Govt. to grant relief package for agricultural sector: Dullas

The Finance Ministry will grant a huge relief package to those in the agricultural sector tomorrow, MP Dullas Alahapperuma said in a news briefing at the Prime Minister’s office today.

IP Rangajeewa reinstated

Police Narcotics Bureau Inspector Neomal Rangajeewa, who was granted bail by the Court of Appeal in connection with the deaths of 27 inmates at the Welikada prison in 2012, was reinstated yesterday, Police said.

Vehicle prices to increase by 10 - 15 % next year: Importers

The prices of vehicles would increase next year by 10 to 15  percent, the Vehicle Importers Association said yesterday.

Govt. can repay loans for 2019: Fin. Ministry

Rejecting media reports that the government was unable to repay loans next year, the Finance Ministry said loans would be serviced and repaid during the 2019 financial year.

Follow UK House of Commons when Constitution unclear: Kiriella

Coming up with a fresh argument on what should be done to resolve the present political crisis, the United National Party (UNP) yesterday said Sri Lankan Parliament was bound to follow the tradition of House of Commons of the UK when the Sri Lankan Constitution is unclear about certain situations.

West’s covert push for a 'spring': SLFP

The ruling SLFP yesterday charged that the Western powers were in a covert move to create unrest in Sri Lanka similar to that of Arab Spring they staged in the Middle East in 2015 and the current political and Constitutional Impasse was their agenda.

UNP will talk to all Opposition parties: Ranil

The UNP would talk to all Opposition parties and decide on a collective stance on holding elections though it was not the most important factor at the moment, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

False allegations made by Govt. MPs against Speaker: Navin

UNP National Organizer Navin Dissanayake yesterday charged that false allegations were being made by the Government MPs against him saying he was unduly influencing Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to make certain decisions.

No debt service crisis in 2019, Bandula says citing CB officials

There would not be a crisis in servicing debt in the next year, a team of top Government officials briefed the Cabinet today  

JVP to move resolution calling for election after defeating political coup: Anura

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today they would bring in a resolution to dissolve parliament and pave the way for a General Election soon after defeating the current political coup.?

Govt. nominates names of 7 MPs to PSC

The names of seven MPs had been nominated to the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) by the government today.

Cabinet approves Vote on Account

The Cabinet, which met at the Presidential Secretariat under President Maithripala Sisirsena, today approved a Vote on Account to cover the Government’s expenditure for the first quarter of 2019, a Senior Minister said.

SL driver acquitted from Maldivian assassination plot case

The Sri Lankan driver, who languished in prison in the Maldives for three years accused of involvement in a plot to assassinate a Maldivian President had been acquitted by court lacking evidence, Provincial Councils & Local Government Faiszer Mustapha said today.

Moody’s latest rating decision unfounded: CBSL

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) today said it is of the view that the decision by Moody's to downgrade Sri Lankan Government's foreign currency issuer and senior unsecured ratings from B1 (Negative) to B2 (Stable) does not properly reflect the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, and therefore unwarranted.

Parliament’s public, VIP galleries closed on Friday

The public and VIP galleries in Parliament will be closed next Friday (23) as well, Sergeant at Arms Narendra Fernando said today.

Assassination plot: Indian National re-remanded

The Indian National who was arrested over the alleged plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena was re-remanded till December 5 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today.

Aloysius, Palisena further remanded

Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius and its CEO Kasun Palisena, who were arrested by the CID over the Central Bank bond scam, were further remanded till December 29 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Nalaka De Silva re-remanded

Former DIG of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) Nalaka de Silva was further remanded till December 5 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today. He was arrested over the alleged assassination plot on several VIPs.

Opposition should meet people not reps of int’l community: Namal

UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa today said UNP, JVP and TNA politicians should meet the people of Sri Lanka rather than the representatives of the international community. “Interesting to see UNP, JVP and TNA politicians meeting with the members of the

Renunciation of dual citizenship: Geetha submits documents to EC

Former Galle District UPFA parliamentarian Geetha Kumarasinghe today submitted documents to the Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya confirming the renunciation of her Swiss citizenship, which disqualified her from being elected as an MP.

Wasantha shuttles back to cabinet

United National Party MP Wasantha Senanayake, who earlier claimed that he was resigning as the Minister of Tourism and Wildlife to join the opposition, was present at today’s Cabinet meeting, a senior minister said. 

Navy Sampath further remanded till Dec. 5

Former Lieutenant Commander Hettiarachchi Mudiyanselage Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi alias Navy Sampath who was arrested over the abduction and disappearance of eleven youths in 2008 and 2009, was further remanded till December 5 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

PS members clash over current political crisis

UPFA and UNP members of the Balapitiya Pradehsiya Sabha clashed over the current political crisis today. UPFA members criticized Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s behaviour in Parliament recently, while UNP members criticized President Maithripala Sirisena’s actions.

SL rupee hits Rs.179 against US Dollar

The Sri Lankan Rupee further depreciated against the US Dollar today. According to the exchange rates of the Central Bank, the Rupee was selling at Rs.179.048 against the US Dollar.

Our party will not be a cat's-paw for others-C.V.

Former Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council C.V. Wigneswaran maintained that the political party newly created by him was formed amidst various difficulties and the objective of the party is not to enter into an alliance with another party and play second fiddle to them.

UNP to form broad political alliance

The United National Party (UNP) is reportedly planning to form a broad electoral alliance with like-minded political parties and under the leadership of a 10-member council.

IMF delays Sri Lanka's loan discussion on political crisis

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday it had delayed discussions on Sri Lanka’s next loan tranche due to the country’s political crisis.

UNP to hold series of protests and death fast

The United National Front (UNP) and its allies have decided to hold a series of protests and a death fast against what it called an unconstitutional instate of a new government, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.

Presidential election - UNF to field common candidate: Navin

UNP MP Navin Dissayanayake said yesterday a common candidate would be fielded by the United National Front (UNF) at the upcoming presidential election.

TNA urges intervention of diplomats to solve crisis situation in SL

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had urged the diplomats in a meeting held yesterday to use their influence with whoever necessary to set things right and put the country in the right path, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan said.