MR still SLFP patron, member: Aluthgamage

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was still a patron and a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and therefore, there was no obstacle for him to be appointed as the Opposition Leader, MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage said today. 

Two opposition leaders in parliament: Sampanthan

TNA Leader MP R. Sampanthan said there were two opposition leaders in parliament today as Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had appointed former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the opposition leader without removing him (Mr. Sampanthan) from the post.

SriLankan and Mihin Commission extended till February 15

The term of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka, has been extended till February 15, 2019.

CID returns with Namal Kumara’s deleted voice recordings

The CID today informed the Fort Magistrate that experts from Hong Kong were able to recover several voice recordings which were deleted from the phone of the Operations Director of the Anti-Corruption Force Namal Kumara.  

Nalaka De Silva re-remanded

Former DIG of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) Nalaka de Silva was further remanded till January 2 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Seven Indian trawlers released from SL custody

Seven Indian fishing trawlers held by the Sri Lanka Navy, while engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan territorial waters, were released from Sri Lankan custody yesterday with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

Rain, epic stand save Sri Lanka in New Zealand Test

Sri Lanka battled to a rain-affected draw in the first Test against New Zealand on Wednesday after the Black Caps were unable to break an epic stand by Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews.

We won't give Prez Ministries of Law & Order and Media: Akila

General Secretary of the UNP, former Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam yesterday said the UNF would, under no circumstances, give the Ministries of Law and Order and Media and Information to President Maithripala Sirisena.

Phethai cyclonic storm: Rs.20mn from airlines using SL airspace

Sri Lanka will receive more than Rs.20 million in revenue from foreign airlines for using Sri Lanka’s airspace because of the cyclonic storm Phethai, which is affecting Southern India, Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) head of air navigation service, Mahinda Mahamittawa said.

UNP in a dilemma over ministerial portfolios

The United National Party (UNP) is said to be facing a dilemma when it comes to preparing the list of Cabinet ministers because there are more aspirants than the number of slots available.

UNP Working Committee - likely to approve NDF on Friday

The United National Party (UNP) Working Committee is likely to approve the resolution to form the Democratic National Front (NDF) in alliance with like-minded parties, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.

Constitution not for personal agendas: Hakeem

The country's Constitution is not a document to be used or abused according to the whims and fancies of three people - President Maithirpala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem said yesterday.

No impediment to MR being opposition leader: UPFA

The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) today countered the argument raised by the government and TNA that newly-appointed Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and the others who had obtained SLPP membership could hold the post because the group he belongs to is the second largest in the House.

Status of MPs joining SLPP - Speaker to rule on Select Committee

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is expected to give a ruling on Friday on the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire whether the MPs including Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, who obtained Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) membership, can remain in Parliament.

JVP moves motion to abolish executive presidency

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today moved an adjournment motion to abolish the executive presidency claiming that a majority of the people of the country were in favour of doing so.

Cabinet of ministers to be restricted to 30

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the UNF parliamentary group that the Cabinet will have to be limited to 30 ministers and that some will have to voluntarily give up aspirations of holding posts.  

China welcomes resolution of political situation

The Chinese Government has advised today that China, as a traditional close neighbour and a most important development partner, welcomed the peaceful and proper resolution of recent political situation in Sri Lanka by all related parties.

We joined govt. to stabilise it: Vijith Wijayamuni

Former minister and SLFP MP Vijith Wijayamuni Soysa said today that he and two other SLFPers had not joined the United National Party (UNP) but joined the government to stabilise it.

Malinga auctioned for INR 20 mn

Sri Lankan star cricketer Lasith Malinga was sold to Mumbai Indians for 20 million Indian Rupees (INR) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction a short while ago.

C’wealth, Canada welcome political crisis resolution in SL

The Commonwealth Organisation and the Government of Canada have welcomed the resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka.

Lahiru Kumara fined over audible obscenity

Sri Lankan cricketer Lahiru Kumara has been fined 15% of his match fee and has also received one demerit point after being found guilty of using an audible obscenity during the third day’s play in the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Monday, the ICC said.

TID summons ex-LTTE cadre Thulasi

Former LTTE cadre and the leader of a political party of militants, Ganeshalingam Chandralingam alias Thulasi had been summoned to the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) tomorrow to record a statement.

UPFA MPs Wijayamuni, Lakshman and Indika join govt.

UPFA MPs Vijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, Lakshman Seneviratne and Indika Bandaranayake crossed over to the UNF government in Parliament.

MR appointed as Opposition Leader

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has informed the Parliament that UPFA MP Mahinda Rajapaksa had been appointed as the Opposition Leader replacing Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R Sampanthan a while ago.

Leader of the House and Chief Government Whip appointed

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said MP Lakshman Kiriella was appointed as the Leader of the House while MP Gayantha Karunathilaka was appointed the Chief Government Whip.

UPFA decides to nominate MR as Oppn. Leader

The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) parliamentary members today unanimously decided to nominate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Opposition Leader, MP Chandima Weerakkody said.

Aloysius, Palisena further remanded

Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius and its CEO Kasun Palisena, who were arrested by the CID over the Central Bank bond scam, were further remanded till January 1 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Woman defrauding money promising Canadian jobs, arrested

A 46-year-old woman was arrested by the CID in connection with defrauding money by promising employment in Canada, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Lankan given PR after saving woman from fire in Korea

After saving a woman, 90, from a burning house in North Gyeongsang Province last year, a Sri Lankan migrant worker in South Korea has been awarded Permanent Residency (PR) status.

MR not stripped of SLFP membership: PHU

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not been stripped of his membership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) though he obtained Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) membership recently, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) said yesterday.