Discussions between Prez, TNA MPs concluded

The discussions held between  President Maithripala Sirisena and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA ) at the Presidential Secretariat, was concluded a short while ago, it was reported.

Rains likely to ease

Rains that had lashed the island are expected to ease during the next two days (Dec. 01, 02), the Meteorology Department said today.

SLBC violated agreement on live coverage: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said today the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) had violated the agreement on live coverage of the past few parliamentary sessions and vowed he would take immediate action against its Chairman.

No change in Govt: SB

Minister S.B. Dissanayake said yesterday there would not be any change of government and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would continue in his post.

Ranil-Mahinda meet to resolve political crisis

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have met at the Parliament library today, informed sources said.

Traffic congestion on Galle Road

Traffic congestion was reported from Ceramic Junction to the Presidential Secretariat, as a result of a protest carried out by a group of officials of the Department of Archaeology on the Galle Road, Police said.

US puts on hold discussions over SL’s participation in MCC

The US has put on hold its discussions with Sri Lanka on its potential participation in an American aid initiative on poverty reduction due to the disruption in the country's democratic process following the ouster of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, a senior official has said.

Fuel prices to reduce from Rs.5

The Finance Ministry would reduce the prices of all kinds of fuel from Rs. 5.00 with effect from midnight today, Labour, Foreign Employment & Petroleum Resources Minister Gamini Lokuge said.

Killing of two cops: IGP leaves for Batticaloa

A special team led by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara, senior DIG of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Police Spokesman had left for Batticaloa to probe the killing of two police constables.

SL signs two multi-million dollar port deals with China

Sri Lanka signed two multi-million dollar contracts with Chinese firms for a port upgrade project on Thursday in the middle of a political hiatus that has raised doubts over the legitimacy of the government and the legality of the deals, the Reuters reported yesterday.

CA begins hearing petition against MR's Premiership

The hearing of the writ petition filed by 122 MPs seeking the Court of Appeal (CA) to direct Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to show by which authority he holds his current office, commenced a short while ago.

CID team sent to probe killing of two cops

A team of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP) had been sent to investigate the killing of two police officers at the Vavunathivu roadblock, police said.

Parliament adjourned until Dec 5

The Parliament session was adjourned until December 5, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced.  

Motion to curtail funds to ministers passed

The motion submitted by the United National Front (UNF) to curtail funds to the Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers, was passed in parliament with 122 MPs voting for it.

UNF presents motion to curtail funds to ministers

The United National Front (UNF) a short while ago submitted a motion in parliament to curtail funds to the Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers of the new government. The motion was presented by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka at the parliament session w

PM says waiting on SC ruling to move forward

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, said that he would await the Supreme Court ruling to decide on the next course of action to be taken.  

Two police constables found dead at Vavunathivu roadblock

Two police constables aged 28 and 35 were found dead at a roadblock at Vavunathivu in Batticaloa this morning, police said.

SUV falls into canal, one killed

One person was found dead after an SUV fell into the Z-D canal in Aralaganwila today, police said and added a search operation had been launched to find other passengers.

Term of PCoI on SriLankan to be extended: Sources

The term of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka is likely to be extended by a period of another three months, sources close to it said yesterday.

Appoint two PSCs to recover coup losses: Bimal

JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake yesterday said two Parliament Select Committees (PSCs) should be appointed to recover the losses and damages caused to the country by the political coup.  

Sajith says declined to accept PM post ten times

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said he had declined to oblige President Maithripala Sirisena when he offered him the post of Prime Minister ten times.

We don’t like to attend an illegal gathering: MR

Responding to a question as to why the government MPs had boycotted parliament sittings once again, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday explained that they don’t intend attending an illegal gathering.

Committee to probe parliamentary impropriety

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has appointed a committee to look into the recent incidents that took place in Parliament. As per the announcement made by the Speaker, the committee comprises his deputy Ananda Kumarasiri, predecessor Chamal Rajapaksa and MPs Ranjith Madduma Bandara,

Mihin settled AASL loan using government coffers: Officer

Lanka had borrowed a loan of Rs.500 million from Airport and Aviation Services Limited (AASL) in November 2008 and settled the full amount of Rs.615 million including the interest in 2010 using funds from the Government Treasury, a top official said.

Motion on financial matters can't be moved by an MP: Dinesh

Minister and Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardane said today a motion on financial matters should be approved by the cabinet before presenting it in parliament according to section (152) of the constitution and said such a motion should be presented in the House only by a minister.

UNP bears all Temple Trees expenses: Kiriella

Temple Trees is currently run the funds of the UNP and the assistance given by sponsors, UNP MP and ousted Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament today.

Majority in House should be given power: Rathana Thera

MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said today the faction which commands majority in parliament should be given powers to form a government and that the President could not halt it.

Thajudeen killing: Court directs CID to produce real suspects

Colombo Additional Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara today directed the CID to take into custody the real suspects behind the killing of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen and produce them in courts.

Prez to meet Opp. Leader, UNF leaders to resolve crisis

President Maithripala Sirisena has assured Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to hold separate discussions with the Opposition Leader and the Leaders of the United National Front (UNF) tomorrow evening to arrive at an immediate solution to the political instability, the Media Unit of the Speaker said today.

Will support a UNF nominee as Prime Minister: TNA to President

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today wrote to President Maithripala Sirisena and said that its MPs would support the appointment of a United National Front (UNF) nominee as Prime Minister and a UNF headed government.