SLPP diametrically opposes Sajith-Gota coalition

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) categorically rejected the idea mooted by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa for him to tie up with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in forming a government subsequent to the upcoming parliamentary polls.

Pujith, Hemasiri should be allowed to testify freely

IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Secretary to President Hemasiri Fernando should be allowed to testify freely before the presidential commission on the Easter Sunday attacks so that they will reveal as to who is truly responsible for the carnage, UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara told a press conference held yesterday.

SL can rollover debt service commitment for 2020: Cabraal

Many moneylenders have expressed support and we will be in a position to comfortably roll over our debt service commitment for 2020, senior economic adviser to the Prime Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal said.

HC inquiry fixed for tomorrow

The Colombo High Court (HC) yesterday fixed for tomorrow the inquiry into two motions seeking bail for IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando.

UNP should contest only under ‘elephant’ symbol

Puttalam District UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara said the party should contest the general elections in alliance with other parties only under the elephant symbol.

Effective treatment for coronavirus ‘months away’

Although the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is not as virulent as MERS, SARS or Bird Flu, the viral disease is spreading fast and finding a successful treatment is a few months away, Chief Epidemiologist attached to the Health Ministry Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

All crew members were willing to brave coronavirus: COSD Captain

The 16-member crew of SriLankan Airlines ‘Mission Mercy’ to China to rescue 33 trapped Sri Lankan students from novel coronavirus said they voluntarily stepped forward to fly to Wuhan.

Mano Tittawella passes away

Former Senior Advisor to the Finance Ministry and the first Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Strategic Enterprises Management Agency (SEMA), Mano Tittawella passed away in Melbourne Australia today.

IGP contests compulsory leave: SC defers FR until May 26

The Supreme Court (SC) today deferred until May 26 for support for granting of leave to proceed in respect of the fundamental rights violation petition filed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara against sending him on compulsory leave.

Will maintain round-the-clock alert for another month

Although Sri Lanka has overcome the possibility of a coronavirus outbreak, the around-the-clock alert has to be maintained for another month before declaring Sri Lanka is fully safe from the deadly epidemic, Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi said today.

Yasantha Kodagoda, H.M.D. Nawaz sworn in

Court of Appeal President Justice Yasantha Kodagoda was sworn in as a Supreme Court Judge before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today.

PM to undertake first overseas visit to India

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would make a state visit to India from February 7 to 11, 2020, on an invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Arrest warrant issued on ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO, wife

An arrest warrant was issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate today ordering the CID to arrest SriLankan Airlines former CEO Kapila Chandrasena and wife Priyanka Vijenayake over the Airbus deal in 2013.

Madduma Bandara named secretary of new UNP alliance

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has named UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the general secretary of the new alliance under which the UNP and its allies would contest the general elections, a statement from the office of Opposition Leader said today.

512 prisoners to be released on Independence Day

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has granted a general amnesty for 512 prisoners who have been serving jail terms for minor offence, to mark the Independence Day which falls tomorrow (4).

Arrest ex- SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena, wife over Air Bus deal: AG

Attorney General Dappula De Livera has directed the CID Director to obtain a warrant, arrest and produce former CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayaka in the court.

Heavy traffic in Maradana due to protest

Traffic congestion was reported in Maradana due to a protest march carried out by a group of Higher National Diploma (HND) students.

SC permits to name Fmr. Prez as respondent in Pujith’s FR petition

The Supreme Court today granted permission to name former President Maithripala Sirisena as a Respondent in a Fundamental Rights petition filed by IGP Pujith Jayasundera seeking a court order declaring the decision to send him on compulsory leave unconstitutional.

Night club clash kills one

A 31-year-old man was killed during a clash at a night club at Seram Road in Mount Lavinia early this morning, the Police said.

Coronavirus fatalities rise to 361 in China

The death toll in China from the deadly coronavirus outbreak that originated in the central city of Wuhan, rose to at least 361 on Monday, as the Philippines became the first country outside China to confirm a death from the infection.

Russian Army Chief arrives in Sri Lanka

General Oleg Salyukov, Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces of the Russian Federation, a combat veteran with 45 years in service and decorated with orders and 9 medals arrived in Sri Lanka this morning on a five-day long goodwill tour at the invitation of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, a statement said .

Three died after falling into an abandoned mine

Three persons including a 17 year-old boy died after falling into an abandoned mine at Seethawaka, Avissawella, police said.

China worried over refusal to entertain Chinese nationals at restaurants, taxis

Chinese ambassador CHENG Xueyuan, in a statement, said yesterday it was worrisome that some taxis, hotels and restaurants were refusing to entertain Chinese citizens, and asserted that true friendship could and must stand the test of difficulties.

Don’t play politics with Bond scam forensic audit report: Harsha

One should not play politics with the forensic audit report as it had revealed that Perpetual Treasuries had earned billions in an illegitimate manner before and after 2015, UNP MP Dr Harsha de Silva said yesterday.

Sajith will become UNP Leader: Rahaman

Opposition Leader Sahith Premadasa would ultimately become the leader of the UNP, a UNP MP said today.

President orders probe into Airbus deal allegations

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered a comprehensive investigation into reports of allegations over financial irregularities said to have committed during the deal between SriLankan Airlines and Airbus SE upon procurement of aircraft.

Romanian racism case spirals as SL workers removed from factory

Two workers from Sri Lanka, who have become the target of protests in a Central Romanian town, were eventually removed on Saturday from the production process at the bread factory, Romanian media Hotnews reported.

Twenty killed in Tanzanian church stampede

At least 20 people in Tanzania were trampled to death at an open-air evangelical Christian church service in the north of the country, officials said on Sunday.

Man arrested for raping Swedish woman at knifepoint in Pottuvil

An 18-year-old Sri Lankan was arrested for allegedly raping a Swedish woman at a guest house in Pottuvil, Ampara last night, the Police said.

Four arrested with 300kg of Kerala cannabis

Four suspects were arrested with 300kg of Kerala cannabis by the Navy during a patrol conducted in the seas off Punkudutivu in Jaffna today.