Field Force OIC remanded for allegedly accepting bribe

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna, today, remanded the OIC of the Police Field Force Headquarters until 2 January, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs.50,000 to provide a recommendation letter to reinstate an Inspector of Police who had been interdicted.

Three Russian ships arrive in Colombo

Three Russian Naval ships; Varyag, Admiral Panteleev and Boris Butoma arrived at the Colombo Port today on a four-day goodwill visit, the Navy said.

UPFA MP Ranjith Zoysa remanded

UPFA MP Ranjith Zoysa and three others were remanded till January 1 in connection with an assault on a person on December 16 in Godakawela, police said.

IUSF protest tear-gassed

Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesting university students outside the Colombo Fort, police said.

Heavy traffic in Colombo Fort due to protest

Heavy traffic was reported in and around Colombo Fort and Technical Junction due to a protest march carried out by the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF), police said.

Fuel prices to be reviewed tomorrow: Mangala

Fuel prices are to be reviewed tomorrow by comparing prices in the world market, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

Prez to retain Law and Order ministry?

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have decided to retain the Law and Order ministry under the defense ministry, Government sources said.

Vote on Account in Parliament tomorrow: FM

The Vote on Account to cover the expenditures of the first four months of 2019 will be presented in Parliament tomorrow, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today.

Full list of Cabinet ministers

The new Cabinet of Ministers took their oaths before President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s office this morning.

Akila gets Education, Harrison- Agriculture, Chandrani - Child Affairs

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam was sworn in as Minister of Education while P. Harrison as Minister of Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Livestock Development, Irrigation and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development.

Daya-Labour, Sagala- Ports, Mano- National Integration, Haleem-Postal

Daya Gamage was sworn in as Minister of Labour, Trade Union Relations, and Social Empowerment while Mano Ganesan was sworn in as Minister of National Integration, Official Languages, Social Progress and Hindu Religious Affairs.

Kabir gets Highways, Ranjith Maddumabandara- Public Administration

Kabir  Hashim was sworn in as Minister of Highways, Road Development and Petroleum Resources Development while Ranjith Maddumabandara as Public Administration & Disaster Management.

Mangala gets Finance, Thalatha -Justice

Mangala Samaraweera was sworn in as Minister of Finance and Mass Media and Thalatha Athukorala was sworn in as Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms.

Malik- Development Strategies, Bathiudeen-Commerce, John- Tourism

Rishad Bathiudeen was sworn in as Minister of Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons and Co-operative Development while John Amaratunga was sworn in as the Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs.

Rajitha gets Health, Ravi Power and Energy

Rajitha Senaratne was sworn in as the Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine while Ravi Karunanayake was sworn in as the Minister of Power, Energy and Enterprise Development before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago

Champika, Navin get previous ministries, Digambaram-Hill Country Development

Patali Champika Ranawaka was sworn in as Minister of Megapolis and Western Development while Navin Dissanayake was sworn in as Minister of Plantation Industries.

Hakeem Higher Education, Marapana Foreign Affairs

Rauff Hakeem was sworn in as the Minister of City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education while Thilak Marapana was sworn in as the Minister of Foreign Affairs before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago

Gayantha-lands, Arjuna-Transport, Vajira-Home Affairs

Gayantha Karunatilake was sworn in as Minister of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms while Arjuna Ranatunga was sworn in as Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.

Harin gets Digital Infrastructure, Sports Ministry

Harin Fernando was sworn in as the Minister of Telecommunications, Digital Infrastructure, Foreign Employment & Sports before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago.

Gamini gets Buddhasasana, Kiriella as Public Enterprise Minister

Gamini Jayawickrama Perera was sworn in as the Minister of Buddhasasana & Wayamba Development while Lakshman Kiriella was sworn in as the Minister of Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage & Kandy Development, before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago.

PM appointed National Polices, Resettlement Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the Minister of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement & Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development, Vocational Training & Skills Development & Youth Affairs before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago.

Sajith sworn in as Housing Construction, Cultural Affairs Minister

Sajith Premadasa was sworn in as the Minister of Housing Construction and Cultural Affairs before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago.

New cabinet at 8.30 a.m today

The new cabinet of ministers will be sworn in at 8.30 am today, UNP said.

President to swear in 28 member Cabinet today

President Maithripala Sirisena is expected to swear in 28 members of the Cabinet today, government sources said yesterday.

Suspend Opp. Leader: Motion handed over to Speaker

Several UNP and TNA MPs had submitted a letter to the Speaker requesting to put on hold the appointment of a new Opposition leader, MP Ranjan Ramanayake said.

Prez should not use his power for personal benefit: Bimal

President Maithripala Sirisena should exercise Executive Powers, not for his own benefit, but for the benefit of the country, JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake said today.

Prez to swear in new Cabinet tomorrow: Gamini Lokuge

President Maithripala Sirisena has informed UPFA MP’s that the new Cabinet would be sworn in tomorrow morning, UPFA MP Gamini Lokuge said today.  

Four arrested over SLTB–private bus clash in Welimada; one killed

A driver of a private passenger bus has been killed following an assault by a driver of an SLTB bus crew in Welimada this afternoon, police advised. 

US says eager to work with PM Wickremesinghe

The United States has praised the restoration of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and voiced eagerness to work with him, NDTV reported on Tuesday.

CMC budget passed by 60 votes

The 2018 budget of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) was passed today with a majority of sixty votes.