Losing doesn’t matter as long as we give our best: Malinga

After conceding the three-match T20I series to New Zealand, Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga said losing does not matter as long as his team shows character. Malinga’s comments came after Sri Lanka lost their fourth consecutive T20I series.

SLFP calls for explanation from five party members

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has called for an explanation from five of its members who had allegedly breached party discipline and expects to conclude the process within a month, which includes nullifying their Parliamentary membership, General Secretary of the party, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

Duminda arrives at Presidential Commission

Former Minister of Agriculture, Duminda Dissanayake, a short while ago arrived at the Presidential Commission probing into corruption occurred during the present government’s tenure between 2015 and 2018.

Nigeria to re-examine closure of embassy in SL

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria will re-examine the closure of her embassy in Colombo in 2017, in view of the important relationship the country has with Sri Lanka.

Suspend ’’Cricket Aid’’: COPE instructs SLC

The Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) yesterday instructed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to suspend operations of ’’Cricket Aid’’ until the Attorney General submits an audit report within two weeks.

Int’l conference on Buddhism and Int’l Humanitarian Law in Dambulla

Starting today in Dambulla, Sri Lanka is hosting the first international conference on Buddhism and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

PM reiterates in abolishing executive presidency in SL

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said he is still committed to abolishing the executive presidency in Sri Lanka.

Opposition leader requests Speaker to postpone the voting

Leader of Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa in a letter addressed to Speaker had requested that the voting of proposed People’s Bank (Amendment) Bill scheduled for today be postponed.

Having discipline is not military rule: Gota

SLPP nominee for presidential candidacy Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said there was a clear difference between ‘discipline’ and ‘military rule’ and what they want to promote is discipline.

Mangala objects to duty free vehicles for members

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera is reported to have objected to a Cabinet memorandum by Home Affairs, Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Vajira Abeywardane to grant permits for members of the currently defunct provincial councils to import vehicles valued at US$35,000 each sans duty.

Protected Area status remains unchanged

Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga shelved his Cabinet paper seeking to remove several acres of the Wilpattu National Park where a church is located, from ‘Protected Area’ status because of the objections raised by several Cabinet ministers yesterday.

Poll monitors likely from C’wealth and EU

The Election Commission (EC) is expected to give the green light for election observers from the Commonwealth and European Union to oversee the presidential elections.

Submit ’notice of intention’ to field candidates: EC

Election Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Desapriya requested the political parties in writing to send him ’notice of intention’ to field candidates at the presidential elections before the call for nominations, a party representative said yesterday.

China’s growing presence in Indian ocean a source of concern for India-Ranil

For India, China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean is a source of concern, said Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during his address at the Indian Ocean Conference in Male, Maldives on Tuesday.

Will bring Mahendran the same way KP was brought: Gammanpila

A government of theirs would bring Arjuna Mahendran to Sri Lanka in the same manner Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP) was brought in, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Returning Officer to decide on the date: EC

Election Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, in a response to Prof. S.R.H. Hoole, said it was the job of the District Returning Officer (RO) to decide on the date in keeping with the Supreme Court ruling.

Elpitiya PS - Hoole disputes date of election

EC member S.R.H. Hoole said the date for the election to the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha has been taken without a meeting of the Commission and therefore he saw lack of neutrality in the move.

It’s unhealthy to release huge amounts of dollars: Bandula

The government’s decision to release a huge amount of dollars to artificially stabilise the rupee value will result in grave financial repercussions, the Opposition MP Bandula Gunawardena said today.

Elpitiya PS polls on Oct.11

An extraordinary gazette notice was issued today to hold the elections to the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha on October 11, 2019. It was issued by the Returning Officer of the Galle District.

Persons larger than Mahendran will stand in witness box: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said persons larger than Arjuna Mahendran will stand in the bond scam witness box in the coming days with the legal documents to bring back the prime suspect of the Central Bank bond scam had been completed.

97 warnings on Zahran sent to IGP, Def. Sec

The State Intelligence Service (SIS) sent 97 warning notices to the Defence Secretary and the Police Chief during a period of three years on possible attacks from the terrorist group headed by Zahran Hashim, Presidents Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena told the Supreme Court today.

Reports of entering into politics fake: Sanga

Cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara today rejected reports of him entering into politics. “Please ignore pictures circulating on Sri Lankan social media about my entry into politics. It’s fake news,” Sangakkara tweeted.

Two bodies found floating in Ma Oya

Two bodies were found floating in the Ma Oya at Alawwa in Warakapola this afternoon, police said.

Illegal migration: OSB says zero chance of getting to Australia

An officer of Australia’s Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) said today there were zero chances of illegal migration to Australia and added that not a single illegal migrant from Sri Lanka was able to reach Australia since 2013.

Veteran journalist Merryl Perera passed away

Former Editor of the Divaina newspaper and a former member of the Editors Guild of Sri Lanka (TEGOSL) Merryl Perera passed away at the age of 73 today.

Sri Lanka seeks int’l expertise in preventing violent extremism

Sri Lanka has sought expertise in preventing violent extremism (PVE) from the Global Community Engagement & Resilience Fund (GCERF) in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said today.

34-year-old killed, another injured at Mt. Lavinia

A 34-year-old man was stabbed to death and another injured during a clash at Sylvester Road in Ratmalana, Mount Lavinia, the police said.

Ready to work with all for an effective mechanism to counter ISIS terrorism-PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday said that his country is ready to work with all stakeholders to establish an effective mechanism for a regional corporation that would work to counter ISIS-based terrorism.

Sajith’s faction disregards call by PM

Despite the request made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for the cessation of agitation seeking presidential candidacy to Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa, the faction loyal to him has decided to proceed with their public rally scheduled for September 5 in Kurunegala, Daily Mirror learns.

Will move court if elections postponed: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said yesterday it would move court against any effort by the government to postpone elections to the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) in the Galle District.