Mahinda Samarasinghe, Keheliya appointed new govt. spokesmen

United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs Mahinda Samarasinghe and Keheliya Rambukwella have been appointed as new government Spokesmen.

Change in political landscape to create short-lived hype at bourse: Industry experts

Industry experts say the Colombo bourse is expected to have vibrant activity today, following the sudden and unexpected change in the country’s political landscape, but the majority opined the hype would be short-lived.

US calls on President to reconvene parliament immediately

The US on Sunday called on President Maithripala Sirisena to immediately reconvene parliament and allow the democratically elected representatives to fulfil their responsibilities.

RW’s security reduced from 1,008 to 10

The security detail of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had been reduced to 10 personnel from 1,008 on the directions of the IGP, Police said.

Indonesian Aircraft goes down after Jakarta take-off

A Lion Air Boeing 737 passenger plane has come down after taking off from Jakarta, say Indonesian officials.

UNP mulls impeaching President

United National Party (UNP) yesterday said it is contemplating bringing in an impeachment on President Maithripala Sirisena but had not made any final decision on it.

We will take to the street: UNP

While highlighting that they will bring in an impeachment motion against President Maithripala Sirisena, UNP senior Ministers and MPs yesterday said they will take to the streets and protest against what they called a constitutional coup and the proroguing in Parliament.

MR invites all political parties to join his administration

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a statement, invited all the political parties represented in Parliament to join his administration.

Underworld gang clash kills two

Two underworld figures were stabbed to death following a clash between two underworld gangs at Jalthara in Hanwella on Sunday night, police said

Removal of Ranil is unconstitutional: Jayampathy

Parliamentarian Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne today said that the removal of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was unconstitutional as President Maithripala Sirisena appointed Mr. Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister of the UNF government on August 21, 2015 and not as the Prime Minister of the national government.

Parliament prorogued to present- Vote on Account in place of Budget 2019: Hemakumara

President Maithripala Sirisena prorogued Parliament following the change of government to present a Vote on Account in place of the budget 2019 and to reorganize the new Ministries, President of the Provincial Governors’ Collective, Southern Province Governor Hemakumara Nanayakkara said today.

Provincial Governors express support to Prez, PM

Governors of all provinces expressed their unstinted support and cooperation to President Maithripala Sirisena and the new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today.

Tomorrow not a public holiday

The Government Information Department states tomorrow has not been declared a public holiday, denies rumors.  

One dead in shooting at CPC premises

A person who was admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo following the shooting at the CPC premises this evening has succumbed due to injuries, police said.

Fb fans drug party: Police bust up 58 suspects

The Haputale Police has busted 58 suspects including a female who were engaging in illicit behaviour at a holiday resort in Beragala Road in Viharagala in Haputale at a function organize by the Facebook fan community this evening, police said.

MR as PM totally in accordance with the Constitution: Prez

Addressing the nation a short while ago, President Maithripala Sirisena said that appointing Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister was totally  in accordance with the Constitution.

Three injured at CPC premises shooting

Three persons were injured in a shooting incident and a security personnel was arrested at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) premises in Dematagoda following a tense situation today, police said.

Unconstitutional removal of PM will create instability: Church of Ceylon

The arbitrary removal of a sitting Prime Minister in an unconstitutional manner will plunge the nation into a state of instability, fear and chaos, the Diocese of Colombo of the Church of Ceylon said.

Stern action if anyone obstructs RW from functioning as PM: Sagala

The government would pursue stern action against anyone obstructing Ranil Wickremesinghe from functioning as the Prime Minister, Mr. Wickremesinghe's Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka said.In a statement, he said the Prime Minister's position was rightfully Mr. Wickremesinghe’s.  

Hope democratic values would be respected in SL: India

India Sunday said it was closely following the political developments in Sri Lanka and hoped that democratic values and constitutional process would be respected in the island nation.

UNP MP Vadivel Suresh pledges support to MR

UNP Badulla District MP Vadivel Suresh today met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and pledged his support in the Parliament.

Prices of food and plain tea reduced: AICOA

Due to the prevailing political situation in the country, the All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) has decided to reduce the price of food and plain tea with effect from tomorrow (October 29).

Speaker writes to President

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in a letter to the President Maithripala Sirisena informed today that he had received a request asking that the privileges of Ranil Wickremesinghe be protected until the person with the confidence of a majority in Parliament is established as Prime Minister.

Two Pakistanis arrested with heroin in Kollupitiya

Two Pakistani nationals were arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau officers on charges of possessing 891 grams of heroin valued around Rs.10.6 million at Marine Drive, Kollupitiya last night.

Chinese Ambassador calls on RW

Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan paid a courtesy call on UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening. Earlier, the envoy called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at his residence and conveyed wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Prez to address nation, new Cabinet on Monday: Yapa

President Maithripala Sirisena is expected to address the nation tomorrow while the new Cabinet of Ministers would be appointed on Monday, UPFA MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena today said.

Chinese Ambassador meets new PM

Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Cheng Xueyuan called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at his residence today and conveyed wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Prez had issues on UNP’s reaction to assassination plot: Nimal Siripala

President Maithripala Sirisena had issues with how Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the UNP reacted to the assassination plot on him, SLFP MP Nimal Siripala De Silva said.

Ranil meets diplomats at Temple Trees

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is having a special meeting with diplomats including high commissioners and ambassadors at Temple Trees.

New Cabinet likely to take oath tomorrow

It is reported that the Cabinet of the new government was scheduled to take oath at the Presidential Secretariat tomorrow morning.