Govt. making different statements on UN resolution: GL

President Maithripala Sirisena has not been briefed on the contents of the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka and that is why he makes contradictory statements on it, former external affairs minister G.L. Peiris said.

Petition to stop political activities in Abayaramaya

The Ven. Pathberiye Vimalagnana Thera on Monday filed a petition in the Colombo District Court seeking an order restraining the Narahenpita Purana Abayaramaya being used for political, trade union and commercial activities.

Singing National Anthem in Sinhala, Tamil no issue: Minister

Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardana today said singing the National Anthem at the 68th Independence Day celebrations at Galle Face in Sinhala and Tamil was not an issue because the Constitution clearly states that Sinhala and Tamil are national languages and as such it could be sung in both languages at any State function.

Govt. working on reconciliation: PM

Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurating the Commonwealth Asia Regional Seminar for parliamentarians in Colombo on Monday clarified about how foreign judges could participate in the accountability mechanism.

National list vacancy: Party Leader, Committee to decide on nominee

United National Party (UNP) General Secretery Kabir Hashim said today person who to be named to fill the vacancy created by the death of former Minister M.K.D.S. Gunawardene would be decided by the party leader and the committee appointed for this purpose.

Homagama mayhem: Two more monks surrender

Sihala Ravaya convener the Ven. Magalkande Sudaththa Thera and the Ven Badalkumbure Ariyashantha Thera today surrendered to the Homagama Police in connection with last week’s pandemonium outside the Homgama Magistrate’s court.  

Red Notice on fmr top LTTE leader Emil Kanthan removed

The Colombo Special High Court today removed the arrest warrant and 'Red Notice' issued on former LTTE top ranked leader Emil Kanthan after he assured to surrender to the Court within two weeks.  

Video: Shiranthi arrives at PRECIFAC

Former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrived at the PRECIFAC today to give a statement in connection with allegedly providing a house belonging to the National Housing Development Authority at less than the stipulated price to her media coordinating officer.

Video: Family members visit Yoshitha at Welikada

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second son Yoshitha, currently in remand custody at Welikada Prison was this morning visited by his mother Shiranthi, brother Rohitha and several politicians this morning.

Joint opposition visits Yoshitha and four others at Welikada

At least fifteen members of the joint opposition including Dinesh Gunawardena, Wimal Weerawansa, Gamini Lokuge, Bandula Gunawardana, Dallas Allahapperuma and Johnston Fernando visited Yoshitha Rajapaksa and the four others remanded at the Welikada prison.

Video: Joint Opposition to boycott Independence Day celebrations

The members of the joint opposition will boycott State functions including the Independence Day celebrations on February 4 at the Galle Face Green to protest what they described as the ‘suppression’ by the Government, MP Dinesh Gunawardena said today.

Boat capsised: Five fishermen missing

Five local fishermen have gone missing last night when their boat capsised after it collided with another ship while fishing in deep sea.

Rajitha sacks NMDRA Chairman and Deputy

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne has directed the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the National Medicinal Drugs Regulatory Authority (NMDRA) to resign from their posts with effect from today, ministry sources said.

Amarapura Nikaya says adoption of Bill with amendments very beneficial

Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya said that the Buddha Sasana Karya Sadhaka Mandalaya that has the four Most Venerable Mahanayaka Theras as its Anusasakas, has discussed the proposed Act for the Registration of 'Katik?vat of Theravada Bhikkhu Nikayas', in minute detail and a set of important recommendations have been submitted.

UNP to nominate SF to Parliament: Kabir

United National party (UNP) is to nominate Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka to Parliament to fill the vacancy created by Late Minister M.K.A.D.S Gunawardane, UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim said yesterday.

Shiranthi summoned by PRECIFAC

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s wife Shiranthi has been asked to report to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PRECIFAC) tomorrow to obtain a statement on an order made by her to the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) directing it to allocate a house to one of her media officers at a valuation far below the market value.

Video: No additional privileges to Yoshitha-Prison

Yoshitha Rajapakse and five others who were arrested on Saturday have been given additional security but no additional privileges, Prisons Spokesman Thushara Upuldeniya said.

Video: Political revenge should be confined to politicians -MR

Political revenge and witch hunting should be confined to politicians and not be extended to their families, former president Mahinda Rajapakse said after visiting his son Yoshitha Rajapakse at Welikada Prison, who was arrested on Saturday.

Rohitha’s hard-hitting message on FB

Hours after the arrest of his brother Yoshitha Rajapaksa, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's third son Rohitha in a Facebook post, warned the ‘Yahapalanaya’ government with the message:

Tax on imported rice increased Rs.15

Tax on all imported rice would be increased from Rs. 35 to Rs. 50 per kilogram with effect from midnight today, the Finance Ministry said.

SF to join UNP?

Democratic Party (DP) Leader Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka is yet to make a final decision on joining the UNP for the coming Local Government Elections, General Secretary of the party Gaya Basnayake said today.

Homagama incident: Four more arrested

The Homagama Police arrested another four individuals today for acting in a violent manner outside the Homagama Magistrate Court on January 26.

SL Consulate General office in Milan

The Sri Lankan Government has made arrangements to open a Consulate General Office in Milan, Italy with effect from February 1, Foreign Affairs Ministry said today.

Smuggler arrested with 20.9 Kg of heroin

A 34-year-old was arrested with 20.9 kg of heroin worth approximately more than Rs.200 million at Madameepagama, Amabalangoda yesterday.

Video: Yoshitha Rajapaksa remanded

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha and four others including Nishantha Ranatunga, Rohan Weliwita were remanded until February 11 by Kaduwela Magistrate Dhammika Hemapala over the alleged financial irregularities at the CSN.

Video: Weliwita, Ranatunga arrested

Former Presidential coordinating secretary and CSN Channel founding director Rohan Weliwita and its Director Nishantha Ranatunga were arrested by the FCID today over the alleged financial irregularities taken place at the CSN Channel.

FCID arrests Yoshitha Rajapaksa

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son was arrested by the FCID a short while ago, Navy Spokesman Captain Akram Alevi said. He said Mr. Rajapaksa would be produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate soon.

Water levels dropping in upcountry

The water levels in rivers, canals, tanks and reservoirs in the upcountry are fast declining because of the prevailing dry weather. The main waterfalls including St.Claires, Kadiyanlena, and Lovers Leap are also running dry.

​FCID grills Yoshitha-MP Namal

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha is being questioned by the FCID at the Navy Headquarters, MP Namal Rajapaksa said.“Yoshitha was asked to come to the Navy Headquarters this morning, and he is being questioned by the FCID over the CSN case,” MP Rajapaksa told Daily Mirror.

​Limits number of terms of Diyawadana Nilame

The Buddhist Temporalities’ (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to limit the number of terms a person could be appointed to the post of Diyawadana Nilame (DN) and authorises the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs to remove the DN from the post was presented to Parliament yesterday.