Togo President in SL

The President of the Republic of Togo Faure Gnassingbé Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this evening on a three-day official visit.

Met Dept. warns of showers about 100mm

Showers or thundershowers with heavy falls about 100 mm and lightning activities are likely at Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, North-Central and Northern provinces, Meteorology Department said.

PM to appear before PCoI next Monday

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating corruption in the current administration at 9.30 am on Monday (16).

Ruwan deems arbitrary move ‘undemocratic’

Non-Cabinet Minister of Mass Media Ruwan Wijewardene said today he was totally against the President’s move to take over Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) under the Defence Ministry and that it was a threat to media freedom and democracy of the country.

Ashu hopes two thirds majority to abolish Exe.Presidency possible

It is not too late to abolish executive presidency through the current parliament if all honest MPs come together, UNP MP Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said today.

Reports of India influencing SL players false: Harin

Sports Minister Harin Fernando today rejected the reports which said that India influenced Sri Lankan players not to play in Pakistan.

Assault on two novice monks: Suspect remanded

A suspect, Chaminda Galaboda alias Utiya, who was arrested for assaulting two novice monks in a temple in Horowpathana, was remanded till September 24, police said.

SC rejects Gota’s petition

The Supreme Court today rejected a petition filed by former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa against hearing of the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case at the Special High Court.

Wennappuwa PS member, sister further remanded

Wennappuwa Pradeshiya Sabha member, Dulakshi Chamodari Fernando (21) and her elder sister, who were arrested for obstructing the duties of police officers at the CeyNor junction in Wennappuwa, were further remanded till September 16 by the Marawila Additional Magistrate today.

Lotus Tower to be opened on Sept. 16

The Lotus Tower, South Asia’s largest tower measuring 350 metres, would be declared open on September 16 at 5.00 pm under the aegis of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Lotus Road closed due to protest

The Lotus Road from Ceramic Junction towards Galle Road has been closed due to a protest march carried out by disabled military personnel, police said.

11 JMI activists handed over to TID

Eleven activists of the Jamathei Millathu Ibrahim (JMI), who were detained for questioning had been handed over to the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) yesterday for further investigations, police said.

PC members - Duty-free vehicle permits shelved again

A Cabinet memorandum seeking to give duty-free vehicle permits for the provincial council members was shelved for the second time yesterday on an objection by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

Prioritise setting up clear timeline: UNHRC Core Group to SL

The UNHRC Core Group on Sri Lanka told the UN Human Rights Council that it hoped Sri Lanka would put in place a clear timeline for the implementation of UN resolution as a matter of priority.

Prez stops move to pay Rs.200,000 to 23 MPs heading DDCs

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have stopped a Cabinet move to grant a monthly allowance of Rs.200,000 to 23 MPs who are working as the heads of the District Development Councils (DDC).

Presidential poll has to be held before Dec. 9: SLPP

The presidential election has to be held before December 9 and cannot be postponed because the franchise is part of the sovereignty of the people, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said yesterday.

New projects will release SL from colonial economy: PM

The new Port Highway Project and the Colombo East Terminal Development project will help Sri Lanka move away from an economy based on the colonial period, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Positive result will come with regard to UNP’s candidature: Harin

Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion Harin Fernando yesterday said a positive result will come with regard to UNP’s candidature for the presidential election in few days time.

Pakistan blames India for SL players boycotting tour

A Pakistani minister on Tuesday has made an outrageous claim after 10 Sri Lankan players decided to opt-out of an upcoming Pakistan tour, the new Indian Express reported.

’Pohottuwa’ symbol a stumbling block

The SLPP’s ’pohottuwa’ symbol has turned out to be the biggest stumbling block to an SLFP-SLPP alliance, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said yesterday.

PM, Sajith to meet UNF leaders to decide on the candidate

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa who met at Temple Trees last night had agreed to meet the constituent parties of the UNF and discuss the candidature of the UNP led alliance at the next presidential elections, informed sources said.

Govt. disregarding Prez’s views: Bandula

The Government is attempting to amend the Monetary Law Act (MLA) of 1949 in an arbitrary manner, disregarding the recommendations made by President Maithripala Sirisena, MP Bandula Gunawardana said.

Failure to declare assets: TISL files complaint against 8 ministers

The Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has filed a complaint with the Bribery Commission today against eight Cabinet ministers for failing to declare their assets and liabilities.

Sajith arrives at Temple Trees

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa arrived at the Temple Tress a short while for a crucial meeting scheduled to be held with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on the UNP presidential candidate.

Can be interpreted as threat to media freedom in SL: Ruwan

Non-Cabinet Minister Ruwan Wijewardene today wrote to President Maithripala Sirisena and said the latter’s decision to take over the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) under his purview cannot be prevented from being interpreted as a threat to media freedom.

‘Utiya’ arrested over assault on two novice monks

A suspect, Chaminda Galaboda alias Utiya was arrested today for allegedly assaulting two novice monks in a temple in Horowpathana on last Saturday (07), police said.

Fuel price reduced

The retail prices of fuel have been reduced by Rs.2 with effect from midnight today based on the fuel pricing formula, the Finance Ministry said.

Fifty percent of bus drivers, conductors addicted to ice: Gemunu

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association President Gemunu Wijeratne yesterday said that fifty per cent of bus drivers and conductors islandwide were addicted to drugs.

Duminda says PM is responsible

Since it was Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who submitted the cabinet paper on leasing out the DPJ building to relocate the Agricultural Ministry, it is the Prime Minister who has to take the responsibility for the misleading information in the cabinet paper, former agriculture minister Duminda Dissanayake told the PCoI today.

Wheat flour to be sold at previous price: Ministry

Wheat flour producing companies today agreed to sell a kilo of wheat flour at the previous price from midnight today, the Agriculture Ministry said.