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.

​No allegations of war crimes-President Sirisena

In a Talk to Al Jazeera interview, the Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena appears to contradict key findings from a UN investigation into the country's civil war, released in September last year.

​Ban remains hopeful SL stands by its commitment

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon recalled that the Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka, co-sponsored by the current Government, affirms the importance of a credible justice process and international participation in the judicial mechanism.

Indians left in lurch as SL bans foreigner kidney transplants

With the Sri Lankan government closing its doors to foreigners seeking kidney transplants, what was a last resort for those suffering final-stage kidney ailments has now become a journey too far, Pune Mirror reported today.

FCID arrests Rohan Weliwita

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's Spokesman and CSN Chairman Rohan Weliwita was arrested by the FCID this morning in connection with alleged financial irregularities taken place at the CSN. 

Sashi’s handwriting to be checked by EQD

The Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday directed the CID to send a specimen of MP Wimal Weerawansa’s wife Sashi’s handwriting and signature to the examiner of questioned documents.

Govt. launches Mega City Project

One of the main objectives of the Government’s highly ambitious Mega City Project is to minimize the huge gap in income, education, health, living standards and social status of Sri Lankans and to create an opportunity for future generations to live as equal partners of the country’s  multifaceted development, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.

Raviraj killing: Defence questions integrity of crown witness

While cross examining the crown witness in the non-summary inquiry into the killing of former TNA Jaffna District MP Nadaraja Raviraj, Defense Counsel who appeared for the second suspect, alleged that the crown witness, Sampath Prithiviraj, and his accomplices from Karuna’s party had been involved in the alleged killing and later appeared as a crown witness to protect himself from facing charges.

Indian media show on kidney racket: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers Association of Sri Lanka (GMOA) yesterday alleged the recent ‘Indian media show’ on the kidney racket which allegedly involving some Sri Lankan doctors was handled by an Indian anesthetist who had been sacked by a Colombo based private hospital.

Probe into 6-year-old's body found from well: No arrests made

No suspect has been arrested so far in connection with the recovery of the body of a 6-year-old boy from an unprotected well at Sampur in Trincomalee on Monday night, police said today.

JKH to delay Cinnamon Life project

Sri Lanka’s premier blue chip John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) said the completion of the Cinnamon Life project, previously Waterfront, would be delayed till 2019.