Prez Candidate - I am willing if nominated: SF

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said yesterday he was willing to be the presidential candidate if his name was proposed by the United National Party (UNP) led alliance.

Seeking SC ruling on PC polls - MS’ application: Hearing on Aug.23

President Maithripala Sirisena’s application seeking a Supreme Court (SC) ruling on the possibility of holding elections to the provincial councils in the absence of the delimitation report, is to be taken up for hearing on August 23 at 10 a.m.

PSC wants more time: Still waiting for Prez

Parliamentary Select Committee probing the Easter Sunday bomb attacks had given dates to President Maithripala Sirisena to come and testify before the committee and he could decide on the date he wishes to come, Parliamentary Select Committee Member Sarath Fonseka said today.

GMOA threatens countrywide work stoppage

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today warned it would launch a countrywide work stoppage against the failure to legalise the minimum standards of medical education.

UN Expert on freedom of religion or belief to visit SL

The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, will carry out an official visit to Sri Lanka from August 15 to 26, the UN Office in Sri Lanka said today.

Fuel price hike from midnight today

The prices of fuel would be increased with effect from midnight today, the Finance Ministry said.

Water levels of Kelani Ganga, Kalu Ganga and Gin Ganga rising

The water levels, in the Kelani Ganga, Kalu Ganga and Gin Ganga, are rising as a result of heavy rains in the catchment areas, the Disaster Management Centre said (DMC) today.

Ranks bestowed an insult to security forces: SF

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said yesterday the ranks bestowed on two senior military officers such as the rank of Admiral of the Fleet awarded to former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda was an insult to the security forces.

Nine S14 Chinese power-sets for hill country

One of nine Chinese-made S14 power-sets which were specially designed to operate in the hill country arrived from China last morning, the Transport Ministry said today.

Catholic Bishops urge govt. to ensure impartial probe

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka (CBCSL) today once again urged the government and all political leaders to ensure an independent and impartial inquiry into the Easter Sunday attack as a matter of utmost urgency.

Fuel price revision by this evening

The price formula committee is scheduled to meet this evening for the monthly fuel price revision, the Finance Ministry said.

SLPP named Gota to tackle security situation: SF

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said Gotabaya Rajapaksa was selected as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate as its leaders clearly understood the current security situation in the country.

Sajith gives hope to the poor: Ranil

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa was a hard worker who toured the country giving hope to the poor, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

CMC introduces guideline for mushrooming food deliverers

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has introduced a set of guidelines to be followed by all the food deliverers, who are on the rise in the city.

No one can stop Gota becoming the next president: Gammanpila

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila said no one could stop Gotabaya Rajapaksa becoming the next president.

Gota weakest candidate fielded by Rajapaksas: JVP

The Rajapaksa faction had nominated the weakest candidate ever fielded by them for the upcoming presidential election, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday.

Will talk to FB on blocking disinformation: EC

Ahead of the national elections scheduled to be held by end of this year, the Election Commission (EC) is reportedly hoping to initiate discussions with representatives of Facebook to work out a mechanism to contain unlawful election propaganda.

SLFP sees no worth in talking to SLPP: Dayasiri

No discussions are to held between President Maithripla Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa this week though reported by certain media institutions, SLFP General Secretary, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

Vehicle prices may go up by 5 percent due to Yen rise: VIASL

Imported Japanese vehicle prices would increase due to the Japanese Yen and the US Dollar appreciating against the Rupee - Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) said.

Sajith vows to create an era without hardships

UNP Deputy Leader and Housing and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa today pledged to create an era where the hardships faced by the common man would be no more and that it would begin in November.

Trying hard to unify SLPP-SLFP: Amaraweera

Referring to the current political situation, United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said he was still trying hard to unify the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to ensure victory for the anti-UNP camp’s presidential candidate.

I’ll never believe Gota will do that: PM

Referring to remarks made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa that he would create an environment where everyone could live without fear, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe asked whether Mr Rajapaksa would apologise for some of the incidents which took place during the tenure of the previous regime.

PS member arrested with heroin

Karuwalagaswewa Pradeshiya Sabha member Dimantha Vimukthi Ekanayake had been arrested with heroin in Anamaduwa this afternoon, police said.

Manager of a salon killed in Slave Island

A 47-year-old manager of a popular salon in Slave Island, Colombo, had been murdered at Muttiah Road in Slave Island last night, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Spill gates of Laxapana, Canyon, Upper Kotmale opened

Two spill gates of the Laxapana reservoir have been completely opened following the incessant showers experienced in the catchment areas, Pradeep Kodippili, Deputy Director of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Two arrested while attempting to smuggle in 1.45 kilos of Ice

Two suspects were arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to smuggle in 1.45 kilos of methamphetamine (Ice) yesterday, police said.

Next President not a Rajapaksa but a man who will unite secular, liberal forces: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, issuing a statement in the wake of Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa announcing his candidate, said ’’the next president would not be another Rajapaksa but a man who will unite the forces of transparent, secular, liberal democracy across the country, who will go toe-to-toe with any number of Rajapaksas and their white vans, will rally the people of Sri Lanka against tyranny and oppression’’.

I will contest Presidential Election without fail: Sajith

Minister Sajith Premadasa said today in Thirappane, Anuradhapura that he would contest the forthcoming presidential election without fail and that he expects the support of people in the country.

Country does need a leader who terminates corruption, drugs and poverty: MR

The country needs a leader who looks at 2030 instead of 2020 and has the ability to terminate corruption, drugs and poverty, newly appointed SLPP Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said today announcing Gotabaya Rajapaksa as their presidential candidate.

Leaders of former regime won’t change their old ways: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who referring to the announcement of SLPP led alliance’s new name and its candidate for the presidential elections, today said the leaders of the former regime will not change their old ways even if they come in a new name and with a new colour.