Video: No bus fare hike this year - Minister

Internal Transport Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara said today the bus operators had agreed not to increase the annual bus fares in July as laid down in the National Bus Fare Policy.

UNP to go it alone at general election

The United National Party (UNP), the main constituent of the government has decided to contest the upcoming general election under its own steam, Plantation Minister Lakshman Kiriella said.

Video: SL to dilute dependence on China-Mangala

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Thursday said that the country will review its China-dependent foreign policy and boost ties with other nations.

DIGs of FCID, CID promoted

Two Police DIGs (Deputy Inspector General) have been promoted to the rank of Senior Deputy Inspector General as per a Cabinet decision to fill the vacancies in the Department, Police announced today.

Exposure to toxic gas kills four

Four persons including a woman were killed after they fell into a cesspit and were exposed to a poisonous gas in Parape, Rambukkana, the Police said.

Time to get some rest: Mahanayake to Gota

While praising former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the services he had rendered to the country, the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, the Most Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi Thera, on Wednesday, expressed his satisfaction at the former's decision not to enter politics.

Duminda instilling fear: Hirunika

UPFA Western Provincial Councillor Hirunika Premachandra yesterday charged that MP Duminda Silva was indirectly coercing witnesses from coming forth to give evidence by making latent threats.

FCID to probe Manilal Fernando’s bank accounts

The Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) has obtained a court order from Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya to investigate the accounts of four private banks in Colombo over the alleged fraudulent dealings of Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) former Chairman of the Management Committee Manilal Fernando and Chief Executive Officer Chrishantha Perera committed during 2006 to 2014.

Case against Rajitha's son: Court focus on Probation Officer's conduct

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya issued an order on the Western Province Probation and Child Care Commissioner to inquire on the alleged bias behaviour of the probation officer investigating the case involving Dinitha Aloka Ranasinghe who was allegedly abducted by Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne‘s son.

Maithri rejects concessions to MR at polls: Rajitha

President Maithripala Sirisena has flatly rejected to grant any concession to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the forthcoming election campaign, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Former Dambulla mayor arrested

Former Mayor of Dambulla Municipal Council Jaliya Opatha was arrested today for allegedly mining and selling gravel worth over Rs. 1.3 million from a state land.

Video: Mahendran will face jail term if found guilty

The present regime which practices good governance will not hesitate to send Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to jail if he is found guilty of the controversial bond issue, Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said today.

Traffic in Maradana

Heavy traffic was reported at Technical Junction in Maradana due to a protest by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) urging the government to deliver the promises given during the presidential election campaign.

CCD director, two sergeants sentenced

The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) Director of  and two Police sergeants were sentenced for eight years by Panadura High Court today over a death of a 16-year-old boy at Horana in 1990.

Video: Form interim UPFA govt. with Chamal as PM - Prof. Vitharana

The leftist parties had requested President Maithripala Sirisena to set up an interim UPFA government before the general elections and appoint Chamal Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister to ensure stability in the country and to fulfill political reforms, Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) leader Tissa Vitharana said today.

Video: Cabinet to reconsider Port City project

The Cabinet had decided to reconsider the recommencement of the Colombo Port Coty Project following a complete Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

Turbulence on SriLankan flight;5 crew members injured

At least five crew members were injured this morning when a SriLankan flight, flying from Paris to Colombo encountered severe turbulence, a spokesman for the airline said.

Govt. to repay 41% of Golden Key depositors’ money - AG

The Attorney General today informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet has taken a decision to repay 41% of Golden Key depositors’ money.

SF’s writ application dismissed

The Court of Appeal today dismissed a Writ Petition filed by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka seeking an order directing the Secretary General of Parliament to appoint him as a Member of Parliament after removing MP Jayantha Ketagoda.

Suggestions that switch from PR system will wipe out small parties a canard: Zuhair

Suggestions that the switch over from the Proportional Representation (PR) system to the mixed electoral system will wipe out small and minority parties is another canard spread by these parties, the National United Front (NUF) said in a statement yesterday.

Ramazan fasting on Friday

The Ramazan fasting will start from Friday 19th June since the new moon was not cited today, the Colombo Grand Mosque announced

Dhal prices reduced

The special commodity levy imposed on dhal was reduced by Rs. 4.75 rom mid night today, the Finance Ministry said.

UNP-SLMC scuttling 20A - Nimal

Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva today charged that the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) were in a move to scuttle the passage of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament and the two political parties issue conflicting and different statements on electoral reforms at different times.

High level discussions held on reconciliation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said high level officials were engaging in internal consultations over establishing a transparent and inclusive process to develop credible mechanisms for accountability and reconciliation – a move that has been urged by the UNHRC and the international community, MFA Spokesperson Mahishini Colonne said today

Video: Dissolution after 20A is passed: UNP

The United National Party (UNP) today stressed the need to enact the 20th Amendment as soon as possible to pave the way for the dissolution of Parliament at the earliest.

Video: No-faith debate on PM July third week: SLFP

The debate on the no-confidence motion on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe could be held in the third week of July, the SLFP said quoting Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella as saying at the party Leaders meeting held yesterday.

SL placed sixth for forced marriages in UK

Sri Lankans are among the top 10 immigrant families to Britain who are being forced into marriage, a study revealed.

Sajin’s bail application rejected; re-remanded

Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage today rejected the bail application submitted by UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena and further remanded him till June 24 in connection with allegedly misusing 22 vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.

Tissa at Bribery Commission

Former United National Party (UNP) General Secretary and MP Tissa Attanayake arrived at the Bribery Commission this morning after he was summoned to record a statement over the acceptance of a portfolio just before the previous Presidential Election.

Gazette on 20A issued

The gazette notification on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution had been published, the Government Printer said today.