Rajaratnam appointed Acting Solicitor General

Senior Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam was appointed as the Acting Solicitor General by the Public Service Commission with immediate effect, the Attorney General’s Coordinating Officer said.

Hearing of petition against Gota begins

The three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal commenced considering the petition filed against recognising Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a Sri Lankan citizen.

Few can match SL peacekeeping troops’ professional experience: SL to UN

Few countries can qualitatively match the troops sent by Sri Lanka who have extensive professional experience in all aspects of peacekeeping and providing humanitarian assistance, Sri Lanka told the UN on Monday.

ASP Liyanage to run for Presidency

Former Ambassador to Qatar and Sri Lanka Labour Party Leader A.S.P. Liyanage said he would contest for the upcoming presidential election.

I’ll focus on policies, not on my rivals: Sajith

UNP’s presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said today he would not conduct a campaign targeting his rivals but a campaign that was based on policies.

Crucial talks between President and Sajith

President Maithripala Sirisena held crucial talks with the UNP presidential candidate nominee Sajith Premadasa on the possibility of forging ties in view of the presidential elections, Daily Mirror learns.

Deaths of seven elephants - Cause not yet ascertained: Minister

The exact cause of death has not been confirmed yet and investigations were being carried out regarding the sudden deaths of seven female elephants that died in the Hiriwadunna Thunbakulam Reserve in Habarana, Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga said yesterday

Govt. handling finances in irresponsible manner: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday the incumbent government was the most irresponsible when it came to handling finances and that it had thrown government money into political endeavours to win elections and retain power.

SLPP or Sajith - SLFP to hold another final meeting

The SLFP’s Central Committee chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena will meet this Saturday to take a final decision on whether to support Sajith Premadasa or Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the presidential election, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

Individual foreign liquor quota increased to 80 litres

Sri Lanka Excise Department has increased the amount of foreign liquor an individual could possess or transport up to 80 litres from the previous allowance of 7.5 litres with immediate effect.

I spoke the truth, I won’t resign: Ex-SG Gamalath

Former Solicitor General (SG) and Chairman of the Sri Lanka National Authority for the Protection of Witnesses and Victims, Suhada Gamalath reiterated that he spoke the truth and said telling the truth had been construed as politics.

Train strike continues: Railway TU Alliance

Transport State Minister Ashok Abeysinghe today said the cabinet paper submitted to make the Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) a closed service, paving the way to rectify the salary anomalies of employees of Sri Lanka Railways (SLR), was approved by the cabinet today.

UN Peace-keeping - Hope talks will sort out matters: Army Commander

Army Commander Shavendra Silva today expressed confidence that discussions with regard to the United Nation Peace Keeping matter would end on a positive note.

We never met at Temple Trees: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today rejected media reports that the National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake had participated in a discussion at Temple Trees and claimed that such false news was being planted by those who were scared of a strong third force.

Violating Procedures: Suhada Gamlath asked to resign

Chairman of the National Authority for Protection of Witnesses and Victims, Suhada Gamlath has said he would submit his resignation shortly but action is being taken by the Presidential Secretariat to remove him if he fails to do so by today, Justice and Law Reforms Minister Thalatha Athukorala said today.

SL currency notes signed by Mahendran - Opposition to seek SC interpretation

In the wake of a court case filed challenging Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship, the Opposition said today, it would seek a Supreme Court interpretation on the validity of currency notes signed by the Central Bank’s former governor Arjuna Mahendran, who is a Singaporean national.

Sangakkara takes office as MCC President

One of the all-time legends of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, today takes up his role as President of Marylebone Cricket Club.

Allegedly threatening lift operator: IGP Pujith released

IGP Pujith Jayasundara, who was arrested this morning for allegedly threatening and intimidating a lift operator at the police headquarters in 2017, was released on bail by Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayaka this afternoon.

Import tax on big onions reduced

The special commodity levy on one kilo of imported big onions would be reduced by Rs.39 with effect from midnight today, the Agriculture Ministry announced.

IGP Pujith Jayasundara arrested

IGP Pujith Jayasundara, who was sent on compulsory leave, was arrested by the CID today for allegedly threatening and intimidating a lift operator at the police headquarters in 2017.

Hesha Vithanage released on bail

UNP MP Hesha Withanage was released on bail after he appeared before the Embilipitiya Magistrate today.

Stay order on special High Court extended

The Supreme Court today extended the stay order issued on the Special High Court preventing it from hearing the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case until October 14.

Term of Presidential Commission probing corruption extended

President Maithripala Sirisena has issued an extraordinary gazette to extend the term of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to look into fraud and corruption at State institutions from 2015 to 2018, till October 31.

Not bothered about rival candidates: Sajith

The UNP led alliance’s presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa yesterday said his rival candidate SLPP presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not a concern for him.

False premise can’t disrupt Gota’s candidacy: SLPP

Various court cases and false legal arguments are being made to disrupt the presidential candidacy of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, but these arguments cannot prevent his political journey, SLPP Chairman Professor G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

If win presidential election, can remain in power for two decades

If the United National Party (UNP) led alliance emerges victorious at the forthcoming presidential election, it will be possible for the party to hold on to power for another 20 years, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday when he met with UNP organisers at Sirikotha.

Cabinet nod for wage, salary hike in retrospect

The Cabinet granted approval to raise the minimum monthly salary of workers to Rs.12,000 from Rs.10,000 and daily wage to Rs.500 from Rs.400 with effect from January 1, 2016. The Cabinet paper had been presented by President Maithripala Sirisena last Tuesday.

Former Secy tells PCoI he was pressurised to sign lease agreement

Former Secretary of the Agriculture Ministry, B. Wijeratne informed the Presidential Commission (PCoI) that the former Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake had pressurised him to sign the lease agreement between the Ministry and DPJ towers in 2016 to relocate the Agriculture Ministry.

Sajith to submit Cabinet proposal today

Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said he would submit a proposal to the Cabinet today with the intention of resolving the issues faced by security forces personnel.

I’m a Sri Lankan citizen: Gota reiterates

SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, against whom a case was filed disputing his citizenship, yesterday reiterated that he is a Sri Lankan citizen as his US citizenship was revoked in April this year.