Submission of nominations: Schools in Rajagiriya closed on Monday

All schools in three divisions in the Colombo Education Zone and three schools in Sri Jayewardenepura Education Zone will be closed next Monday due to nominations being filed for the presidential election, the Education Ministry said.

Special HC permits Gota to travel overseas

The Special High Court today permitted former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to travel overseas for a medical check-up from October 9 to 12.

Enact MMDA prior to prez poll: Musthapha

SLFP MP Faiszer Musthapha said yesterday the government should present the draft of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) in parliament and get it enacted before the forthcoming presidential election.

Forced to pay Rs.549mn to Liverpool Navigation

Former Chairman of Lanka Sathosa, Kiran Atapattu yesterday told the Presidential Commission that Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and his public relations officer Abdullah pressurised him to make an illegal payment of Rs.549 million to Liverpool Navigation (Pvt) Limited in July 2015.

Ranil, Sajith conspire to forestall Gota from presidency- Dullas

Referring to the petition filed against recognising Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a Sri Lankan citizen, Mr. Rajapaksa’s Spokesperson MP Dullas Alahapperuma said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the UNP presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa were conspiring to prevent Gotabaya from contesting the presidential polls.

Immigration officers threaten TU action within 48 hours

Immigration and Emigration Department Officers’ (IEDO) Trade Union President K.A.S. Kanugala said they would take action at airports, ports and other places where its members were employed if the government failed to resolve their problems within the next 48 hours.

Sajith-Prez talks on current political situ

General Secretary of the SLFP, Dayasiri Jayasekara today said without elaborating, that when a UNP team led by the party’s presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa met President Maithripala Sirisena, both sides focused on the current political situation of the country.

MR wants parliamentary-level probe

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said he called for a parliamentary level committee to probe the allegations made by Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickremesinghe and former Solicitor General Suhada Gamlath over political influence.

EC Chief says ’no’ deposits on Saturday

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said deposits from presidential candidates will not be accepted on Saturday (5) as it is a public holiday.

Fmr. President exercised plenary executive powers: AG

Appearing for the Attorney General, Senior Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle today advised that the former president who had signed the dual citizenship certificate of Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2005, actually had the power to do so as the relevant minister, because he had continued to exercise being the head of the government and the executive even in absence of a cabinet at that time.

Talks with prez only on current affairs: Sajith

UNP-led alliance’s presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa today said his discussion with President Maithripala Sirisena was centred on current issues in the country and it did not focus on politics.

Friday is not a holiday

There will be no government holiday declared on Friday (October 4), Internal, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Gamini Seneviratne said today in a statement.

Striking railway workers to be fired from posts: GMR

Letters have been sent yesterday to the striking railway workers considering them as having vacated their posts, Railways General Manager Dilantha Fernando said.

I accept anyone who welcomes my policies: Sajith

The UNP-led alliance’s presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa today said his discussion with President Maithripala Sirisena was centred on current issues in the country and it did not focus on politics.

SC grants leave to proceed with FR petitions against Pujith, Hemasiri

A seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with the 12 fundamental rights (FR) petitions against IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando for failing to prevent the attacks on churches and hotels, even when intelligence information had forewarned of such an attack.

Rajaratnam appointed Acting Solicitor General

Senior Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam was appointed as the Acting Solicitor General by the Public Service Commission with immediate effect, the Attorney General’s Coordinating Officer said.

Hearing of petition against Gota begins

The three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal commenced considering the petition filed against recognising Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a Sri Lankan citizen.

Few can match SL peacekeeping troops’ professional experience: SL to UN

Few countries can qualitatively match the troops sent by Sri Lanka who have extensive professional experience in all aspects of peacekeeping and providing humanitarian assistance, Sri Lanka told the UN on Monday.

ASP Liyanage to run for Presidency

Former Ambassador to Qatar and Sri Lanka Labour Party Leader A.S.P. Liyanage said he would contest for the upcoming presidential election.

I’ll focus on policies, not on my rivals: Sajith

UNP’s presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said today he would not conduct a campaign targeting his rivals but a campaign that was based on policies.

Crucial talks between President and Sajith

President Maithripala Sirisena held crucial talks with the UNP presidential candidate nominee Sajith Premadasa on the possibility of forging ties in view of the presidential elections, Daily Mirror learns.

Deaths of seven elephants - Cause not yet ascertained: Minister

The exact cause of death has not been confirmed yet and investigations were being carried out regarding the sudden deaths of seven female elephants that died in the Hiriwadunna Thunbakulam Reserve in Habarana, Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga said yesterday

Govt. handling finances in irresponsible manner: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday the incumbent government was the most irresponsible when it came to handling finances and that it had thrown government money into political endeavours to win elections and retain power.

SLPP or Sajith - SLFP to hold another final meeting

The SLFP’s Central Committee chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena will meet this Saturday to take a final decision on whether to support Sajith Premadasa or Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the presidential election, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

Individual foreign liquor quota increased to 80 litres

Sri Lanka Excise Department has increased the amount of foreign liquor an individual could possess or transport up to 80 litres from the previous allowance of 7.5 litres with immediate effect.

I spoke the truth, I won’t resign: Ex-SG Gamalath

Former Solicitor General (SG) and Chairman of the Sri Lanka National Authority for the Protection of Witnesses and Victims, Suhada Gamalath reiterated that he spoke the truth and said telling the truth had been construed as politics.

Train strike continues: Railway TU Alliance

Transport State Minister Ashok Abeysinghe today said the cabinet paper submitted to make the Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) a closed service, paving the way to rectify the salary anomalies of employees of Sri Lanka Railways (SLR), was approved by the cabinet today.

UN Peace-keeping - Hope talks will sort out matters: Army Commander

Army Commander Shavendra Silva today expressed confidence that discussions with regard to the United Nation Peace Keeping matter would end on a positive note.

We never met at Temple Trees: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today rejected media reports that the National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake had participated in a discussion at Temple Trees and claimed that such false news was being planted by those who were scared of a strong third force.

Violating Procedures: Suhada Gamlath asked to resign

Chairman of the National Authority for Protection of Witnesses and Victims, Suhada Gamlath has said he would submit his resignation shortly but action is being taken by the Presidential Secretariat to remove him if he fails to do so by today, Justice and Law Reforms Minister Thalatha Athukorala said today.