Stay order on special High Court extended

The Supreme Court today extended the stay order issued on the Special High Court preventing it from hearing the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case until October 14.

Term of Presidential Commission probing corruption extended

President Maithripala Sirisena has issued an extraordinary gazette to extend the term of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to look into fraud and corruption at State institutions from 2015 to 2018, till October 31.

Not bothered about rival candidates: Sajith

The UNP led alliance’s presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa yesterday said his rival candidate SLPP presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not a concern for him.

False premise can’t disrupt Gota’s candidacy: SLPP

Various court cases and false legal arguments are being made to disrupt the presidential candidacy of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, but these arguments cannot prevent his political journey, SLPP Chairman Professor G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

If win presidential election, can remain in power for two decades

If the United National Party (UNP) led alliance emerges victorious at the forthcoming presidential election, it will be possible for the party to hold on to power for another 20 years, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday when he met with UNP organisers at Sirikotha.

Cabinet nod for wage, salary hike in retrospect

The Cabinet granted approval to raise the minimum monthly salary of workers to Rs.12,000 from Rs.10,000 and daily wage to Rs.500 from Rs.400 with effect from January 1, 2016. The Cabinet paper had been presented by President Maithripala Sirisena last Tuesday.

Former Secy tells PCoI he was pressurised to sign lease agreement

Former Secretary of the Agriculture Ministry, B. Wijeratne informed the Presidential Commission (PCoI) that the former Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake had pressurised him to sign the lease agreement between the Ministry and DPJ towers in 2016 to relocate the Agriculture Ministry.

Sajith to submit Cabinet proposal today

Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said he would submit a proposal to the Cabinet today with the intention of resolving the issues faced by security forces personnel.

I’m a Sri Lankan citizen: Gota reiterates

SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, against whom a case was filed disputing his citizenship, yesterday reiterated that he is a Sri Lankan citizen as his US citizenship was revoked in April this year.

SLFP CC meeting ends without consensus over symbol

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) working committee meeting, which was held this evening, ended with no agreement on the symbol that will be used if they were to support the SLPP presidential candidate, SLFP Spokesperson MP Weerakumara Dissanayake said.

Lawsuit disputing Gota’s citizenship ‘baseless’: Gammanpila

The court case filed against SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa disputing his Sri Lankan citizenship is merely a baseless, politically-motivated exercise driven by Gota-phobia, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila told a media conference held today at the party headquarters.

Customs seize Ecstasy pills worth Rs.10mn at CME

A parcel containing nearly 2,000 ecstasy pills (methamphetamine or ice) tablets worth over Rs. 10 million was seized by Customs officers at the Central Mail Exchange (CME) Colombo this evening, Customs Director and Acting Spokesman Lal Weerakoon said.

Railway strike continues until tomorow's cabinet meeting: Trade Unions

The railway trade unions yesterday decided to continue their strike action as the discussions held with the subcommittee failed, the Railway Professional Trade Union Alliance Convener Janaka Fernando said today.

Arrest warrant issued against MP Hesha Withanage

UNP MP Hesha Withanage was issued arrest warrant by Embilipitiya Magistrate K.P.R. Vidanagamage today for not appearing in court over a fraud case.

Wastage, corruption minimised due to RTI: Speaker

Wastage and corruption in most government institutions had gone down after introducing the Right to Information Act (RTI), Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said today at the opening of the newly constructed media centre in parliament, aimed at facilitating parliament journalists.

Deadline for postal votes extended

The closing date to submit postal voting applications for the forthcoming presidential election has been extended till October 4, the Elections Commission (EC) said. The previous deadline was today.

Pakistan to bat first against SL in Karachchi

Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against Sri Lanka in the second ODI being played at National Stadium, Karachchi.

Differently-abled war heroes call off fast after MR intervenes

The Sathyagraha and fast- unto- death campaign launched by the differently-abled war heroes that started opposite the Fort Railway Station by the National Force for the Protection of the Rights of War Heroes was called off after a pledge given by Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

CA fixes writ petition on Oct. 2, 3

The Court of Appeal today fixed the writ petition disputing the citizenship of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for hearing on October 2nd and 3rd before a three-judge Bench.

Govt. discusses SL Peacekeeping contribution to UN

Only 25% of the troops from Sri Lanka presently engaged in peacekeeping operations would be replaced when they complete their term in Lebanon, United Nations Department of Peace Operations Under Secretary General Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix has told Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha, a media release said.

Petition against Gota soon: Rajitha

A petition will be filed in the Supreme Court shortly seeking a stay order preventing SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa from contesting at the November 16 Presidential Election, Minister Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.

We have plans to resuscitate economic tyranny now in tatters: Gota

Presidential candidate of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he had a vision and mission to uplift people engulfed in poverty and resuscitate the economic tyranny which is now in tatters.

I will support Gota no matter what SLFP decides : Nimal Siripala

Senior Vice President of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Nimal Siripala de Silva said whatever his party decides, his support will be for Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna(SLPP)’s presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

NPM presidential candidate Mahesh Senanayake

Former Army Commander General Mahesh Senanayake was yesterday named as the presidential candidate of the National People’s Movement and People’s Forum Organisation.

Nine trains operate despite the strike

Nine trains will operate to Colombo Fort this morning to facilitate the commuters and to bring the office crowd to Colombo even during the strike, a Railways senior official said.

Ensure UNP candidate’s victory to enact new constitution: PM

UNP leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said it was important to ensure the victory of presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa as the next step to enact the new constitution.

1,044 complaints against police

The NPC had received 1,044 public complaints against police during the first eight months of 2019, National Police Commission Spokesperson P. D. Liynaarachchi stated.

Heavy rains in central hills

The Castlereagh and Maussakelle hydropower reservoirs were reaching spill level due to the heavy rain experienced in the catchment areas at present.

Man dies in fire at Wellampitiya

A 21-year-old man has died in a fire that broke out in four shops at the Avissawella Road, Wellampitiya on Saturday night, police said.

Govt. to take responsibility for Habarana elephant deaths: Minister

The government will take responsibility for the deaths of seven female elephants who died in the Hiriwadunna Thunbakulam Reserve in Habarana, State Minister of Wildlife Ranjith Aluvihare said.