Black Day in Parliament: Bimal

The absence of all ministers from whom oral questions were raised during today’s session prompted JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake to call it a black day in parliament.

SLFP to field its own candidate

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would field its own candidate at the upcoming presidential election, SLFP Spokesperson MP Weerakumara Dissanayake said today.

Ministers busy picking presidential candidate: Dayasiri

Most of the government ministers are avoiding parliament and spending time to pick a candidate for the presidential election, UPFA MP Dayasiri Jayasekera told parliament today.

US Embassy responds to Wimal’s allegations

Responding to the allegations made by MP Wimal Weerawansa, the US Embassy yesterday said it takes security in Sri Lanka very seriously.

No liquor licences issued to current MPs: Finance Ministry

Although liquor licences were issued to owners of hotels, the Finance Ministry said today that none of the current parliamentarians has been issued with liquor licences.

Assets exceeding Rs. 6 bn, Rs.134 mn in 100 bank accounts of suspects: Police

Assets exceeding Rs. 6 billion were found from suspects who had abetted the mastermind of the Easter Sunday terrorist attack, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Prez consents to appear before PSC: Amaraweera

President Maithripala Sirisena has consented to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to probe the Easter Sunday attacks, MP Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Parliament sessions suspended

A tense situation arose in parliament yesterday after the government proposed to postpone the vote on the regulations imposed under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act while the opposition called for a vote claiming that it was against Standing Orders to postpone it.

Singapore to consider extradition request for Mahendran

Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said that it would consider the extradition request for Singapore national of Sri Lankan origin and former Sri Lanka Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran once the necessary supporting information and documents were received, The Strait Times reported.

Six US persons refuse their bags checked in Sri Lanka: Wimal

Six US persons, who had arrived in Sri Lanka in a US State aircraft, had refused to hand over their luggage for inspection at a hotel in Colombo and at the airport, National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa alleged.

115 suspects remanded, 178 under detention: Police

Some 115 suspects of the 293 arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks have been produced in the respective magistrate courts and remanded, while 178 suspects remain under detention, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Sajin Vass served indictment

The Colombo High Court today served indictment on former MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena over money laundering charges and granted bail.

44 Indians overstaying visas arrested

At least 44 Indians were arrested by the Department of Immigration and Emigration for overstaying their visas at a construction site at Slave Island today.

Sri Devi to KKS starts service today

A new train service titled Sri Devi was commissioned from Colombo Fort to Kankesanthurai (KKS) this morning, the Railway Control room said.

Seven including Kudu Roshan arrested over Grandpass murder

Seven suspects including Prasad Ruwan alias ’Kudu Roshan’ and a Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) PS member were arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) in connection with the incident where two underworld gang members were hacked to death near the Madampitiya Cemetery in Grandpass on August 15, police said.

Ahimsa rebuts Gota’s attempt to block Lasantha murder case

Attorneys for Ahimsa Wickrematunge have filed papers opposing the attempt by SLPP presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa to halt the case filed against him in California on the alleged extrajudicial killing of her father, The Sunday Leader founding editor-in-chief Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Integrated electronic solution on traffic law violations: Govt.

The government had decided to implement a comprehensive and integrated electronic solution on traffic law violations in the country soon.

FBI report submitted to CID

The report probing telephone records of Easter Sunday bombers – examined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – has been submitted to the CID which will continue further investigations, the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court was informed yesterday.

Elect Gota based on his service as Defence Secy.: MR

People should decide whether or not to elect Gotabaya Rajapaksa as president taking into account the service he rendered in his capacity as the former Defence Secretary, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Cabinet shows green light to CEB

The Cabinet granted approved for a letter of comfort for the cash-strapped Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to get further credit facilities from the state banks and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Daily Mirror learns.

Thuna Paha restaurants to go worldwide: Patali

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that his Ministry would promote 1000 recipes of Sri Lankan cuisine abroad by setting up ‘Thuna Paha’ restaurants in different capitals.

JO calls for special PSC probe on alleged Rs. 3.6 bn CCF fund misuse

Joint Opposition MP T. B. Ekanayake yesterday called for appointing a special parliamentary select committee to look into the alleged misuse of Rs 3.6 billion from the Central Cultural Fund (CCF).

CCF misuse allegations, a farce: Eran

State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne said yesterday the adjournment debate moved by the opposition on misuse of funds of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) was politically motivated and that it was a mudslinging campaign ahead of the presidential election.

COPE never meant to insult Mahanayake Thera: Handunetti

Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) did not mean to insult the most Ven. Mahanayaka Thera of Malwathu Chapter by ordering a probe on leasing out land to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to set up a cricket university in Kandy, Committee Chairman Sunil Handunetti told parliament today.

JVP urges to reveal CCF’s alleged fund misuse to COPE

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today urged the Speaker to refer the allegation of misuse of funds of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) to the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Committee on Public Accounts (COPA).

Decision on election within next few days: Kabir Hashim

The decisions concerning the upcoming election will be informed to the country within the next few days and there is no crisis in the United National Party (UNP), Chairman Kabir Hashim said.

YouTube fined $170m in US over children’s privacy violation

YouTube has been fined a record $170m (£139m) by a US regulator for violating children’s privacy laws.

Prez to tighten noose on bond scam offenders

President Maithripala Sirisena commented on the course of action he is going to take on the Central Bank bond scam at the SLFP annual convention at the Sugathdasa Indoor Stadium on Tuesday afternoon after going through the three forensic audit reports on the fraud, a senior government source said today.

JVP alleges Govt. misuse funds on vote on account

There is a move to misuse funds during elections under the guise of bringing a vote on account, JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake alleged in parliament today.

Won’t chase ’Twitter public sentiment’ on SL family: Aussie PM

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is resisting widespread calls to allow a Sri Lankan Tamil family facing deportation to remain in Australia, saying he will not chase ‘Twitter public sentiment,” the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Wednesday.