SC orders release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination accused AG Perarivalan

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the release of AG Perarivalan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, in exercise of the constitutional power under Article 142.

MPs to get fuel from Narahenpita police filling station

It has been decided to provide fuel for the vehicles belonging to parliamentarians from the Narahenpita filling station upon payment made by cash.

Bakery business could grind to halt: Bakery Owners’ Assn.

With the sudden increase of the price of wheat flour by Rs.35 from yesterday, All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) President N.K. Jayawardene today said that they have come to a situation where they are unable to continue with their business.

MR attends Parliament sessions

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Parliament to attend parliament sessions a short while ago.

Gas supply delayed: LITRO

The usual domestic gas supply will be delayed for another three days, the LITRO Gas Lanka Company said.

Don’t queue up for petrol today: CEYPETCO

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has requested the public not to queue up for petrol today (18 May) unless essential, as supplies will be limited.

Former top cop says an unsolved mystery that needs probe

Former top cop and crime expert Retd. DIG Priyantha Jayakody yesterday said the killing of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen has been an unsolved mystery to date, and it is high time the perpetrators should be brought to book, even after 10 years of his murder.

TUI Group cancels all flights and tours to Sri Lanka

World’s leading tour company, TUI will stop all tours to Sri Lanka due to the ongoing economic and political turmoil in the island nation.

MPs’ residences attacked from April 4: Minister

Claiming that attacks on MPs’ residences were not restricted to May 9, Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today MPs residences were being attacked from April 4.

UK’s House of Lords debates on SL crisis

The United Kingdom said on Monday that it is closely monitoring the concerning economic situation in Sri Lanka, including issues of food security and livelihoods.

SLPP MP Milan Jayathilake also arrested

SLPP MP Milan Jayathilake was also arrested by the CID over the attack on peaceful protesters at ’MainaGoGama’and ’GotaGoGama’on May 9.

SLPP MP Sanath Nishantha arrested

SLPP MP Sanath Nishanatha has been arrested by the CID over the attack on peaceful protesters at ’MainaGoGama’ outside Temple Trees and ’GotaGoGama’in Galle Face on May 9.

PM says moving motion to suspend Standing Orders was poor Parliamentary strategy

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that moving a motion to suspend Standing Orders was poor Parliamentary strategy and that had he been in Opposition he would still have voted against suspending Standing Orders, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Jagath Samarawickrama to replace Amarakeerthi Athukorala

Jagath Samarawickrama has been appointed to the Ninth Parliament for No. 18 - from the Polonnaruwa District following the death of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Polonnaruwa District Parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala.

Political authorities attempting to privatise free health care in a systematic manner: GMOA

It is observed that the political authorities are making a concerted effort to privatise free health care in a systematic way to plunge the health service further into crisis, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

Speaker orders Police to provide additional security to MPs

Steps have been taken to strengthen security of Parliamentarians and their residences following a request made by the party leaders, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeyawardane informed Parliament today.

IGP ordered to report progress to Speaker every other day: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today that he had instructed the IGP to report on the progress on the investigation conducted by the police on the attack carried out on the protesters in Galle Face and in front of Temple Trees to the Speaker every other day.

Petrol supply, distribution in restrictive nature: Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera admitted today that there is a very restrictive nature on the distribution of 92 octane petrol in the country and stated that they hope to overcome the restrictive situation within two or three days.

IGP orders CID to act on AG’s directive

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) today instructed the CID to act on the instruction of the Attorney General, arrest and produce 22 persons, including MPs and former ministers, in connection with the attack on the peaceful protests at Galle Face and opposite Temple Trees on May 9.

Motion to suspend Standing Orders rejected by Parliament

The motion to suspend Standing Orders to take the no-confidence motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for debate today was defeated by 51 votes.

More than 8,000 people affected by inclement weather

More than 8,000 people had been affected due to floods following heavy rains experienced in the past few days, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

10% of petrol distributed across country: Bowser Asso.

Only 10% of petrol is currently being distributed throughout the country, the Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners Association (CPPBOA) said today.

Ajith Rajapakse new Dy Speaker

SLPP MP Ajith Rajapakse was today elected Deputy Speaker by a majority of 31 votes in a secret ballot.

Train services as usual today

After lifting the curfew at 5.00 am today, all trains were back on line as per the usual and scheduled time table, the control room said.

Vote begins to appoint Deputy Speaker, SLPP goes against PM decision

Voting has begun to appoint a Deputy Speaker for Parliament with two names have been proposed.

Luggage in buses strictly prohibited: Gemunu

For the protection of the passengers, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) yesterday decided to strictly prohibit the carrying of unwanted luggage in buses.

O/L tuition classes banned from tonight: Exam Dept.

Conducting coaching or tuition classes aiming at 2021 (2022) G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination aspirants will be prohibited from tonight until the date where the exam is concluded, the Department of Examinations said.

Parliament access road closed at Polduwa Junction

The access road to Parliament at Polduwa Junction near Diyatha Uyana has been closed for traffic, police said.

AG directs to arrest 22 including former ministers for attacking peaceful protesters

The Attorney General yesterday directed the IGP and the Senior DIG in charge of the CID to immediately arrest and produce 22 persons, including MPs and former ministers, in connection with the attack on the peaceful protests at Galle Face and opposite Temple Trees.

Rupee depreciation impact swells private credit in March

The sharp fall in the value of the rupee helped swell the amount of outstanding loans and advances to the private sector in March, as the banks revalued their foreign currency assets and liabilities at the weaker rupee stood at the end of the month compared to a month earlier.