I never made a confession: Hirunika

Government MP Hirunika Premachandra told Parliament today that she did not make a confession on the case of abduction case in which her supporters were alleged to have been involved.

Maga Neguma welfare society funded Rs.20 mn for Hirunika’s political activities: FCID

It was reported before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today, that a sum amounting to Rs. 20 million had been spent through an account belonging to the Welfare Society of the Maga Neguma Construction Equipment company to fund the political activities of Hirunika Premachandra who is currently a member of Parliament.

Voice samples match with those in tape: CID

The Government Analyst’s report states that the voice samples provided by DIG Nalaka de Silva and Namal Kumara have tallied with those in the tape, the CID said.

Tourist Board-managed holiday resorts not up to the required standard

State Minister of Tourism, Ranjith Aluvihare said today the conditions prevailing in the holiday resorts, circuit bungalows and hotels operated by the Sri Lanka Tourism Board were not up to the required standard and should be refurbished.  

Nikki Haley resigns as U.S. Ambassador to UN

President Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki R. Haley, has resigned, ahead of what Mr. Trump promised on Twitter on Tuesday was a “big announcement” with Ms. Haley at the White House.

Age no barrier to carry out mandate: NPC

The National Police Commission (NPC) said today the age factor of its members had no bearing whatsoever on fulfilling its mandate.It said this in response to the recent remarks made by Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who described the NPC as a home for the aged and that it served no purpose.

Keeping schools open: Provincial, Zonal Education Directors to decide

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has empowered Provincial and Zonal Education Directors to make a decision on whether to keep open schools in areas affected by the prevailing adverse weather conditions.

2015 concessions wouldn't have happened if I was FM: Mangala

Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today he would not have given the concessions given in January 2015 if it was he who had been finance minister at that time.

Govt. presents 2019 Appropriation Bill

The government today presented the 2019 Appropriation Bill amid questions being asked on the procedures that had been adopted for its presentation and the date for the budget speech.

Boralesgamuwa accident: Doctor re-remanded

The doctor, who was involved in the Boralesgamuwa accident in which a Police Inspector was killed, was re-remanded till October 16 by the Gangodawila Magistrate today.    

20A: Some clauses need 2/3 majority and referendum

Deputy Speaker J. M. Ananda Kumarasiri informed the Parliament today that Supreme Court had determined that some clauses in 20th Amendment needs a two-thirds majority in Parliament as well as a referendum.  

Heavy traffic in Battaramulla

Heavy traffic was reported along the Sri Jayewardenepura Road and in Battaramulla due to a protest by a group of pensioners at the Polduwa Junction, police said.

Legal action against parents who do not send children to school: Minister

The Government would institute legal action against parents who did not send their children to school, Justice Minister Thalatha Atukorale said yesterday.

Soldier, deserter nabbed with T56 rifle, magazine

A soldier and an Army deserter had been arrested with a T56 assault rifle and a T-56 magazine believed to be stolen from the Ambepussa Army Camp last month.

Special High Court to hear Gota’s case daily from Dec. 4

The Special High Court today decided to hear the case against former defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa daily from December 4, 2018 on alleged misappropriation of Rs 49 million to establish D.A. Rajapaksa Memorial Museum.

SL Government slow to return land: HRW

The Sri Lankan government has yet to fully restore civilian ownership of land and property nearly a decade since the end of the civil war in 2009, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released today.

ICC clarify regarding Labrooy’s dual role

The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday clarified its position regarding national selection committee Chairman Graeme Labrooy and his dual role as a selector and international match referee.   

Low pressure water supply in Colombo Municipality

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSRD) today said the water supply to all areas in Colombo Municipality will be at low pressure due to an essential maintenance work at the Ambatale water purification plant.

Prevailing rains to increase today: Met Dep.

The Meteorology Department said today the prevailing rainy condition would be enhanced over the island today and tomorrow as the depression in the Bay of Bengal was concentrated into a deep depression and located 950km away from Trincomalee.

President instructs top officials to invite Speaker for State functions

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have instructed the top officials in Polonnaruwa to invite Speaker Karu Jayasuriya for official functions, it is learnt.

Gota arrives at Special High Court

Former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa arrived at the Special High Court a short while ago for the case on alleged misappropriation of Rs 49 million to establish D.A. Rajapaksa Memorial Museum.

PC elections: PM asks UNP seniors to talk to SLFP

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has advised UNP seniors to initiate a dialogue with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to clarify its stance on holding provincial council elections.

Nishantha Wickremasinghe allocated Dubai apartment for female officer

Within the period from 2012 to 2014, the then SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe had allocated Rs.2.4 million for an apartment for a female Sales Support Officer in Dubai but previously it was claimed as an accommodation for executive trainees, it was told at the SriLankan Airlines Commission yesterday.

Postbox installed atop Pidurutalagala

The Department of Postal Services installed a postbox on the top of Pidurutalagala (Mount Pedro) which is the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka, a statement said yesterday.

2020 presidential election -- UNP will field its own nominee: Nalin Bandara

The United National Party (UNP) will field a candidate, who could command the support of civil society groups and the majority and minority communities, as its nominee for the 2020 presidential election, Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara Jayamaha said today.

SB rejects any talks with Prez, MR at his residence

Former minister and MP S.B. Dissanayake today said no discussion was held between President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at his residence as reported.  

Branch of Lanka Hospitals opened in Seychelles

  President Maithripala Sirisena, who was on a three-day official visit in Seychelles, today participated in the opening of the branch of Lanka Hospitals Corporation in Seychelles.

Lankan arrested in Korea over oil storage tank fire

The Korean police today arrested a Sri Lankan national in its probe of a recent explosion at a local oil storage facility, the Korea Herald reported.

Milk Packets supplied at JO rally not contaminated - Nalin Bandara

While denying allegations made by several Joint Opposition members claiming their group of participants had been hospitalized due to food poisoning after consuming milk supplied in packets during the ‘Jana Balaya Colombata’ rally, Deputy Law and Order Minister Nalin Bandara Jayamaha today said nothing had been mixed with the milk. 

UNP ready to form Govt: Indunil

UNP MP Thushara Indunil said today his party was not on panic mode over speculation of moves being made to form an interim government in the wake of discussions between President Maithripala Sirisena and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.