PM-Sajith meet to iron out differences

In the backdrop of a brewing political crisis, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held talks with Minister Sajith Premadasa for one and half hours at Temple Trees on Thursday evening to find a way out, a party official said.

Give us time and we will decide on the best candidate - Ravi K

One should not hold rallies and dinners and spoil the UNP, its assistant leader Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday.

One individual alone could not call for explanation

While maintaining that he was not aware of the UNP General Secretary, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam calling for an explanation for alleged breach of party discipline from State Ministers Ajith P. Perera and Sujeewa Senasinghe, Finance Minister Mangala Samaweera said one individual alone could not call for explanation from members of a political party.

UNP will ultimately field the most popular candidate - MP Rajakaruna

UNP will ultimately field the candidate who is wanted by everyone and who could win the presidential elections, the party’s Gampaha District MP Harshana Rajakaruna said yesterday.

Enforced disappearances are heinous crimes - Hanaa Singer

UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Hanaa Singer, in a statement issued in view of the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances, said Sri Lanka also has a long history of disappearances and this is evidenced by the numerous national commissions of inquiry which have looked into such allegations over many decades, as well as by UN reports.

Sri Lankan youth killed in hit-and-run in Australia

Nisali Perera, studying at the Monash University had been killed in a hit-and-run in Melbourne’s south-east late last night.

Trial fixed to be heard from October 14

The Colombo Trial-at-Bar today fixed the trial of the Welikada Prison massacre case to be heard from October 14, 2019, on all Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

I am well aware of SLPP MPs more than anyone else: Sajin Vass

Former MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena said today he was well aware of Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs and their objectives more than anyone else.

Vacant MP seat: AG's opinion conveyed to EC

The Attorney General’s Department has informed the Elections Commission of its opinion on the parliamentary seat fell vacant after the demise of MP Salinda Dissanayake, AGs’ Department said.

Wennappuwa PS member, sister further remanded

The member of Wennappuwa Pradeshiya Sabha, 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 October 6 by the Marawila Additional Magistrate.

Two spokespersons appointed for Gota

MPs Dullas Alahapperuma and Keheliya Rambukwella have been appointed as the official media spokespersons of SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the party announced today.

SL family’s deportation from Australia halted mid-air

Australian activists have managed to halt the midnight deportation of a Tamil asylum-seeker family as they were being flown out of Australia.

Two killed, four injured in head-on collision

Two persons were killed and four others injured when a private bus collided head-on with a three-wheeler in Dankotuwa this morning, police said.

Supreme Court orders EC to hold Elpitiya PS poll

The Supreme Court today ordered the Elections Commission (EC) to hold the elections for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha after accepting the rejected nomination list of the Democratic United National Front (DUNF).

D A Rajapaksa museum case to be heard from Oct. 15

After considering the prosecution’s request made in relation to the case filed against former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and six others over the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 33.9 million by building a D. A. Rajapaksa Museum, the Colombo Special High Court today decided to continue hearing evidence over the case on daily basis from October 15, 2019.

Delaying presidential candidate contravenes UNP constitution: Ajith. P

Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera yesterday said UNP constitution does not have provisions to delay the naming of its presidential candidate till the presidential poll is declared.

Dialogue between religious groups is the need of the hour: Archbishop of Canterbury

Archbishop of Canterbury Rev. Justin Welby who is currently visiting Sri Lanka yesterday called for an honest dialogue between the religious groups and peace among all people in the country. The Archbishop made this call while addressing an inter-religious media conference in Colombo yesterday.

UNF leaders unanimously agree to NDF draft constitution: Rajitha

While saying that the United National Party (UNP) had no hurry to announce its presidential candidate unlike other parties, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday the party leaders of the United National Front (UNF) unanimously agreed to the draft Constitution of the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Hakeem exchanges pleasantries with Gota

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa is reported to have held a telephone conversation with Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader and Minister Rauff Hakeem, informed sources said.

Govt shelves move to abolish executive presidency

The government has shelved fresh attempts made by it to enact the 20th Amendment to the Constitution for the abolition of the executive presidency because of objections from the main opposition and a section of the United National Party (UNP), the Daily Mirror learns.

UNP hosts dinner for diplomatic heads ahead of nomination of candidate

The United National Party (UNP) hosted a group of foreign envoys residing in Colombo for dinner on Wednesday, ahead of its plan to announce the presidential candidate after forming the National Democratic Front (NDF), the Daily Mirror learns.

SLFP seeks separate MoU with Gotabaya

A delegation from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday held talks with Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa and sought to sign a separate memorandum of understanding (MOU) with him, informed sources said.

COPE summons SLC and Batticaloa Campus

Nine public enterprises including Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Batticaloa Campus & Hira Foundation have been summoned before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) of Parliament next week to investigate their performances and progress, COPE Chairman Sunil Handunnetti said.

Deliberation of information plays key role in national security: Army Chief

Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said yesterday that their success in maintaining national security is defined by how they receive information and how they use it.

Give candidacy to Sajith and no one else: Mangala

The majority of the UNP’s parliamentary group is adamant on nominating Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa as the presidential candidate and no one could ignore this popular demand for Sajith as it is the only way to prevent a bigger calamity in the grand old party, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today.

Candidate to be named after nomination date announced: UNP

UNP Legal Secretary Nissanka Nanayakkara today said the candidate for the presidential election could be named only after the Election Commission notify the date to accept nominations for the election.

PM participated in talks at President’s invitation: Ravi

UNP Assistant Leader and Minister Ravi Karunanayake yesterday said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in a discussion on the enactment of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution for abolishing the executive presidency only at the invitation of President Maithripala Sirisena.

UNP disciplinary proceedings against MPs Rathana Thera, Wijeyadasa

The UNP will commence disciplinary proceedings against MPs Venerable Athuraliye Ratana Thera and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe tomorrow, UNP Legal Secretary Nissanka Nanayakkara said today.

Setback for Rajiv case convicts, plea for premature release dismissed

In a setback for the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed a writ petition of Nalini Sriharan, one of the convicts, seeking their premature release, the Hindustan Times reported.

Lorry collides with train injuring eight commuters

At least eight commuters were injured when a lorry collided with a train travelling to Galle at Peter’s Lane, Dehiwela this afternoon, police said.