Motion of no-confidence defeated in Parliament

The No Confidence motion, which was taken up against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, was defeated with a majority of 94 against the motion, 145 voted against the  motion, while 51 voted for the motion, 28 were absent.

Earlier, the No Confidence motion was submitted to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya by the Joint Opposition on March 24. It carries the signatures of 37 Joint Opposition MPs.

The no-faith motion stated the Minister had misled the House with inaccurate information on the economy and the finance of the country. The motion has held the minister responsible for the current economic crisis in the country. The JVP during its Central Committee meeting held on Sunday decided to vote in favour of the motion. It is learnt the TNA is most likely to either abstain or vote against the motion.

3 persons dead following bomb blast in Thalangama

Three people were killed and a child was injured following a grenade attack in Koswatta, Thalangama today, the police said.The police said that the attack was carried out over a private dispute.

According to the police, a girl and her mother were attacked when they were on their way to the police station to make a complaint.The attack had taken place over a love affair, the police said. The girl and her mother were killed in the attack.

Gayantha , Rajitha justify purchase of new vehicles

Ministers Gayantha Karunathillake and Rajitha Senaratne yesterday justified the purchase of more good vehicles for various Ministry’s saying that their work entailed a lot of travelling.

Responding to questions at the weekly Cabinet Press Briefing in Colombo, they claimed that there was a shortage of vehicles at government institutions and that was the reason for more funds being allocated to buy new cars.

" We, have a lot of work to do and travel to many remote areas.You need powerful engines to climb hilly terrain", they added.

The Ministers said that all purchases were done in a proper manner devoid of commissions and with parliamentary approval.

Sri Lanka recall experienced Farveez Maharoof for England ODIs

Paceman Farveez Mahroof has been picked for the ODI segment of Sri Lanka's tour of England.

Maharoof who last played an ODI in 2012 has been picked alongside Upul Tharanga, Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Suraj Randiv and Seekuge Prasanna to join the national squad currently engaged in the Test tour, SLC said in a statement yesterday.

Meanwhile SLC announced the (Four-day and One-day) squads for Sri Lanka 'A' team tour of UK on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka A-Team 4-day squad: Ashan Priyanjan (Captain), Mahela Udawatta, Udara Jayasundara, Madhawa Warnapura, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Angelo Perera, Minod Bhanuka, Charith Asalanka, Sachith Pathirana, Lahiru Gamage, Kasun Rajitha, Vishva Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Ramith Rambukwella, Prabath Jayasuriya.

These five players join the team for ODIs: Bhanuka Rajapakse, Kithruwan Vithanage, Thisara Perera, Mohamed Dilshad, Lakshan Sandaken.

Killer wild elephant captured in Wellawaya

A wild elephant roaming in Wellawaya and the suburbs who killed a number of persons and damaged properties, was captured by a team of wildlife officials attached to Southern Province Wildlife Department.

A Wildlife Conservation Department official said the elephant who would roam in Hambegamuwa, Balaharuwa, Unakanda, Weherayaya, Ethiliwewa and Siripura areas was caught in a forest in Balaharuwa.

The elephant has killed over 12 persons.

Twenty one wildlife officers participated in the operation. The elephant was handed over to the Horowupathana Elephant Orphanage.

Lottery Jackpot winner now a drug addict arrested

A lottery winner from Anuradhapura has become a drug addict and a criminal just three years after raking in Rs. 45 million from a lottery jackpot. The jackpot winner arrested by Police at Anuradhapura town yesterday for possessing 200 milligrams of heroin is currently languishing in prison.

The story of the lottery winner who was selling flowers at the Sri Maha Bodhi premises until his lucky break, hit headlines at the time.

The person who led a lavish life since then had become a drug addict and according to Police has also wasted most of the money he won.

He had been arrested by the Police on two previous occasions as well for the same offence.

MP Prasanna Ranatunga, wife granted bail by High Court

The Colombo High Court today (08) granted bail to MP Prasanna Ranatunga and his wife in connection with a case filed against them over an alleged financial malpractice connected to a land deal. 

Ranatunga has been accused of obtaining a sum of Rs 64 million to fill and develop a land in the Wellampitiya area as well as to remove the unauthorized occupants of the property. 

The businessman, who claims to have made the payment to Ranatunga, has lodged a complaint with the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) alleging that the sum has been deposited into a bank account belonging to the Chief Minister’s wife.     The FCID had previously questioned the Chief Minister’s wife for nearly 6 hours regarding the complaint as well.

Mattala Airport duty free shops closed

The troubled Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport at Mattala has received another blow with the complete closure of the duty free shops located within its premises since June 1.

Airport sources said that shops have remained closed since 1 June and the owners have already removed the goods from their stores.

The air traffic to Mattala has now dwindled to a trickle and only two charter flights use the MRIA at present.

However, these two airlines have flights to MRIA, carrying tourists on an almost daily basis and the passengers have been inconvenienced duty to the lack of duty-free shopping opportunities.3.