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.

I’ll support if UNP wants to defeat Budget: MR

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that one of the main objectives of his Government was to go for General Elections and therefore, he would support the United National Party (UNP) if it wanted to defeat the Vote on Account.

Vote on Account on November

The Government would present a Vote on Account as its second item when Parliament meets, seeking approval to financial allocations to run the country for an interim period, it is learnt.  

Gota meets Ranil over deadlock

Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions yesterday evening on how to overcome the present deadlock, informed sources told the Daily Mirror last night.

Swamy wants SL Tamil leaders to work with MR

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Subramanian Swamy today urged Sri Lankan Tamil Community as well as its senior respected leaders like Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan to try for a working arrangement with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse for the sake of Tamil issues.

Several initiatives to revive economy: Finance Ministry

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Mahinda Rajapaksa has given direction to implement several initiatives to revive the economy as the consumers are saddled with high cost of living, Finance ministry said today.

Telecommunication Levy reduced from 25% to 15%

The Finance ministry said today telecommunication Levy of 25% will be reduced to 15% from midnight today.  

Prices of Dhal, Chickpeas and black gram reduced

Special Commodity Levy on a kilo of Dhal was reduced by Rs.5, Chickpeas by Rs. 5 and black gram by Rs.25 per kilo from midnight today, Finance Ministry said.  

I told you so: SF

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who was highly critical on the newly appointed Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said what he said about him in the recent past had come true today.

Fuel price reduced

The price of a litre of Petrol had been reduced by Rs.10 while a liter of Auto Diesel was reduced by Rs.7 with effect from midnight  today, the Ministry of Finance said.

Grero, Hizbullah, Sriyani appointed state ministers

MP Mohan Lal Grero was sworn in as the State Minister of Education and Higher Education and MP M. L. A. M. Hizbullah was sworn in as the State Minister of Highways and Road Development a short while ago.

Piyasena Gamage, State Minister of Youth, Lakshman Senewiratne Defence

Piyasena Gamage was sworn in as State Minister of Youth, Women and Child Affairs while Lakshman Senewiratne was sworn in as State Minister of Defence.

Dayasiri gets Skills Development Ministry

UPFA MP Dayasiri Jayasekara was appointed as the Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister of the new Cabinet.

Duminda appointed Irrigation Minister

UPFA MP Duminda Dissanayake was appointed as the Irrigation, Water Resources and Disaster Management Minister by President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago.

SLC CFO re-remanded over alleged financial fraud

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Chief Financial Officer Piyal Dissanayake who was arrested by the CID over an alleged financial fraud of US$ 187,084 has been re-remanded until November 15 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate.

Our numbers are solid: Harsha

UNP MP Dr.Harsha De Silva today said their UNP numbers are solid albeit one or two ‘beggars’ who might still fall prey. “All our constituent parties are also fully with us. We all know that neither the TNA nor the JVP will support the fake Prime Minister. We are absolutely certain of the majority on the 5th,” he said in a tweet.

No change in Parliament date: Susil

Parliament would reconvene on November 16 as per the Gazette issued by President Maithripala Sirisena and not on Monday, November 5, UPFA MP Susil Premajayantha said today.

No trains on Northern line from Monday: Railway TUs

Railway trade unions today said that the train services on the northern railway line would be disrupted from this Sunday night if the Police failed to arrest those who were involved with Pothuhera blockade incident last evening, within 48 hrs.

Complaint against MPs Thewarapperuma, Hesha

Mawbima Wenuwen Ranawiruwo Convener Major (Rtd.) Ajith Prasanna has lodged a complaint with the Kollupitiya Police stating that he was allegedly assaulted by a group led by UNP MPs Palitha Thwewarapperuma and Hesha Vithana outside Temple Trees premises today.

Speaker not accepted MR as new PM: Ajith P Perera

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had not accepted Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister, UNP MP Ajith P Perera said today.

Tax concessions on several consumer goods: MR

Tax concessions on several consumer goods would be gazetted tomorrow, Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Increased import tax on big onions, potatoes extended

The special commodity levy on imported big onions and potatoes would be extended for a period of one month with effect from today, the Finance Ministry announced.

SL rupee hits Rs.177 against US Dollar

The Sri Lankan Rupee further depreciated against the US Dollar today. According to the exchange rates of the Central Bank, the Rupee was selling at Rs.177.32 against the US Dollar. 

Parliament likely to meet on Nov.5

President Maithripala Sirisena had said that Parliament likely to be re-convened on Monday, November 5, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Drug trafficker nabbed in Negombo with heroin worth Rs. 10mn

The officials of the Narcotics Unit of the Excise Department arrested a man on the charges of possessing 700 g of heroin valued at Rs. 10 million at Kurana in Negombo this morning.