NO CDs given by Ranjan, says Deputy Speaker

Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri today informed Parliament that MP Ranjan Ramanayake had not submitted any CDs containing voice clips as reported in some media.

Magistrate Kanishka to be appointed new Bribery DG

Ampara Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne is to be appointed as the new Director-General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Three nabbed with gold biscuits worth Rs.50 mn

Three suspects including a 16-year-old boy was arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with gold biscuits worth more than Rs.50 million this morning, airport senior official said.

Shani Abeysekara arrives at CID

Former CID Director Shani Abeysekara arrived at the CID to give a statement with regard to the investigations carried out on the incident into the alleged abduction of Swiss Embassy local staffer Garnier Banister Francis.

Wolbachia’ bacteria to be released on Feb 17

A pilot project to combat Dengue by means of Wolbachia, is to be launched on February 17’’ in Dematagoda and Nugegoda areas, National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) Director Dr. Anura Jayasekera said.

Import of milk powder to be limited: Minister

Action would be taken to look into the possibility of curtailing the importation of milk powder into the country, Health and Indigenous Medicine, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Prez, PM’s attention drawn to appraise CYPETCO defaulters

Power, Energy and Commuter Transport Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday said he would appraise President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the cabinet on the colossal amount of money defaulted to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CYPETCO) which is running into Rs. 155 billion by several key state establishments.

UNP wants Speaker to upload report in P’ment website

UNP MP Karunaratne Paranavithana yesterday requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to upload the forensic audit report of the Central Bank bond scam in the Parliament website.

Bond scam Forensic Audit report held back on AG’s orders

The annexures of the Forensic Audit report conducted on the bond scam has been held back by Parliament following an order of the Attorney General, UNP MP Harsha de Silva told Parliament today.

Sumathipala slams Ranjan’s match-fixing allegations

Refuting match-fixing allegations levelled by MP Ranjan Ramanayake, MP Thilanga Sumathipala told Parliament yesterday that none including the International Cricket Council (ICC) made such remarks.

AG orders bond scam Forensic Audit report held back

The annexures of the Forensic Audit report conducted on the bond scam has been held back by Parliament following an order of the Attorney General, UNP MP Harsha de Silva told Parliament today.

No CDs tabled by Ranjan: Kanchana

It was transpired in Parliament today that MP Ranjan Ramanayake had not tabled any CDs on Tuesday though he claimed he did so.

Bribery DG resigns

Director-General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne has resigned from the post.

UNP names Saman Rathnapriya as National List MP

The United National Party (UNP) today named Saman Rathnapriya to fill the National List MP post fell vacant by the resignation of Dr. Jayampathi Wickremaratne

Politicians shouldn’t chase after positions: Kiriella

Referring to the prevailing UNP leadership crisis, MP Lakshman Kiriella said they, as politicians, should not chase after positions, but positions should come in search of them, if they had worked properly.

Gazette on maintaining public order issued

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification directing the military to maintain public order in the country with effect from today.

Govt. to continue Digana Airport building project

The new government will continue the Digana Airport building project considering the needs, Minister of Aviation and Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga told Parliament today.

Medical student stabbed to death in Jaffna

A soldier attached to the Paranthan Army camp had been allegedly stabbed to death his wife at a park near the Pannai lagoon in Jaffna this afternoon over a family dispute, the Defence Ministry said.

No need to make Ranjan a hero: MP Hesha Withanage

The incumbent government is trying to cover up the concerning issues in the country at present and there is no need of making former MP Ranjan Ramanayake a hero, and what he did was not suitable to consider him as such, UNP MP Hesha Withanage said at a media briefing today at the Opposition Leader’s office.

New China virus: Chinese officials advise against travel to Wuhan

Chinese authorities have advised people to stop travel into and out of Wuhan, the city at the centre of a new virus that has killed nine.

UNP MP Jayampathy Wickramaratne resigns

UNP National List MP Dr. Jayampathi Wickremaratne has resigned from his post as MP with effect from January 20, 2020, Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri announced today.

Thermal scanners at BIA to detect corona virus carriers

Three Infrared Thermal Image Scanners (ITIS) are installed at the arrival terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to detect and mass screening of passengers arriving with high body temperature due to corona virus, an airport senior official said.

Online booking for medical certificates of driving licences

The National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI) yesterday introduced an android app for online booking system to obtain medical certificates for driving licences, the Transport Management Ministry said.

Saudi crown prince hacked Amazon chief Jeff Bezos’s phone: Report

Jeff Bezos’s mobile phone was hacked after receiving a message from the Saudi Arabian crown prince, the Guardian newspaper reported, citing unnamed sources.

China warns coronavirus may spread as death toll jumps to 9

China warned Wednesday that a SARS-like virus that has killed nine people, infected hundreds and spread to other countries could mutate, as authorities scrambled to contain the disease during the Lunar New Year travel season.

Vegetable prices drop at Dambulla Economic Center

Traders in the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Center said a sharp drop in the prices of vegetables was being experienced at present and that it was mainly due to large stocks of vegetables arriving from the North.

Implement mechanism to regulate Trishaw fares before Feb 4

The Lanka Self-Employed Professionals’ National Three-Wheeler Federation yesterday urged the government to take immediate action to implement a mechanism to regulate Trishaw fares.

Legal action against those who doctored audio clips: Hirunika

UNP MP Hirunika Premachnadra yesterday said she will file legal action against those whom she accused of doctoring the phone conversations she has had with her parliamentary colleague Ranjan Ramanayake.

UNP Leader - Final decision on Friday

UNP members frustrated at the prolonging leadership crisis have issued party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa a week’s ultimatum to resolve the contentious issues between them and reach a final decision.

Committee report on MCC will be presented in Parliament: Dinesh

House Leader, Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said today the report of the Committee appointed to look into the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact was due in four months and assured he would present it in parliament no sooner he receives it.