MR faction holds meeting over dismissals

Several Joint Opposition MPs and Provincial Councillors of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) held a special meeting with ex-president and Kurunegala MP Mahinda Rajapaksa at his public coordinating office in Battaramulla last night.

Enrique Iglesias concert: Live Events noticed

The Colombo District Court today issued notice on the Live Events Ltd., the organisers of Enrique Iglesias Concert in Colombo, to respond on April 26 over a petition filed by two fans of the concert.  

Amarathunga sworn in as Lands Minister

Minister John Amarathunga was sworn in as the Minister of Lands a short while ago before President Maithripala Sirisena.

Decision on exhuming body of Embilipitiya man tomorrow

Embilipitiya Magistrate Prasanna Fernando said today he would give a ruling tomorrow whether to exhume the body of the man who died during a clash with the police in Embilipitiya to carry out a new postmortem examination.

Register your newsweb

The Mass Media Ministry today requested all news websites to be registered with the Ministry before March 31, so that these websites could be operated under recognised ethics and standards without interruption.

Eight monks disrobing daily: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that Buddhist Monks disrobing had become a challenge and that eight monks disrobe each day, thereby affecting the functioning of many temples throughout the country including those in Colombo and the suburbs.

Recruitment based on proper criteria: Prof. Madduma Bandara

Amid the controversy over Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella recommending the appointment of a lecturer, Kelaniya University Vice Chancellor Prof. Sunanda Madduma Bandara said the university authorities had often received similar letters and it was nothing new.

No place for murderers, ransom seekers -- Chandrika

“There is no camp of Sarana Gunawardene in Attanagalle now. Murderers, ransom seekers and rogues and those who were engaged in illegal activities have no place now in the SLFP,” said former president, the chief SLFP organiser for Attanagalla Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga at a seminar held at Sangabodhi college Nittambuwa.

Lakshman Kiriella berates journalist

Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella, who is now embroiled in a controversy over the appointment of a lecturer to Kelaniya University on temporary basis, had been very abusive to a journalist of the Ada newspaper when he asked him about the matter.

Thajudeen’s murder/BCIT, Canada may help with CCTV footage

The CID informed Court that there was a possibility of receiving direct assistance from the British Columbia Institute of Technology of Canada for clarification of the CCTV footage concerning the murder of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen.

Need a leader to represent Buddhist monks: Gnanasara Thera

From any point of view Buddhist monks in recent history have lacked a strong leader, compared to other religions, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said.

Genetech to identify animal found in Sinharaja

Blood samples from the animal found in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve by Wildlife officials on Monday were sent to the Genetec Institute in Colombo for identification, Wildlife Department (WLD) Director General Chandrasiri Bandara said.

Alleged fraud of Rs. 16M. through illegal appointments

Financial fraud amounting to Rs.16 million had been committed by making illegal appointments to the government sector, including to the state school sector, said the secretary of the Ceylon Teachers' Services Union, Mahinda Jayasinghe today.

Plans to disconnect traffic lights from main grid

We are contemplating whether to disconnect traffic lights from the national grid and connect them to an independent source to prevent traffic congestion that occur during a power failures similar to what happened last Thursday, Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Stopping Port City Project has affected credit rating: Gammanpila

The Government move to halt the Port City Project funded by the Chinese Government which is considered the fastest growing economy in Asia has resulted in downgrading Sri Lanka's sovereign credit rating to ‘B+’ from ‘BB-’ by Fitch Ratings, opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila claimed today.

H.W. Gunadasa appointed PRECIFAC Secretary

H.W. Gunadasa has been appointed as secretary to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) today, Presidential Media Unit said.

Joint Opp. to complain to Police Commission on Rajitha

The joint opposition said today it would complain to the Police Commission tomorrow against the then fisheries minister Rajitha Senaratne based on several charges including that of handing over of the Modera Fisheries Harbour to a private company without Cabinet approval.

PRECIFAC Secretary Lacille removed

Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) Secretary Lacille De Silva has been removed from the post with immediate effect, sources said.  

UNP attempting to destroy SLFP: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today UNP was attempting to destroy the SLFP completely and that President Maithripala Sirisena as the SLFP chairman had not acted to look after the party rank and file, uphold party policies and protect the identity of the SLFP as expected.

Indian ambulance service to commence mid 2016: Harsha

The Indian aided ambulance service would be commenced from mid this year, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Harsha de Silva today said. 

Kumar Gunaratnam re-remanded

Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Politburo member Kumar Gunaratnam was further remanded till March 14 by the Kegalle Magistrate’s Court today.

Protest at Homagama Court; six monks released on bail

Six monks and five civilians who were arrested on charges of contempt of court and obstructing police officers at Homagama Magistrate’s Court premises on January 26, were released on bail today.

FR petition against arrest of Yoshitha

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed at the Supreme Court today on behalf of Yoshitha Rajapaksa and three others against their arrest and being kept in remand custody.

Return remaining lands swiftly-US to SL

While expressing support to Sri Lanka in fully implementing the commitments as agreed in the Human Rights Council resolution, the US has urged the Sri Lankan government to return remaining lands to rightful owners swiftly.

Singapore to help SL in restructuring its foreign ministry

Singapore will provide help to Sri Lanka as its government undergoes restructuring, said Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday (Feb 29).

Commodity tax on potatoes, big onions increased by Rs. 20 per kilo

Special commodity tax on imported potatoes and big onions had been increased by Rs.20 per kilo with effect from today, the Finance Ministry said.

Two attempt self-immolation during demo against SL

High drama was witnessed during protest by state’s fishermen pressing a-three-point-charter of demands against the Sri Lankan government on Monday at Nungambakkam after two participants attempted self-immolation.

Joint Opp. won't form new party-Vasu

Parliamentarian Vasudewa Nanayakkara said that after the announcement of the forthcoming local government elections, the joint opposition would contest the election under a symbol belonging to one of the six parties in the joint opposition.

Kiriella’s letter to Uni; Ministry justifies

The Higher Education and Highways Ministry yesterday justified Minister Lakshman Kiriella’s letter to the Kelaniya University requesting to appoint an individual as a Temporary Lecturer.

Kiriella should resign: FUTA

Former Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasri yesterday said the Minister of Higher Education and Highways, Lakshman Kiriella should resign as he had no right to influence the appointment of a university lecturer.