Speaker agrees to allocate PM’s chair to MR

The Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had agreed to provide parliamentary privileges to newly appointed Prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa including the Premier’s chair in Parliament chambers. 

I won't stay even one hour if Ranil comes back: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena has said that he would neither let the North and East to be merged nor allow the country to be a federal state.  

Will launch massive TU action against Prez’s decision: Wickramabahu

Nava Sama Samaja Party Leader Wickramabahu Karunaratne said yesterday they would launch a massive trade union action and a riot in protest of President’s decision to remove Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister and proroguing Parliament unconstitutionally.

No evidence of foreign power: Ranil

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that there was no evidence to believe that a foreign country was behind the crisis situation in Sri Lanka.

West upset its SL agenda thwarted: Prelate

The International Community, mainly the Western Countries, was worried that their agenda in Sri Lanka was no longer operative and therefore, kept interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka, Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera said today.

Basil meets Duminda

It is reported that Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) national organizer Basil Rajapaksa held a special discussion with Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) national organizer Duminda Dissanyake today.

IUSF break into UGC

University students led by the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) today forced into the University Grants Commission (UGC) at Ward Place in Colombo breaking its front gate.

Employees being assaulted at Temple Trees: PM Office complains to IGP

The Prime Minister’s Office has lodged a complaint with the IGP over the alleged assault and intimidation of State officials by a mob at Temple Trees today.New Prime Minister’s Secretary Sirisena Amarasekara said they had transferred many officials from Temple Trees

Nuwan Zoysa charged under ICC Anti-Corruption code

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has charged Sri Lankan bowling coach Nuwan Zoysa with three counts of breaching the ICC Anti Corruption Code.

Speaker asks diplomats not to be haste to take diplomatic measures

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had requested foreign diplomats, who visited him at the Parliament Complex today, not to be haste to take diplomatic measures on the current political situation.

Tension at Temple Trees

The Official Residence of the Prime Minister Temple Trees went into few minutes of tension today, when two men claimed to be from the office of newly appointed Prime Minister, came claiming to get an inventory of the items that were in the premises.

Lankan ‘sniper’ detainee tortured and beaten in Maldives: Amnesty

Amnesty International on Tuesday condemned the “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” of a Sri Lankan detained in the Maldives, saying he has been beaten and tortured.

Nissanka taken to hospital after blow to head

A nasty incident marred the second day of the first warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club when fielder Pathum Nissanka was taken to hospital after being struck on the head by a pull shot from Jos Buttler.

Trishaw fares down by Rs.5 from midnight

Following Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s assurance that he would consider a revision of fuel pricing formula, the National Three-Wheeler Federation yesterday said they would reduce the fare of the second kilometer by Rs. 5 from midnight today.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall due to IUSF protest

Heavy traffic was reported in and around Town Hall due to a protest march carried out by the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF).

President briefs UN envoy on political situation

President Maithripala Sirisena today met UN Representative in Sri Lanka, Hanna Singer and briefed about the current political situation in the country.

Afghanistan army helicopter crash kills all 25 on board

Officials say an Afghan army helicopter carrying senior officials has crashed, killing all 25 on board, Aljazeera reported

Resolve political issues through parliament: Australia to SL

Australia today joined with many other countries which called for Sri Lanka to resolve political issues through parliament and said that issues should be addressed expeditiously through parliament.

PM change: AG says expressing opinion inappropriate

In response to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s letter over the change of premiership, Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya has said expressing an opinion on the matter would be deemed inappropriate.

SL rupee hits Rs.176 against US Dollar

The Sri Lankan Rupee again depreciated against the US Dollar today. The Rupee was selling at Rs. 176.25 against the US Dollar.

Simplifying taxes, changing fuel pricing formula in cards: MR

Assuming duties as the Finance and Economic Affairs Minister, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today said collecting taxes from the people should be simplified and the fuel pricing formula should be changed.

Deer hunter wounded in shootout with STF

One person was injured in a shootout between two suspected deer hunters and STF personnel at the Udawalawe sanctuary early this morning.

Jail term suspended, ex-President Nasheed set to return home

Ending his exile from the Maldives, the country’s Supreme Court Tuesday suspended a 13-year jail sentence handed to former President Mohamed Nasheed who now plans to return to Male as early as Thursday. Maldives President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who defeated President Abdulla Yameen in the recent elections, is expected to accompany Nasheed from Colombo to Male.

President wants peace in public institutions

President Maithripala Sirisena has made a request to the trade union leaders not to leave room for any untoward incidents in public institutions and maintain peace in them.

UNF to form new national Govt.: Rajitha

While stating that it will form a new national government, the United National Front (UNF) yesterday invited all parties to join it.  

JO to call for dissolution of House after new Govt. is formed

The joint opposition has said it will strive towards the dissolution of Parliament soon after the new government assumes office.

Won't resort to legal action, but we urge RW to leave: PM Sec

Legal action will not be instituted against UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe for not vacating Temple Trees to date, new Premier’s Secretary Sirisena Amarasekara said.

Special protection for Nalaka de Silva

Former DIG Nalaka de Silva, who is in remand custody in connection with the alleged plot to assassinate several VIPs, has been provided with special protection, a Prisons Department official said.

If Vote on Account defeated - Prez can dissolve Parliament: Wijeyadasa

Newly-sworn in Education and Higher Education Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today President Maithripala Sirisena had ‘inherent powers' to dissolve Parliament in case the Vote on Account to be presented by the new government was defeated.

We'll take the struggle countrywide: UNP

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today the UNP and its allies will take this struggle to secure the people’s sovereignty countrywide.