'Masterminds behind bond scam sacrificed Ravi'

The mastermind behind the bond scam and his band of thieves have connived and through Tilak Marapone, have sacrificed Ravi Karunanayake, said the Executive Director of CAFÉ organization, Keerthi Tennakoon.

He said the commission report had determined that Karunanayake

Foot prints near Sri Pada have no archaeological value

The Foot Prints found on a rock surface in New Portmore Estate in Maskeliya Police division in close proximity to the Sri Pada conservation does not have any Archaeological value, states the Director General of Archaeology Prof. P.B. Mandawala.

The Professor opined that in a natural formation in the rock surface

Govt. analyst to report on seized Welikada riot firearms

Colombo additional magistrate Ranga Dissanayake has ordered the CID to immediately refer to the government analyst and obtain a report with regard to 161 firearms it has taken into custody on the IGP orders when investigating the Welikada prison riot.

The 158 T-56 rifles and 30 revolvers were produced before the

Ravi asked to refrain from exercising duties as UNP deputy leader

The committee headed by Minister Tilak Marapana made a recommendation today (31), that former Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake should not exercise his duties as the Deputy leader of the UNP until further notice.

UNP General Secretary Minister Kabir Hashim stated that the UNO

3-bench trial-at-bar for cases of corruption and fraud

The Cabinet has approved a proposal by President Maithripala Sirisena for legislation, which if enacted, would enable the High Court to hear cases of corruption and fraud as defined under the Bribery Act and the Money Laundering Act.

Currently, such cases are heard by the Magistrate's Court. The

Implement recommendations of Tilak Marapana

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe reportedly told his Cabinet Ministers that he would implement the recommendations of the Tilak Marapana committee on the bond scam.

It is learnt that the Committee has recommended that MP Ravi Karunanayake should step down from his post as the Assistant

UNP capable of forming a Govt: Akila

The United National Party (UNP) is in a position to form a Government at anytime with the support of 125 members in Parliament, UNP General Secretary and Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

At a rally held in Kuliyapitiya he said the UNP had a majority in

Special High Courts to function by August: PM

The special high courts investigations on serious frauds will start functioning by August this year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

The Prime Minister said this at an election rally in Gampaha last evening.

" Cabinet paper submitted by Minister of Justice Talatha

Court orders not to hold election for Elpitiya PS

The Supreme Court today issued an interim injunction preventing elections being held for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, after considering a petition filed in connection with the upcoming Local Government polls.

The petition was filed by the Democratic United National Front

HRCSL summons Uva Chief Minister

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has summoned Uva Chief Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake to report to the Commission on February 1 for an inquiry into the incident where he is alleged to have forced a Tamil girls’ school principal in Badulla, to kneel in his presence.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Human Rights and Research said in a

Selfishness and narrow mindedness has fostered racism within SL – CBK

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga stated that the narrow minded, selfish intentions of certain politicians have created racial turmoil within the country.

She further stated that the time has now dawned for the people to

Ban on politicians in Uva

Tamil Education Minister of Uva Provincial Council and Estate Infrastructure, Senthil Thondaman has banned politicians from entering the Tamil schools in the Uva province, during school hours.
However, this restriction will not imply in the event of a disaster.

Based on a request made by him to the Uva Chief Minister M.P.

Bosses who don’t grant leave for election to be charged

All institutions that fail to grant leave to its employees for the upcoming Local Government elections on February 10, could face legal implications, said the Elections Commission.

Accordingly, the Commission said paid leave should be granted to employees who have applied for leave.

The Commission said the employers of both state and private

Proper if Ravi steps down: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have indicated that it will be proper if UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake steps down from his post as the assistant leader of the party.

This was revealed by the Prime Minister, when he presided over a meeting with the leaders of the parties aligned with the UNP.

Meanwhile it was also revealed by UNP sources that the

Daya Gamage issues challenge to Mahinda Rajapaksa

Minister Daya Gamage has challenged former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to declare what service he has actually rendered to the rural areas during his 10 year rule.

Now, he is asking the people to elect him to develop the villages,

Decision on Bond and PRECIFAC report debates today

A special party leaders meeting will be convened today (30), to finalize a date on which the debate on the reports of the Bond scandal and the Presidential Commission to the public to submit their complaints and petitions regarding inquiries into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and

Lankans victimized by social media racket

Several Sri Lankans have fallen victim to an international racket of financial fraud being carried out through social media, says Customs Department media spokesman Sunil Jayaratne.

He has told ‘Resa’ that these people had been told to pay the customs clearance money for prizes they had won in draws carried

Aloysius to say a Rs. 25 b profit for the state?

