SC rejects three petitions submitted against death penalty

The Supreme Court has rejected three petitions submitted against the implementation of the death penalty, Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri informed parliament today.

Holding Presidential, PC polls on same day not practical: CaFFE

Holding both the presidential and provincial council elections on the same day is constitutional but not practical, the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) said.

Former Lanka Sathosa acting General Manager sentenced to prison

Former Acting General Manager of Lanka Sathosa, Wimal Perera, was sentenced to one-year imprisonment after he was found guilty of selling 1,000 metric tonnes of white rice at a price lower than the control price and incurring a loss of Rs.4 million to the government.

Duminda arrives at PCoI

Former Minister of Agriculture, Duminda Dissanayake, arrived at the police unit at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) Probing into Allegations of Large Scale Corruption Between January 15, 2015, and December 31, 2018.

Outgoing Army Commander promoted as General

The outgoing Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, has been promoted to the rank of General by President Maithripala Sirisena with effect from August 17.

Williamson, Dananjaya reported for suspect bowling action

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Sri Lanka bowler Akila Dananjaya have both been reported with a suspect bowling action following the first Test, the ICC said today.

Can affect SL’s contribution to UN peacekeeping efforts: UNHR Chief

The appointment of Lieutenant-General Shavendra Silva as the Commander of the Army is deeply troubling and likely to impact on Sri Lanka’s ability to continue contributing to UN peacekeeping efforts, UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet said in a statement on Monday.

Suspect arrested over shooting at Prisons Training School Chief Jailor

A 27-year-old suspect was arrested over aiding and abetting the murder of Chief Jailor of the Welikada Prisons Training School, police said.

SF officer killed in parachuting accident

A Warrant Officer (2nd Class) of the Special Forces of the Army was killed in a parachuting accident while engaged in a training exercise at the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Base in Ampara, the Army said.

Govt. has no business plan yet to develop Lotus Tower: Official

The government has not yet shown any interest to envisage a business plan to develop the Lotus Tower project, Prof. Samitha Manawadu, Coordinating Consultant and the Team Leader of the project, said.

PM calls for unity among UNPers

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called for unity among the UNPers stating that winning the next election would be easy if the party could act together.

54 MPs ask Ranil for key party group meetings

UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim has handed over a letter signed by 54 MPs to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe requesting him to convene the party’s working committee and the parliamentary group in order name the presidential candidate within seven days.

Sumanthiran presents bill seeking early PC polls

Jaffna District TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said yesterday he handed over a private member’s bill to the parliamentary authorities which would provide for the conduct of provincial council (PC) elections under the old system of proportional representation without any delay if enacted.

April 21 probe committee to testify before PSC today

Members of the committee appointed to conduct an investigation into the dastardly Easter Sunday attacks are to testify before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the same today.

Federal Register could be behind schedule-US envoy

In response to comments about the name of SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s name not being in the Federal Register, US Ambassador Alaina B.Teplitz said on Monday that the Federal Register could often be months behind the recording of one’s renunciation of citizenship.

Three SIs with alleged links to Kanjipani Imran transferred

The three CCD Sub Inspectors who had allegedly maintained contact with notorious drug kingpin Mohommad Najim Mohammad Imran alias Kanjipani Imran had been transferred to Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Mannar by the Police Headquarters Special Investigations Unit, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said today.

Opposing NDF constituent parties can leave: Mano

Any constituent party in the proposed National Democratic Front (NDF) can leave the alliance and contest separately if they do not support the presidential candidate nominated by the UNP, National Integration Minister and Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan said today.

Disciplinary action will be taken against state workers: Maithree Gunaratne

I will take immediate disciplinary action over governments servants who use social media during work hours, Uva Province Governor Maithree Gunaratne said.

Deeply concerned by Shavendra’s appointment as Army Chief: US

The United States today said it was deeply concerned by the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as Army Commander.

Two more JMI activists arrested

Two activists of the banned organisation Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) have been arrested by the Ampara police today, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

GMOA to strike on Thursday

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to launch an island-wide work stoppage on Thursday, GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said.

Sajith an epitome of ‘clean’ politics: President

Addressing a ceremony held last Sunday in Polonnaruwa, President Maithripala Sirisena said Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa was the only minister he met in the last 25-30 years in Sri Lanka’s politics who had not stolen public funds, killed anyone or engaged in corruption.

Shavendra Silva new Army Commander

Army Chief of Staff Major General Shavendra Silva has been appointed as the new army commander by President Maithripala Sirisena, President’s Media Division said.

JMO of Palai Hospital arrested

The Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) of the Palai Hospital has been arrested by the Army in connection with alleged involvement in terrorist activities, police said.

Ragging incident: 19 Ruhunu Uni students re-remanded

Nineteen senior students of the Ruhuna University who were arrested over a ragging incident were further remanded until August 26 by the Matara Additional Magistrate today.

Lotus Road closed due to protest

The Lotus Road from Ceramic Junction towards Galle Road, outside the Finance Ministry, in Colombo, has been closed due to a protest carried out by a group of war-disabled soldiers, police said.

Navy recovers 85 kilos of heroin in a trawler

A stock of about 85 kilos of heroin was recovered by the navy in a fishing trawler which was taken into custody on July 10 in the seas off Galle, Navy Spokesman Lieutenant Commander Isuru Sooriyabandara said.

Anybody could call himself as presidential candidate: Harrison

“Individually, anybody could call himself or herself as the presidential candidate. Whatever it is, anyone should agree to the final decision taken by the party as a whole,” said Agriculture Minister P. Harrison yesterday.

I will contest the Presidential Election: Sajith

Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa, for the first time, asserted that he would contest for the presidential election for sure.

UNP gets discretion to nominate candidate

The factions of the United National Party (UNP) agreed to form the National Democratic Front (NDF) with the like-minded parties, but would retain the discretionary right to nominate the presidential candidate, the Daily Mirror learns.