Struggle between national and foreign thinking: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday that the current political crisis in the country is not a conflict between the political parties or between him and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as some people attempt to portray, but a conflict between the national and alien thinking.

Signboard giving directions to Nagadeepa Viharaya vandalized

Kayts police said that the signboard for the Nagadeepa Temple in Jaffna had been blurred by using red paint on Saturday (8). This name-board has been a boon to pilgrims and tourists who visit the Nagadeepa Temple in Jaffna.

Man arrested with fire arms, ammunition in Beruwela

The police recovered 13 automatic weapons, manufactured in Pakistan and used for VIP security, along with 1500 ammunitions from a mansion like residence of a gem businessman in Beruwala today.

CID-GA team leaves for HK to recover deleted recordings from Namal’s phone

A three-member team of the CID and Government Analyst Department had left for Hong Kong to recover voice recordings, deleted from the Operations Director of the Anti-Corruption Force Namal Kumara’s mobile phone.

Three killed, five injured in two accidents involving same car

Three persons were killed and another five persons were injured in two accidents involving the same car at Mount Lavinia on the Colombo-Galle Main road early this morning, Police said.

Mexican volunteer crowned Miss World

A Mexican model and volunteer was crowned Miss World at a glitzy event on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on Saturday.

Three children walk into police station claiming starvation

Three children, who walked into the Pottuvil Police Station complaining of starvation and begging for food were given police protection.

We're opposed to amending 19A: UNP

The UNP said yesterday it was opposed to the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena to amend the 19th Amendment to the constitution.

Immunity not to President's actions: Kanag Iswaran PC

President’s Counsel K. Kanag Iswaran yesterday countering the arguments of the respondents and the intervernient petitioners underlined the fact that the immunity conferred on the Executive President was only on his person and not on his acts or actions.

President rules out snap presidential election

President Maithripala Sirisena today ruled out a snap presidential election despite several parties such as the United National Party (UNP) urging him to so.

Interim order effective till judgement is delivered

The interim order issued by the Supreme Court suspending the Gazette on the dissolution of parliament is to be in effect until judgement is delivered.

SLPP blasts RW for meeting envoys at Temple Trees

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today criticized United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe for meeting foreign ambassadors and high commissioners at Temple Trees on Wednesday.

Parliament dissolution: Interim order extended till Monday

The interim order issued by the Supreme Court suspending the Gazette on dissolution of parliament has been extended till December 10.

Beruwala heroin haul: Boat owner arrested

The owner of the boat, which was allegedly used to transfer 231 kgs of heroin off the coast of Beruwala, was arrested in Yatiyanthota today. Police said the 44-year-old suspect Dulip Samantha, a resident of Beruwala, had Rs.1.5 million in cash in his possession.

Case against Ranjan to be taken up on February 26

The Supreme Court today ordered to take up the case filed against UNP Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake on contempt of court charges on February 26.

O/L candidate, invigilator nabbed with SMS answers

An external Ordinary Level examination candidate and an invigilator had been arrested for allegedly using a mobile phone to answer the English question paper in a school in Balangoda, Police said.

SC commences hearing of FR petitions for 4th day

The hearing of the Fundamental Rights (FR) Petitions filed against the dissolution of parliament commenced for the fourth day today in the Supreme Court a short while ago.

MP Vijayakala’s case postponed until Feb.22

The case filed against former State Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran over her controversial statements regarding the LTTE was postponed until February 22 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today.

No personal reason to re-appoint Ranil: Bathiudeen

The All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) yesterday said that they did not have any personal liking for United National Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe but they stood with the UNP chiefly to safeguard democracy and to uphold the Constitution that has been violated repeatedly.

Not yet decided on contesting: Dilshan

Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Tillakaratne Dilshan yesterday said he has not yet made a decision to contest any election though he obtained the membership of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).  

Removing power of dissolution seeks to cannibalize Constitution: Counsel

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena in his submission stated that what the Petitioners invoke to the Court is to distort the Constitution virtually to cannibalize it and to take away the check and balance by removing the power of dissolution of Parliament by the President.

UNP to decide on next move after SC verdict

The UNP will decide on its next course of action including the likelihood of a secret ballot to select a candidate for the premiership after the Supreme Court delivers its Judgment today, with regard to the petition filed against the dissolution of Parliament, Party Spokesman Harin Fernando said yesterday.

Will appoint commission over misconduct of Speaker: Mahinda Yapa

A commission would be appointed to look into the alleged undemocratic actions taken by the Speaker, the Parliament General Secretary and the Sergeant-at-Arms when they are elected to office, MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said today.  

I was not invited to SLFP special convention: Chandrika

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga has claimed that she had not been invited for the special convention of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium last Tuesday, December 4.

Possession of toxic drugs: 96 sentenced to death, 275 imprisoned for life

Ninety-six suspects including eight women had been sentenced to death by Magistrate’s Courts across the country during the period of 2008 to 2018 after being found guilty of possession of toxic drugs, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said today.

State functions, meetings only in State-owned Auditoriums: President

On the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena, a circular had been issued by the media unit to notify ministries, departments and statutory boards to refrain from holding any functions, meetings or any other programmes relating to their affairs, in Hotels, especially in Luxury hotels.

Hold General, presidential polls on same day: CaFFE

The only solution to the ongoing constitutional and political crisis was to conduct a Presidential and General election simultaneously on a single day as early as possible, the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) said.

Will make necessary changes if 19A has disputed clauses: President

If the 19th Amendment to the Constitution has any disputed clauses in relation of its procedures, the President would commit himself to make necessary amendments to the areas which are politically muddled, following parliamentary procedures, the President's Media Division (PMD) said today.  

Dissolution of parliament: Interim order extended

The Supreme Court today extended the interim order, which suspended the Gazette on dissolution of parliament till December 8.

Envoys confident MS will do the right thing

A group of diplomats who had met UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had said that President Maithirpala Sirisena will have to do the right thing at some point of time and that they were confident of such an eventuality.