Perpetual Treasuries owner Arjun Aloysius is planning to submit a report to parliament claiming that when compared with the rates prevailing at the time, the Central Bank bond auction had given a Rs. 25 billion profit for the NSB, Sri Lanka Insurance and the EPF, reports say.

Aloysius will say the EPF’s profit was Rs. 21.2 b, and that the

Basil Conspiring With UNP To Form A New Government After LG Elections: Western Province Chief Minister Claims

Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya is claiming that former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa is conspiring with the United National Party (UNP) to form a new government after the Local Government election on February 10. 

Devapriya alleges Rajapaksa is meeting with UNP members at a

PRECIFAC report is the biggest issue -PM

The biggest issue at hand was the report of PRECIFAC, as it had recommended stripping former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Civic Rights for life, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said at an election rally in Deniyaya.

He said that those who suggested the SLFP and Joint Opposition

PCoI report on CB Bond scam: Mahinda wants debate before Feb. 7

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking in Wellawaya on Saturday (27) said that he would request that the debate on the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to investigate the alleged Central Bank bond scam be held in Parliament before February 7, if possible.

Addressing a rally held in Wellawaya town in support of Sri Lanka

Increased female inclusion in politics is a victory for women – Champika Ranawaka

Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka stated that 2200 women will enter politics following the completion of the Local Government election.

The increased inclusion of women in politics can be seen as a

‘I pledge to rid Lanka of the fuel mafia’ – Arjuna

Minister of Petroleum Resource Development Arjuna Ranatunga stated that he will combat and destroy the furl mafia that has controlled the distribution of clean fuel throughout the country.

Speaking to the media in Kolonnawa Minister Ranatunga stated that

Special party leaders meeting to be held tomorrow

The Speakers’ Office announced today, that a special party leaders meeting will be called on Tuesday (30), to decide upon a date on which Parliament will be convened to debate on the Bond scandal.

The communiqué issued by the Speakers’ office read that the Speaker will address growing concerns of many politicians who

SriLankan Board votes to sack CEO Suren Ratwatte

The Board of Directors of SriLankan Airlines, which won a new lease of life, decided by majority vote to sack their Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Suren Ratwatte. The board met on Thursday for the first time after all of them except one handed in their resignations, but Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe asked them to continue in office until the board was reconstituted. The board took up the

Bank accounts of 28 PTL companies frozen

The operations of bank accounts of all 28 companies within the Perpetual Group– associated with Arjun Aloysius, a key suspect in the controversial Central Bank bond scams—have been frozen with immediate effect by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), authoritative sources told the Sunday Times.

The directive was issued on Wednesday to banks in which the

Fmr. MP & son arrested over assault

Former Parliamentarian of the Polonnaruwa District - Jayasinghe Bandara and his son G.R.I. Bandara were granted bail after they

PM’s call for bond scam debate: EC faces dilemma

Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday that he was in a dilemma over the move by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to call for a Parliamentary debate on February 8 on the two reports – one on the Central Bank’s bond

Dhananjaya, Chameera Only Sri Lankan Players Sold at IPL Auction: Malinga Remains Unsold

Akila Dhananjaya and Dushmantha Chameera became only Sri Lankan players who were sold at the IPL 2018 auction in India.

Dhanajaya was purchased by Mumbai Indian for a price of Ind. Rs. 5 million.

Head coach of the Mumbai Indian team is the former Sri Lankan

After 152 years, 'Super Blue Blood Moon' to light up skies on Wednesday

The world is going to witness a rare and a spectacular view of ‘Super Blue Blood Moon’ on January 31, after a gap of 152 years.

“It is going to be a historical moment because it is a coincidence when blue moon, red moon and full lunar eclipse will take place at

PM to be asked to raise matter with president

UNP ministers and MPs are to request prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe this week to raise with president Maithripala Sirisena the criticism by SLFP ministers at election platforms of the collective decisions taken in the cabinet, a senior UNP member said on condition of anonymity.

The SLFP ministers’ action is a blow to the cabinet’s collective

Feb 1,2 last chance for postal voters - Election Commission

Persons entitled to cast their postal votes for the Local Government (LG) polls but who could not cast their votes on January 22,25 and 26 will be provided with facilities to cast the votes on 1 and 2 February.

Accordingly, the voting could be done at the respective District

Money laundering: Sri Lanka listed among ‘high risk’ countries

The inter-governmental Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has listed Sri Lanka among eleven ‘high risk and monitored jurisdictions’ that have taken insufficient measures to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other threats to the international financial system. The other countries are Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Korea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Trinidad and

PM gives dates for debate, Aloysius to reveal all

The owner of the controversial bond company, Arjun Aloysius has decided to reveal many secrets that had not been disclosed so far regarding the bond incident to the media, prior to the debate to be held in parliament on February 08, according to reliable sources.

