JO says English copy marked 'draft'

Joint opposition MPs today brought to the notice of the Speaker that the English version of the panel of experts report on constitution-making was marked 'draft' while the Sinhala and Tamil copies were not described as such.

UNP acting in a cowardly manner: Nimal Siripala

UNP has acted in a cowardly manner when it comes to enacting a new constitution as it had avoided stating its stance on the report by the experts panel, MP Nimal Siripala de Silva said today.

JO and MR fermenting racism: JVP

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today the joint opposition including Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa were inciting racism by claiming that a federal constitution was being introduced in April when not even a draft constitution had been finalized.

Won’t support MS as presidential candidate: SLPP PC members

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Provincial Councillors unanimously decided not to support Maithripala Sirisena as the presidential candidate, former Central Provincial Council Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon said.

Reports say LTTE also committed war crimes: Sumanthiran

The reports coming from all over the world reveal that both the LTTE and the government forces had committed war crimes, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said today.

New Zealand win by 35 runs

New Zealand won the only T20I against Sri Lanka by 35 runs held at Eden Park, Auckland. Out to chase 180, Sri Lanka got off to a bad start with Sadeera Samarawickrama departing on the first ball.  But the early fall did little to deter Sri Lanka’s confidence as Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Perera fired the side past 50. But Scott and Doug Bracewell picked up two quick wickets to pull things back for the hosts by the end of powerplay.

Malaysia thwarts Sri Lankan human trafficking ring

Malaysian police have dismantled an international human trafficking syndicate and arrested three Sri Lankan men suspected of being traffickers, Malay Mail reported on Friday.

Muzammil appointed CEA Chairman

Former Mayor of Colombo A.J.M Muzammil has been appointed as the Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) by President Maithripala Sirisena today. Mr. Muzammil also served as the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Malaysia.

Two non-Cabinet ministers, one deputy minister appointed

President Maithripala Sirisena today appointed two new non-Cabinet ministers and a deputy minister at his official residence, the President’s Media Division said.

PM presents Experts’ report on drafting new Constitution

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Constitution Assembly, today presented the report prepared by the Experts Panel of the Steering Committee.

SL has become a drug smuggling centre: MR

Sri Lanka has today become a centre of drug smuggling, mainly due to politicians harbouring drug smugglers, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Vehicle tracking system by end of this year: DMT

The Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), radio frequencies used to automatically identify and track motor vehicles would be implemented by the end of this year, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Commissioner General A.H..K. Jagath Chandrasiri said. ?

PC polls should be held on same day: Minister Champika

The Provincial Council elections to the nine provinces should be held on the same day, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday.

Aloysius barred from taking lawyer to CID

Filing a motion in the main inquiry relating to the bond scam, the defence counsel yesterday alleged that the CID had not allowed legal representation for suspect Arjun Aloysius when he reported to the CID last Sunday, January 6. 

Argument in Parliament over 'faith' of judges

An allegation made by Opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa that only those who belong to a certain Christian denomination are being appointed as Supreme Court Judges started heated arguments in Parliament yesterday.?

BASL polls: Nominations submitted for posts of President, Secretary

Four attorneys yesterday handed over their nominations for the post of President and Secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) for the elections due to be held on February 20. 

LIOC also reduces fuel prices

Lanka IOC has also revised prices of its auto fuels with effect from midnight yesterday, the LIOC announced. 

Dayasiri vows to make SLFP a powerful political force

SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayaseka today vowed to make the grand old party of the down trodden and anti capitalists, the most powerful political force in the country within four months with the aim of winning all three elections this year.

Fuel price down by Rs.2 from tonight

The retail prices of fuel have been revised with effect from midnight today based on the fuel pricing formula, the Finance Ministry said.

President to visit Philippines on Jan 15

President Maithripala Sirisena will be in the Philippines for a state visit from January 15 to 19, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of Philippines announced today.

Govt. to obtain USD 1.9bn to stabilise rupee: PM

Outlining the steps government intends to take to stabilise the rupee, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today announced a plan to obtain US dollars 1.9 billion from international sources.

DMT to launch E-motoring system from July

The e-motoring system for the registration of vehicles through an online system would be implemented by the end of July, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) said. ?

Wimal against convening of Constitutional Assembly at short notice

Joint Opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa said today it was a violation of Standing Orders and the agreement reached by the House to convene the Constitutional Assembly tomorrow with just one day's prior notice.

A Trypanosoma species detected in a dog; a first in SL

A dog in Balangoda was found to have been infected by a parasitic disease known as Trypanosoma. It was the first time that such a disease was detected in Sri Lanka, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Studies, Professor Dr Ashoka Dangolla said.   

Student killed by falling concrete post

A 16-year-old student of Budugehinna Central College in  Galkiriyagama,  was killed when a concrete post at the school grounds fell on him last evening. 

Govt. to introduce pricing formula for electricity, water: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said yesterday the government was attempting to introduce a pricing formula for electricity and water, similar to that used for fuel. Addressing a news briefing held at the SLPP Head Office, MP Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said the fuel pricing formula was introduced as a proposal of the International Monetary Fund

Reginald to head Gems & Jewelry Authority, Niluka to head STC

Former Northern Province Governor Reginald Cooray has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Gems and Jewelry Authority (NGJA) by President Maithripala Sirisena.

I believe SL youth could make a change: Khamshajiny

While saying the future of Sri Lanka will be determined by those who are willing to think differently, Sri Lanka-born Khamshajiny Gunaratnam, who is the current Deputy Mayor of Norway’s Capital Oslo, said she believes that the youth in Sri Lanka could make a change. 

Suspect arrested with 184.2kg of cannabis worth Rs. 13.8 mn

A suspect was arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy with 184.2kg of Kerala cannabis worth Rs.13.8 million in the beach area of Vankalai this morning.

1, 299 on death-row in SL prisons

A total of 1, 299 death row inmates, including inmates who had appealed against their sentence, have been detained in Sri Lankan prisons as of December 31 last year, the Ministry of Justice and Prisons Reforms said yesterday.