State of emergency extended by one month

President Maithripala Sirisena today issued an extraordinary gazette extending the State of Emergency by one month.

It’s unfair to blame Bathiudeen: Naveen

While saying that it was unfair to find fault with someone like Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who has not been found guilty, Plantation Minister Navin Dissanayake said yesterday Minister Bathiudeen turned emotional when he spoke at the Cabinet meeting about the false allegations levelled against him.

Prez instructs not to close roads for VIP movements

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed law enforcement agencies not to close roads in a manner which would inconvenience the public when the VIPs were on the move.

Public officials to get Rs. 2,500 from July 1

The Finance Ministry today issued a circular to pay a Rs.2,500 monthly interim allowance to all public officials with effect from July 1.

Showery condition to enhance

Showery condition was expected to enhance to some extent over most parts of the island, particularly in South-Western areas, the Department of Meteorology said today.

UNP suspends membership of Weligama UC Chairman

The party membership of the Weligama Urban Council Chairman, Rehan Jayawickreme, has been suspended by the United National Party (UNP) for violating the UNP disciplinary code, UNP General Secretary and Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

Minuwangoda unrest: 32 suspects released on bail

Thirty two suspects who were arrested over violent incidents reported in the Minuwangoda area were released on bail by the Minuwangoda Magistrate’s Court today.

Wellampitiya OIC transfered with immediate effect

The officer in charge of Wellampitiya Police Division has been transferred based on the requirement of the National Police Commission (NPC), with immediate effect, police said

Immunity to foreign servicemen in SL alarming: Namal

While calling on the government to provide details of the planned status of forces agreement with the US, opposition parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said that ‘immunity being provided to foreign servicemen on Sri Lankan soil is just one of the alarm bells and point to much larger issues.”

NCM against Bathiudeen should be listed first: GL

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) yesterday insisted that the no-confidence motion (NCM) against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen should be listed first over a similar motion handed over by the JVP against the government.

Restore normalcy and not an opportune time for NCM: Dayasiri

The need of the hour was not to bring ‘No confidence Motions’ (NCMs) but to restore normalcy, law and order and inter faith harmony in the country, General Secretary of the SLFP, former Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said yesterday.

Bathiudeen faces no-faith motion - Govt. in a quandary

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who is facing a no-confidence motion is reported to have told the Cabinet today that he would step down from his post if President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe asked him to do so.

I don’t think Prez will extend his tenure: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said he did not think President Maithripala Sirisena would seek an extension of his tenure because he vowed to serve only one term.

NCM against Bathiudeen: No date given for debate

It was decided at the party leaders’ meeting held at the Parliamentary complex that no date could be given to debate the no confidence motion against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen in Parliament, MP Dinesh Gunawardena said.

Bathiudeen, Asath Sally and Hizbullah must resign: TNA

Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and the two Governors Asath Sally and M.L.A.M Hizbullah who are alleged to have links with National Thowheed Jama’at (NTJ) should be asked to resign and subjected to an investigation, TNA MP Sivashakthi Anandan told Parliament today.

Bathiudeen willing to resign from all positions if found guilty

Minister of Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Co-operative Development and Vocational Training and Skills Development Rishad Bathiudeen had informed the government parliamentary group that he is willing to resign from all positions if he is found guilty by any investigation.

Don’t make irresponsible statements: Speaker tells MPs

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today requested MPs to desist from making irresponsible statements and passing false information to the media.

DNA tests confirm identity of Easter Sunday bombers

The Government Analyst’s Department said today the DNA tests had matched and confirmed the identity of the suicide bombers including that of Mohomad Zaharan, police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

JVP trying to unite Govt. via its NCM: Yapa

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is attempting to unite the Government via its no-confidence motion (NCM) against the Government which is on the verge of a severe split subsequent to our NCM against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, MP Lakshman Yapa said today.

PSC to investigate Easter Sunday attacks

The government’s parliamentary group today decided to call for the appointment of a parliament select committee (PSC) to investigate the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks.

Arrested Hansard officer brought to parliament

Mohamed Naushad Jalaldeen, the 42-year old senior indexing officer attached to the Hansard Department of Parliament, was brought to parliament for investigations today.

Deadline for O/L applications extended till May 31

The closing dates for private and school candidates for the GCE O/L examination had been extended until May 31, the Commissioner General of Examinations said today.

Janaka Perera assassination case - Life imprisonment for 2nd accused

The Anuradhapura Special High Court today sentenced Hameer Umar, the second accused after he was found guilty of the charged of killing of 31 people including Major General Janaka Perera in 2008.

Nalaka de Silva released on bail

Former DIG Nalaka de Silva was released on bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today. He was released on a cash bail of Rs.25,000 and two sureties of Rs.5 million each.

Attacks on churches and hotels: SC defers petition for May 31

The Supreme Court (SC) today deferred for May 31, the fundamental rights petition filed against the Inspector General of Police and the Defence Secretary in respect of the suicide attacks on churches and hotels on April 21.

MR visits schools, says attendance satisfactory

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today visited several schools in Colombo to inspect the security provided to them and to encourage parents to send children to schools.

Mujibur requests HC to hear cases of violent incidents

UNP MP Mujibur Rahman yesterday requested the High Court to hear the cases of violent incidents reported in the North Western Province and in Minuwangoda.

CA dismisses writ of quo warranto against PM

The Court of Appeal (CA) today dismissed a writ application filed by Colombo Municipal Councillor Sharmila Gonawela seeking a Writ of Quo Warranto against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

JVP hands over NCM against Govt. to Speaker

The no-confidence motion (NCM) against the government was handed over to the Speaker by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) a short while ago.

NCM against Bathiudeen: Debate date to be fixed today

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila said the debate date on the no-confidence motion against Industry and Commerce Minister, Rishad Bathiudeen, would be discussed today at the party leaders’ meeting chaired by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.