Differently-abled war heroes call off fast after MR intervenes

The Sathyagraha and fast- unto- death campaign launched by the differently-abled war heroes that started opposite the Fort Railway Station by the National Force for the Protection of the Rights of War Heroes was called off after a pledge given by Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

CA fixes writ petition on Oct. 2, 3

The Court of Appeal today fixed the writ petition disputing the citizenship of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for hearing on October 2nd and 3rd before a three-judge Bench.

Govt. discusses SL Peacekeeping contribution to UN

Only 25% of the troops from Sri Lanka presently engaged in peacekeeping operations would be replaced when they complete their term in Lebanon, United Nations Department of Peace Operations Under Secretary General Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix has told Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha, a media release said.

Petition against Gota soon: Rajitha

A petition will be filed in the Supreme Court shortly seeking a stay order preventing SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa from contesting at the November 16 Presidential Election, Minister Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.

We have plans to resuscitate economic tyranny now in tatters: Gota

Presidential candidate of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he had a vision and mission to uplift people engulfed in poverty and resuscitate the economic tyranny which is now in tatters.

I will support Gota no matter what SLFP decides : Nimal Siripala

Senior Vice President of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Nimal Siripala de Silva said whatever his party decides, his support will be for Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna(SLPP)’s presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

NPM presidential candidate Mahesh Senanayake

Former Army Commander General Mahesh Senanayake was yesterday named as the presidential candidate of the National People’s Movement and People’s Forum Organisation.

Nine trains operate despite the strike

Nine trains will operate to Colombo Fort this morning to facilitate the commuters and to bring the office crowd to Colombo even during the strike, a Railways senior official said.

Ensure UNP candidate’s victory to enact new constitution: PM

UNP leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said it was important to ensure the victory of presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa as the next step to enact the new constitution.

1,044 complaints against police

The NPC had received 1,044 public complaints against police during the first eight months of 2019, National Police Commission Spokesperson P. D. Liynaarachchi stated.

Heavy rains in central hills

The Castlereagh and Maussakelle hydropower reservoirs were reaching spill level due to the heavy rain experienced in the catchment areas at present.

Man dies in fire at Wellampitiya

A 21-year-old man has died in a fire that broke out in four shops at the Avissawella Road, Wellampitiya on Saturday night, police said.

Govt. to take responsibility for Habarana elephant deaths: Minister

The government will take responsibility for the deaths of seven female elephants who died in the Hiriwadunna Thunbakulam Reserve in Habarana, State Minister of Wildlife Ranjith Aluvihare said.

I’m not ready to retire: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday that he is not ready to retire and a new step will be taken after December.

Brazilian woman nabbed with cocaine pellets in stomach at BIA

A Brazilian woman was arrested by the Customs with pellets of cocaine in her stomach at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday, police said.

12,000 policemen to guard Pak-Sri Lanka series

Lahore Police, operations wing, issued its security plan for the forthcoming Pak-Sri Lanka T-20 cricket series to be held in Lahore from Oct 5 to Oct 9 at Gaddafi Stadium.

UNF leaders formally agree to contest polls under swan symbol

The leaders of the political parties aligned with the United National Party (UNP) met yesterday with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and officially endorsed the decision to contest the presidential elections as a front, under the ‘swan’ symbol, Daily Mirror learns.

Akila tells PCoI about providing tabs to students

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam informed the Presidential Commission that he had submitted 13 cabinet papers on several occasions with regard to providing tab computers for GCE A/L students and their teachers.

SLFP to support Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at Prez poll

The SLFP would not contest the presidential poll and instead would support Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, notwithstanding its stance maintained up to yesterday that it would never join the SLPP unless it agrees to change its pohottuwa symbol (budding lotus flower), the Daily Mirror learns.

United Left Front to support Anura Kumara

Government MP Jayampathi Wickramaratne, who is a member of the United Left Front (ULF), said yesterday his party decided to support the presidential candidate of National People’s Power (NPP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake but would ask voters to mark their second preference for the strongest candidate who can defeat SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Railways to be made essential service again

The State Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, Ashok Abeysinghe said he requested the President to make the railways an essential service again, during the cabinet meeting.

Will introduce a stable and a simple tax system: Gota

SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he would not only lessen the tax burden imposed on the people but would also introduce a stable and a simple tax system in order to create a conducive environment for the business community.

Basil seeks to transfer trial

Court of Appeal yesterday (27) dismissed without costs the petition filed by Basil Rajapakse seeking to transfer his High Court proceedings to another Colombo high court

Sub committee appointed to look into salary anomalies issue

It was decided at the special cabinet meeting today to appoint a subcommittee to study on the salary anomalies of public servants and to submit a report on the matter, informed government sources said.

Second ODI between Pak and SL posponed

The second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been postponed to September 30 owing to unseasonal rains that left Karachi’s National Stadium waterlogged, washing out the first game of the series in the process.

Ex top Customs officials arrested

Former Customs Director-General Jagath Premalal Wijeweera and former Customs Assistant Director-General Tharaka Seneviratne were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) today.

Sajith not a challenge: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said Minister Sajith Premadasa was not a challenge to them at the presidential election and asked how a person who could not even win the Tissamaharama electorate and Hambantota, could win the entire country.

40 officers promoted to rank of colonel

President Maithripala Sirisena Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has promoted 40 lieutenant colonels to the rank of colonel, with effect from 10 September 2019.

Probe launched into suspicious death of four elephants

Wildlife officials of Sigiriya had launched an investigation into the suspicious death of four elephants at Hiriwadunna in Habarana.

PCoI on fraud & corruption hands over final report to President

The final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to look into fraud and corruption of the current government from 2015 to 2018, was handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena last evening, President’s Media Division said.