The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) recently arrested another Army Officer attached to the State Intelligence Service in connection with the abduction and murder of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda. CID sources said he is a member of the gang who abducted Eknaligoda in 2010. According to sources Abeyratne was a Sergeant during the period when Eknaligoda was abducted and later promoted to the Lieutenant rank.

He was previously questioned by the CID in connection with the incident and released after having recorded several statements. In his previous statements, he had said that on the day Eknaligoda was abducted, he came to Colombo from the Giritale Army Camp to obtain quotations for sports equipment. He had said that he first went to Borella to meet a friend and then went to Battaramulla for the quotations. According to him he went to the Giritale Camp the same day.

But, when the CID inquired after obtaining phone details of Abeyratne they found that he had not come to Colombo during the day Eknaligoda was abducted and they arrested him again on Monday. When questioned for the second time, he failed to give the name of the shop from which he obtained the quotation for sports equipment or the friend whom he met. He is to be produced before the Homagama Magistrate.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has extended the validity of all passports that expire from June end by one year until the issuance of the e-passport project takes off in January next year.

Sri Lanka registered its concerns with India on the death of a navy sailor in his attempt to seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in Sri Lankan waters, an informed source said.

Whilst highlighting that Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sarath Fonseka is a man of ability who never gives up, President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said Sri Lanka will get the opportunity of enjoying the services of the former in the near future.

Inflation in the Colombo district accelerated in June as widely expected, mainly due to the higher food prices, but the prices still remain largely below Central Bank’s medium term target of 5 percent.

The Grama Niladhari Trade Union Alliance (GNTUA) has decided to continue with their work-to-rule campaign today. The co-conveners of the alliance said the decision was taken following an unproductive meeting with the representatives of the Prime Minister yesterday. They said their trade union action was based on several issues concerning the constitution of Grama Niladhari services and not increasing the allowances.

The Uppuweli Police have launched an investigation to locate a 25-year-old Israeli female tourist, Tamar Amitai, who has been missing since Wednesday (26) while visiting Sri Lanka.

A suspected bird flu patient has been reported from the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), a top source told the Daily Mirror. The diagnosed person is a male foreigner. The patient was tested for influenza, which showed positive following a PCR test. Subsequently he was tested for the subtype of influenza A, which is influenza A/H1N1.

Former Colombo district Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra was found guilty of her involvement in the abduction of a youth using a Defender and was given a three-year prison sentence by the Colombo High Court today.

Former Colombo district Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, who has been jailed for 3 years by the High Court of Colombo for her involvement in the abduction of a youth using a Defender, is expected to seek bail from the Colombo High Court.

The Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Misukoshi Hideki, said that Japan will promptly resume its projects in Sri Lanka that were previously halted, once the related MoUs are signed.

The Election Commission which will get constitutional authority to conduct the presidential election independent of any governmental interference in another three weeks time has sprung up into action by issuing a circular to initiate action for staff, vehicle mobilization and polling centre inspections, an official said.

China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sun Weidong, called on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Beijing today and reiterated the strong partnership between China and Sri Lanka.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa left for a four day official visit to China today morning and will hold discussions with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his stay, the Daily Mirror learns.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Chief Prelate of the Malwatu Chapter, Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Maha Nayaka Thera and the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Nayaka Thera a short while ago.

The Constitutional Council has again rejected President Ranil Wickremesinghe's proposal to extend Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam's term by six months. In a recent vote, five members opposed the extension while three supported it.

Markham, Canada - Over fifteen years following the end of Sri Lanka’s Genocidal war against Eelam Tamils, families of the forcibly disappeared are still searching for answers about the whereabouts of their loved ones. The recent UN Human Rights Office report released on May 17 highlights the ongoing issue of enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka and urges the Sri Lankan government to take action to strengthen their truth-seeking mechanisms and to ensure accountability for all perpetrators. Furthermore, on June 5, a report launch event titled "15 Years of Official Peace" convened to unveil the findings of this document and discuss the conclusion with panellists.

Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena yesterday described Sri Lanka reaching agreements with the Official Creditors Committee (OCC) and China EXIM Bank as a “critical milestone”, and said the Government is continuing the process to stabilise and promote long-term economic growth.

The United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie J. Chung, has expressed support for the final agreement on debt restructuring between Sri Lanka and its creditor nations. The agreement was reached today on the sidelines of the Paris Forum 2024.

Sri Lanka has reached a final restructuring agreement for $5.8 billion of debt with its bilateral lenders' Official Creditor Committee in Paris. According to the President’s Media Division, the agreement was finalized a short while ago.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Japan from July 1, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said. They said the visit will be made on an invitation extended by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa,