Vidya murder case: Seven sentenced to death

Seven of the nine accused in Sivaloganathan Vidya’s abduction, rape and murder, were sentenced to death by a three-judge bench of Jaffna High Court a short while ago.

Jaffna High Court Judge M. Elancheliyan while sentencing them said the first and the seventh accused should be released because of the lack of evidence against them.

Wife reveals reason for suicide of Tele drama actor

The wife of the Tele drama actor giving evidence at the inquest held, said that her husband was having an affair with a another woman and due to an issue that had developed among the two, her husband had allegedly committed suicide.

The deceased identified as Dasun Nishan De Silva (29) a popular Tele drama actor had been a resident at 30/2 Kanthota, Nittambuwa.

Detained Rohingya refugees Under Police protection

The group of 30 Rohingya refugees, who were detained at a house of UNHRC in Mount Lavinia, had been taken into the Police custody for their protection, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

He said the refugees who were apprehended by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard officials in April this year were initially detained at the Mirihana Detention Centre.

LP gas prices increased

The price of a domestic Litro gas cylinder (12.5kg) would be increased by Rs.110 with effect from midnight today, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.

The CAA sources said the decision to increase prices was approved by the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Marketing Corporate Affairs Director of Litro, Chaminda Ediriwickrema said that following a request made to the CAA and the Finance Ministry, the approval was granted to increase the prices.

Popular actor Dasun commits suicide

Popular actor and model Dasun Nishan has committed suicide by hanging himself a short while ago.

He was married and has contributed greatly to many visual compilations.

Dasun had committed suicide in a room where he was boarded in Pannipitiya, it was reported.

ICC launches corruption probe in Sri Lanka

The ICC has confirmed its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has opened an investigation in Sri Lanka, less than 48 hours after 40 top cricketers petitioned Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to launch an inquiry into corruption allegations.

On Friday, SLC confirmed it had received a letter signed by national players, including captains Dinesh Chandimal and Upul Tharanga, urging the board to probe the "baseless allegations" the players claim were made by former cricketer and selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe. The board, however, stopped short of stating it would launch the probe, and merely recounted the current players' dismay at having their integrity questioned. But the ICC itself has now publicly established ACU officers have recently visited Sri Lanka in relation to an investigation.

Joseph raps UNP Youth Front at Gampaha

A tense situation erupted at the Gampaha United National Party (UNP) Youth Front meeting on Saturday, after Ja-Ela UNP organiser Joseph Michael Perera was refused an opportunity to address the meeting, it was reported.

Mr. Perera had attended a function at Weligampitiya, Ja-Ela following an invitation by UNP Youth Front President Kavinda Jayawardene, to initiate the UNP Youth Front Action Committee.

12 arrested in two brothels in Colombo

Eleven women and a manager were arrested by the Police last night during two separate raids conducted in Kollupitiya and Maradana on charges of operating brothels under the guise of a spa.

Police said seven women and the male manager were arrested yesterday at a brothel at Sangaraja Mawatha in Colombo 10 while three women and a female manager were arrested at a brothel in Kolluipitiya last night.