No agreement yet on contesting polls with SLFP: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today said it has not yet reached any agreement with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to contest future elections together.

Underworld figure Kaldemulla Gayan arrested

Underworld figure Kaldemulla Gayan, who is an accomplice of ‘Angulane Roha’, was arrested by the STF in Ratmalana today, STF Commandant Senior DIG M. R. Latheef said.He said Kaldemulla Gayan was the one who operated the network of Roha who is already in prison. “The arrested suspect is wanted for a number of cases involving ransom and murder,”

Railway TUs threaten strike action if talks fail

Locomotive Engine Operators' Union (LEOU) Secretary Indika Dodangoda said today they had decided to launch a two-day strike action from midnight tomorrow if the scheduled talks with Transport Minister Arjuna Ranatunga tomorrow morning do not yield positive results.

MR urges govt. to provide relief to flood affected in efficient manner

Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today requested the Ministry of Disaster Management and other Ministries concerned to attend to the relief measures in an efficient and timely manner in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people in the flood affected areas.

Maldives seizes Lankan boat carrying shark carcasses

A Sri Lankan vessel carrying mostly shark carcasses had been seized by the Maldives for fishing illegally in its waters, the Maldivian media reported today.

Special police team leaves for Tangalle

A special police team headed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), had been sent to Tangalle to assist in the investigations into the shooting incident at the Kudawella Fishery Harbour.

Four killed, eight injured in Kudawella Fishery Harbour shooting

At least four people were killed and eight injured when two gunmen opened fire inside the Kudawella Fishery Harbour in Tangalle last morning, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said today.

SLFP will contest future polls with SLPP: Prez

Making a firm statement yesterday, President Maithripala Sirisena said the SLFP has decided to contest the forthcoming election jointly with the Sri Lanka Podujana Permuna (SLPP) and warned that district and electoral organisers who obstructed this process would be removed from their positions.

Drop in tourist arrivals

A German investor, domiciled in Sri Lanka, said the Western Foreign Missions, led by German Embassy and the British High Commission, took Sri Lanka’s constitutional crisis as a reason to issue travel advisories against Sri Lanka, and it was the reason for a drop in tourist arrivals during the season.?

SL UK Mission has unpaid charges worth £ 371,003

The Sri Lankan High Commission in the UK has unpaid congestion charges and outstanding National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) worth pound sterling (£) 371,003, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jeremy Hunt said. ?

I won't join UNP: Duminda

UPFA MP and former Minister Duminda Dissanayake today rejected reports of him joining the UNP and said he has no intention of doing so.

SLPP challenges PM to bring in motion to dissolve parliament

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today challenged Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to bring in a motion to dissolve parliament.

SL lost its credibility after recent political turmoil: Kiriella

Sri Lanka had been a model to other countries during the past two years but due to arbitrary acts, we lost that in a short period of time, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said addressing the media today after assuming duties as the Minister of Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development.?

Doctor, pharmacist who smuggled narcotics to Prison arrested

A medical doctor and a pharmacist attached to the Welikada Prison were arrested by prison officials today while attempting to smuggle in narcotics and alcoholic drinks.

Govt. will resume disrupted programmes: Ruwan

The government programmes which came to a standstill during the past 52 days will be resumed to ensure the country's national security, State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene said when he assumed his duties at the ministry.  

Pakistan ex-PM Sharif sent back to jail for corruption

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been sent back to jail after a fresh corruption conviction, BBC reported a short while ago. The anti-corruption court in Islamabad has given Sharif a seven-year term for investments beyond his declared assets.

Bus fares down by 4% from Thursday night

The bus fares will be reduced by four per cent effective from Thursday (26) midnight, Transport Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said today. ?

4,035 arrested during raids countrywide

Nearly 4,035 people were arrested for various offences and another 5,550 charged with traffic violations during the four-hour special countrywide raid carried out by the police under the direction of IGP Pujith Jayasundara.

UNP should play its second innings politics: Ajith P.

The UNP should play its second innings politics after the recent political crisis carefully and diligently since there is a little left for it, newly appointed Non-Cabinet Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure Ajith P. Perera said today. 

President discusses SLFP reorganization

President Maithripala Sirisena met SLFP electoral organisers at his home today to discuss in detail the future activities and the reorganization of the party.

Liquor shops to be closed tomorrow

All liquor shops across the country would be closed tomorrow in view of Christmas Day, the Excise Department said today. It said legal action would be taken against those who keep their shops open by violating the laws.

Suspect arrested with heroin worth Rs.12mn in Marawila

A 28-year-old suspect was arrested with 1 kg of heroin which has the street value of Rs. 12 million at Dematapitiya in Marawila last evening, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

UNP sends show cause notice to 15 MPs for their absence in P'ment

The United National Party (UNP) has decided to ask for an explanation from 15 of its MPs who were absent in Parliament last Friday when the Vote on Account was taken up, Daily Mirror learns.

Government consults AG

The government has decided to seek the opinion of the Attorney General on the possibility of increasing the Cabinet of Ministers to 32 according to what they say is included in the Constitution, it is learnt.

Troops rescue flood-affected in North

Following the torrential rains in the Northern Province, troops of the Army and Navy rushed into relief and rescue missions in the districts of Mullaitivu and Killnochchi which were worst affected by the inclement weather condition.

25 President's Counsel to be appointed

Twenty-five Attorneys-at-law will swear in as President’s Counsel (PC) on January 18 at a ceremonial sitting of the Supreme Court. The swearing-in as President’s Counsel is also known as 'taking silk'.

President instructs Min. Secs to keep their hands clean

President Maithripala Sirisena has told the newly appointed Ministry Secretaries not to be pressurised into committing irregularities and unlawful acts.

Clash at a construction site in Colombo: 11 Chinese workers arrested

Eleven Chinese nationals, working at a construction site at Chatham Street, Colombo, were arrested following a clash with a group of Sri Lankan Security Personnel at the site on Saturday.

Tsunami death toll rises to 168 in Indonesia

At least 168 people have been killed and 745 injured after a tsunami hit coastal towns on Indonesia's Sunda Strait, government officials say.

Fire reported at Vauxhall Street

A fire has been reported at a factory at Vauxhall Street in Colombo a short while ago, the fire brigade said.