Get ready for a presidential election: Champika

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said the country should be geared up for a presidential election instead of wasting public money for a non-binding referendum.

Rs. 6.7 mn spent on Rajitha’s felicitation event

A sum of Rs. 6.7 million had been spent for the felicitation ceremony which was conducted in the Nelum Pokuna Theatre on July 31, 2018 when Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine Minister Rajith Senaratne was awarded with the “Suwapathi Kirula” title, the Health Ministry informed Parliament.

Dairy cattle imported from Aussie in 2017 afflicted with BVD

In a bid to boost the local dairy industry, the government had imported over 20,000 high-yielding milch cows from Australia in 2017, but most of them were found afflicted with Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD), it was revealed yesterday at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate corruption of the current administration.

Former Egyptian President Morsi dies in court

Egypt’s former President Mohamed Morsi has died after appearing in court, Al Jazeera reported a short while ago quoting the state media of Egypt.

A’pura Mayor, four others remanded

Thambuttegama Acting Magistrate Pushpapani Wickramasinghe today remanded Anuradhapura Mayor, P. Somadasa, and four others for causing damage of more than Rs.30 million to the house of UNP District Membership Promotional Officer and Kalawewa Electorate Campaign Manager, Ananda Weragoda.

SLPP slams idea of referendum

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today pooh-poohed the idea of seeking the approval of people by a referendum to conduct a snap parliamentary election.

SC fixes hearing for Sept. 9

The Supreme Court (SC) today fixed for September 9, the hearing of writ petitions seeking the Elections Commission (EC) to hold Provincial Council elections.

‘Raavana 1’ successfully deployed into orbit

Sri Lanka’s first satellite Raavana 1, designed and developed by two Sri Lankan research engineers, was successfully deployed into orbit a short while ago (3.45 pm).

JVP to field presidential candidate: Lal Kantha

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will field its own candidate for next presidential election, JVP Politbureau member K D Lal Kantha said today.

Won’t allow import of foreign cigarettes: Rajitha

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne today said he would not allow the import of foreign cigarettes to Sri Lanka as long as he is the Minister of Health.

Sri Lankan politics a stinking cesspit: Vedda Chief

The Vedda Chieftain, Uruwarige Wannilaththo, rejected Sri Lankan politics as a stinking cesspit while stating that he felt disgusted to see the behaviour of the rulers of the country who acted as pre-school children after the Easter Sunday attacks in which innocent men, women and children were killed.

54 arrested with narcotics at FB party in Belihuloya

Fifty-four individuals were arrested for use or possessing narcotic drugs at a party organised through Facebook, at a hotel in Belihuloya in Balangoda yesterday, the STF said.

We believe in the principles of Lichchavi: PM

The government has not given up the effort to work in unity, upholding the principles of Lichchavi administration, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Calling intelligence officials: PSC to meet Speaker

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, is said to be in a dilemma after President Maithripala Sirisena vowed not to send intelligence officers presently in service to testify before it.

Sajith calls on Kabir to rejoin Cabinet

UNP Deputy Leader, Housing and Construction, Minister Sajith Premadasa called on MP Kabir Hashim to re-join the Cabinet as soon as possible and take his place in the journey to chart a new political future for all Sri Lankans.

Modi invites four TNA MPs to India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited four TNA MPs to India to discuss the unsettled problems of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

President holds talks with Putin in Tajikistan

President Maithripala Sirisena held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding sanctions imposed by the United States on imports made by Sri Lanka from Russia, the President’s Media Office said.

Drones should be used to transport emergency meds: Specialist

A team of specialist doctors had pointed out to the Ministry of Health that drone technology could be used to transport blood in emergencies to hospitals in any part of the island.

Sanga unhappy with playing condition in England

Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara is disappointed with the variations in wickets at different venues in England, where the 2019 edition of the ICC World Cup is underway and matches are also being affected due to rain.

Burglar with toy pistol injured in Police shooting

A suspect who entered at a finance firm in the Horana Town was hospitalised when police fired at him this morning.

Pension anomalies to be removed from July 1

Payment anomalies of over half a million pensioners would be removed from July 1, the Finance Ministry said today.

Indian NIA summons 4 more in connection with SL attacks

The Indian NIA has summoned four more people to appear for an enquiry in connection with the Sri Lankan blast.

President returns

President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in the country this morning after concluding his visit to the Tajikistan.

India announces retaliatory trade tariffs against the US

India has said that, from Sunday, it will impose tariffs on 28 US products, including almonds and apples.

Sri Lanka snub media duties after World Cup defeat

Sri Lanka are likely to be hit with an International Cricket Council sanction after failing to fulfil their media duties following Saturday’s damaging World Cup defeat against Australia.

Do not to allow outside powers to suppress power of Asia

President Maithripala Sirisena called on Asian countries not to allow outside powers to suppress the power of Asia.

Railways Dept. to implement new strategy

The Department of Railways was working on a new strategy to prevent animals colliding with trains.

Spread of HIV-AIDS under control in SL

Sri Lanka is among the front line countries that had effectively controlled the spread of HIV/ AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases like Syphilis and Gonorrhea, said in a seminar yesterday.

It’s time to change UNP leadership: Ajith P Perera

The United National Party (UNP) leadership should be changed before the next presidential election, Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera said yesterday.

Data protection law in two months

Data Protection Bill which provides measures to protect an individual’s personal data held by banks, telecom companies, hospitals and other institutions will be presented to Parliament in two months time, Non-Cabinet Minister of Digital Infrastructure and Information Technology, Ajith P. Perera said yesterday.