JVP welcomes Speaker’s statement

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today welcomed the statement made by the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya that he would have to recognize the previous status quo in Parliament until a clear majority was shown and said it was a brave decision taken by Parliament to defeat the political coup.

Thewarapperuma, Hesha Vithana released on bail

UNP MPs Palitha Thewarapperuma and Hesha Vithana, who were arrested over an alleged attack on Major (Rtd) Ajith Prasanna during a protest at Temple Trees, were released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today.

Govt. wants Speaker’s statement withdrawn

While condemning the statement issued by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya stating that he would have to continue with the previous statuses in Parliament until a clear majority was shown in Parliament, the Government today requested the Speaker to withdraw it saying that it was personal and a politically driven statement.

Avoid Kottawa exit on the E01: RDA

The Road Development Authority (RDA) requested motorists arriving from Matara to Colombo on the Southern Expressway to use Athurugiriya, Kothalawala and Kaduwela exits due to heavy traffic congestion at the Kottawa exit because of the vehicles coming for the rally at Parliament roundabout.

Dinesh Gunawardena assumes office as Leader of the House

Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Dinesh Gunawardena assumed the Office of Leader of the House in Parliament a short while ago, he tweeted.

AG: SC has no Jurisdiction over prorogation

Raising a preliminary objection, the Attorney General today told Supreme Court that the Court had no Jurisdiction to inquire the Fundamental Rights petition filed against the Parliament prorogation proclamation of the President as it was inconsistent with the Supreme Court rules and the entirety of the application was misconceived.

MPs Thewarapperuma and Hesha Vithana arrested

UNP MPs Palitha Thewarapperuma and Hesha Vithana had been arrested after they surrendered to the Kollupitiya Police Station this morning over an alleged attack on Major (Rtd) Ajith Prasanna, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

I am compelled to accept previous status in Parliament: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said he would have to continue with the previous statuses in Parliament until a clear majority was shown in Parliament as a majority of the MPs had requested him to accept the previous composition.

Time running out to avert 'bloodbath’: RW

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has warned that the time is running out to avert a "bloodbath" while voicing hope that Parliament will resolve a damaging constitutional crisis in the coming days.

118 MPs still oppose new Prime Minister: Harin

A majority of 118 members of Parliament still oppose the appointment of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister despite the crossing over of UNP MP Asoka Priyantha, UNP Spokesman Harin Fernando said yesterday.

SLMC, ACMC: No change in stance on appointment of PM

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem and All Ceylon Makkal Congress(ACMC) ) leader Rishad Badthiudeen said yesterday that there is no change in their stance with regard to the appointment of a Prime Minister who does not command the support of a majority of members in Parliament.

Traffic plan for Monday’s rally

Police media spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said that steps had been taken to strengthen security around the parliamentary complex by deploying 1,500 police officers in view of the mass rally scheduled to be held by the parties supporting the new government on Monday.

Speaker's approval for proroguing Parliament: UNP to bring Constitutional amendment

United National Party (UNP) today said they would bring in an amendment to the Constitution to provide provisions for President to seek Speaker's approval for proroguing Parliament.

I did not sell my portfolio for money: Wasantha

Responding to several social media claims, Minister of Tourism and Wildlife Wasantha Senanayake today strongly denied the allegation that he had sold his portfolio for Rs.500 million.

President reconvenes Parliament on Nov 14

President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to reconvene the Parliament on November 14.

No-confidence motion against PM cannot be taken up in haste: GL

The government today disputed the No-confidence motion handed over by the United National Party (UNP) against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and said it could not be taken up for debate on November 16 when Parliament meets.

Hakmana shooting: victim dies

The person injured in shooting incident in Kebeliyapola has succumbed to his injuries, Police said.

Shooting in Hakmana, one injured

One person was injured when a group of gunmen arrived in a van and a motorcycle, opened fire in Kabiliyapola, Hakmana this evening, police said.

UNP cannot give its support for dissolution of Parliament: Wajira

UNP cannot give its support for the dissolution of Parliament till the mistake of appointing former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister is rectified by the President, UNP MP Vajira Abeywardene said today.

UNP MP Ashoka gets Deputy Minister portfolio

Batticaloa District UNP MP R.D. Ashoka Priyantha has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Cultural and Internal Affairs, and Regional Development (Wayamba).

Dinesh, Vasu gets new ministry portfolios, Keheliya State Minister Media

MP Dinesh Gunawardena has been appointed as the Minister of Megapolis and Western Development and MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara appointed as Minister of National Integration, Reconciliation, and Official Languages.

UNP MPs meet Cardinal Ranjith

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjih said over the weekend that the present political crisis should be resolved amicably with the cooperation of all parties.

Will support President: Rathana Thera

Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said today that he had decided to extend support to President Maithripala Sirisena and newly appointed Government.

Lankan man jumps to death after stabbing wife in Kuwait

A Sri Lankan man has stabbed her wife and jumped from his ninth-floor apartment in Hawally in Kuwait to his death yesterday.

Man wounded in shooting at Tissamaharama

A 21-year-old man was injured when he was shot at his house in Tissamaharama last night.

Attempts to lure MPs: UNP releases audio recording

The United National Party (UNP) today released an audio recording as evidence to prove that the government was attempting to ‘buy’ UNP MPs. The audio recording includes a phone conversation which had allegedly taken place between 

TNA to support no-faith motion against MR

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today said it will vote in support of the No-Confidence Motion to be brought against the Government headed by Mahinda Rajapaksa. In a statement, the TNA said Mr.Rajapaksa’s appointment as the Prime Minister was unconstitutional and illegal.

Dinesh’s appointment illegal: UNP

The United National Party (UNP) today said the decision made by the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to appoint its MP Dinesh Gunawardane as the Leader of House was illegal.

UPFA to appoint Dinesh as Leader of House

The parliamentary group of the UPFA today decided to appoint MP Dinesh Gunawardane as the Leader of House at the next parliament session.

Fowzie National Unity State Minister

UPFA MP A.H.M. Fowzie was sworn in as the State Minister of National Unity, Co-existence and Muslim Religious Affairs a short while ago.