John Amaratunga threatens journalists

Furious over the questions asked by some journalists regarding garbage disposal at Bopitiya in Wattala, Minister John Amaratunga is is reported to have threatened them with death while leaving the party office in Kandana today.

According to some journalists who had videoed the entire episode, the minister had turned furious asked the journalists to leave the vicinity when they told the minister that the people were blaming him for the garbage crisis at Bopitya.

Prince Udaya Priyantha passes away

Popular singer Prince Udaya Priyantha passed away at the age of 44 at a private hospital in Colombo, today.

"Sudu Mal Pokurak, Sandarenu Wehena, Werala Konaka Hida, Mahada Premadare and Oba pe Pem Sina were among his popular songs.

Building collapse in Wellawatta

At least thirteen individuals were hospitalized after a partially constructed building collapsed in Wellawatte a short while ago.Reports stated the building was situated behind the Savoy Cinema.

Nine individuals were admitted to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital and four others were admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo.

Police said several others were reportedly trapped inside the building and fire fighters are conducting rescue operations.

Contempt case against website editor on Sept 28

The Supreme Court yesterday fixed for support on September 28, the application for contempt of court filed by petitioner Madura Withanage, Attorney-at-Law complaining that the editor of Lanka-e-News Sandaruwan Senadheera, had insulted the dignity of judicial officers, by way of 14 articles.

The petitioner has said those articles are not correct and have caused an affront to the dignity of the judiciary.

EU to remove 66% of tariffs on Lankan exports this week

The European Union Ambassador to Sri Lanka Tung-Lai Margue yesterday announced that the EU would remove a significant part of the remaining import duties on Sri Lankan products entering its market, while the complete removal of duties on 66 percent of tariff lines covering a wide array of products including textiles and fisheries was expected to come into effect this week.

MR is not responsible for current economic turmoil

The latest Central Bank (CB) report for the year 2016 clearly indicates that current economic crisis was not a result of the action of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa or his government, the Joint opposition claimed yesterday.

Addressing a press briefing, MP Bandula Gunawardane said nearly two and half years has passed since the Unity government came in to power and still they are struggling to resolve the economic issues.

‘Ecstasy’ smuggler nabbed

A suspect was arrested with a haul of the illegal drug 'Ecstasy', worth approximately Rs 7million, an Excise Department source said.

The suspect was arrested on Monday by the Special Operations Bureau under the Department of Excise.The suspect was a software engineer by profession, the source said, adding that 1176 pills of two specific shapes were in the suspect's possession when he was taken into custody.

Man arrested for killing his 12th mistress

A 27-year man was arrested at Hiriwadunna, Habarana for killing his mistress on Sunday. He was taking her body in a mini truck presumably for disposal at the time of his arrest.

The victim, K. D. Kanchana Dilrukshi (28), was a mother of one. She had been cohabiting with the suspect, police said.