Didn’t instruct IGP to cancel IP Nishantha's transfer: NPC

The National Police Commission (NPC) said yesterday it had not directed the IGP to cancel the transfer of the CID’s Organised Crimes Investigation Unit OIC, IP Nishantha Silva.

All govt. payments from January 1 illegal: Mangala

All payments of government from January 1,  2019, would be illegal as a result of the actions of the ‘Sirisena-Rajapaksa coup’, former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today. 

40 killed in suicide attack on Kabul religious gathering

At least 40 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a meeting of top clerics in Kabul today, officials said, in one of the deadliest attacks to strike the Afghan capital in months. 

Budget approves PM’s expenditure so can't be stopped: Bandula

The expenditure head of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa cannot be blocked because the funds for the Prime Minister’s Office has already been approved in this year's Budget, Minister Bandula Gunawardane said today.

Moody's downgrades SL's ratings, changes outlook to stable

Moody's Investors Service today downgraded Sri Lankan Government's foreign currency issuer and senior unsecured ratings to B2 from B1 and changed the outlook to stable from negative.

Chilli Powder thrown at Delhi Chief Minister

A man had thrown chilli powder at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal outside his office at the Delhi Secretariat today, the NDTV reported. The attacker, identified as Anil Kumar, has been taken into custody, officials said.

More rains likely in next few days

More rains can be expected over the island with the low pressure area in the Southern Bay of Bengal likely to intensify into a depression and move westwards, the Department of Meteorology said.

NPC rescinding IP’s transfer, a result of independent commissions: Ranil

In a twitter message, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the intervention by the Police Commission to prevent the arbitrary executive action of transferring a police officer was an important result of the independent commissions introduced by the 19th Amendment.

Don’t be fooled by rumours: Australia

The Australian High Commission today warned Sri Lankans not to be fooled by false advertising through social media or by people smugglers that it was possible to get to Australia illegally by boat. 

WPC to block porn, social media for councillors in the Chamber

Steps have been taken to block access to websites with pornography and social media from the computers of the Western Provincial Council (WPC) Chamber after some councillors had reportedly watched porn during the Budget presentation, Chief Minister Isura Devapriya said today.

Lasantha’s daughter writes to President

The late Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge’s daughter, Ahimsa in a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena over the removal of Inspector Adrian Nishantha Silva from the Criminal Investigation Department has said "Make no mistake, Mr. President. If you try to stand in the way of justice for my father & other victims of brutality, you will fail."  

Transfer of CID’s IP Nishantha Silva cancelled

The transfer of the CID’s Organised Crimes Investigation Unit OIC Inspector Nishantha Silva to the Negombo Division, was cancelled with effect from yesterday, the Police said.

'Mahinda-Ranil caretaker govt. could pave way for poll'

The communiqué was signed by its Chairman Ven. Diviyagaha Yasassi Thera, Joint secretaries Mahanayake Ven. Trincomalee Ananda Thera of Amarapura Sri Dharmarakshitha Nikaya, and Prof. Ven. Agalakada Siri  Sumana Thera.

Penalize MPs who damaged Parliament property: UNP

UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella yesterday urged that MPs who had damaged Parliament property be penalized.

CID’s IP Nishantha Silva appeals to NPC

The CID’s Organised Crimes Investigation Unit OIC Inspector Nishantha Silva who was transferred to the Negombo Division, had appealed to the National Police Commission (NPC) over his transfer.

Speaker seeks report on violence in Parliament

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has sought a report from the authorities concerned on the violence in Parliament including brawls, name calling, spraying of chili powder and damaging properties, a statement from his office said today  

PM's expenditure: Only Govt. can submit motion

House Leader Dinesh Gunawardane said today it was the government which could move a financial motion whereas the opposition handed over a motion to the Speaker limiting the Prime Minister's expenditure.

Opposition submits motion to suspend PM’s expenditure head

The UNF has handed over a motion to suspend the expenditure head of the newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, UNF member and Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Rauff Hakeem told a media briefing today.

Protesting monks teargassed: President calls for probe

President Maithripala Sirisena today called for an investigation into the case where teargas was fired on a group of Buddhist monks holding a protest near the presidential secretariat.

Work selflessly to resolve political crisis: Sajith

It is time to put aside one’s self interests in order to resolve the present political crisis, UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.“Appointing a new Prime Minister and new party leaders is not a solution to the present political crisis. This is a time to work selflessly and without self-interests,” Mr. Premadasa

FR petition filed against convening of Parliament

Former UPFA MP Sarath Weerasekara has filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition in the Supreme Court today saying that the Parliament Secretary General has no power to convene Parliament when a stay order against the dissolution was in place.

Chilli attack: Gamini Jayawickrama to take legal action

UNP MP Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said today he would take legal action in connection with the attack made on him in parliament on Friday.

Peaceful, consensual course adopted in Parliament today: President

President Maithripala Sirisena today thanked all the Party Leaders and Parliamentarians for adopting a peaceful and consensual course of action at the Parliament today.  

Protest by monks teargassed

The Police fired teargas at a protest by some Buddhist monks near the presidential secretariat calling for the release of Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera a short while ago.

Parliament session commences, adjourned

The parliament session which was commenced at 1 pm today was adjourned soon after till 10.30 am on Friday by Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri.

Party leaders meeting commences at Parliament

A Party Leaders Meeting commenced at the Parliamentary complex a short while ago to finalise today’s agenda in Parliament.

Woman, husband found dead at Akmeemana

A 55-year-old woman and her 61-year-old husband were found dead in the garden behind their house at Akmeemana last night, police said.  

Two passengers nabbed with foreign cigarettes at BIA

A female passenger was apprehended by the officials of the Customs Narcotic Control Division at the Arrival Lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport Katunayake while attempting to smuggle in 273 cartoons of foreign cigarettes containing 54,720 sticks valued at RS. 27, 30,000 packed in her traveling bag.

CID’s IP Nishantha Silva transferred

Inspector of Police (IP) Nishantha Silva of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been transferred to the Negombo Division with immediate effect on service requirements, sources said.  

Parliament gallery closed for public today

Visitors except for media personnel would not be allowed to enter parliament gallery during the today’s session which would commence at 1 pm today, officials said.