Do people want an era of mystery killings? PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today questioned the people in the North whether they wanted an era where mysterious killings take place once again.

AG raises concerns over delaying investigations of five high profile cases

Attorney General Dappula de Livera PC had instructed the acting IGP to expedite the conclusion of investigations relating to five high profile cases without further delay as the investigations of these cases had not been concluded so far despite the continuous reminders by the AG.

Will support candidate who can face Islamic extremism firmly: Rathana Thera

Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera said today he would support, at the next presidential election, the candidate who could face Islamic extremism firmly.

MR no longer an SLFP member: Amaraweera

While stressing that Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa was no longer a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) as he had obtained Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) membership and become its leader, MP Mahinda Amaraweera said they would not take any disciplinary action against Rajapaksa because it would hamper the talks between SLFP and SLPP.

Gota not people’s request but MR family decision: UNP

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was named as the presidential candidate after a decision taken by the Rajapaksa family but he was not the person the people wanted nor was it the decision of the people, UNP Chairman Minister Kabir Hashim said.

Presidency: Maithripala to announce official SLFP stand on Sep. 3

President Maithripala Sirisena will announce the official stand of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on the presidential election at the 68th SLFP annual convention to be held on September 3 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo, UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Two gangsters hacked to death in Grandpass

Two underworld gang members including a gangster know as “Anamalu Ranga” were hacked to death during a clash which erupted near Madampitiya Cemetery in Grandpass today, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Will present documents if needed: Namal

Replying to reports of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s name not appearing in the list of those renounced US citizenship as at June 30, MP Namal Rajapaksa said they will present documents if needed.

Gota not in second quarterly list of those renounced US citizenship

The name of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not in the list of those renounced US citizenship as at June 30 this year, a document issued by the US Internal Revenue Service showed.

Three more JMI activists arrested

Three more activists of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) Organisation were arrested today in Ampara on a tip-off received by the State Intelligence Services (SIS), police said.

Pakistan envoy briefs Marapana on Jammu & Kashmir issue

Pakistan High Commissioner Maj. Gen. (R) Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat has called on Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to apprise him about the grave situation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Alliance: UNF leaders to finalise the date

UNF leaders decided to finalise the date to sign the agreement to form the proposed Democratic National Font on Saturday, informed sources said yesterday.

Lankan missing in Chennai

A 26-year-old Sri Lankan national who had arrived at Chennai city last month is missing. Based on the complaint by his mother, the airport police have launched a search for the man.

UNP to work out criterion

The leaders of the United National Party (UNP) and its alliance partners have agreed to work out a criterion for the selection of their presidential candidate, the Daily Mirror learns.

Accelerate laws ahead of elections: CEJ

The government should accelerate the laws which regulate displaying posters and banners at unusual places causing visual pollution ahead of elections, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) said.

Wiggy demands written agreement to address Tamils’ issues

Former Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council C.V. Wigneswaran who now spearheads the party called ’Tamil Makkal Koottani’ (TMK) said today his support to any main presidential candidate would be conditional to written consent by either of them to address demands put forward by him on behalf of Tamil people.

PAFFREL wants ceiling on election spending

PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said today laws should be brought in to specify the maximum amount of money that can be spent for elections by a candidate contesting an election.

People in the north should be mindful when using their mandate: PM

People in the North should not give their mandate to those who completely neglected the area even though they ruled the country for five years after the war, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

EC steps up counter-terrorism, extremism prevention support to SL

The European Commission, through its Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, has allocated 8.5 million euros to support Sri Lankan efforts to prevent violent extremism, build community resilience, and promote peace and tolerance.

Gota can tackle national security issues: Malwatte prelate

Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter, Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera said Gotabaya Rajapaksa has the potential and experience to tackle the prevailing national security issues in the country.

Probe launched over alleged links with CCD officers and Kanjipaanai Imran

An investigation had been launched in connection with a complaint lodged by Ven. Magalkande Sudatta Thera alleging that several police officers were maintaining links with notorious underworld figure Mohammed Najeem Mohammed Imran alias Kanjipaanai Imran, who is currently being detained at the CCD, police said.

Sri Lanka voted world’s best island

In a survey carried out by the ’Travel and Leisure’ Website, Sri Lanka has emerged as the world’s best island to travel in 2019. According to ’Travel and Leisure’, this was the first time Sri Lanka made it to the list and straight to the top with a high score of 92.12.

Crucial meeting between Ranil and Sajith

Amidst the brewing political crisis over presidential candidacy, the UNP leaders including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister Sajith Premadasa had an urgent meeting yesterday to discuss the way out, the Daily Mirror learns.

SL woman raped, beaten by husband granted refugee status in New Zealand

A survivor of domestic violence whose husband repeatedly strangled her in front of their young son has been granted refugee status, the Stuff reported.

Soldier on duty at Army HQ shoots himself

A 27-year-old soldier who was on duty at the Army Headquarters in Colombo died after he allegedly shot himself early this morning.

Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas to be merged

Adding a new chapter to the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, an agreement to merge together the Sri Lanka Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas would be signed on Friday at 02.30 pm at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo.

Cabinet approves VoA for 1st quarter 2020

The Cabinet is reported to have approved a request by the government yesterday to present a vote on account (VoA) to allocate state expenditure during the first quarter of next year because it will be unrealistic to present a fully-fledged budget in the wake of a presidential election.

We won’t get into a military alliance with anyone - PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said Sri Lanka’s focus is not to get into a military alliance with anyone but to go for economic, cultural and political cooperation with every country. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe made this remark at the graduation of the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training institute at BMICH yesterday.

Weekly Cabinet meetings now at 8.30 a.m.

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have rescheduled the weekly Cabinet meetings for 8.30 a.m. from next Tuesday onwards since the attendance had been low when it was convened at 7.30 a.m.

Those flying kites near airports warned

Flying kites within a radius of five kilometres from any international airport were illegal and a punishable offence and people were requested to refrain from such acts, Airport Manager H.S. Hettiarachchi said.