New Navy Commander received his letter of appointment

Rear Admiral Travis Sinniah who has been appointed as the new Navy Commander received his letter of appointment from President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s Official Residence yesterday. Secretary to the President Austin Fernando and Defence Secretary Kapila Waidyaratne were also present on the occasion. Picture by Sudath Silva

Police have power to arrest Namal Rajapaksa

Colombo Additional Magistrate Chandana Kalansuriya yesterday observed that Police have the power to arrest Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa over a cognisable offence, for allegedly threatening and reprimanding an official attached to the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) on August 15.

No tax on migrant workers' money - Eran

The proposed Tax Bill will not impose new taxes on money transferred by migrant workers to Sri Lanka, State minister of Finance - Eran Wickramaratne.

He was speaking on this regard during a Facebook Live interview with the BBC Sinhala Service.

During a recent press briefing, JVP MP Sunil Handunneththi had said that the new Tax Bill would impose a tax on money sent by migrant workers.

TRC levy on internet to be scrapped

The 10pc TRC levy imposed on internet services will be removed from September 01, says Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

Meanwhile, the minister also said that production tax on mini lorries and single cabs will be reduced from Rs.10,000,00 to Rs.700,000.

IGP contemplates legal action against website

Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said Police Chief Pujith Jayasundare was mulling legal action against a website that published defamatory remarks about him and a video clip depicting him threatening a minor employee of the Police department.

The video clip that went viral on social media websites took centre stage at the weekly Cabinet news briefing today.

UNP MPs Sign No Confidence Motion Against Wijeyadasa

At least 70 United National Party (UNP) MPs have signed a no-confidence motion that is to be brought against Justice and Buddhasasana Minister Wijeydasa Rajapaksa, informed sources told.

Sources said the matter would be further discussed at the UNP working committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow (17).

Shiranthi and Rohitha arrive at CID, FCID

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's wife Shiranthi Rjapaksa and their youngest son Rohitha Rajapaksa arrived at the CID and FCID respectively this morning to give statements over two separate ongoing investigations.

Police said the former first lady arrived at the CID to give a statement in connection with the defender jeep donated to the Siriliya Saviya Foundation by the Red Cross in 2011whcih had allegedly been used to provide protection to a VIP.

IGP manhandling Police HQ staff

A video posted by a popular ‘gossip’ website Lanka e News (LEN) was circulating on social media showing Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara manhandling two minor staffers of the Police Headquarters, who claimed to have disobeyed departmental rules of performing the morning meditation.

Although the video has been posted on the LEN website this morning following a written description pertaining to the visuals it carried, the actual incident depicted on the footage had reportedly taken place on April 11 this year, as mentioned by the gossip site.