Allow all Govt. MPs to vote as well: Sajith’s supporters

The UNP faction supporting Minister Sajith Premadasa is reported to have requested the party leadership to take a secret ballot of the working committee and the parliamentary group together to decide on the presidential candidacy.

Gota, an exemplary military man: Kamal Gunaratne

Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not someone who fled the country fearing the war but it was quite the opposite and he is an exemplary professional military man, Major General (Rtd) Kamal Gunaratne said.

SLFP may ally with left parties: Dayasiri

There is the likelihood of the SLFP joining hands with left-leaning forces and contesting the presidential separately in the event the talks with SLPP fails, SLFP General Secretary, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said.

UNP to nominate Sajith as candidate on conditions

There was general agreement among the seniors of the United National Party (UNP) to nominate Minister Sajith Premadasa as the presidential candidate but on certain conditions to be stipulated in writing, Daily Mirror learns. The UNP seniors backing both Party Leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mr.Premadasa met on Tuesday (24) to work out some arrangement to agree on candidacy.

Ban on niqab, burqa continues in Uva: Governor

Uva Province Governor Maithree Gunaratne said today he had instructed the law enforcement authorities to implement the ban on the face veil (niqab and burqa) even in the wake of the state of emergency is lifted.

I am ready to contest presidential polls: Welgama

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Kumara Welgama said he was ready to accept the presidential candidacy and contest if his name would be nominated by the party.

Two disabled soldiers launch fast-unto death protest

Two disabled soldiers launched a fast-unto death at the Fort Railway Station today. The decision to launch the fast-unto death was taken hours after the government approval to grant the salaries and allowances to the disabled soldiers they received at the time of retirement, for life.

Govt grants lifetime salaries to all disabled war veterans

Cabinet approval was granted to pay disabled war veterans the salaries and allowances they received at the time of retirement, for life, the Finance Ministry announced.

Dilrukshi Dias interdicted

Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickremasinghe has been interdicted with immediate effect, pending an inquiry into her controversial phone conversation with Avant-Garde chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi.

45,000 affected by heavy rains

Heavy rains have resulted in a minor flood situation in several districts, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today.

Sajith requests former UNPers to return

UNP Deputy Leader, Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa has requested former members of the United National Party (UNP) including former General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, who quit the party to rejoin.

Supreme Court: Suspending parliament was unlawful, judges rule

Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend parliament was unlawful, the Supreme Court has ruled, BBC reported.

Lotus Road temporarily closed

Lotus road in Colombo was temporarily closed due to a protest staged by disabled military officers, police said.

CA stays Jaffna MC’s summon on Gota

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order staying the summon issued by the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court requiring former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to attend before it on September 27.

President instructs to obtain armed forces assistance in relief operations

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed the relevant officials to obtain the assistance of the armed forces in relief operations and as well as in evacuations in flood-prone areas, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said today.

Imported milk powder prices increased

The price of a packet of imported milk powder has been increased from today, the Consumer Affairs Authority said.

Kiriella arrives at Presidential Commission

Leader of the House, Minister Lakshman Kiriella arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into fraud and corruption a short while ago over a financial misappropriation took place when recruiting employees to the Road Development Authority (RDA).

Colombo roads flooded

Most of the roads including some of the areas of Baseline Road had been flooded and causing heavy traffic due to the heavy rains, Police Emergency Division said.

Use headlights on highways: RDA

The Road Development Authority today advised motorists using expressways to switch on headlights when travelling in the heavy rain.

Kokmaduwa, Welipenna interchanges flooded

Kokmaduwa and Welipenna interchanges on the Southern Expressway (E01) had been flooded and motorists are advised to use alternate routes, Southern Expressway Deputy Director R. A. D Kahatapitiya said.

Didn’t recommend Dilrukshi to any judicial post: PM

Refuting allegations levelled by President Maithripala Sirisena against him regarding Solicitor-General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday he had not made any recommendation to appoint her to a post in the judiciary.

Probe Gota’s dual citizenship: Court orders CID

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the American and Sri Lankan citizenship of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and report its progress to court upon conclusion of the investigation. The magistrate also laid by the brief without fixing a date for inquiry.

Recruitment to NHDA was not illegal: Sajith tells PCoI

Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa yesterday informed the Presidential Commission that he does not believe that appointing 2,300 employees to the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) was illegal.

Prelate’s remains cremated within temple premises

The remains of Mullaitivu Gurukanda Purana Raja Maha Vihara Chief Incumbent, Ven. Colombo Medhalankarakiththi Thera were cremated within the temple premises owing to a delay in receiving the court order.

Sirikotha ready to make announcement on Thursday

UNP headquarters Sirikotha is being prepared for the working committee meeting on Thursday, September 26 to select its presidential candidate.

SLPP wants Dilrukshi removed forthwith

While stating that the controversial tele-conversation of Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe was only part of a bigger picture, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday called for her immediate removal pending an investigation.

New intercity express train commences from Colombo to Beliatta

A new intercity express train service titled ’Southern Intercity Express’ (Dakshina Nagaranthara Sigragmi) was commissioned from Colombo Fort to Beliatta from tomorrow, the Railway Department said.

Flood warning issued to people along Gin, Nilwala, Kalu rivers

People living along the Gin Ganga, Nilwala Ganga and Kalu Ganga in the Galle and Matara Southern provinces have been asked to be vigilant following a minor flood situation in the region.

200mm of showers likely tonight

The Meteorology Department today warned of heavy rainfalls more than 200 mm at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Western and Southern provinces.

All schools in Matara, Galle closed for two days

All schools in the Matara and Galle districts will be closed for two days from tomorrow due to prevailing rainy weather condition, the Southern Province Education Director said.