Travel ban on Mahindananda Aluthgamage

The Fort Magistrate today imposed a travel ban on United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage in connection with misappropriating government funds amounting to Rs.39 million in 2014 to buy Carrom and Checker-boards, Police said.

Ex-Sathosa chairman arrested at BIA

Former chairman of Sathosa, K.Nalin Ruwanjeeva Fernando was arrested today by the FCID at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to flee the country, Police said.

South Korea's ex-President sentenced to 24 years in jail

Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye was sentenced to 24 years in prison by the Seoul Central District Court after she was found guilty of corruption, Al-Jazeera reported today.

Special probe into Navin threatening Thilanga

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today informed Parliament that a special investigation would be launched into the complaint made by Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees Thilanga Sumathipala against Minister Navin Dissanayake.

Recruiters order SL women to take contraceptives before working in Gulf

Sri Lankan women who take up domestic work in the Middle East (ME) to support families devastated by conflict are being targeted by recruitment agents who order them to take contraceptives before leaving, the Guardian reported on Friday.

Another Cabinet reshuffle to take place: President

President Maithripala Sirisena today said a comprehensive Cabinet reshuffle would take place soon. Speaking to the heads of media institutions during a meeting held this morning, the President said a committee from both parties of the government would be appointed to decide on the reshuffle.

President declares May 7 as May Day

President Maithripala Sirisena today declared May 7 as the May Day and announced May 7 as a public and mercantile holiday, President's Media Division said.

SL maid jumps out of moving car in suicide attempt

Sri Lankan maid, who attempted to commit suicide by jumping out of her sponsor’s moving car, was arrested by Sharjah Police.

MONLAR alleges Knuckles land given to associates of ministers

The Movement for Land and Agriculture Reform (MONLAR) claimed that 21 000 acres of land belonging to the Knuckles Mountain or ‘Dumbara Range’ had been given to several close associates of some government ministers in order to carry out various projects and added that immediate steps should be taken to stop these proceedings.

President asked us not to leave: SB

President Maithripala Sirisena has reportedly asked the SLFP Ministers and Deputy Ministers who voted for the no-confidence motion not to quit the government.

We are not here to scrutinize or to make demands: EU

The delegation of the European Parliament Committee on International Trade (INTA), which is in Sri Lanka on a brief visit, said they demand nothing from Sri Lanka and that they are not here to scrutinize anyone.

No faith motion triggered crisis in Govt.: Dinesh

Joint Opposition leader MP Dinesh Gunawardane said yesterday the no-confidence motion had triggered huge crisis in the government where it would lose two-thirds majority in Parliament, which would create issues for the government when enacting certain Acts and Bills.

Ready to resign if a need arises: Lakshman Yapa

State Minister of Public Enterprise Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena today said that the UPFA members who voted in favour of the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) are ready to resign from their portfolios if a need arises.

No agreement made with TNA: Mano

In response to a question by a journalist, Minister Mano Ganesan today said that no agreement has been made with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in writing when seeking their support against the No-Confidence Motion (NCM).

President had no hand in it: Samarasinghe

While stressing that President Maithripala Sirisena had no hand in the unsuccessful No Confidence Motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe added that the 16 SLFP members in the government voted for the motion on their own volition.

Keith Noyahr abduction: Rtd. Major General Karunasekara arrested

Former Military Intelligence Director and Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General (Retired) Amal Karunasekara has been arrested by the CID in connection with the abduction and assault of journalist Keith Noyahr in 2008.

Thilanga complains to Speaker over Navin’s ‘unruly behaviour’

Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees, Thilanga Sumathipala today complained to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya that Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake had threatened him following the no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament yesterday.

We will hang on: Dilan

Not a single SLFP minister who voted in support of the No Faith Motion on Wednesday was ready to leave the ‘Yahapalana Government’ as they were appointed by President Mithripala Sirisena and not by anyone else, Highways State Minister Dilan Perera said.

No-confidence motion reflects vibrant democracy in SL: EU

The vote on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe reflects the vibrant democracy in Sri Lanka and the government should seize the opportunity to further strengthen the team that wants to undertake reforms, a delegation of the European Parliament Committee on International Trade (INTA) said today.

No-faith motion on SLFPers who voted against PM: UNP

United National Party (UNP) is to submit a no-confidence motion against Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Ministers and Parliamentarians including S.B. Dissanayake, Susil Peramjayantha , Dayasiri Jayasekara and W.D.J. Senaviratne for voting in favor of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, UNP MP Mujibur Rahaman said today.

Four of Angoda Lokka's accomplices arrested

Four accomplices of underworld criminal ‘Angoda Lokka’ were arrested by the Police Oraganised Crimes Division during raids in Athurugiriya and Hokandara yesterday.

Salman Khan gets five years in jail for poaching

An Indian court has sentenced Bollywood superstar Salman Khan to five years in jail for poaching rare antelope back in 1998, the BBC reported today.

Tuitions to be banned in school hours: Akila

Cabinet paper would be brought in soon to ban tuition classes during school hours, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

India concerned over repeated arrests of Indian fishermen in SL

Indian Parliamentary panel today expressed concerns over the repeated arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities, the Business Standard today reported.

Fast track UNP reforms without sitting on your laurels: Champika

UNPers should accelerate their party reforms without allowing victory over the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister to overwhelm them, Minister Champika Ranawaka said today.

Judicature Bill will be amended: Govt.

The Government informed Parliament today that it had decided to amend the Judicature Bill as advised by the Supreme Court.

Ranil on new journey

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said he would go on a new journey with all who supported the Government.

Interim order for Gota reinforced

Court of Appeal today reinforced the interim order by inter-parte order preventing the Finance Criminal Investigation Division (FCID) from acting against former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on the Certificate (B Report) under the offences against the Public Property Act in the Magistrate’s Court against him.

President betrays again: Namal

Joint Opposition member MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday in a tweet said President Maithripala Sirisena’s habit of betrayal had been proved once again during the voting of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Britisher, another injured in shooting in Kosgoda

A 68-year-old British man and another person were injured when two men who arrived by a motorcycle opened fire at them at Induruwa, Athuruwella in Kosgoda last evening, police said.