Gotabaya named as SLPP’s Presidential Candidate

Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been named as the Presidential Candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) by the party leader Mahinda Rajapaksa at its National Convention a short while ago.

Mahinda appointed as the SLPP leader

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has been appointed as the leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at its national convention at the Sugathadasa Stadium, today. Chairman of SLPP Prof. G. L. Peiris handed over a token of leadership to the former president.

Akila wants to safeguard RW

In the midst of a campaign going within the UNP to name its Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa as the party’s candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election, its General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam today said the party should safeguard its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who he said had achieved much during recent times.

SLPP national convention kicks off

The inaugural national convention of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) kicked off at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium a short while ago.

Reports on Sri Lankan terrorists in Philippines doubtful: AFP

It appears reports that terrorists from Sri Lanka have slipped into the Philippines and were preparing for attacks in Luzon were nothing more than a family feud “gone awry,” said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday, August 11.

SP and 7 ASPs among 10 police officers transferred

Ten senior police officers including Senior Superintendent (SP) W.S. Nishshanka, the Director of the Judicial Security Division, had been transferred.

Alice Wells meets MR

The visiting United States Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Alice Wells met with Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa at his official residence in Wijerama this morning.

22 dead and a million evacuated in China

At least 22 people have been killed and more than a million forced from their homes as Typhoon Lekima hit China, according to state media.

Gunmen opened fire at fuel pump attendant to rob cash

A 27-year-old pump attendant was killed when he was shot at by two gunmen arrived on a motor bicycle to rob a fuel station at Kahawatte Ela in Polgahawela last night, police said.

Weliamuna and ex-air force chief appointed as SL envoys

The High Posts Committee has approved the appointments of thirteen persons including President’s Counsel and prominent human rights activist-lawyer J. C. Weliamuna and former Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Kapila Jayampathy (Rtd.), nominated by President Maithripala Sirisena, as Heads of Sri Lanka Missions overseas.

I am the Prime Ministerial Candidate – MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa in an interview with Tamil language Virakesari newspaper on Saturday said that he will be the prime ministerial candidate at the forthcoming general elections.

Philippines verifying reports of Lankan terrorists in Manila

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it was verifying information on two supposed terrorists from Sri Lanka reported to be training bombers to launch attacks in Luzon, Rappler.com reported.

UNF party leaders discuss amendments to NDF Constitution

Amid a simmering crisis within the United National Party (UNP) over its presidential candidate, the leaders of parties allied to the UNP met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday and discussed amendments to the constitution of the proposed alliance as suggested by the dissidents.

Govt. has sought AG’s advice on SOFA, ACSA deals: Kiriella

The government will not sign agreements with any country without seeking the Attorney General’s advice, Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday.

Signing them sans House approval violates Constitution: Dinesh

The government’s failure to obtain parliamentary approval for the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), Acquisition and Cross Service Agreement (ACSA) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to be signed with the US is a violation of the constitution, joint opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardene told parliament yesterday.

SL doesn’t need a terminator: PM

Referring to the remarks made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa about its presidential candidate being like a terminator, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the country did not need a terminator but one who could secure the country’s future.

Some UNP MPs want PM to convene meeting

The pro-Sajith Premadasa faction in the United National Party (UNP) have collected signatures of more than 50 MPs for a letter requesting party leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to convene a meeting of the parliamentary group and the working committee to decide on the party’s presidential candidate, a senior minister said.

Disciplinary action if UNP’s code of conduct violated: Akila

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday the party would take disciplinary action if its code of conduct was breached by any member at an event organised in Badulla.

Sajith to launch campaign at Badulla Rally: Ajith P.

Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera said UNP’s Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, whom he described as the party’s presidential candidate, would launch his election campaign at a massive rally at Wills Park Grounds in Badulla on Monday.

Easter Sunday attack: PSC probe more popular than Kopi Kade: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday attack had become more popular among the people after it was opened to the media that some people say it is popular than ’Kopi Kade’ teledrama.

Rajitha and Indika in heated argument over NFTH

A heated argument erupted in parliament between Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and UPFA MP Indika Anuruddha over the Nevil Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH).

Nine army officers to be indicted on murder charges

The Attorney General has prepared indictments against nine army personnel on charges of kidnapping and conspiring to murder journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda between January 25 and 27, 2010.

Withdrawal will hinder SL’s renewable energy: Ravi

The recent withdrawal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill by the government will bring the development of the country’s renewable energy power plants to a standstill, Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake told parliament today.

CMC receives temporary permission to dispose garbage at Aruwakkalu

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order preventing the Wanathavilluwa Pradeshiya Sabha and its chairman from enforcing any fee from the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) during the dumping of garbage at the Aruwakkalu sanitary landfill site.

1,124 houses damaged: 4,918 people affected

At least 17 houses were completely damaged while 1,124 houses were partially damaged leaving 4,918 people affected due to the gusty winds that blew across the county from Wednesday night to today, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili said.

Alliance only after naming Prez candidate: Sajith

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said today the UNP should form an alliance only after naming its presidential candidate.

NPC approves transfer of Kurunegala DIG

The National Police Commission (NPC) today approved the transfer of Kurunegala DIG Kithsiri Jayalath to the Puttalam Division.

Kurunegala Mayor remanded till Sept.17

Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa Witharana (SLPP) was today remanded till September 17 by Kurunegala High Court Judge Menaka Wijesundara for not appearing in court on July 25 when a case filed against him was taken up for hearing.

AG requests CJ to appoint Trial-at-Bar to hear Eknaligoda case

Attorney General Dappula de Livera has requested Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya to appoint a Trial-at-Bar in the Homagama High Court to hear the Prageeth Eknaligoda disappearance case.

SriLankan Airlines suspends operations to Cochin till Sunday

SriLankan Airlines today announced that its operations to Cochin, India has been suspended till August 11th Sunday following the closure of the Cochin Airport due to floods.