'Sinha-Le' campaign not work of MR- Aluvihare

Leader of the Opposition of the Matale Municipal Council, Daljin Aluvihare, said rumours that the sticker “ Sinha-Le” pasted on trishaws and many other vehicles was an act instigated by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, would tarnish the image of the former president.

Two deported Lankans arrested

Two Sri Lankans deported from Australia were arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by the Crime Investigation Division (CID) this morning, Police said.

Three persons shot dead in Wellampitiya

Three persons were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Wellampitiya area last night, Police said.

Australian tourist drowns in Hikka

An Australian tourist drowned while bathing in Hikkaduwa last evening, police said.The tourist, 72-year-old Denis Bener, died upon admission to the Karapitiya Hospital. 

We will continue our struggle: Dulles

Joint Opposition MP Dulles Alahapperuma said today that they would continue their struggle inside and outside parliament until the identity of the joint opposition was recognised, for the sake of the peoples’ rights.

Nominating three names violates 19A: NMSJ

The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) said today it was a violation of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution for the President to nominate three names to the post of Attorney General (AG).

Decision is SL's sovereign Right: UNHR Chief

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said today that though the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) makes a recommendation on the judicial process into alleged war crimes or on the involvement of foreign judges, it was the sovereign right of Sri Lanka to decide.

Gnanasara Thera remanded again

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera, who was granted bail by the Homagama Magistrate in the Contempt of Court case, was further remanded until tomorrow (10) for allegedly threatening Sandhaya Eknaligoda.

Artistes visit Yoshitha

Several artistes visited Yoshitha Rajapaksa at the Welikada prison today. “We came here to witness good governance and reconciliation from Welikada. War heroes who dedicated their lives to bring peace to the country have been jailed. needs a new party under the guidance of Mahinda Rajapaksa,”

Ven. Gnansara Thera released on bail

BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnansara Thera, arrested and remanded on January 26, on charges of contempt of court, was released on bail by the Homagama Magistrate today.

Joint opposition MPs staging protest in Parliament

Joint opposition MPs are staging a protest inside Parliament after their request to act as an independent group in parliament was rejected.  

SF takes oaths as a MP

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka took oath as a Member of the Parliament before the speaker Karu Jayasuriya a short while ago.

Police ordered to pay Rs.50,000 to assaulted commuter

Colombo District Court Judge Amali Ranaweera today ordered the IGP to pay Rs.50,000 as compensation to a commuter who was assaulted by police officers during a protest held outside the Fort Railway Station in April, 2014.  

Probe should be within SL legal system: Champika

The judicial mechanism where the alleged war crimes committed by Sri Lankan tri-forces are to be examined, should be carried out in a Sri Lankan legal framework, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday.

Zeid meets President Sirisena

United Nations Human Rights (UNHR) Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein called on President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago.  

RW, Zeid discuss HR issues

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe this morning and discussed a range of current challenges and opportunities for strengthening the rule of law and protection of human rights in Sri Lanka.    

Sicille Kotelawala remanded, transferred to CNH

Former Ceylinco Chairman Lalith Kothelawala's wife Sicille Kotelawala was remanded till February 23 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage.

Three die in train accidents

Three individuals died after they were hit by trains in three separate incidents in Peliyagoda, Wellawatta and Ambanpola yesterday, Police said.

Key decisions on new party led by MR finalised

The final discussion on forming a new political party, which would be led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was reportedly held at his residence at Mirihana last night, political sources said.

Warnasinghe is President’s Special Project Director

Former Western Province Health Minister Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe has been appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena as the President’s Special Project Director in the Western Province.

National anthem was sung in Tamil in 1949 too: Vajira

The National Anthem was sung in both the Sinhala and Tamil languages at the first Independence Day celebration, Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena said.

'Nishantha Malli's' fate due to wrong company: Arjuna

“If Nishantha Malli was in the company of good guys, he (Nishantha) would not have to face to such a scenario. The law should be equal to everyone.

Seven sentenced to death over Seenimodera killing

Seven suspects involved in the kidnapping and killing of 62-year-old Loko Marakkalage Andiyashami of Seenimodera in 1989 were today sentenced to death by Tangalle High Court Judge Sujatha Alahapperuma.

BASL says AG must be from the Dept.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said today it had consistently taken up the position that the Attorney-General (AG) should ordinarily be selected from the officers of the AG’s department and that such appointment should preferably be in the order of seniority unless there were good reasons for not doing so.

UNP nominates Fonseka to Parliament

The UNP Working Committee has today endorsed the appointment of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka to Parliament through the United National Front (UNF) National List to fill the post of MP which fell vacant with the death of former minister M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardane, UNP Assistant General Secretary and Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

E01 temporarily closed for traffic for two hours

The segment from Welipenna to Kurundugahahetekma on the Southern Expressway (E01) would be closed from 1.00 a.m. to 3.00 a.m. tomorrow due to a removal of a toppled container truck, the police said.

Govt. planning to appoint incompetent AG: Gammanpila

The government is planning to appoint an incompetent official to the post of Attorney General in the wake of the retirement of former AG Yuwanjan Wijeyatilake, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary and MP Udaya Gammanpila claimed today.  

President should reveal his stance on Malabe Hospital- IUSF

The Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) today said President Maithripala Sirisena should make a statement regarding his stance on the offer made by the Chairman of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe, Dr. Neville Fernando to use his ‘Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital’ (NFTH) as a semi-government hospital.

Joint opposition submits protest letter to UNHR chief

The joint opposition today submitted a letter to be handed over to visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

Lal Mendis sworn in as WP Health Minister

SLFP Western Provincial Councillor Sumith Lal Mendis was sworn in as Minister of Health, Child Probation and Women’s Affairs.