PM and others before select committee today

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and a few other ministers will testify before the Parliamentary Select Committee probing the Easter Sunday carnage.

Dumping of garbage at Kerawalapitiya stopped

Dumping of garbage at the Kerawalapitiya garbage facility had been suspended with effect from today, the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry said.

SLPP presidential candidate on August 11

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today that Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa would officially take over its leadership at the convention scheduled to be conducted on August 11, and afterwards, he would announce the presidential candidate.

Hathurusinghe needs to renegotiate contract if he wants to return: Minister

Sports Minister Harin Fernando today said that national cricket Head Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe would need to re-negotiate his contract if we wants to remain in the position.

MP Salinda Dissanayake passes away

United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Kurunegala District MP Salinda Dissanayake passed away at the age of 61 at a private hospital today.

73 police officers transferred

Seventy-three police officers, including senior superintendent of police (SSP), superintendent of police (SP), a woman police superintendent, chief inspectors (CI) and inspectors of police had been transferred with immediate effect, the police said.

Three suspects who underwent training with Zahran arrested

Three suspects attached to the Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim (JMI), who underwent weapons training with National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) leader Zahran Hashim, were arrested in Ampara today, police said.

AG says bill to abolish Death Penalty illegal: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena said today that the Attorney General had informed him that the private member bill presented in parliament to abolish the death penalty was illegal.

Premadasas definitely win and never lose: Sajith

UNP Deputy Leader and Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa said Premadasas will definitely win and never lose and this time the victory will not be to those who dwell in mansions.

Mathematics tutor, 7 others granted bail

Eight suspects, including mathematics tutor Dinesh Nuwan Amaratunga, who was remanded over an alleged attack on a van at Kalagedihena recently, were granted bail by the Attanagalle Magistrate’s Court today.

Protesting Uni. students tear-gassed

Police used water cannon and tear-gas to disperse protesting university students near the Lotus Roundabout a short while ago, police said.

New alliance before end of August: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said that the UNP has decided to form the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) before end of August.

Lotus Road closed due to protest

The Lotus Road in Colombo has been temporarily closed due to a protest staged by students of the Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) a short while ago, police said.

CA orders Northern CM Wiggie to pay costs

Court of Appeal today in its judgement held that the removal of petitioner B. Deniswaran from the portfolios of the Northern Provincial Council by the Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran is illegal and made without jurisdiction and therefore it is a nullity.

Shakthika Sathkumara granted bail

Short story writer Shakthika Sathkumara who was in remand custody was granted bail by the Kurunegala High Court today.

Two new state ministers appointed

Two new state ministers were sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena this morning, the Presidential Media Unit said.

Dambulla UC member arrested over sword attack

Dambulla Urban Councillor Anura Bandara was arrested over an alleged assault of an individual with a sword in Dambulla.

Maithri, Keerthi back as governors

Three new governors were appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to Uva, Central and Sothern provinces this morning.

Three policemen among six injured in clash at Wellawatte

Six persons including three policemen were injured in a clash at a housing complex in Wellawatte last night, police said.

Presidential Election: Still not decided to contest - President

President Maithripala Sirisena said he has not yet decided whether to contest or not at the next presidential election although there are many requests for him to contest.

Sajith should be named as candidate before any agreement: Ajith P. Perera

The United National Party (UNP) should announce its Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa as its presidential candidate before striking any electoral agreement with the likeminded parties, Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera said yesterday.

No shortage of drugs in Govt. Hospitals: DMSD

Director Medical Supplies Division (DMSD) of the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr. A.T. Sudarshana says that a campaign of lies being orchestrated around the country to the effect that a severe shortage of drugs is prevailing in government hospitals.

A team of volunteers to provide security for Gota

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has decided to create a separate volunteer team for the security of former secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is tipped to be its presidential candidate at the upcoming election.

SriLankan Airlines advisory on Heathrow strike action

SriLankan Airlines has made preparations to minimise inconvenience to its valued passengers at London’s Heathrow Airport that may occur as a result of the strike action planned by the ground staff of Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) on the 5th and 6th of August, SriLankan Airlines said.

Dayton shooting: Nine killed, shooter also dead

Nine people have been killed and at least 16 injured in a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, police have confirmed.

Three arrested with 18,725 kilos of refuse tea

Three suspects have been arrested with a stock of 18,725 kilos of refuse tea when it was being transported in there lorries in Mawanella.

UNP postpones formation of new alliance

The UNP has postponed the signing of MoUs with several other political parties which was scheduled to be held tomorrow.

Security delegation from SLC to visit Pakistan

A two-member security delegation of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)will reach Karachi on Wednesday to decide if it is safe for its national team to tour Pakistan in October for a round of the ICC World Test Championship.

India orders tourists to leave Kashmir over ’terror threat’

Thousands of people, including tourists and Hindu pilgrims, are leaving Indian-administered Kashmir after local officials issued a security alert, the BBC reported.

Southern Province Governor resigns

Southern Province Governor Keerthi Thennakoon had reportedly tendered his resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena.