Darkest day in Parliamentary history: Dayasiri

The government blamed Speaker Karu Jayasuriya for the ugly and shameful actions by a some government MPs yesterday and said it was a conspiracy hatched by him.

Recognise Govt. prior to no-faith motion: Dinesh

The government representatives are reported to have told Speaker Karu Jayasuriya that they would agree to a no-confidence motion only if it could be taken up through the procedure stipulated in the Standing Orders.

Party with a majority has say in Parliament: Ranil

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday the party which had a majority would have its say despite the incidents that took place in Parliament yesterday.

President says no to second NCM

President Maithripala Sirisena has said that he would not accept the results of yesterday’s vote on the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) in Parliament as the standard procedure had not been followed, MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane said.

Intervenient petitioners seek full SC bench to hear FR petitions on dissolution

Five persons who filed intervenient petitions against the 13 fundamental rights petitions challenging the dissolution of Parliament by President Maithriapala Sirisena on November 9, requested the Supreme Court today through a motion to appoint a full bench to hear the said Fundamental Rights (FR) Petitions.  

President reiterates won't appoint Ranil as PM again

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have told political party representatives that he would not re-appoint UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister. He said this to the UNF representatives who met him, at his request, on Thursday evening to discuss the current political impasse.

No-faith motion passed in House for 2nd time: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday the no-confidence motion brought by them against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government was passed with 122 MPs voting in favour.

TBs worth Rs.14.2 bn issued to SriLankan in 2012

Rs.14.2 billion worth of Treasury Bonds (TBs) were issued to SriLankan airlines by the Central Bank (CB) in 2012 without a Gazette notification as required by the Registered Stock and Security Ordinance (RSSO), CB Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy today told the Commission of Inquiry into financial irregularities in SriLankan airlines.

Amended no-faith motion against PM and Govt. passed: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has informed President Maithripala Sirisena in writing yesterday that the no-confidence, moved by Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was duly passed in line with the Standing Orders that govern parliamentary business.

President should recognize Ranil as PM: Kiriella

United National Party (UNP) MP Lakshman Kiriella said today President Maithripala Sirisena should recognize UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister because the no-confidence motion against the fake government was once again passed in Parliament today.

SL again saw deplorable behaviour of some MPs: UK

British High Commissioner (BHC) James Dauris today said Sri Lankans have again seen deplorable behaviour by some MPs, unbecoming of them and of the Parliament.

President failed to keep his promise: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today said President Maithripala Sirisena had failed to keep his promise to control his MPs. JVP MP Vijitha Herath, who came under a chilli powder attack, told the Hindu that the

Parliament adjourned till Nov. 19

The parliament session was adjourned till 1 pm on November 19 (Monday) after the Speaker was thrown at objects and disruptions caused by the government MPs.

Shop catches fire in Pettah

A fire broke out in a shop located at the First Cross Street in Pettah a short while ago, the Fire-Brigade said.

Speaker leaves chamber

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya left the parliament chamber after Government MPs threw objects at Speaker and police personnel.

Will not prorogue Parliament: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said he would not prorogue Parliament under any circumstances.

UNP collects signatures for new NCM

United National Party (UNP) MPs are currently collecting signatures for a new no-confidence motion (NCM) against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government.

Party leaders meeting ends, no agreement reached

The party Leaders meeting which was held at the Parliamentary complex came to an end without reaching an agreement, Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said.

MPs subjected to body search on their way in

All MPs who are entering the Parliament Chamber were subjected to a body search by security officers today. The security measures were taken after MP Palitha Thewarapperuma had allegedly brought a knife to the Chamber yesterday.

Malwathu Mahanayake urges President to convene Parliament

The Mahanayake of the Malwathu Chapter, Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera today requested President Maithripala Sirisena to convene Parliament and find a solution to end the current political instability in the country.

Two suspects nabbed with heroin valued at Rs. 23 mn

Two suspects were arrested with heroin valued at Rs.23.3 million by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) today at Mulleriyawa.

Party leaders’ meeting at 11.30 a.m

A party leaders' meeting chaired by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is scheduled to be held at 11.30 am today at the Parliament complex to discuss the agenda for today’s sessions, Speaker’s office said.

Cyclone; Govt schools in Northern Province closed

All government schools in the Northern Province will be closed today due to the adverse weather condition encountered by the Cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’, the Secretariat of the Northern Province Governor office announced.

Only 8 currencies less valuable than LKR: Customs

According to the Sri Lanka Customs, the currencies of only eight out of 52 countries have a lower value than the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR).

I am ready to fight for democracy: Sajith

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said he is ready to play a leading role in ensuring democracy for the country.

Knife brandishing: Complaint lodged against Ranjan, Palitha

The government yesterday said it had lodged a complaint with the police over UNP MPs Ranjan Ramanayake and Palitha Thewarapperuma who had allegedly threatened government MPs in Parliament with a knife.

LIOC also reduces fuel prices

The Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) also announced a reduction in petrol and diesel prices with effect from tonight in line with the fuel price reduction announced by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) tonight.

Remove clause 1, present motion again: Prez to UNF

President Maithripala Sirisena has requested the United National Front (UNF) leaders to remove clause 1 of the motion which was submitted to Parliament on Wednesday and to present it again on Friday, President’s Media Division said.

Govt.'s request for election not genuine: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today the request that is being made by the government to go for a general election is not a genuine one.  

Thewarapperuma brandishes knife in House

The conduct of some parliamentarians stooped down to such low levels today that, for the first time in history, there were allegations that some UNP MPs smuggled in sharp knives into the Chamber of the House for any untoward action.