Kiriella more suited for presidency: Aluthgamage

UNP MP Ananda Aluthgamage, who defected from the government and joined the main opposition, said today he and at least a few other MPs in the opposition would back a presidential candidate who attends parliament and maintains a good rapport with all MPs.

Army acted within int’l humanitarian laws- Shavendra

The Sri Lanka Army acted in keeping with international humanitarian laws and rights during past humanitarian operations, Army Commander Shavendra Silva recalled yesterday.

Another NTJ suspect arrested in Ampara

An active member of the Jamath Millathu Ibrahim (JMI) attached to the National Thaweed Jama’at (NTJ) and alleged to have been trained by Zahran in Nuwara Eliya, was arrested by the officers of the National Intelligence Service today, the Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Acting IGP presents reports to AG

Acting IGP C.D. Wickremeratne today handed over the reports on six high-profile cases including those on the murders of Wasim Thajudeen and Lasantha Wickrematunge to Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

60 SL housemaids brought back home by SLBFE

A total of 60 Sri Lankan housemaids who had suffered from various harassments at their Kuwait households arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at 6.15a.m, The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said.

Ferry service from Fort to Union Place starts today

Luxury passenger ferry service from Colombo Fort to Union Place through the Beira Lake would be launched today under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development said.

UNP alleges coup attempt, efforts to appoint new PM

Efforts are being made to create another constitutional coup similar to that of the one on October 26 last year and to appoint a new premier, UNP MPs Ashu Marasinghe and Palitha Range Bandara alleged yesterday.

Cabinet nod for MMDA amendments

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act raising the age of marriage to 18 for men and women, the Daily Mirror learns. However, there are exceptions for those below 18 and above 16 with the approval of Qazi.

Doctors to launch 24hr countrywide strike today

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to launch 24 hours of island-wide work stoppage starting from today 8.00 am to tomorrow at 8.00 am, GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said.

Sarath Weerasekera writes to US envoy

While registering the protest over the statement on the appointment of the new Army Commander of Sri Lanka posted on the twitter account of the US Embassy, Rear Admiral (Retd.) Dr. Sarath Weerasekera appealed to US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz, in a letter to ensure that the US Embassy should refrain from making statements prejudicial to the members of the armed forces of Sri Lanka and by extension to the country.

AG seeks Trial-at-Bar over Avant Garde case

The Attorney General has requested the Chief Justice to appoint a Trial-at-Bar to hear the case in which Nissanka Senadipathi and 13 others are to be indicted in the Colombo High Court over the illegal possession of 816 firearms and 202,935 bullets in connection with the Avant-Garde floating armoury incident.

Speaker will resign to contest presidential polls: SLPP

Once the alliance led by the United National Party (UNP) is formed, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya will resign from the post to contest the presidential election, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today.

Grade one admission at national schools: Minister

The Ministry of Education had drawn its attention to admit the children whose parents pay income taxes to the state, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

Term of PSC probing Easter Sunday attack extended

The House today granted an extension period to the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) appointed to probe Easter Sunday attack till September 30, in order to complete its final report.

Terminating 14 modern aircraft incurred Rs 17,058.1 million loss - COPE

The decision of the incumbent government to terminate the agreement to acquire 14 modern aircraft for SriLankan Airlines, which was signed during the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, had resulted in staggering losses amounting to a sum of US$ 115.77 million (Rs 17,058 .1 million), Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) report submitted to parliament said today.

Central Expressway: second phase nearing completion

Work on the second phase of the Central Expressway would be completed by January next year, Highways and Road Development Minister Kabir Hashim said today.

Wennappuwa PS member, sister remanded for obstructing police duties

The member of Wennappuwa Pradeshiya Sabha, Dulakshi Chamodari Fernando (21) and her elder sister had been remanded until August 30 by the Marawila Magistrate for obstructing the duties of police officers at the CeyNor junction in Wennappuwa.

SL can’t appoint officials to satisfy US, Canada: SLPP

When Sri Lankan leaders appoint officials based on the requirement of the people of its country, they can’t take into consideration the choices of other countries including the US and Canada, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today said.

US warns SL on investment, military ties after army chief promotion

A senior U.S. State Department official warned on Tuesday that Sri Lanka’s appointment of a war veteran accused of serious human rights violations as head of its army could affect U.S. military cooperation and investment in the island nation.

Shavendra Silva assumes duties

Newly appointed Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva assumed duties at the Army Headquarters this morning amidst military honours.

Shavendra is as important to us as Gen. Grant to Americans

In the same way, General Ulysses S. Grant who led the government forces against the separatist civil war in the USA became important to Americans, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva is also important to the Sri Lankan Government, said the Minister of Megalopolis and Western Development Patalie Champika Ranawaka at a press briefing held yesterday at his ministry.

SIS should be made an independent body, governed by legislation

The special three-member committee appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to investigate the April 21 bombing yesterday said state intelligence services should be made an independent body while it should be governed by legislation.

Prez seeks time till Jan. ’20 to approve

At yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have sought time till January next year to approve the agreement with the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) but Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had insisted it should be signed as soon as possible.

Duminda says building rented out with AG’s approval

Former agriculture minister Duminda Dissanayanke denied the statement made earlier at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) that the lease agreement was signed with D.P.A. Jayasinghe & Company without the Attorney General’s approval said he had signed the lease agreement in 2016 with the AG’s approval.

Local and international schools will come under the ministry: Minister

According to the new Education Act, the power of regulating all schools including International schools would come under the Education Ministry, the Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

What right has US to criticise new Army Chief: Wimal

The US has no right to criticise the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as Army Commander based on the OISL report at the UN Human Rights Council, from which it withdrew describing it as a cesspit, MP Wimal Weerawansa said.

Appointing Shantha Bandara as MP illegal: SLPP

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) raised a legal point on the move to appoint Shantha Bandara as an MP to fill the vacancy that had arisen in the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Kurunegala district list with the death of MP Salinda Dissanayake.

Shavendra’s promotion sends a worrying message to victims of war: EU

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) today said the promotion of Lieutenant-General Shavendra Silva to the post of Army Commander undermined Sri Lanka’s efforts towards national reconciliation and sent a worrying message to victims and survivors of the war.

Two Moulavis trained by Zahran arrested

Two Moulavis who had undergone weapons training under National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) leader Zahran Hashim at a camp in Nuwara Eliya, was arrested today, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Unwarranted and unacceptable: SL tells critics

The appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as Army Commander is a sovereign decision by the Head of State and the comments made by foreign entities over the appointment were ‘unwarranted and unacceptable’, the Sri Lankan Government said today.