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.

UK Minister concerned by ongoing political developments in SL

UK Minister for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field said he was concerned by ongoing political developments in Sri Lanka and was following this fast-moving situation closely.

Change in premiership - Upsets countries indifferent to polls delay: Dullas

It is deplorable to find the foreign countries and organisations, which remained silent about the delay in holding elections appearing concerned about the change of premiership, MP Dullas Alahapperuma said today.

12 Ministry Secretaries appointed

The secretaries to twelve ministries were appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon.

Dunesh Gankanda appointed State Minister of Environment

UNP MP Dunesh Gankanda was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena as the State Minister of Environment of the new Cabinet.  

Lankan man steals taxi, causes accident in Japan

A 43-year-old Sri Lankan man had been arrested today on suspicion of stealing a taxi and reckless driving resulting in injury by crashing into a car as he fled from police, Japanese Police said.

Opp. Leader Post was not discussed with MR: Sampanthan

The post of Opposition Leader was not discussed during the meeting held between Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the TNA said today.

Now EU urges Prez to reconvene Parliament

A day after the US called on President Maithripala Sirisena to immediately reconvene Parliament, the European Union (EU) said the President should allow the immediate reconvening of Parliament.

UNP protest: several roads closed

Several roads leading to Kollupitiya including the Green path were closed temporarily due to the United National Party (UNP) protest which is being held near the Temple Trees in Kollupitiya, police said.

FR petition filed against parliament prorogation

A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition was filed in the Supreme Court by a public interest litigation lawyer against the gazette notification issued proroguing parliament sessions.  

Fuel pricing formula to be scrapped?

The fuel pricing formula is likely to be scrapped from next month, MP Dullas Alahapperuma said today. However, he said a final decision would be taken by the Cabinet in this regard and would be announced shortly.

B’gamuwa tragedy: Lady doctor granted bail

The lady doctor -- who was involved in the Boralesgamuwa tragedy where a Police Inspector was killed and his wife and two children badly injured -- was granted bail by the Gangodawila Magistrate today. 

UNP protest against MR’s premiership commences

The protest organised by the United National Party (UNP) against the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister commenced in Colombo a short while ago.

Reconvene Parliament: Speaker makes ‘kind request’ to Prez

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had made a ‘kind request’ to President Maithripala Sirisena to reconvene Parliament to “prevent the country from falling into a crisis.”    

Injunction Order over UNP protest

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued an Injunction Order preventing UNP protesters from inconveniencing the public.

IGP meets Top Brass

IGP Pujith Jayasundera had instructed Senior Officers to take necessary action on any situation in Colombo today.

LKR hits record low

The Sri Lankan Rupee against US Dollar today hit a record low with selling price surpassing the 175. 

President tells diplomats he acted according to the constitution

President Maithripala Sirisena briefing foreign diplomats at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday had emphasized that new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed according to the powers vested in him in the constitution, the President’s office said.  

Sampanthan meets PM Rajapaksa

Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan held discussions with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at his Wijerama residence this morning, the PM’s media unit said.

Mattegoda state bank robbery: Rs. 58.6 mn cash, jewellery recovered

Four suspects had been arrested by the Mount Lavinia Police this morning along with Rs. 9.3 million in cash and Rs. 49.3 million worth jewellery, which was stolen from a state bank in Mattegoda last Friday, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Security details of ex-ministers to be reduced

The security details of all former ministers would be reduced to the security provided to a parliamentarian on the instruction of IGP Pujith Jayasundara, police said. 

UNP to hold demo at Liberty Roundabout today

The UNP will hold a demonstration at the Liberty Roundabout in Kollupitiya at 12 noon today against the unconstitutional appointment of a new prime minister, party’s General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told a media briefing held at Temple Trees yesterday.

PC polls: Neither here nor there

A Supreme Court determination will be sought by the Election Commission on its role against the backdrop of the government's repeated failure to hold provincial council elections, EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday.

Prez says PC Polls will be held soon

The new government will take steps to hold provincial council elections as early as possible, President Mithripala Sirisena said and that he would discuss this matter with the Election Commission soon.

No need for Prez to consult Speaker: GL

The joint opposition said yesterday there was no need for President Maithripala Sirisena to consult the Speaker when proroguing Parliament.  

Hold party leaders meeting: Kiriella tells Speaker

House Leader Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday he requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to summon a party leaders meeting to discuss the convening of Parliament without further delay.

Countrywide fuel distribution will be restored by Wednesday: CPPBOA

The Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners' Association (CPPBOA) yesterday said the countrywide the fuel supply would come to normal by Wednesday (31) evening.