All forces behind Jan.8 change support PM: Harsha

Those involved in bringing about a change on January 8, 2015 are behind Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the no-confidence motion will be defeated State Minister Harsha de Silva said today.

CTU hands over letter to ILO against postponing May Day celebrations

Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) today handed over a letter to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Country Office for Sri Lanka against the Cabinet decision to postpone the May Day celebrations to May 7.

UNP responsibilities to a new group before April end: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the UNP Parliamentary group that the responsibilities of the party would be handed over to a new group before April 30, a statement issued by the UNP said today.  

Union strike at BIA called off

The strike launched by the workers of the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning was called off a short while ago.

UNP moves to sabotage Parliamentary debate on NCM: Udaya

General Secretary of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Udaya Gammanpila MP said today that he had learnt that some UNP members wanted to delay the debate on the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe by taking away the Mace and sabotaging the Parliamentary session.

Steps taken to bring down Udayanga: FCID

Steps have been taken through the Foreign Affairs Ministry to bring down former Sri Lanka ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) informed the Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Judicature Bill requires 2/3 majority in Parliament: SC

The Supreme Court has informed Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today that several sections of the Judicature Bill were inconsistent with the Constitution and therefore, it should be passed by a two-thirds majority in Parliament, if not amended as recommended by the Judiciary.

SLFP MPs urge PM to resign

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Parliamentary group today asked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down before the No-Confidence Motion, which is to be taken up tomorrow.

Trade Union action closes roads to BIA

The tense situation reported at the Banadaranaike International Airport (BIA) has escalated with employees reportedly blocking all entrances to the premises, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded, reporters said. 

Gangsters Sara Malli and Cheeti arrested

Close associates of notorious criminal Angoda Lokka- Alawalage Sarath Kumara alias Cheeti and Sarath Panditharatne alias Sara Malli, had been arrested in two separate raids in Angoda and Boralesgamuwa last night, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

PM meets President again

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the President’s residence a short while ago for another discussion with President Maithripala Sirisena in view of the no-faith motion against him in Parliament.

UNP, SLFP crisis talks with President today

President Maithripala Sirisena will chair a meeting with two delegations of the United National Party( UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) for crisis talks today in the light of the no confidence motion to be debated in Parliament tomorrow.

Economic Management Committee still intact

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was not abolished but postponed for only two weeks, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

Police seize night racing motorcycle gang in Colombo 7

A gang of young riders who rode high powered racing motorcycles with engines beyond the legal capacity with altered chassis numbers on the main roads in Colombo 7 early on Friday night was seized by the Cinnamon Gardens Police.

SLFP Parliamentary group to tell PM to resign

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Parliamentary group this evening unanimously decided to request Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to resign from the Premiership before the no-confidence motion, which is to be taken up on Wednesday.

SLMC Chairman writes ‘top secret’ letter to Health Min: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today revealed that Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Chairman Professor Colvin Gunaratne had sent a ‘top secret’ letter to Health Minister.

Winnie Mandela: South African anti-apartheid campaigner passes away

South African anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Mandela has died at the age of 81, BBC News reported this evening quoting her personal assistant.

President, PM hold special meeting

A special meeting between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is being held at the President’s official residence in Colombo, sources said.

Uni. non-academic staff likely to call off strike

The university non-academic staff had agreed to call off their month-long work stoppage following a discussion with Higher Education and Highways Minister Kabir Hashim.

No-faith motion will destroy RW's Govt: JO

The joint opposition (JO) said today it was optimistic of winning the no-faith motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with the objective of neutralizing his power over the government.

EU team to visit SL to evaluate results of GSP+ accession

A team of European Parliament's members will visit Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 to evaluate the first results of Sri Lanka's accession to the GSP+ scheme and to enhance their dialogue with Sri Lanka on the remaining challenges, the EU Embassy in Colombo said today.

Bird strike on Flydubai Boeing aircraft at MRIA

A Flydubai Boeing aircraft has suffered a bird strike while landing at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) this morning resulting in a flight delay of more than six hours, a Flydubai spokesman said.

New Board of Directors appointed to Srilankan Airlines

A New Board of Directors was appointed to the Srilankan Airlines today, Srilankan Airlines sources said.

Foreign liquor worth Rs. 3 mn. seized from Immigration dept. quarters

The Anti Narcotics Bureau of the Excise Department yesterday seized Rs.3 million worth of imported liquor from the Department of Immigration and Emigration officials’ quarters at Katunayake.

Vijitha allegedly threatens Shanil: AG requests to hold case

The Attorney General’s Department today requested the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court to hold a case in which Vijitha Wijesuriya, brother of Anika Wijesuriya, had allegedly threatened Shanil Nethicumara.

Chinese space station falls into Pacific Ocean

China's defunct Tiangong-1 space lab mostly broke up on re-entering the Earth's atmosphere above the South Pacific, the BBC reported today quoting Chinese and US reports.

MR hopes President will back no-faith motion against PM

Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed hope that President Maithripala Sirisena will support the no-confidence motion backed by the Joint Opposition against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Indian Express reported on Sunday.

SLPP’s Madura Vithanage elected Kotte Mayor

Attorney at Law Madura Vithanage of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has been elected as the Mayor of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte on an open ballot today.

Four family members killed in accident

Four family members had been killed when the three wheeler they were traveling in, collided with a lorry at the Yatigalpottha Junction in Galewela this morning, the Police said.

Incident at Lingaraja Temple-- Can’t understand why I was refused entry: Minister

Minister of Buddha Sasana Gamini Jayawickrama Perera referring to the incident where he was not allowed to enter the Lingaraja Temple in Odisha, said yesterday that he does not understand why this happened to him.