Sirisena Amarasekara appointed Prime Minister’s Secretary

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed Sirisena Amarasekara as the Secretary to new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.  

Over 20 UNP MPs ready to support MR: Ananda Aluthgamage

UNP MP Ananda Aluthgamage, who pledged his support to new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, said today more than twenty UNP MPs would join the government to support Mr. Rajapaksa.

JVP decides not to support any party

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura kumara Dissanayake said today they would not support any of the political parties to form a government.  

Removing Ranil as PM constitutional: G.L.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman G.L. Peiris said the removal of Ranil Wickremersinghe from the Premiership by the President was constitutional.

Nalaka Kaluwewa appointed Actg Director General of Information

Acting Additional Secretary of Presidential Secretariat, Nalaka Kaluwewa has been appointed Acting Director General of Information, President's Media Division said.

Saman Ekanayake removed as Prime Minister’s Secretary

President Maithripala Sirisena has removed Saman Ekanayeka as the Secretary to former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

Parliament prorogued

President Maithripala Sirisena has prorogued Parliament till November 16, Speaker's office said.

EU urges all parties to act in accordance with SL's Constitution

The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) and several other ambassadors of EU countries today urged all parties to fully act in accordance with Sri Lanka’s constitution, to refrain from violence, to follow due institutional process, to respect the independence of institutions, and freedom of media.  

I have majority support in Parliament: Ranil

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today the Prime Minister should be the person who has the majority support in parliament and that he commands the majority support.

SLMC supports Ranil

The seven members of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) have decided to pledge their support to the United National Party (UNP), Deputy National Organizer of SLMC Faisal Kasim said.  

CWC supports MR

The two members of the Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) have decided to support newly appointed Prime Minster Mahinda Rajapaksa.  

Two gazettes issued removing Ranil and appointing MR as PM

Two extraordinary gazette notifications have been issued by the President removing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe from the Premiership and appointing Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister.

Leave of all police personnel cancelled

On the instruction of IGP Pujith Jayasundera, leave of all Police personnel have been canceled with immediate effect, until further notice, police spokesman said.  

UK ask SL to follow due political process; updates travel advisory

All parties and competent authorities in Sri Lanka should respect the Constitution and follow due political process, British State Minister for Asia and Pacific Mark Field said. He said the UK was following the latest developments in Sri Lanka closely and with concern.

US want SL to follow Constitution, refrain from violence

The United States a short while ago called on all parties in Sri Lanka to act in accordance with the Constitution, refrain from violence and follow due process. In a tweet, the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs of the US Department of State said it was following the events in Sri Lanka.

House approves to obtain loans amounting to Rs.310 bn

The House yesterday approved the resolution moved by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera to obtain loans amounting to Rs.310 billion under the provisions of the Active Liability Management Bill and the supplementary estimate presented by Highways and Road Development Minister Kabir Hashim seeking approval for Rs.30 billion for road development during the period January 1 to December 31, 2018.

PRECIFAC Report - English, Tamil translations tabled in House

English and Tamil translations of the report submitted by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) was tabled in parliament yesterday.

IGP Pujith Jayasundara in discussion with MR

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara arrived at Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa‘s residence and was in discussion with Mr. Rajapaksa after he was sworn in as the Prime Minister.

I command confidence of Parliament: Ranil to Prez

UNP leader Ranil Wckremesinghe in a letter to the President said he was the constitutionally appointed Prime Minister and continues in that office.

Rupavahini goes off air

The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation transmission was taken off air, it was reported.

Vasantha Senanayake pledges support to MR

Minister Vasantha Senanayake said he would pledge his support to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and congratulated the president for his wisdom.

UNP MP Ananda Aluthgamage joins JO

UNP MP Ananda Aluthgamage has joined the joint opposition.  

Parliament should decide on Premiership: Ranil

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said it was up to parliament to decide the Premiership.

Prez. removes Ranil from Premiership

President Maithripala Sirisena has informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in writing that he has been removed as the Prime Minister with immediate effect according to clause (42) 4 of the Constitution.  

TPA in crisis meeting: Mano Ganesan

Minister Mano Ganesan said in a twitter message that the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) was in a crisis meeting with their Six MPs.

UNP gathered at Temple Trees to discuss current situation

United National Party (UNP) MPs are reported to have gathered at the Temple Tree to discuss the current situation.  

I am still Prime Minister: Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he would continue to function as the Prime Minster claiming that the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa was unconstitutional.

MR swearing in as PM illegal: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said in a twitter message that the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister was unconstitutional and illegal.

Discussion in progress on future activities of Govt.

It is reported that a discussion is being held at the Presidential Secretariat attended by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss about the future activities of the government including the appointment of the Cabinet.  

MR sworn in as Prime Minister

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has sworn in as the Prime Minister before President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago.