminals: Mangala

The rule of law must prevail even when dealing with criminals, tweeted the Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera.