Month-long debate for 2019 Budget

Parliament has set aside a month-long debate for the 2019 Budget, House Leader Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday. He said the party leaders who met yesterday had decided on February 5 for presenting the

Final decision on Democratic National Front on Sunday

Allies of the new alliance led by the United National Party (UNP) will meet on Sunday to take a final decision with regard to the alliance, a political party who is expected to join the Democratic National Front (DNF) said yesterday.

First train on Matara-Beliatta line to commission tomorrow

The first ever train on the newly constructed Matara-Beliatta railway line would be commissioned at 10 a.m. tomorrow, the Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry said yesterday. The ministry said the train would be commissioned initially from Beliatta to Matara.

Abolishing executive presidency: UPFA criticises Speaker

At yesterday's party leaders meeting, the main opposition United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is reported to have criticised Speaker Karu Jayasuriya for having openly advocated the abolition of the executive presidency.

Tripitaka declared a national heritage

The Tripitaka, the essence of Theravada Buddhism was declared a national heritage at a ceremony held at the historic Aluviharaya in Matale under the aegis of President Maithripala Sirisena today.

MR had gifted Sumanadasa a car worth Rs.8.2Mn belonging to Mihin

Mihin Lanka has paid a loan of Rs.8.2 million for a car (Nissan- N16) which was gifted to Astrologer Sumanadasa Abeygunawardena by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the year 2007, Astrologer Abeygunawardana informed the SriLankan Airlines Commission yesterday.

Youth with Rs.1.6Mn worth of fags nabbed at BIA

A Sri Lankan youth who attempted to smuggle illicit cigarettes worth over Rs.1.6 million into the country from Dubai was arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday.

Shantha Bandara tipped to replace Hizbullah

SLFP Youth League head Shantha Bandara is tipped to be sworn in as a Member of Parliament in place of UPFA national list MP M.L.A.M. Hizbullah who was yesterday appointed as the Governor of the Eastern Province.

Single presidential candidate from SLFP-SLPP alliance: MR

Former president and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday they would field a single presidential candidate from an alliance formed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and others.

I'm ready to go to jail for helping needy: Sajith

UNP Deputy Leader and Housing Social Empowerment Minister Sajith Premadasa said he might end up in Bogambara or some other prison for distributing houses to the needy.

Will help implement decisions reached by two leaders: China

The Chinese Government is willing to work together with the Sri Lankan Government and its people to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan said on Thursday.

Namal Kumara barred from commenting on assassination plot

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today issued an order restraining Anti Corruption Movement Director (Operations) Namal Kumara from making statements to the media regarding the alleged VVIPs assassination plot.

Central Bank extends suspension of PTL

The suspension imposed on the Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from functioning as a Primary Dealer would be extended for a period of six months with effect from Saturday, the Central Bank today said.

MR as Opp. Leader: Speaker says stance remains unchanged

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya told the party leaders meeting that he stood by his stance on recognising former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Opposition Leader in Parliament.

Four more Governors sworn in

Four Provincial Governors were sworn in by President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon, the President’s Media Unit said.

Azath Salley sworn in as Western Province Governor

Colombo’s former Deputy Mayor Azath Salley was sworn in as Governor for the Western Province by President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon, the President’s Media Unit said.

Committee on restructuring SriLankan

President Maithripala Sirisena has said he will appoint a committee next week on restructuring SriLankan Airlines, the Presidential Media Unit said.

72 OICs transferred

Seventy two police OICs have been transferred by the National Police Commission (NPC) with immediate effect based on service requirements.

Appointing heads of Govt. institutions: Ministry Sec. asked to comply with circular

President Maithripala Sirisena has informed Ministry Secretaries that the appointment of heads of government institutions should comply with the circular issued by the President’s Secretary.

Two youths arrested for posting video of giving bribe to police dummy

Two youths aged 23 had been arrested yesterday by the Vavuniya police traffic division for posting a video on social media pretending to give a bribe to a traffic police dummy placed along the Jaffna-Vavuniya main road.

India's AAI awaits nod for SL's Palaly project

State-run Airports Authority of India (AAI), which plans to build airports abroad, is yet to get the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) nod to develop Sri Lanka’s Palaly Airport.

Country may face chaos: Wijeyadasa

Former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday an anarchic and dangerous situation could arise in the country as there was no cabinet minister in the House to present Acts and Bills of the state institutions which come under the purview of the President.

46-year-old SL woman climbs 18 steps, worships at Sabarimala

The Kerala police confirmed that a 46-year-old Sri Lankan woman offered prayers at the sanctum in Sabarimala Temple on late Thursday.

Draft of new constitution to be presented to Constitutional Assembly next week

The draft of the new constitution is to be presented to the Constitutional Assembly headed by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya next week, top government sources said yesterday.

Thripitakaya to be declared as national heritage tomorrow

The declaration of ‘Thripitakaya’ (the sacred scripture of Buddhists) as a national heritage of Sri Lanka will be held tomorrow (05) at the‘Aluvihara’ Temple in Matale under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Amarapura Mahanayaka calls for second chamber

The Mahanayaka of the Amarapura Chapter Most Venerable Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera yesterday called for the setting up of a Senate in order to ensure that correct decisions are made on behalf of the country.

An SLPP govt. will launch fresh probe on bond scam: Mahinda Yapa

A government formed by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will launch a fresh probe on the Central Bank bond scam after formulating a separate court, MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane said yesterday.

'Procurement guidelines violated in procuring aircraft, simulators'

SriLankan airlines had signed an agreement to buy two aircraft simulators in 2011 amounting to US$ 28 million by violating the procurement guidelines, Acting Chief in Service Delivery Capital Ranjith Ranatunga informed the SriLankan Airlines Commission yesterday.

Dayasiri appointed SLFP General Secy

Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara has been appointed the new General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

I will never allow Palitha to enter parliament: SF

Former Minister and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said today he would not allow deputy minister Palitha Thewarapperuma to come to parliament alleging that he was engaged in corrupt activities such as sand mining.