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.

UPFA withdraws from Govt.

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) today withdrew from the government, UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said.

SL Commander in Mali - We're not responsible for his recall: HRCSL

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) yesterday categorically rejected allegations of being responsible in any manner for the UN request for the repatriation of Lt. Col. Kalana Amunupura, the Commander of the Sri Lankan Military Contingent deployed in Mali as part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission.

Nalaka de Silva arrested over plot to kill an ASP: Police

Ex-TID DIG Nalaka de Silva was arrested in connection with the alleged plot to kill ASP Prasanna Alwis and not in connection with the alleged plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

State bank in Mattegoda robbed

Three gunmen had forcibly entered into a State bank in Mattegoda this afternoon and escaped with cash and jewellery, Police said.

MR’s security can be stepped up if threats have increased: PM

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security can be stepped up if threats to his life had increased, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.Responding to concerns raised by JO MP Dinesh Gunawardane, the premier went on to say that Mr.Rajapaksa was already provided with special security for his residences in Wijerama, Medamulana and Carlton House.

Ali Roshan, six others granted bail

S.N. Roshan alias ‘Ali Roshan’ and six others were granted bail by the Colombo Special High Court today.The seven accused were summoned by the Court today over the charges of possessing four elephants without a valid license during the period of 2012 to 2015. They were released on a c

Drone hovering over Ravi’s house: Three summoned

Three persons including a manager of a private drone operating firm had been summoned by the Thalangama Police to record statements over the incident where a drone was found hovering over MP Ravi Karunanayake’s residence.

Two Pakistanis who swallowed heroin capsules arrested

Two Pakistan nationals, a man and a woman, were arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau at the BIA while arriving in Sri Lanka from Lahore after swallowing heroin capsules yesterday afternoon, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Stray dogs invade public institutions in Colombo

Several complaints have been received by the Colombo Municipality that stray dogs have invaded several public institutions including some leading schools and hospitals and is a nuisance and a danger to visitors, CMC Chief Veterinary Surgeon Dr. I.V.P. Dharmawardane said yesterday.

Govt. to invite India to develop WCT

The government has decided to invite India to develop the West Container Terminal (WCT) in the Colombo Port as a joint venture with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

Dissolve Cabinet, form caretaker govt.: Rathana Thera

President Maithripala Sirisena should immediately dissolve the Cabinet and establish a caretaker government with the support of all political parties, Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera yesterday said.

New constitution: Second interim report on Nov. 7?

The second interim report of the new constitution is to be presented to the Constitutional Assembly by the steering committee on Nov. 7, top government sources said yesterday.

Expose RAW agents and resign: Dilan tells Amaraweera

If the Cabinet consists of four agents of the Indian spy agency RAW, what UPFA General Secretary and Minister Mahinda Amaraweera should do is to expose them and quit the government immediately, SLFP dissident Dilan Perera said yesterday.

Govt. must intervene to increase daily wage: Digambaram

The government should intervene in addressing the estate workers' demand for a daily wage of Rs.1000, if not he will have to reconsider his decision to be in the government, Hill Country New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development Minister Palani Digambaram said.

Nalaka de Silva remanded

Former DIG of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) Nalaka de Silva was remanded till November 7 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today. He was arrested by the CID over the alleged assassination plot on several VIPs, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Court refuses to accept AG’s secret document

The Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court today refused to accept a secret document to be filed by the Attorney General in the Central Bank bond scam case. Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna said it should be filed in court as a public document.

UK court opens inquest into two ruggerites’ deaths in SL

The Durham Coroner's Court in England has opened an inquest into the deaths of two British rugby players who died while on tour in Sri Lanka, the Northern Echo News reported on Thursday. Thomas Andrew Howard and Thomas Reed Baty, both from Durham, died in Colombo while on tour with Clems Pirates, part of Durham City Rugby Club.

Fmr. TID DIG Nalaka Silva arrested

Former DIG of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) Nalaka de Silva was arrested by the CID a short while ago over the alleged assassination plot on several VIPs, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Army decided to recall Lt. Col. Kalana Amunupure from Mali

Sri Lanka Army today said it has decided to recall Commander of its 200-strong contingent assigned to the UN peacekeeping force in Mali, Lieutenant Colonel Kalana Amunupura in response to the request made by the United Nations.

Grade-5 scholarship exam not compulsory anymore: Akila

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday he had instructed his Ministry Secretary to rescind the circular which made the Grade 5 scholarship examination compulsory for schoolchildren .

People will be disappointed if polls not held on time: BHC

Many people will be disappointed that the term in office of a sixth of nine Provincial Councils has expired without voting for new representatives taking place or planned, British High Commissioner James Dauris said.

Major, two soldiers arrested for supplying ammo to criminals

A 40-year-old Major and two soldiers were arrested by the Siyambalanduwa Police today on charges of supplying ammunition to the underworld figure ‘Laddu Roshan’ who was arrested on Sunday.  

15 SE Uni. students arrested for Contempt of Court

Fifteen students of the South Eastern University had been arrested this morning for laying siege on the administrative building disobeying the court order, the Akkaraipattu Police said.

Ravi K says TV Channel’s drone hovering over his house

MP Ravi Karunanayake said in Parliament that his house was being video recorded by a private TV Channel using a drone camera. 

Namal Kumara alleges SF behind DIG Nalaka

Anti-Corruption Force Operations Director Namal Kumara yesterday said that in his initial statement to the CID, he had mentioned that Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka’s name and questioned whether Fonseka had got to know about it.

Chefs preparing Lankan food injured in gas explosion in Canberra

Four young chefs were preparing Sri Lankan food for an upcoming event when a gas explosion scorched their pop-up kitchen on Wednesday night, leaving them with severe burns.

Fmr. DIG Nalaka arrives at CID for the fifth time

Former Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) DIG Nalaka Silva arrived at the CID for the fifth day to give a statement over the inquiry into the alleged assassination plot on President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

‘So Sri Lanka’ to become newest tourism tagline

‘So Sri Lanka’ will become Sri Lanka’s new tourism tagline from November 5, replacing ‘Wonder of Asia’, Mirror Business reliably learns.

Govt. to seek clarity from UNHRC: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have said the Government should get certain matters clarified with regard to the implementation of the provisions of the UNHRC Resolution 30/1 on Sri Lanka, it is learnt.