Fully-Fledged budget in February

The new government will present a fully-fledged budget for 2019 in February after the Cabinet was sworn in, it is learnt.

Parliament to debate abolition of Executive Presidency today

Parliament would debate a motion calling for the abolition of Executive Presidency today when it meets on the first occasion after the reappointment of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister, sources said.

Prez urged us to sit in the opposition: MP Dayasiri Jayasekara

Former SLFP Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara today said the President had requested the 21 SLFP Parliamentarians to sit in the opposition bench when they attend the parliament session.

VoA next in agenda: Gayantha

The cabinet of the UNF government would be sworn in, in the next couple of days and State and Deputy Ministers next week, former Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilaka said today.

PM to register a new Alliance

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said that he will register a  new Alliance named ‘National Democratic Front’ (NDF).

Cabinet may have to be increased: Nalin B

The number of members in the Cabinet might have to be increased a little more than 30 if the need arises, UNP MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha said today.

Prez can appoint only 28 ministers: Gammanpila

The President could appoint only 28 Cabinet Ministers, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

US, Australia welcome political developments in SL

The United States and Australia have welcomed political developments in Sri Lanka.

Crookedly parked cars will be towed away: Police

Vehicles parked on pavements blocking traffic and pavements would be towed away, the Police said today.

Heavy traffic on Galle Road due to UNF rally

Heavy traffic was reported along the Galle Road from Kollupitiya Junction towards Colombo Fort due to a protest rally organized by the United National Front (UNF) at the Galle Face Green, Police said.

EU welcomes SL political resolution

The Delegation of the European Union today welcomed the peaceful and democratic resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka in accordance with the constitution.

Philippines wins fourth Miss Universe crown

Catriona Gray from the Philippines was crowned Miss Universe on Monday, the fourth time the Southeast Asian country has won the international beauty pageant.

Six PCs not to support new Govt.: Isura

Chief Ministers of six provincial Councils had decided not to support the new government headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya said yesterday.

New Cabinet should be confined to 30 members - UNP

Most of the UNPers had insisted that the new Cabinet should be confined to 30 Ministers, UNP MP Eran Wickrmaratne said yesterday.

Cabinet may delayed as discussion drag

The swearing-in of Cabinet Ministers is likely to be delayed since discussions were still underway on the assignment of portfolios to MPs joining the Government from the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), sources said last afternoon.

Media under tight scrutiny: MR

Resigned Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that Ministers of the new regime had individually undertaken to monitor the affairs of each and every media institution in a bid to suppress media but the media had a responsibility to act without allowing the country being divided.

Premiership given to Ranil to respect democracy - Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena, in his address after swearing in Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe as the new premier, said that he had decided to reappoint UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister only because he respected parliamentary traditions.  

Will discuss with TNA,JVP to bring about a political solution-PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe making a special statement today said that discussions will be held with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to bring about a political solution in which all citizens can live in harmony in a unitary state.

India welcomes political resolve in Sri Lanka

India has welcomed the resolution of the political situation in Sri Lanka, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

Saman Ekanayake appointed Prime Minister’s Secretary

Special Grade official of State Administration Saman Ekanayake has been appointed Secretary to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister's office said.

Committed to restore normalcy: Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today he would be committed to bring back normalcy in the country and would restore development.

Namal hopes RW will ensure country’s sovereignty

While congratulating UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, MP Namal Rajapaksa said today that he hoped the Prime Minister would work towards ensuring the sovereignty of the country.

As Phethai cyclone intensifies: Fishermen warned

The Meteorology Department had warned fishermen not to venture into the deep sea areas off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Kankesanthurai via Trincomalee till December 17 following the formation of a cyclonic storm in the Southwest of Bay of Bengal.

Construction of new building for Sri Lankan school in Doha begins

The much anticipated groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of constructing a new building for Stafford Sri Lankan School Doha was held in Doha.

Ranil sworn in as Prime Minister

Bringing an end to the Constitutional and political uncertainty in the country that lasted over six weeks, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe took oaths as the Prime Minister at the auspicious time of 11.16 this morning before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat in a simple ceremony.

Bangladeshi woman arrested with 32 kgs of heroin worth Rs. 388 mn

A 23-year old Bangladeshi woman was arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) with 32 kgs of heroin valued at around Rs 388 million in Ratmalana yesterday, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Ranil to be sworn-in as PM today

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe would be sworn in as the Prime Minister at the Presidential Secretariat at11.16 a.m today, UNP General Secretary, MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

MR to be opp. leader, Dinesh chief opp. whip: S.B

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will take on the Ppposition Leader post while UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardena will take on the Chief Opposition Whip, MP S. B. Dissanayake said today.

GMOA says no to Rajitha as Health Minister

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said yesterday they had requested President Maithripala Sirisena not to appoint Rajitha Senaratne as the Health Minster.

EC Chief to seek SC ruling on PC polls

Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said on Thursday the EC would seek a ruling from the Supreme Court on the measures on the measures to be taken to conduct the provincial council elections in 2020.