These confidential sources added that he would reveal details of the

Cabinet is illegal – Sarath N. Silva

Former chief justice Sarath N. Silva says any decision taken by the government after 31 December last year can be challenged at courts in light of the fact that the unity government agreement expired on that day.

Parliament has not approved an extension of the agreement, he was

President: Ready to form SLFP Govt. if all UPFA MPs join

President Maithripala Sirisena said that he was willing to establish a government led by Sri Lanka Freedom Party, if all 96 United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Parliamentarians joined hands with him.

“I am ready to create an SLFP-led Government if the 96 UPFA

Dharmasena Pathiraja passes away aged 74

Award winning film director and script writer Dharmasena Pathiriaja passed away a short while ago at a private hospital in Kandy.

Dharmasena Pathiraja died aged 74, while receiving treatment for a

SL clinch tri-series; Beat hosts by 79 runs

Sri Lanka seemed to have set an underpar total before a brilliant effort with the ball saw them bowl out Bangladesh for 142 to seal a 79-run victory.

Bangladesh have lost a third successive Tri Series final as they

Financial crisis is a direct result of the Bond scam – Mahinda

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the individuals accountable for the Bond scandal should be held responsible for the severe financial crisis that all Sri Lankans are faced with today.

Speaking to the media at a gathering in Batticaloa, the former President stated that several financial burdens including the

SriLankan CEO steps down

Controversial SriLankan Airlines CEO Suren Ratwatte was asked to step down following a Board meeting on Thursday with Manoj Gunawardene tipped to be the hot favourite to take over, the Daily FT reported quoting top Government officials.

The move comes amidst plans to restructure the troubled national

Japan refuses Sri Lankan tea?

Due to the banning of Glyphosate in Sri Lanka, despite it being used worldwide in tea cultivation and introducing MCPA instead, there is a possibility that Japan might ban Sri Lankan tea in the future, as Japan considers MCPA to be of low standard, said the Acting Registrar of Pesticides, Dr. J.A. Sumith.

He said that Glyphosate had been banned according to the wishes of

Debate on two reports to be held on Feb 08 - PM

Parliament will be convened on February 8 to debate on the reports of the Bond commission and the commission appointed to investigate serious acts of fraud, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickramesinghe.

He made this statement at a UNP rally held in Deniyaya today (27).

Meanwhile, Leader of the JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Aloysius to be arrested! : Telephone conversations to the fore!!

Measures are underway to arrest the main suspect in the controversial Treasury bond scam, Arjun Aloysius in the near future, according to information sources within the Attorney General’s Department. These sources said the AG had summoned the CID officers recently and given them advice on implementing legal measures against those responsible for the bond scam, taking

New Bond division of the Police

The Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is due to establish a new division known as the ‘Bond Division’ shortly, to investigate Treasury bond scams, according to police internal sources.

It is reported that the CID has already commenced investigations

Anura Kumara makes written request from Speaker

Leader of the JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that he has made a request from the Speaker of Parliament to convene a party leaders meeting to finalize a date to conduct the debate on the reports of the Bond commission and the commission appointed to investigate serious acts of fraud.

MP Dissanayake shed light on the above during a political rally of

Police to seize assets of criminals

Police would seize the movable and immovable assets of criminals issued with arrest warrants who failed to surrender when required by law to do so, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said yesterday.

SP Gunasekara said the Police would grant a 30-day grace period

Victor’s wife further remanded

The wife of Victor Ratnayake, Hashini Amendra who was arrested and later remanded over a gold jewellery fraud, has been further remanded until February 09.

This order was issued by the Acting Magistrate Vidura Tennakoon

The national movement against the corrupted elite reconciliation will commence, says the President

The national movement against the reconciliation of the corrupted elite will commence from this February (10), said President Maithripala Sirisena.

All the religious leaders, educated elite, the intellectuals and the people who love the country will be gathered, where another

International case

SL beat Bangladesh by 10 wickets, enter final

Sri Lanka entered the final of the tri-series tournament in grand style as they defeated Bangladesh by 10 wickets.

After skittling host out for 82 following a disciplined effort with the ball and in fielding, openers Danushka Gunathilaka and Upul

Stay Order issued on FCID over Gotabhaya trial extended

The Stay Order issued by the Court of Appeal on the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) preventing any action against former Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa over the