JVP refutes being aligned with SLMC, TNA

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today refuted media reports as claimed by Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem that he was contemplating contesting the General Elections aligning with the JVP, TNA and civil society groups.

Foreign Ministry to safeguard Lankans in Italy as COVID cases rise

The Foreign Relations Ministry in coordination with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Rome and the Consulate General Office in Milan had taken action to closely monitor and coordinate efforts to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans residing in Italy, following the recent rise of COVID-19 cases in that country, the Foreign Ministry said in a Media release today.

Elephant, Swan or any symbol: Akila

The UNP-led alliance would settle issues this week pertaining to the symbol under which it would contest the upcoming General Elections, party General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasm said today.

Sri Lanka appeals to get seven arrested in Nigeria

The Sri Lankan High Commission in Abuja has appealed to the Nigerian authorities for the early release and repatriation of the seven Sri Lankan crew members who were arrested on charges of transporting illegal petroleum products.

Rosy Senanayake’s son to contest from UNP alliance

Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake’s son Kanishka Senanayake is to enter into national politics and contest for the Colombo District from the UNP led alliance at the forthcoming general elections.

Malaysia’s Mahathir submits resignation to king - reports

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced his resignation on Monday, according to reports, paving the way for a possible formation of a new government.

Galle Road closed due to protest

The Galle Road, Colombo has been closed due to a protest carried out by the employees of the Housing Development Authority outside the Presidential Secretariat, police said.

Rohitha Rajapaksa apologizes to his twitter post

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s youngest son Rohitha Rajapaksa had tendered an apology via Twitter referring to a Tweet he posted in response to an individual’s tweet.

Malaysian AG faces calls to resign over dropping terrorism charges against men linked to LTTE

Malaysian Attorney General Tommy Thomas faced calls to resign after he dropped terrorism charges against 12 people who were alleged to have links to Sri Lanka’s Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Regional integration need of the hour: Ranil Wickremesinghe

Successful regional integration, both economic and security depends on SAARC becoming fully functional at the highest levels, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said at The Huddle, the Hindu’s annual thought conclave, held in Bengaluru yesterday.

Murali’s brother Muttiah Prabhakaran to contest from SLPF

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s brother Muttiah Prabhakaran has decided to contest the forthcoming general election in Nuwara Eliya District from the Sri Lanka Peoples’ Front with a view of helping the development programme led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Sajith invites SLFP to join UNP led alliance

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday invited the SLFP to join UNP led alliance Samagi Jana Balawegaya which is led by him.

Karu refutes report on national list request

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday denied the reports that he has asked for a national list slot to enter the next Parliament from Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa.

Malaysia’s justice chief faces calls to resign over handling of terror case

Malaysian Attorney General Tommy Thomas faced calls to resign after he dropped terrorism charges against 12 people who were alleged to have links to Sri Lanka’s Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Military Police to assist police to control traffic

With the increase in the number of vehicles on the road causing heavy traffic congestion in Colombo city, especially during the peak hours, the Military Police personnel will be deployed from today at the main entry and exit points in Colombo to assist the Police in order to ease traffic congestion in the city, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

An additional entrance to expressway under construction

The Road Development Authority is engaged in a hurried construction of a VIP entrance in the Southern Expressway covering the areas Matara, Godagama and Barawakumbuka.

Immigration busts major human smuggling racket at BIA

A major human smuggling racket to send Sri Lankan women to South India as potential sex workers was busted when Immigration authorities nabbed an Indian man with two local women at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Saturday.

Five die, 21 injure in bus – jeep collision at Omanthai

At least five persons were killed and 21 others sustained injuries when a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus collided with a Jeep on the Kandy – Jaffna Road in Omanthai last evening, the Police said.

Expressway; Local media denied coverage at opening ceremony

The local media was not allowed to attend the event held at Matara - Godagama in connection with the ceremonial opening of the Matara - Hambantota Expressway. Officials of the Presidential Secretariat had told the media personnel that only foreign media is allowed to cover the event and not the locals.

Passengers from South Korea to be checked for Coronavirus at BIA

All passengers arriving from South Korea will be subjected to a medical check-up for infections of the COVID-19 or coronavirus, at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, the Director-General of Health Services announced.

Matara-Hambantota extension of Southern Expressway declared open

The Godagama-Barawakumbuka segment of the Southern Expressway (E01) was declared open for public by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, today.

24 Sri Lankan fishermen jailed in Bangladesh

Twenty-four Sri Lankan fishermen have been arrested from the Bay of Bengal on charges of fishing illegally inside Bangladesh’s maritime boundary in Chattogram, Bangladesh police said.

Southern Expressway up to H’tota opens today, bus fares announced

The Godagama-Barawakumbuka segment of the Southern Expressway (E01) will be opened for public today by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Italy towns close down amid virus case clusters, 2 deaths

Italy has introduced ’’extraordinary measures’’ to tackle the spread of the biggest outbreak of the new coronavirus in Europe.

One arrested with over 200kg of Kerala cannabis

A suspect was arrested with over 200kg of Kerala cannabis which has a street value of nearly Rs 30 million at Thullukudiirippu in Thalaimannar yesterday.

Malaysia’s Home Minister says LTTE remains a terror group

Malaysia’s Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Saturday (Feb 22) said the defunct organisation Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will remain listed as a terrorist organisation, setting aside a suggestion by Malaysia’s Attorney-General Tommy Thomas for a review.

SL briefs UNHRC President on decision to withdraw from Resolution

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha has briefed UN Human Rights Council (HRC) President Ambassador Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger on the decision of the Sri Lankan Government to withdraw its co-sponsorship of UN Resolution on the country, the Foreign Relations Ministry said.

SL Navy, Air force –Indian Navy conduct air observer training exercise

A Dornier Aircraft of the Indian Navy conducted an Air Observer Training Exercise, with the participation of officers of the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force.

Coronavirus; SL ensures welfare of Sri Lankans in South Korea

The Ministry of Foreign Relations in coordination with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Seoul has been closely monitoring and coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans residing in South Korea, following the recent rise of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases, particularly, in the city of Daegu, where an estimated 915 Sri Lankans reside, the ministry said.

Southern Expressway up to H’tota: Opening tomorrow

The Godagama-Barawakumbuka stretch of the Southern Expressway (E-01) will be opened for public use tomorrow by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Godagama interchange at 3.00 p.m, E-01 Deputy Director R.A.D. Kahatapitiya said.