Protesting MPs summoned for contempt of court

MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Bandula Gunawardane, Gamini Lokuge, Jayantha Ketagoda and Sarath Weerasekara, WPC Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Provincial Councillor Udaya Gammanpila and 27 others have been ordered to appear before the Court by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on May 8 on charges of Contempt of Court.

Tsunami funds: Complaint lodged against MR

A complaint has been lodged at the Bribery Commission against former President Mahinda Rajapakse on charges of misappropriating Rs. 82 billion from tsunami funds in 2004 by Deputy Minister of Social Services Ranjan Ramanayake.

Video: Hold general election after 19A: Sobitha Thera

National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Leader Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera said today parliament should be dissolved and the general election held after enacting the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Video: MR visits Basil at CNH

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday the Rajapaksas were not thieves and said they had taken only political decisions.

Video: Dullas apologises for using wrong flag

UPFA MP Dullas Alahapperuma today apologised for using a lion’s flag without the two coloured strips -- reprsenting the minorities -- at the protest held outside the Bribery Commission yesterday.

Video: MS-MR meeting cancelled

A meeting scheduled between President Maithripala Sirisena and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has been cancelled because of Mr. Rajapaksa’s busy schedule, UPFA MP Kumara Welgama told a news conference held in parliament.

We will submit changes to 19A: GL

In the wake of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee (CC) deciding to support the 19th Amendment on a matter of principle, the party said it would support the enactment of the constitutional amendment subject to the incorporation of certain provisions it had proposed.

Motion to remove CB Governor: Bandula

UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardena said today a motion signed by opposition members would be handed over to the Speaker calling for the removal of Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran.  

India denies hurling petrol bombs by SL Navy

The Indian government did not get any complaint against Sri Lankan navy hurling petrol bombs at Indian fishermen, External Affairs State Minister V. K. Singh had informed the Rajya Sabha, the New Indian Express said.

SL 132nd in happiness

Sri Lanka had been ranked 132 at the 2015 World’s Happiness Report compiled by a group of international academics on the people’s wellbeing, GDP, Per Capita and healthy life expectancy in 158 countries.

Wigneswaran seeks release of Lankans in Premananda case

Chief minister of Sri Lanka's Tamil-majority Northern Province C V Wigneswaran has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release three life convicts in the sensational Swamy Premananda case.

Kerry amazed after seeing 100-day programme-Rajitha

US Secretary of State John Kerry was amazed after seeing the work done by Sri Lanka during the 100-day programme, claiming that even a US President could not fulfil such a large number of promises in such a short period, Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

President urges all MPs to vote for 19A

President Maithripala Sirisenatoday urged all parliamentarians to ensure freedom for the people by voting in favour of the 19th Amendment and to be contributors to this act of ensuring democracy in this country.

Those who oppose 19A will be swept from politics - Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who sounded aggressive in expressing his desire to get the 19th Amendment passed yesterday said that all those who were involved in conspiracies to stop it from being enacted, including the Rajapaksa, would be swept away from politics.

​SLFP decides to support 19A

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party Central Committee that met this evening, has decided to support the 19th amendment to the constitution, a party spokesman said.  

Video: BC turned into hunting mansion: NFF

The National Freedom Front (NFF) today accused the government of misusing the Bribery Commission (BC) to witch-hunt its political opponents and to tarnish the image of the former President.

Jail not serious for politicians: MR

Jail terms should not be taken seriously as such experience was natural for them, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in Matale.  

Video: Don’t risk Gota’s life - BBS

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) said today it would urge the government not to harm former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa because he was a conscientious government servant who risked his life to bring peace to the country.

Basil at National Hospital

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa was admitted to the Out Patient Department (OPD) of the Colombo National Hospital a short while ago, hospital sources said.   

Mahendran resumes duty after bond probe report

Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran has resumed duties after a more than five-week voluntary leave of absence after being cleared by a panel investigating a controversial government bond auction, the Reuters said today.

Video: People’s aspirations not fulfilled: JVP

Making a review of the first 100 days of the present government, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today said there were many aspirations of the people that had not been fulfilled during this period.

Harin, cousin clash

Police investigation has been launched to the incident where Uva Province Chief Minister Harin Fernando and his cousin Mahil Fernando were admitted to hospital following a clash between them at the Colombo Swimming Club in Kollupitiya yesterday evening, the Police said.

Polls after 19 and 20As: Rajitha

The Cabinet gave the nod for the electoral reforms that would elect 238 members at the forthcoming Parliamentary polls, with an increase of 13 members to the current 225 member Parliament, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Basil wants transfer to CNH

Former minister Basil Rajapaksa, who was remanded and later transferred to the Prison Hospital, has requested the authorities to admit him to a paying ward at the Colombo National Hospital (CNH).

Team to Ukraine to probe arms deal

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Shevchenko had discussed the possibility of sending a team to Ukraine next month to inquire into allegations levelled against former Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunaga.

Video: Gota visits Basil

Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today visited his brother, the former economic development minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Prisons Hospital in Welikada.     

Gota leaves BC

Former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the Bribery Commission a short while ago after his lawyers requested more time as the matter he was questioned was different from the one which was informed to him.

Gota at Bribery Commission

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived at the Bribery Commission this morning after he was summoned to record a statement over various allegations.

​Basil transferred to Prison hospital

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who was remanded till May 5, was transferred to the Prison Hospital last night, officials said.

Basil Rajapaksa remanded

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, former Secretary of the Economic Development Ministry Nihal Jayatilake and former Divineguma Fund Director General R.R.K. Ranawaka who were arrested by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) were remanded till May 5 by the Kaduwela magistrate a short while ago, police said.