PC Elections- Political parties to disclose stance by Oct.31

Political parties have reportedly agreed to inform the Election Commission prior to October 31 about of their stance on the conduct of provincial council elections .

LIOC-CPC to develop Trinco oil tank farm: Arjuna

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) will jointly administer and develop the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm, Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arujna Ranatuga told Parliament yesterday.

As a Buddhist I feel sad for Duminda: Hirunika

Referring to the Supreme Court’s confirmation of the death sentence imposed on Duminda Silva, UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said today as a Buddhist she felt sorry for him but as a was happy at the court ruling.

Justice Nalin Perera sworn in as Chief Justice

Justice Nalin Perera has been appointed as the 46th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, before President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago, the President's Media Division announced.

FCID returns Ford Mustang imported by Namal to owner

The controversial Ford Mustang which was reportedly imported by MP Namal Rajapaksa, was today returned to its current owner by the FCID.

CAA imposes maximum retail price on sugar

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today imposed maximum retail prices for non-packeted and packeted white sugar as Rs.100 and Rs.105 respectively per kilogramme with effect from midnight today.

I nominated the most senior and experienced SC Judge: MS

For the first time in Sri Lanka's judicial history I have nominated the most senior and experienced Supreme Court Judge to the post of Chief Justice, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

Russia is interested in closer ties with SL: Putin

Russia, which maintains traditionally friendly relations with Sri Lanka, is interested in closer trade and economic cooperation, including in fishery, agriculture and tourism, President Vladimir Putin has said on Thursday.

81 injured in Lunugamwehera bus accident

At least 81 passengers were injured when an SLTB and a private bus collided head on at Lunugamwehera on the Hambanthota-Wellawaya Main Road this afternoon, police said.

Only Musaeus did it well: President

President Maithripala Sirisena today said he was very disappointed by the level of training and discipline of the government school students by what he saw at the concluding ceremony of the National School Games held recently.

CC approves President’s nominee as Chief Justice

The Constitutional Council (CC) has approved the President’s nominee as the new Chief Justice, the Speaker’s Office said today.This was the first appointment which was considered by the CC under its new members. It met at noon today under the chairmanship of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.

Sri Lanka-Bangladesh FTA soon: Minister

Bangladesh expects to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka during the tenure of the incumbent government as both countries have already completed looking into the feasibility, Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday said.

SL rejects US claims, says no Chinese military base at H’tota

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has rejected US' claim that China might set up a "forward military base" at Hambantota Port, describing it as "imaginary", the Economic Times reported on Thursday.

Post of CJ: Prez nominates SC Judge Nalin Perera

President Maithripala Sirisena has nominated Supreme Court Judge Nalin Perera to the post of Chief Justice which will fall vacant today with the retirement of the present incumbent, it is learnt. The President has referred his nominee to be considered by the Constitutional Council (CC). It will be the first appointment to be considered by the CC under its new members. It will meet at

Coalition government: MR says only a proposal on the table

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said at present there was only a proposal on the table to form a coalition government and re-iterated that there had been no discussions in this regard as yet. Responding to a question raised by a journalist at the Abhayaramaya in Colombo, Mr. Rajapaksa said there was only a proposal on the table at the moment.

Govt. presents Chemical Weapons Convention Amendment Bill

The government yesterday presented the Chemical Weapons Convention Amendment Bill in Parliament. The Ministry of Defence which is under the purview of President Maithripala Sirisena shall be in charge of implementing the said legislation.

Over 200,000 nabbed with drugs from 2010

It was revealed today that 202,777 locals and 230 foreigners have been taken into custody for drugs such as heroin, Kerala ganja and cocaine from 2010 to September 20 this year.

Explore ways to reduce fuel prices: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had requested the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Ministry of Finance to look for ways and means of reducing fuel prices and to provide a report to him regarding the same.

Court refuses to release PTL's Rs.1bn funds

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today refused to release Rs.1 billion belonging to Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL), that had been maintained in the Central Bank's RTGS account prior to the controversial bond scam.

Govt. to present Commissions of Inquiry Amendment Bill

The government is expected to present the Commissions of Inquiry Amendment Bill in the near future which will provide provisions for the Bribery Commission (BC) to use the same evidence utilised by presidential commissions for investigations.

Malaysia to abolish death penalty

Malaysia's Cabinet has agreed to abolish the death penalty and halt pending executions, Al Jazeera reported a short while ago.It said a proposed bill on abolishing capital punishment is likely to be discussed by the government when the Malaysian Parliament meets on Monday.  

Anandan accuses Sampanthan

TNA MP Sivasakthi Anandan today accused Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan of violating his freedom of speech in Parliament.“As an MP representing the people of Wanni, I have a right to speak on behalf of them. But the opposition leader continuously deprived me of this right. I have written to the Speaker about this situation. I personally explained to him about the injustice meted out. But nothing

Ten sentenced to death for killing six of same family

Ten accused who were found guilty of killing six members from the same family at Angunakolapelessa in 1998, were sentenced to death by the Tangalle High Court today.

SC upholds death sentence on Duminda Silva

The Supreme Court today affirmed the death sentence imposed by the High Court on ex-MP Duminda Silva and two others who were convicted of killing former presidential adviser Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra when the SC took up for hearing the appeal filed by the accused challenging the HC order.

Malik rejects allegation of soliciting USD 25 mn commission

Minister of Development Strategies and International trade Malik Samarawickrama yesterday rejected the allegations made by a company that he and his State Minister had demanded a commission of US 25 million to have a project to produce and export High-Speed Trains.

Fire at Pelawatte: Efforts being made to stop fire from spreading

The leading clothing store, Cool Planet at Pelawatte in Battaramulla was destroyed in a major fire which is still raging nearly three hours later.  

Fire at Pelawatte: SLAF deploys Bell 212

Sri Lanka Air Force deployed Bell 212 helicopter with Bambi bucket to douce the major fire that broke out at the leading clothing store Cool Planet at Pelawatte, Battaramulla.

Members appointed for Constitutional Council

Parliament today approved three representatives of the Civic Society to the Constitutional Council, Parliament sources said.

PM visit to UK: Four arrested during protest in Oxford

Four men were arrested under the Terrorism Act while protesting against the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's visit to Oxford.

Non-registration of SAITM medico: Court summons SLMC

The Court of Appeal today issued summons on the members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) for Contempt of Court over non registration of medical graduate of the SAITM.