Ex- Dy minister Gunawardene makes a scene at SLFP Hq

Former deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana M.K.D.S  Gunawardene who had been stripped of all positions in the SLFP had arrived this morning at the SLFP headquarters and allegedly created a scene, SLFP said in a statement.

NIA wants to send a team to SL to probe terror plan

Indian Government is yet to decide on a proposal of National Investigation Agency to send a team to Sri Lanka to carry out further probe in an aborted international conspiracy to attack the US and Israeli consulates in South India.

SL placed 85th in global corruption perception index

In the annual Global Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released by Transparency International (TI), Sri Lanka has scored 38 points and is placed in the 85th position among 175 countries.

Video: Maithri to restore SF’s decorations and rights

Common opposition candidate Maithripala today said he would restore civic rights and all military decorations of former Army commander and Democratic Party Leader Sarath Fonseka within hours if he is elected as the Executive President.

MR to prune some executive powers-SLFP

Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said today the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) manifesto for the January 8 presidential election would include Constitutional reforms with regard to the pruning of some of executive presidential powers.

Traffic at Ward place

Traffic congestion was reported at Ward Place opposite the University Grants Commission due to a protest by university students, police said.

Schools closed for elections and Pope’s visit

In view of the January 8 presidential election, Government and private schools countrywide will be closed for three days on January 7, 8 & 9 and reopened on January 12, the Ministry of Education said.

Maithri was to be nominated PM by April: Ranasinghe

Polonnaruwa District SLFP MP Roshan Ranasinghe said President Rajapaksa was hoping to appoint former minister Maithripala Sirisena as Prime Minister by next April but he was caught in Ranil’s trap because he did not believe it.

Phillip Hughes funeral in New South Wales

The funeral of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes is being held in his hometown of Macksville, New South Wales.

SLC bans Portable Horns, Hooters

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that the portable horns and hooters have been banned at cricket venues with immediate effect.

Video: I was warned not to talk of corruption: Maithri

Stating that he fought against corruption while being in the present government, the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena today revealed that he was warned by state hierarchy for taking up such a struggle.

28 years RI for Julampitiye Amare

Geeganage Amarasiri alias Julampitiye Amare, who was found guilty of the charges of unlawful assembly, criminal assault and causing damage to property, was on Monday sentenced to 28 years and six months rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs.20,000.

Video: Harin determined to take control of Uva PC

Saying he was ready to take control of the Uva Provincial Council, Harin Fernando its present opposition leader said today that his party would file legal action and get the council convened once again.

LTTE ban: SL praises EU decision

Sri Lanka today welcomed the Decision taken by the European Union (EU) to appeal the judgement of its General Court that lifted sanctions on the LTTE, the External Affairs Ministry said.

Opposition saying different things: UPFA

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary and Minister Susil Premajayantha said today the opposition was making contradictory statements on the abolition of the executive presidency and the introduction of constitutional amendments.

Two Japanese Naval ships in SL

Two Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) docked at Colombo port yesterday to attend the Galle Dialogue International Maritime Security Conference, the SL Navy said.

Video: Maithri makes deposit; Contests under ‘swan’

UNP MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe paid the cash deposit at the Elections Secretariat a short while ago on behalf of Common Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirisena for the January 8 Presidential Election.

Video: I was offered Rs.100 Mn to stay in Govt: Navin

Nuwara-Eliya District MP Navin Dissanayake, who resigned from his portfolio and joined the UNP, said he was offered a cash inducement of Rs.100 million to stay with the government after his plan to quit it was sensed by some elements.

Video: Indian Security Advisor meets MR

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval expressed satisfaction on the quality and range of relations between Sri Lanka and India when he called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House this morning.

Costa Rica detains two Lankans near Panama border

Costa Rican National Police officers on Monday detained a group of 23 undocumented migrants, including two Sri Lankans while attempting to enter the Central American country-Costa Rica from Panama, The Tico Times reported.

LTTE ban: EU to appeal

The Council of the European Union has decided to appeal the Judgment of the General Court in connection with the classification of the LTTE and freezing of its funds.

Police investigating ‘murder’ site in Mullaitivu

Police and forensics experts are investigating an incident where some 80 civilians, an army officer and a TID Inspector had been burnt to death at Mullaitivu during the height of the war.

Video: JHU for Maithri; Champika

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) has decided to support opposition Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the forthcoming Presidential Elections, JHU General Secretary MP Champika Ranawaka announced a short while ago.

UK updates travel advisory on SL

The United Kingdom has updated its travel advisory on Sri Lanka advising UK travelers to be cautious of possible election law violence in view of the presidential elections to be held on January 08, 2015.

Import tax on Big Onions increased

Import tax on a kilo of Big Onions will be increased from Rs 35 to 50 by Rs.15 with immediate effect, Ministry of Co-operatives and Internal Trade said today.

Welipenna exit point flooded

The Welipenna entrance and exit on the Southern Expressway (E01) had been affected due to the flash floods in the area, expressway officials said.

Indian Security Advisor meets Ranil

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday met National Security Advisor (NSA) of India Ajit Doval and had discussed the current political situation in Sri Lanka, The Hindu said.

Customs bust gems smuggling attempt at BIA

Two Sri Lankans men had been arrested on last night at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) when attempting to smuggle 218 pieces of gems worth out of the country, Customs Spokesman Leslie Gamini said.

Earth slip kills mother and daughter

A 45 year-old mother and her 19 year-old daughter died following an earth slip at Loinen Estate in Bogawanthalawa, police said.

West wants dummies brought into power-MR

While claiming that with an unstable government, a country cannot be developed, President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that nowadays western countries want to bring dummies into power and they are trying to do the same in Sri Lanka as well.