Harin prevents Thilanga from holding any position at SLC

Sports Minister Harin Fernando has issued a temporary directive preventing former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Thilanga Sumathipala from exercising any powers or holding any office at the SLC pending an inquiry.

Thewarapperuma and five others remanded

Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment Palitha Thewarapperuma and five others were remanded by the Mathugama Magistrate’s Court till September 16 on charges of forcibly burying a body at an unauthorised land, police said.

Bloemendhal Sanka remanded

Ranasinghe Arachchilage Sanka alias ‘Bloemendhal Sanka’ who surrendered before Colombo Additional Magistrate Kanchana Neranjala De Silva, was remanded till September 24 today.

Elephant survey postponed; national parks except Yala re-opened

The survey of elephants which was due to be held on September 13, 14, 15 has been postponed due to rain, the Wildlife Conservation Department said.

Akuressa shooting: Five suspects including two soldiers arrested

Five suspects including two soldiers attached to the Panadura Army Camp had been arrested in connection with the shooting incident at Akuressa where two policemen were injured on Friday, police said.

Ravi Wijeratne offers to buy troubled MTD Walkers

MTD Walkers PLC, a construction company mired in losses, yesterday told the Colombo Stock Exchange that businessman Ravi Wijeratne, one-time director of the company, has agreed to buy the controlling stake held by the firm’s Malaysian parent.

Mangala issues liquor licences to strengthen Sajith’s faction: Gammanpila

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera was issuing liquor permits to third-party acquaintances to strengthen UNP presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa’s faction, similar to what he did during former President Chandrika Bandaranaike’s tenure, MP Udaya Gammanpila yesterday charged.

Ranil, Sajith, Karu to meet today at Temple Trees

A crucial meeting between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, UNP Deputy Leader and Minister Sajith Premadasa and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has been scheduled today at 6.00 p.m. at Temple Trees.

UNP unity is need of the hour: PM

During a discussion with a group of MPs in his party, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has underscored the need to maintain the unity of the party in this crucial moment.

Prove veracity of allegations if possible

Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera, who responded to the show cause letter sent by the party, challenged UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam to prove the veracity of allegations levelled against him.

SLFP gets open invitation to join SLPP

SLPP Chairman Professor G.L. Peiris today extended an open invitation to the SLFP to join his party saying the most desired symbol to contest the presidential election was the lotus bud.

Ten senior cricketers pull out of Pakistan series

Lahiru Thirimanne and Dasun Shanaka will lead ODI and T20 teams to Pakistan after several senior players including ODI skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and T20 skipper Lasith Malinga pulled out of the tour citing security reasons.

Rupavahini under Defence Ministry

President Maithripala Sirisena took the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) under his purview last night, official sources confirmed.

Ranil, Sajith share a father-son bond: Kiriella

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa work as father and son with a thorough understanding of issues at hand, Public Enterprise Minister Lakshman Kiriella said today.

Herath to fill Salinda’s vacant seat in P’ment

H.M.D.B. Herath’s name was gazetted by the Elections Commission notifying that he would fill the vacancy created in parliament for the Kurunegala District with the demise of MP Salinda Dissanayake.

Nagamuwa named FSP presidential candidate

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has nominated Duminda Nagamuwa as its presidential candidate, the party announced today. Mr. Nagamuwa contested the last presidential election as well from the FSP.

PM summoned to appear before PCoI on Sep. 12

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been summoned to appear before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to investigate corruption of the current administration on September 12 to provide a statement on the Cabinet paper approved in 2016 in connection with the lease of D.P.A. Jayasinghe building which houses the Agriculture Ministry.

Two army deserters arrested over series of robberies

The Kelaniya Division Crimes Investigations officers had uncovered a series of robberies in Kadawatha, Kiribathgoda and Wattala areas following the arrest of two army deserters in Peliyagoda.

Four schools closed for scrutiny of Advanced Level

Four schools will be closed completely and another 23 partially from September 15 to October 1 for scrutiny of GCE A/L answer scripts, Examinations Commissioner Sanath Pujitha said today.

Kanjipaani Imran remanded

Leading drug dealer M.N. Mohamed Imran, alias Kanjipaani Imran, was remanded until September 20 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today for threatening a police officer over the phone, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

PCB worried over unavailability of senior Sri Lanka players for home series

The continued refusal of senior Sri Lankan players including captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Lasith Malinga and Angelo Matthews to tour Pakistan for a limited-over series later this month has left the PCB authorities worried, the PTI reported.

Meeting between PM and Sajith tomorrow?

A meeting scheduled for tomorrow between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister Sajith Premadasa hangs in the balance due to tension between the two factions of their party.

I will contest no matter what : Sajith

“I will contest for the presidential elections no matter what. I will not take a step back even by a millimeter in this regard,” said UNP deputy leader Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa.

Murali bowls a doosra for Gota

Legendary Sri Lankan Spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who participated in a forum organised by Viyathmaga which is a body of professionals and academics supporting SLPP presidential nominee Gotabaya Rajapaksa, said yesterday said that the leader of the country should have the know-how in all the fields instead of specialisation only in one or two.

Picking up the right team essential to speed up development: Gota

Development and investment can be fast-tracked by picking the right team to deliver the promises of a new government, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate nominee Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday.

News reports are accurate, so PM did not deny

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has not yet denied media reports that he expressed his interest in contesting the presidential elections, and it gives credence to the accuracy of such news content in the mainstream media, a source close to the Prime Minister said yesterday.

Meeting between PM and Sajith tomorrow?

A meeting scheduled for tomorrow between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister Sajith Premadasa hangs in the balance due to tension between the two factions of their party. Earlier, the meeting had been scheduled for yesterday for the two leaders to meet one-on-one. But, it was rescheduled for tomorrow. However, political sources said it is still uncertain whether the meeting will take place even tomorrow.

Sumanthiran regrets boycott by Northern Tamils

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who contested the presidential election in 2005 was unfortunately defeated as a result of the Tamils in the North boycotting the elections, TNA MP M.A Sumanthiran said.

Open economy leads people away from religion: Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said on Saturday that the open economy had created a consumerist society which had, in turn, led people to deviate from religion.

UNP Govt. will devolve more powers to PCs: PM

The United National Party (UNP) led alliance will seek a fresh mandate at the next parliamentary elections to devolve more powers to provincial councils, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.