Govt. has sought AG’s advice on SOFA, ACSA deals: Kiriella

The government will not sign agreements with any country without seeking the Attorney General’s advice, Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday.

Signing them sans House approval violates Constitution: Dinesh

The government’s failure to obtain parliamentary approval for the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), Acquisition and Cross Service Agreement (ACSA) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to be signed with the US is a violation of the constitution, joint opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardene told parliament yesterday.

SL doesn’t need a terminator: PM

Referring to the remarks made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa about its presidential candidate being like a terminator, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the country did not need a terminator but one who could secure the country’s future.

Some UNP MPs want PM to convene meeting

The pro-Sajith Premadasa faction in the United National Party (UNP) have collected signatures of more than 50 MPs for a letter requesting party leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to convene a meeting of the parliamentary group and the working committee to decide on the party’s presidential candidate, a senior minister said.

Disciplinary action if UNP’s code of conduct violated: Akila

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday the party would take disciplinary action if its code of conduct was breached by any member at an event organised in Badulla.

Sajith to launch campaign at Badulla Rally: Ajith P.

Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera said UNP’s Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, whom he described as the party’s presidential candidate, would launch his election campaign at a massive rally at Wills Park Grounds in Badulla on Monday.

Easter Sunday attack: PSC probe more popular than Kopi Kade: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday attack had become more popular among the people after it was opened to the media that some people say it is popular than ’Kopi Kade’ teledrama.

Rajitha and Indika in heated argument over NFTH

A heated argument erupted in parliament between Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and UPFA MP Indika Anuruddha over the Nevil Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH).

Nine army officers to be indicted on murder charges

The Attorney General has prepared indictments against nine army personnel on charges of kidnapping and conspiring to murder journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda between January 25 and 27, 2010.

Withdrawal will hinder SL’s renewable energy: Ravi

The recent withdrawal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill by the government will bring the development of the country’s renewable energy power plants to a standstill, Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake told parliament today.

CMC receives temporary permission to dispose garbage at Aruwakkalu

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order preventing the Wanathavilluwa Pradeshiya Sabha and its chairman from enforcing any fee from the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) during the dumping of garbage at the Aruwakkalu sanitary landfill site.

1,124 houses damaged: 4,918 people affected

At least 17 houses were completely damaged while 1,124 houses were partially damaged leaving 4,918 people affected due to the gusty winds that blew across the county from Wednesday night to today, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili said.

Alliance only after naming Prez candidate: Sajith

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said today the UNP should form an alliance only after naming its presidential candidate.

NPC approves transfer of Kurunegala DIG

The National Police Commission (NPC) today approved the transfer of Kurunegala DIG Kithsiri Jayalath to the Puttalam Division.

Kurunegala Mayor remanded till Sept.17

Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa Witharana (SLPP) was today remanded till September 17 by Kurunegala High Court Judge Menaka Wijesundara for not appearing in court on July 25 when a case filed against him was taken up for hearing.

AG requests CJ to appoint Trial-at-Bar to hear Eknaligoda case

Attorney General Dappula de Livera has requested Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya to appoint a Trial-at-Bar in the Homagama High Court to hear the Prageeth Eknaligoda disappearance case.

SriLankan Airlines suspends operations to Cochin till Sunday

SriLankan Airlines today announced that its operations to Cochin, India has been suspended till August 11th Sunday following the closure of the Cochin Airport due to floods.

HC issues arrest warrant on former CB Governor

The Colombo High Court today issued a warrant for the arrest of former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran who is the first suspect in the bond scam case.

COPE proceedings open to media from today

The proceedings of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) will be open to media from today, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced yesterday.

UNF leaders keen to expedite NDF constitution

UNF leaders who met yesterday have decided to expedite the compiling of the Constitution of the new alliance - the National Democratic Front (NDF), which is slated to form in order to contest the presidential election.

Ready to face any legal challenge: GL

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Professor G. L. Peiris yesterday said they were ready to face any legal challenge if Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa’s parliament membership was challenged after he was appointed SLPP leader.

Will remain independent if expelled from UNP: Ranjan

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday said he will sit as an independent MP in parliament if he is expelled from the UNP over the comments he had made on Buddhist monks.

SriLankan airlines suffers colossal losses: Ashok

Transport and Civil Aviation State Minister Ashok Abesinghe today said that 1,000 flights had been cancelled only during the month of May, due to the Easter Sunday attack, causing a direct loss of US$ 11,000 and an indirect loss of US$ 48,500 to the economy.

Despite criticism, CID had resolved many crimes: Director

A total of 10,379 cases are being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the primary investigative arm of the Sri Lanka Police.

Speaker expresses concern over Wijeyadasa’s remarks

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today said he was saddened by MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s remarks that parliament was the most corrupt institution in the country.

Talks will continue even after nomination of SLPP candidate: Amaraweera

The SLFP would not discontinue ongoing talks with the SLPP, aimed at forming an alliance to powerfully confront the UNP at the presidential poll, even after the SLPP nominated its candidate on Sunday, UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said.

No need to be afraid of Gota: Basil

People need not fear former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and he would not become a strict leader, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa said today.

Zero trend for opponent if Sajith doesn’t contest: Harin

It would be a cakewalk for the rival candidate to win the upcoming presidential election unless the United National Party (UNP) fields its Deputy Leader Minister Sajith Premadasa, Foreign Employment and Sports Minister Harin Fernando said.

King Sihamoni commends SL progress under leadership of Prez

Cambodia stands firmly together with Sri Lanka in further cementing bilateral relations in economic, trade, social as well as the renaissance of Buddhism, King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boronmeath Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia said today.

Sajin Vass indicted over money laundering charges

The Attorney General has indicted former parliamentarian Sajin de Vaas Gunawardane under the Money Laundering Act for alleged suspicious deposits of money worth of Rs. 306 million through his several companies.