Shirani Bandaranayake’s removal was lawful: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said the removal of former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake took place in a lawful manner during their rule as per the Constitutional provisions, and added however the removal of Mohan Peiris as Chief Justice by this government was unlawful.

Speaker instructs officials to supervise food supply in parliament

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has instructed relevant officials to supervise the process of food supply in parliament in the wake of the President's claim that parliament wasted the most amount of food in the country.

"Ministers who leaked RAW canard must be exposed"

Four cabinet Ministers who had told the canard that President Mithripala Sirisena at Tuesday's cabinet meeting had incriminated India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for an attempt on his life, to the Hindu Newspaper Colombo Correspondent Meera Srinuivasan must be exposed and they themselves must come forward and admit the blunder and apologize, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said today.  

China says its loans only 10% of SL’s foreign debts

While reiterating that China was not dragging Sri Lanka into a debt trap, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said Chinese loans only accounted for around 10% of Sri Lanka's foreign debts by 2017.  

Trains on up-country line delayed due to derailment

The train services on the upcountry railway line had come to a standstill following a train derailment near the Demodara Railway Station, the Railway Control Room said.

Nalaka leaves CID after nine hours: summoned again tomorrow

Nine-hour long statement was recorded from former Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) DIG Nalaka Silva today by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over the inquiry into the alleged assassination plot on President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Mangala finally reveals ‘Fuel pricing formula’

The fuel pricing formula was revealed by Finance MinisterManagala Samaraweera today at a press conference.

SLFP Gen. Secy takes on Rajitha

The cabinet spokesman saying “will be hanged”, “should be hanged,” “everyone will be put in jail” at a press conference will give rise to serious questions in the minds of the people about the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary in a country like ours that is still evolving a mature political culture, SLFP General Secretary Professor Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa said yesterday.

BOI comprised of highly respected professionals: Malik

Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama today said the Board of Directors of the Board of Investment (BOI) comprised of highly respected professionals, who functioned with utmost responsibility and Integrity.

PM leaves for India

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today left for India on a three-day official visit.

Bribery case: LDB Chairman remanded till Oct.23

Livestock Development Board (LDB) Chairman K. Muthuvinayagam and his accounts assistant who, were arrested by Bribery Commission officials over bribery charges, were further remanded till October 23 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today.

Mawanella SLFP Organizer arrested with three weapons

Mawanella SLFP Organizer Imitiaz Cader had been arrested by the STF this morning with three weapons including a MP5K weapon used only for VIP protection in Sri Lanka, a T-56 rifle, a repeater and rounds of ammunition, STF sources said.  

An -124, Boeing 737 land at MRIA

The world’s second largest cargo aircraft Antonov An-124 Ruslan and the twinjet passenger aircraft Boeing 737 landed at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), Airport Manager Upali Kalansuriya said.

Fmr. TID DIG Nalaka arrives at CID

Former Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) DIG Kaushal Nalaka de Silva arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) a short while ago over the inquiry into the alleged assassination plot on President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, CID sources said.

'Hybrid Sudda' arrested with heroin worth Rs. 13 mn

A 37-year-old Rasanga Gunasekara alias “Hybrid Sudda” was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) with 1.1 kilograms of heroin worth over Rs. 13 million at Angampitiya, Padukka early this morning, Police said.

Inside Politics; Govt. in turmoil as Prez-PM clash

Animosity between President Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe took new heights on Tuesday as the two leaders embroiled themselves in a heated exchange of words at the weekly Cabinet meeting. 

Indian envoy meets Prez over RAW claim

In the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena reportedly implicating India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in the alleged assassination attempt on him, Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu called on him yesterday and sought clarification in this regard, it is learnt.

No new proposal to handover ECT Development to India

No new Cabinet proposal had been submitted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe or any minister to handover the Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal (ECT) development to India, the Daily Mirror learns.

UNP finds 25 men to axe

The United National Party (UNP) said it had identified 25 of its electoral organizers to be axed under its reorganization programme, it is learnt.

Assassination plot: PM to discuss with India

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would have a discussion with the Indian authorities on the alleged plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena, a Spokesman from the Prime Minister’s office said yesterday.  

Cheap, low octane petrol for three-wheelers next month: Minister

A new petrol type would be introduced only for three-wheelers for low cost by next month, Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said.

Cabraal-led Expert Committee for economic crisis: JO

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had decided to appoint a Special Economic Committee headed by former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, to look into the economic crisis in the country, and to provide recommendations, the Joint Opposition (JO) said today.

Director boards of BOC, Peoples Bank, BOI dissolved

The director boards of the Bank of Ceylon, Peoples Bank and Board of Investment (BOI) were dissolved by President Maithripala Sirisena with effect from midnight today, Presidential Media Unit said.  

Rajitha downplays assassination plot on Prez.

Cabinet Spokesman Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne today downplayed the conspiracy theory of an alleged attempt on the lives of President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and added there was still no sufficient evidence to prove an assassination plot.

President phones PM Modi

President Maithripala Sirisena had spoken with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening and had cordial discussions on several key issues including the development activities in Sri Lanka and bilateral ties, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Suspect a RAW member bearing ID number RB317217/VJ: JO

The Joint Opposition (JO) today said the Indian national, who claimed of a plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family members, was identified as an India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) member bearing the RAW identity card number of RB317217/VJ.

Mom wants me to quit politics: Senasinghe

Denying the bribery allegation over the high-speed railway project, State Minister of International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe said that his mother had asked him to leave politics due to continual issues coming towards him.

No decision to sell Trinco Oil Tank Farm: Ranatunga

While rejecting accusations by various parties over the selling of Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm to India, Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said the Ministry has not decided to sell the oil tanks which are not being used.

President never mentioned RAW: PMD

With reference to recent local and international media reports that President Maithripala Sirisena was reported to have mentioned at the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday (16), about an alleged plot to assassinate him by the Indian Intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the President Media Division (PMD) today clarified that the President had not mentioned any involvement of an Indian intelligence service.

Minister recommends NPC to interdict DIG Nalaka

Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara has recommended the National Police Commission (NPC) to interdict DIG Nalaka Silva, based on the ongoing investigation into the alleged plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.