SLTB fares down by 2% from tonight

After the decision taken by the National Transport Commission yesterday the ticket fares of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) will be reduced by two per cent from midnight today.

Prez can dissolve P'ment under 33 (2) C of 19 A: Fmr. CJ

Former Chief Justice Sarath N Silva said yesterday the President had been vested with powers to dissolve Parliament under 33 (2) C of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Funding SL not withdrawn due to HR concerns: UK

The British Government had not withdrawn any funding to Sri Lanka due to human rights concerns between 2016-2019, State Minister for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field has said.

Identifying Organisers: CV

Former Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran said yesterday that he was in the process of identifying electoral organizers of his party at the moment.

Legal action if House dissolved: UNP

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday said it will take legal action if Parliament is dissolved as anticipated.

Plans made to dissolve Parliament shortly: Sarath Fonseka

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday alleged that plans are being made to dissolve Parliament shortly.

Govt. rejects claims on false propaganda

Issuing a statement the Department of Government Information today rejected fake rumours being spread that there were moves to dissolve Parliament.

We recognize states not governments: UK on SL situ.

Commenting on the current political developments in Sri Lanka, UK Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field has said the position of the UK is that it recognises states and not governments.  

US urges President to reconvene parliament immediately

The United States today urged President Maithripala Sirisena to reconvene parliament immediately to resolve the political crisis.   

Only President’s speech on 14: Lakshman Yapa

President Maithripala Sirisena’s policy statement would be the only item on Parliamentary agenda on November 14 and a No-Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister would not be taken up on that day, the UPFA today said.  

One injured in Grandpass shooting

A 34-year-old man was injured in a shooting incident at Prakrama Mawatha in Grandpass this evening, police said.

Full Cabinet before 14: Samarasinghe

All members of the Cabinet of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government would be sworn in before the opening ceremony of the new Parliamentary session on the 14th after prorogation, Cabinet Spokesman, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said today.

Chamal, S.B., Pavithra get ministerial portfolios

Chamal Rajapaksa was sworn in as the Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine before President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago.

Give opportunity to show majority on Nov 14: Speaker

The opportunity must be given to show a majority in Parliament to form a stable government after suspending standing orders when parliament reconvenes on November 14, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said today.

Prez should apologize, says LGBTQ+ community

President Maithripala Sirisena should apologize to the LGBTQI+ community over his remark made at Government’s rally on Monday in Colombo where he said he was promoting homophobia and public incitement of homophobic hatred.

Sajith reiterates he won’t accept the premiership

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, who confirmed that President Maithripala Sirisena had invited him to take over the Prime Minister Post, said today that he would not accept it even if President made another request, but would work towards settling the present crisis.  

Got threatening call to join Govt: Hirunika

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra today alleged that a person had called her aunt, who was residing abroad and had threatened to put an end to her political career if she failed to accept a Ministerial portfolio.  

SL has suffered a 'coup without guns': Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has called President Maithripala Sirisena’s sacking of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to bring former president Mahinda Rajapaksa back to power a non-violent coup, Reuters reported on Wednesday.  

Cannot reverse the decision: TNA tells Prez

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) delegation which met President Maithripala Sirisena this morning had explained to him that the decisions taken by the TNA could not be reversed and that it will stand by the said decisions.

Nalaka de Silva further remanded

Former DIG of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) Nalaka de Silva was further remanded till November 21 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today.

Vehicle carrying Gota, wife in accident at Hakmana

The vehicle in which former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and his wife were travelling met with an accident at Denagama in Hakmana this morning, the Police said.

Democrats win House of Representatives in setback for Trump

The Democrats have taken control of the US House of Representatives in the mid-term elections dealing a blow to President Donald Trump, BBC reported a short while ago.

Bus fare down by 2% from Thursday night: minimum fare unchanged

Following discussions held with the National Transport Commission (NTC) the private bus, associations had decided to reduce the fare by two per cent with effect from midnight tomorrow. Following discussions held with the National Transport Commission (NTC) the private bus, associations had decided to reduce the fare by two per cent with effect from midnight tomorrow.

I can only follow President’s orders: IGP

IGP Pujith Jayasundara said today that he would only act according to the orders given by President Maithripala Sirisena, who now handles the Law and Order Ministry.

Power failure slows BIA operations

Despite a power supply failure core functions at the Bandaranaike International Airport continue but at a slow pace, the duty manager said.

Mano, Hakeem say ‘no’ to new government

MP Mano Ganesan today said that he and his five other Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) MPs cannot accept the President’s invitation to join the new government.

SL students duped into working in Taiwan slaughterhouses

The Kang Ning University in Tainan, Taiwan has been reprimanded by the Education Ministry for allowing over 40 of its Sri Lankan students to work in slaughterhouses in Taipei and Tainan, Taiwan News reported quoting China Times.    

Tourists giving SL a miss amid its crisis: Reports

A political crisis in Sri Lanka, where two prime ministers are fighting for power, is scaring away tourists and raising questions over foreign aid, ringing alarm bells for the economy as the currency slumps to record lows, the Straits Times reported.

Suspect arrested with over Rs. 20mn worth of heroin

A 51-year-old suspect from the Kochchikade area was arrested with over 2 kgs of heroin valued more than Rs. 20 million by the Negombo divisional narcotic officials at Thakkiya Road in Kochchikade yesterday evening.

Party leaders meeting today

A party leaders’ meeting will be held today to discuss arrangements for the ceremonial sitting of Parliament on November 14, Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, Neil Iddawala said yesterday.