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.

Karu won't be replaced: UPFA

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has informed Speaker Karu Jayasuriya that it has no intention of replacing him under the new government.

We've the numbers: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have told the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee that he had the required number of MPs to form a stable government.

Lodge police compliant if offered money: Mahindananda

If UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara was offered money by the government to cross over, he should lodge a compliant to the police without delay, UPFA MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage said today.

RW in Temple Trees: BBS, Sinhala Ravaya complain to FCID

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and Sinhala Ravaya yesterday complained to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) to arrest UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and UNP members who are illegally occupying Temple Trees.

Special Trial-at-Bar -- Refuses to put off Gamini Senarath's trial

The Special Trial-at-Bar yesterday dismissed a request by the defense to put off the trial until the Appeal Court order on the jurisdiction of the special trial-at-bar to conduct the trial against former president’s chief of staff Gamini Senarath and three others.

Secretaries appointed to four new ministries

President Maithripala Sirisena today appointed four new Ministry Secretaries

Trump administration to reimpose sanctions on Iran

The Trump administration is to reinstate all US sanctions on Iran that were removed as part of the 2015 nuclear deal.

LOIC revise fuel prices

Lanka IOC has reduced the prices of Lanka Auto Diesel (LAD) by Rs. 11 per liter and Lanka Petrol 92 (LP92) by Rs. 2 per liter from midnight today, LIOC said.

S. Viyalendiran appointed Regional Development Dy. Minister

ITAK Batticaloa District MP. S. Viyalendiran has been appointed as the Deputy Minister of Regional Development (Eastern Development).

SB Nawinna appointed Cultural Affairs Minister

MP SB Nawinna has been appointed as the Minister Cultural Affairs, Internal Affairs and Regional Development.  

STF security provided to AG Dept.

Police Special Task Force (STF) security has been provided to the Attorney General’s (AG) Department in Hulftsdorp Street with effect from last night, STF Commandant SDIG Mr. M.R. Latiff said.

UNP submits no-confidence motion against MR

The UNP today handed over a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

PM appointment constitutional: Prez to UN Chief

President Maithripala Sirisena today said he assured UN Secretary General António Guterres that the appointment of the new Prime Minister has been done in accordance with the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

No change in Nov.16 reconvening date: Govt.

November 16 remains to be the Parliament's scheduled reconvening date and not November 7 as claimed by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, the government said today. Government spokesman and MP, Keheliya Rambukwella said the President has not yet issued a gazette changing the reconvening date.

Current crisis revolves round rule of law: Ranil

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has said the present crisis is not a matter of personalities, not a matter of political parties but a question on the rule of law.

SL rupee appreciates against US Dollar

Sri Lankan rupee has appreciated to Rs.175.82 against the US Dollar when compared with yesterday’s selling rate of Rs. 177.32, the Central Bank said.  

Champika continues to work in Megapolis ministry

UNP MP Patali Champika Ranawaka in a Facebook post said he had worked at the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry this morning.

I was offered Rs. 500 mn to join Govt: Range Bandara

UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara revealed today that he was offered US$2.8 million and a ministerial portfolio to join the government.

CID ordered to arrest CDS Wijegunaratne

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today ordered the CID to arrest Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne for harbouring Lieutenant Commander Prasad Hettiarachchi and produce him in Court before November 9.

RW-Gota discussed how to avoid chaos: Milinda

During the meeting held between UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday, the duo have discussed measures to be taken to avoid any chaos, Mr. Rajapaksa’s Spokesperson Milinda Rajapaksha said.

118 MPs sign resolution against MR’s Premiership

A resolution signed by 118 MP’s against the appointment of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister and the appointments and decisions that followed, was handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today.

UN Chief spoke to President: Dr. De Silva

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has spoken to President Maithripala Sirisena last night, UNP MP Dr. Harsha De Silva said today. “We hear the Secretary General had requested the President to respect democratic values and constitutional process, uphold th

NUTA against move to appoint Rajitha as Health Minister

The National University Teachers’ Association (NUTA) had informed President Maithripala Sirisena that it was against purported moves to reappoint UNP MP Rajitha Senaratne as the Health Minister. 

Parliament to reconvene on 7: President informs Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today said President Maithripala Sirisena has agreed to reconvene parliament on November 7 instead of 16. He said the President phoned him last night to inform the decision. However, a gazette notification to end parliament prorogation is yet to be published.

UNP Group to meet Speaker today

UNP Parliamentary Group had decided to meet Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today to inform him that they had the majority in Parliament and to accept its Leader as the Prime Minister, a senior MP who did not wish to be named told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

Don’t interfere in SL domestic affairs - GSLF

Global Sri Lanka Forum (GSLF), today urged the International community not to interfere in Sri Lankan domestic affairs and condemned the recent statements made by USA, UK and European union as a gross violation of UN resolution A/RES/20/2131 of 21 December 1965 adopted by the General Assembly, which Declared on the Inadmissibility of Intervention in the Domestic Affairs of States and the Protection of Their Independence and Sovereignty.

Winner of parliamentary majority not our PM: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday people should not accept the person who secures a majority in Parliament because it means that peoples’ representatives were bought over for money to secure the majority.