'Suspects incarcerated for ten months', an exceptional circumstance for bail- Counsel

In a bail application filed on behalf of suspect Kasun Palisena regarding the magisterial inquiry into the bond scam, Senior Counsel Jeewantha Jayathilake said today that both suspects being incarcerated for ten months is on its own sufficient to be considered an exceptional circumstance to grant them bail.

Road closed from Ceramic Junction to NSA Roundabout

The segment of the Galle Road from the Ceramic Junction towards the NSA Roundabout in Colombo has been temporarily closed due to a protest carried out by the students of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF), the Police said.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall

Heavy traffic was reported in and around Town Hall due to a protest march carried out by the students of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF), Police said.

Two WPC UPFA members join UNP

Two UPFA members of the Western Provincial Council (WPC) crossed over to the UNP when the council’s budget was taken up for debate today.  

Prez. instructs ministry secretaries to fulfill their duties without disruption

President Maithripala Sirisena has given instructions to all ministry secretaries to fulfill their duties and responsibilities according to the laws of the country without any disruption, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said today.

Move to appoint new PM from SLFP or SLPP: Nalin Bandara

UNP MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha charged today that there was a move to appoint a new Prime Minister from Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) or Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), who does not command a majority in the House.

Appeal handed over to SC against interim order

An appeal was handed over to the Supreme Court a short while ago against the interim order issued by Court of Appeal, MP Gamini Lokuge said.

UPFA to boycott parliament tomorrow as well

MP Dinesh Gunawardane said today they have decided to boycott Parliament sessions tomorrow as well.

Gota’s case: Special High Court fixes trial on Jan. 22

The Special High Court today fixed for January 22, 2019 the trial on former defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on alleged misappropriation of Rs 49 million to establish D.A. Rajapaksa Memorial Museum.

SC resumes hearing of FR petitions on dissolution of Parliament

The hearing into the Fundamental Right petitions filed in the Supreme Court challenging the dissolution of Parliament resumed a short while ago.

Aussie cricketer Khawaja's brother arrested over 'terror hit list'

The brother of Australian international cricketer Usman Khawaja has been arrested as part of an investigation into a terror plot.

Murder of two cops: Another ex-LTTE member arrested

Another former LTTE member was arrested yesterday at Kannankuda in Batticaloa in connection with the murder of the two police constables in Vavunathivu, the Police said.

Prez defers decision on LTTE suspects

Consequent to the Appeal Court restraining the Prime Minister and the Cabinet from functioning, President Maithripala Sirisena, who met the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said yesterday he would defer taking a decision on the LTTE suspects held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) until the current impasse was resolved.

Elections only under a legal Govt: Mano

An election may be a way out of the current political deadlock only if a legal government is appointed and the President's authority to dissolve Parliament is clarified, UNF member and Tamil Progressive Front (TPF) Leader Mano Ganesan said yesterday.

Prez will take future steps after seeking legal opinion: Susil

President Maithripala Sirisena would take future steps after seeking necessary legal opinion since the Cabinet has been suspended, UPFA MP Susil Premajayantha said yesterday.

'Palayaw Palayaw Sathara Waram Deviyange Namayen Palayaw'-Ranil

The status quo that existed before October 26 can be restored now following the interim order given by the Appeal Court as it is given against an individual and not against a post, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Police seek help to locate ‘Koombiyo’ scriptwriter

The Police today released a photograph of 40-year-old Damitha Sagara Chandrasiri, the missing editor and scriptwriter of the ‘Koombiyo’ teledrama and sought public assistance to locate him.

UNF discussion with President fails again

The discussion held between President Maithripala Sirisena and the United National Front (UNF) representatives came to an end without agreement, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said. He also said the President had reiterated that UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe would not be

Will appeal in Supreme Court: MR

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said that they do not agree with the interim order which was issued by Court of Appeal today and that they would file an appeal before Supreme Court against the order by tomorrow.

Plantation workers to launch an indefinite strike from tomorrow

Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) Leader and Parliamentarian Arumugam Thondaman today requested all plantation workers to join in an indefinite strike from tomorrow.

SC issues notices on Ranjan

The Supreme Court today issued notices on UNP Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake and the Attorney General to appear in court on December 7 over an incident of contempt of court.

Interim order against PM, Cabinet

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order restraining the functioning of the respondents as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers.  

Litro Gas Allowance is for CSR projects: Dambara Amila Thera

Ven. Dambara Amila Thera responding to reports of him receiving an allowance from the Litro Gas Company said that he requested for the allowance for his Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. 

Unemployed graduates tear-gassed

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

Court can’t rely on draft documents: Respondent's Counsel

President's Counsel Kushan de Alwis, Ali Sabri and Romesh de Silva -- appearing for the respondents in the Quo Warranto writ petition filed by 122 MPs questioning the legitimacy of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government to hold office -- said the applications should be dismissed on the basis that the Hanzard produced as a supporting document was not a final thus not admissible in Court.

Special Commodity Levy on onions, potatoes reduced

Special Commodity Levy on imported onions and potatoes has been reduced by Rs 20 per kg from midnight today, the Finance Ministry said.

UNF to convey its final stance to Prez this evening

The United National Front (UNF) said today that they would remain unanimous in their support for UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister.

Petition against MR: CA ruling at 3.00 P.M. today

The Court of Appeal (CA) today concluded all submissions with regard to the writ Petition filed against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa holding office of Prime Minister and expected to deliver its ruling at 3.00 P.M today.  

SL rupee appreciates against US Dollar

Sri Lankan rupee has appreciated to Rs.180.90 against the US Dollar when compared with the previous selling rate of Rs. 182.27, the Central Bank said.

Sir Chittampalam A gardiner Mawatha closed

The Sir chittampalam A gardiner Mawatha has been temporarily closed from the Regal cinema to the Slave Island Police Station due to a protest carried out by a group of employees of the National Housing Development Authority.