Hakeem clarifies on media reports

Minister Rauff Hakeem yesterday rejected allegations that he had connections with the terrorists involved in the Easter Sunday attack as reported in media.

Prove that anyone in our camp dealt with mastermind: Ranil

If it is proven that anyone from our camp had been with the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, Zahran, we will take action against him, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

CEB has purchased power on arbitrary rates during last five years: COPE Chairman

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has purchased power at their own discretion without any transparency for the last five years, the Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) said yesterday. The COPE report which was submitted to Parliament by its Chairman JVP MP Sunil Handunetti said.

FR case on appointment of President’s Counsel tomorrow

The FR application filed by Senior Attorney-at-Law Upul Kumarapperuma, against the criteria that had been followed on the appointment of President’s Counsels will be taken up tomorrow before the Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices Gamini Amarasekera and S. Thurairajah.

Lankan stabbed to death in South Korea

A fight between two groups of Sri Lankan migrant workers in South Korea left one dead and two injured on Tuesday night (22) in Sacheon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, the Sri Lankan mission in South Korea confirmed.

Opposition queries Hakeem’s role on PSC

The main opposition today questioned the impartiality of the final report of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to look into Easter Sunday attack while Minister Rauff Hakeem, who was a member of the committee, was alleged to have connections with a terrorist group involved in the attack.

PSC blames State Intelligence Service on failure to act

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that probed the Easter Sunday attack says the State Intelligence Service (SIS) is to be blamed most for its failure to act upon prior warnings.

JVP objects appointment of Thilanga to COPE

JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake today raised objections to the appointment of UPFA MP Thilanga Sumathilapa to the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) in place of Chandrasiri Gajadeera, who died recently.

PM justifies paddy storage at Mattala

While asserting that the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) is a white elephant, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has today justified the current government’s decision to store paddy at the airport storage facilities in 2015.

Trial against ex-DIG Anura Senanayake fixed for Nov. 7

Colombo High Court today postponed the hearing of the case against Senior DIG Anura Senanayake for screening evidence of the murder of Havelock Sports Club rugby player Wasim Thajudeen for November 7.

Wasantha withdraws from Sajith’s election campaign

Foreign Affairs State Minister Wasantha Senanayake today said that he informed the UNP of his decision to withdraw from the party organiser post of Rambukkana and the presidential election campaign of Minister Sajith Premadasa.

Govt. amends luxury tax on motor vehicles

The government has decided to amend the luxury tax on motor vehicles to be based on price instead of engine capacity, specifying the vehicle categories which are exempt.

Vote on account passed in parliament

The vote on account seeking to allocate Rs.1,474 billion as government expenses for the first quarter of next year was passed with amendments without a vote in parliament a short while ago.

Gota to take stern action on drug dealers, murderers, criminals: Dulles

The Gota - Baya (fear of Gota) among all wrongdoers, murderers, bribe-takers and drug dealers was understandable because he was to launch a special campaign against those criminals on assuming Presidency after November 16, Spokesman of the SLPP, Dulles Alahapperuma said today.

No cellular tower levy on 5G towers

The government has decided to exempt the Cellular Tower Levy on the towers used to provide 5G coverage, the Finance Ministry said while presenting a bill to parliament today.

Carbon tax abolished from Dec. 1

The Finance Bill presented by the government, moving for amendments to remove the Carbon Tax from December 1, was passed today in Parliament.

Royal Park Victim’s sister expresses concerns

A sister of Swedish national Yvonne, who was killed at the Royal Park Condominium in 2005, expressed her concern over media reports that President Maithripala Sirisena was considering a pardon for her sister’s murderer, Jude Anthony Jayamaha.

US says SL army chief appointment will curtail cooperation

Sri Lanka’s appointment of a war veteran accused of serious human rights violations as head of its army will significantly curtail U.S. security cooperation with the country, U.S. officials said yesterday.

Wasantha questions Sajith on PM, Ravi and Rishad

State Minister Wasantha Senanayake today questioned presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa on his stance on giving posts to Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ravi Karunanayake and Rishad Bathiudeen in a Premadasa Cabinet.

Sajith challenges Gota for debate

New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa has challenged Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa for a debate on a live TV show.

Tri-forces to be deployed to maintain law and order

President Maithripala Sirisena issued an extraordinary gazette calling out all armed forces members for the maintenance of public order from October 22 in view of the upcoming presidential poll.

Hambantota Mayor granted bail

Hambantota Mayor Eraj Fernando, who was sentenced to five-years imprisonment for threatening a group of UNP MPs, was granted bail by the Hambantota High Court today.

PCoI questions PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was questioned at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating corruption in the current administration for one and half hours this morning.

Rs.1474 billion vote on account presented in parliament

The vote on account of Rs.1474 billion seeking State expenditure for the first four months of 2020 was presented in parliament a short while ago.

Pujith, Hemasiri further remanded

IGP Pujith Jayasundera and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were further remanded until November 6 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today.

Easter attacks: PSC’s final report presented to parliament

The final report of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to inquire into the Easter Sunday attacks was presented in parliament today.

Mangala wants IGP to probe letter sent on security threat

Finance Minister, Matara District MP Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday he had requested Acting IGP Chandana Wicremaratne to probe a letter sent by the Southern Province Assistant Education Director (National schools and school affairs) A.M.I.S.R.B. Abeyratne over security threat to schools in Matara District, despite there is no such imminent threat.

If SLPP comes to power, SLFP will be destroyed: Welgama

Victory for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at next month’s presidential election would result to the dissolution of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party founded by late Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, SLFP Kalutara District MP Kumara Welgama said.

Attempts to disqualify Gota fails: SLPP

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), commenting on the dismissal of a court case in the United States against its presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, said these were unsuccessful attempts at disqualifying him.

Lasantha’s killing - Ahimsa to challenge US District Court verdict

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of the Sunday Leader Newspaper’s slain Editor-in-Chief Lasantha Wickrematunge, is to challenge the verdict delivered by the United States District Court for the Central District of California in the lawsuit filed against the former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the extrajudicial killing of her father.