Former Sri Lanka Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga from whom a statement was obtained by the Criminal Investigation Department subsequent to his return to Sri Lanka has been taken into custody this morning.

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) yesterday (13) informed Nugegoda Magistrate H.U.K. Pelpola that they do not intend to seek an arrest warrant on interdicted Embilipitiya High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya, who is alleged to have been involved in telephone conversations with former Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake.

A total of 8,018 tri-forces deserters have reported to military bases as the week-long general amnesty period came to an end yesterday (12).

Referring to the incident in which the Gampaha District Forest Officer rejected the proposal to construct a playground at the Kadolkele mangrove in Negombo, Environment and Wildlife Resources Minister S.M. Chandrasena said State Minister Sanath Nishantha Perera would have been ignorant of the Wildlife Protection Act when dealing with the situation.

India’s Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing and ratification of the protocol amending the agreement between India and Sri Lanka for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion in respect to taxes on income.

Lawyers at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court engaged in a silent protest for the second time charging that the order given by Attorney General,  Dappula de Livera to Police to apprehend interdicted former Embilipitiya High Court Judge, Gihan Pilapitiya was both contrary to law and was arbitrary.

MP Ranjan Ramanayake further remanded until Feb 26 by Nugegoda Magistrate’s court, over the interference of the judicial matters charges.

The Department of Examinations says the calling of applications for the GCE Ordinary Level examination, GCE Advanced Level examination and the Grade Five Scholarship examination will be carried out according to an online method.

Applicants can obtain their light-vehicle driving licences within three hours after submitting the applications with the medical report at the one-day service counter, State Minister of Transport, Dilum Amunugama said.

A European Union (EU) report, compiled by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has stated that Sri Lanka has shown significant progress on the human rights front.

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday (11),  approved a request made by Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa to change the name of the political alliance called Ape Jathika Peramuna to Samagi Janabalawegaya  to contest the upcoming General Election likely to be held in April this year.

The Attorney General has expressed his displeasure to the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) over the response in dealing with the AG’s advice and directives on Justice Gihan Pilapitiya, coordinating Secretary Nishara Jayaratne said.

A total of four persons have been injured and admitted to the Colombo National Hospital, following an accident adjacent to the Rajagiriya flyover this morning.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa visited the Welikada Prison yesterday afternoon on a sudden inspection tour. He spoke with the inmates being held in remand. Most of them were in remand for illegal possession of heroin and other prescription substances.

The UNP working committee meeting yesterday ended in a stalemate following the issue on the symbol of the alliance led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to contest the next general election.