A difficult task to adopt proposed One Country, One Law concept

The concept of ’One Country, One law’ which President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pledged to adopt through the new constitution could be a difficult task, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament today.

No power cuts from tomorrow

The temporary power cuts that have been in operation across the island during the past few days will not take place from tomorrow (22), Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman Vijitha Herath said.

Sri Lankan mulling strategies to increase exports to US

The attention of the Export Development Board, Sri Lanka has been drawn to further diversify and increase Sri Lanka’s exports to the United States of America, in keeping with the vision of the President and the new Government to strengthen the local economy and enhance export income.

Grades 10-13 to return to normal timetable from Sep. 2

The Grades 10,11,12 and 13 will return to the normal timetable of 7.30 am to 1.30 pm from September 2, the Education Ministry said.

276 stranded Lankans in Australia arrive

A special SriLankan Airlines flight carrying 276 Sri Lankans stranded in Australia due to COVID- 19, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake this evening.

Government’s Policy Statement passed without a vote

The Government’s Policy Statement which was presented in Parliament yesterday by President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was passed without a vote today.

Stock of ammunition recovered from Kelani River

A stock of live ammunition was recovered from the Kelani River at Nawagamuwa today, Police said.

Infant-Receiving Windows in every province for abandoned infants

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said steps have been taken to set up Infant-Receiving Windows at Pediatric Wards in the nine major hospitals in the Provinces to receive newborn babies or infants, who have been abandoned for various reasons.

24 more Covid-19 patients recover

A total of 24 more Covid-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from the hospitals increasing the total recovered cases to 2,789, the Health Ministry said today.

Aussie PM phones MR, extends well wishes

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has today telephoned Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to congratulate him on the general election victory and to extend well wishes.

Parliamentary Committee of Selection appointed

The Committee of Selection has been appointed to serve during the First Session of the Ninth Parliament in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 114 of Parliament, the Department of Communication of the Parliament said.

Two women arrested with cannabis, heroin at Kilinochchi & Thalangama

A 29-year-old woman was arrested with 49.7 kgs of cannabis during a raid carried out by the Kilinochchi Police at Paranthan yesterday.

Malik, Mangala, Rajitha at PCoI on Political Victimization

Former Ministers Malik Samarawickrama, Mangala Samaraweera and Rajitha Senaratne arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing incidents of Political Victimization this morning.

Sagala arrives at Police Unit of PCoI on Easter Sunday attacks

Former Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake arrived at the Police Unit attached to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday attacks this morning to give a statement.

Fmr IGP did not understand the gravity of situation: Ex-SIS Director

Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara did not understand the gravity of the situation when former SIS Director Nilantha Jayawardena informed him about the reliable intelligence with regard to April 21, 2019 terror attack which was received on April 20, 2019, the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks was informed yesterday.

Reliable foreign intelligence alert conveyed to all former defence heads: Witness

Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and three other top security officials had been informed about the reliable intelligence received from a foreign counterpart on April 20, 2019 about the imminent coordinated terror attacks, and the former had even acknowledged the receipt of that information, it was revealed at the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks yesterday.

MPs urge need for people friendly home grown Constitution

Two ruling party MPs in Parliament yesterday called for quick action to compile a people friendly home grown Constitution. The requests came from Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila and MP M. Attaullah who represents the Muslims in the East.

Ex-SIS SDIG tells Commissions he never visited his seniors

Former SIS Director SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena yesterday informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks that he had never visited his seniors including the President or the Prime Minister of the country to wish them on New Year and other occasions.

First phase of Nandhikadal rehabilitation to take off

Preliminary arrangements have already been made to commence the first phase of Nandikadal Lagoon rehabilitation in the coming week.

Vote on Account on August 27

Leaders of political parties representing in Parliament today decided to take up the two-day debate on Vote on Account in Parliament on August 27 and 28 respectively.

National Sports Council appointed; Mahela Chairman

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has appointed new members to the National Sports Council in which former Cricket legend Mahela Jayawardana was appointed as the Head.

Pillayan seeks freedom to serve people

Newly elected MP Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, while expressing his best wishes to new Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene today urged him to uphold his rights as a Member of Parliament.

Kiriella appointed Chief Opposition Whip

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella has been appointed as the Chief Opposition Whip of the 9th Parliament.

Members of Govt. & Opposition congratulate new Speaker

The ruling party and the opposition congratulated Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa leading the way.

Kush worth Rs.2.2mn seized

Customs officials seized 222 grams of Kush cannabis with a street value of over Rs. 2.2 million today.

Hakmana accident; Injured Sergeant succumbs to injuries

The 47-year-old Police Sergeant who was critically injured in the accident in which a tipper truck ran over a group of police officers last month on the Matara-Hakmana road, succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment in hospital today.

Parliament adjourned till 9.30 am tomorrow

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane adjourned proceedings of the ninth Parliament till 9.30 a.m. tomorrow.

President pledges new Constitution based on 'one country, one law' principle

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his inaugural address to the ninth Parliament today, pledged to bring about a new Constitution envisaging the principle ‘One country, One law’ for all ethnic communities.

Conduct probe over execution of Warrant against Sampayo: AG directs IGP

The Attorney General today directed the Acting IGP to conduct an investigation into the statement made by the Police Media Spokesman and the conduct of the Negombo HQI on the execution of Warrant against Anuruddha Sampayo, AG’s Coordinating Officer said.

Pujith arrives at PCoI

Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing political victimization a short while ago.