Trump announces ’powerful’ sanctions but not military retaliation after Iran missile strikes

President Donald Trump addressed the nation Wednesday morning from the White House. de-escalating a crisis with Iran following its missile strikes overnight on two bases in Iraq where U.S. troops are stationed.

SLTB to remove buses unable to be repaired: SLTB chairman

Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses which are not fit for road running would in future be removed, after inspection by the Motor Traffic Department (DMT), SLTB Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka said.

Tuk Tuk driver behind leaking Ranjan’s CDs?

Revealing as to how the controversial audio recordings of former State Minister Ranjan Ramanayaka leaked into the social media and to the Press that triggered a huge debate in the country, State Minister of Power, Mahindananda Aluthgamage claimed that it was a work of a three-wheeler driver.

UNP to make final decision on party leadership

UNP parliamentary group will make a final decision on the future of the party including the leadership, Party General Secretary Gayantha Karunatilleke said today.

AG files revision application against granting bail to Rajitha

Attorney General has filed a Revision Application against the order of the Chief Magistrate granting bail to MP Rajitha Senarathne, AG’s Coordinating Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said.

US embassy in SL issues security alert after tension in ME

The United States Embassy in Colombo today, issued a security alert to its citizens living here, warning them of ’’security risks’’ that may follow heightened tension in the Middle East.

UNP urges PSC to probe Ranjan’s phone recordings

The UNP today called for the setting up of Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to probe the phone conversations of MP Ranjan Ramanayake and the whole episode pertaining to the MP.

Iran claims 80 US troops killed in missile barrage; US says 'no'

An Iranian regime-run media outlet claimed that more than 80 Americans were killed in an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps missile strike on US forces in Iraq early Wednesday, the Times of Israel reported.

Rathana Thera submits bill to repeal MMDA

Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera today presented a bill calling for repeal of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA), No 13 of 1951.

SriLankan to avoid airspace of Iran, Iraq

SriLankan Airlines has decided to avoid the airspace of Iran and Iraq with immediate effect when operating its flights between Colombo- and London due to the prevailing unsettled situation in the Persian Gulf region.

Foreign travel ban on Shani Abeysekara

The Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today imposed an overseas travel ban on former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director SSP Shani Abeysekara following a request by Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) over the controversial telephone conversation between him and MP Ranjan Ramanayake.

CCD launches probe into Ranjan’s phone recordings

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has launched an investigations into MP Ranjan Ramanayaka’s telephone recordings, police said.

'No survivors' after Ukrainian airliner crashes near Tehran

A Ukrainian airliner with 176 passengers and crew on board has crashed near Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airport in Iran early on Wednesday.

Ranjan confused how the copies of CD reached 3rd parties

UNP Member of Parliament Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday said it is questionable as to how the copies of CDs seized from him went into the hands of third parties.

FAA restricts US flights over Iran, Iraq after ballistic missile attack

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday issued an emergency restriction for Persian Gulf airspace after Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops.

SL to amend laws for harsher punishment for wildlife protection

The government will consider strengthening laws to protect wildlife in the wake of last year’s and this month’s killing of several rare and protected animal species, a Wildlife Ministry official told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Submit a report on Shani in two weeks: NPC informs IGP

The National Police Commission (NPC) has informed the acting IGP to submit a report of the preliminary investigations within two weeks regarding to the alleged phone conversation of former CID Director Shani Abeysekara with MP Ranjan Ramanayake, Police Media Division said.

We’ll support Govt’s people-friendly proposals: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that his party was prepared to support the government to implement all progressive proposals in its presidential election manifesto and in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s policy statement on January 3 2020.

President commiserates with Australian PM

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a telephone conversation with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed his empathy to Australians as they battle one of the worst bushfires in history.

Govt. MPs to urge Prez to carry out probe

Government members are expected to request President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to probe the exposures from the audio recording among former state minister Ranjana Ramanayaka, a CID officer and a High Court Judge, State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said yesterday.

Review cases involving Shani and Judge Ranawaka: Udaya

Cases investigated by former CID director SSP Shani Abeysekera and court orders given by High Court Judge Padmini Ranawaka should be reviewed by the Chief Magistrate to ensure justice is done, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Probe those mentioned in Ranjan’s audio clips: Semasinghe

State Minister Shehan Semasinghe today urged that those mentioned in MP Ranjan Ramanayake’s audio clips including former CID director SSP Shani Abeysekara mentioned in MP Ranjan Ramanayake audio clips.

Nothing wrong in Ranjan phoning Shani: Hirunika

Referring to the incident where MP Ranjan Ramanayake is reported to have telephoned former CID director Shani Abeysekara, UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said today there was nothing wrong because Mr. Ramanayake had not influenced Mr Abeysekara.

10 months in remand for having toy pistol

A Hingurakgoda resident claims to have been held in remand custody for 10 months until the government analyst submitted his report after the Police arrested him and produced him in court on charges of being in possession of a foreign-made pistol, which was really a toy pistol.

Ranil denies any plot to kill Aluthgamage

Former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today rejected allegations of being involved in any plot to kill State Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

Aluthgamage says Ranil-Ranjan planned to kill him, asks Speaker to take action

State Minister of Power and Energy, Mahindananada Aluthgamage today requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to take action against former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and MP Ranjan Ramanayake, whom he accused of plotting to kill him.

SSP Shani Abeysekera interdicted

Former CID Director SSP Shani Abeysekera has been interdicted with immediate effect, the National Police Commission said.

Table forensic audit report: Opposition

Several members of the Opposition today requested the Speaker to table in Parliament the report of the forensic audit on the Central Bank bond scam despite the advise given by the Attorney General to the contrary.

Forensic audit on CB bond scam -- AG asks Speaker not to table report

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today informed parliament that the Attorney General had requested him not to table the report of the forensic audit on the Central Bank bond scam in parliament.

15 injured in head-on collision at Pothuhera

At least 15 passengers were hospitalised after the bus they were travelling in collided head on with a bowser at Malpitiya in Pothuhera this afternoon, police said.