No-Faith Motion: TNA partners to decide independently

The coalition partners of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will decide independently of the main ally Ilankai Tamil Arachu Kachchi (ITAK) in regards to the No-Confidence Motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, party officials said today.

My ministry will work with Finance, National Enterprise Development Min: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs will work with the other ministries such as Finance and National Enterprise Development to assist small and medium business which keeps the economy going.

Ex-Soldier, three others arrested for Kandy unrest

Four more suspects including an ex-soldier had been taken into custody by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) yesterday in connection with the recent violence that occurred in Kandy, police said.

SL minister not allowed to enter Lingaraja Temple in Odisha: Report

Minister of Buddha Sasana Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, who was in India last month, was not allowed to enter the famous Lingaraja Temple in Odisha, India, Indian media reports said.

Country’s entire system should be changed: Sagala

Youth Affairs and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake said that the country’s entire system should be reshaped in terms of safeguarding the future of the youth.

Largest haul of Heroin pills from Nepalis stomach

The Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today removed the largest haul of swallowed heroin pills so far found, from a Nepali citizen.

Subjects under PM removed on his own advice: Ajith P Perera

Subjects and institutions coming under the purview of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were removed following his own advice, UNP MP Ajith P Perera said today.  

UNFF walk against PM continues

The walk organised by United National Freedom Front, that set off from Kandy on Saturday (31) demanding Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to resign was resumed this morning from the Mawanella town.

Six women arrested in Mt. Lavinia brothel raid

Six women were arrested by the Police yesterday on charges of having run a brothel under the guise of a massage parlour in Mount Lavinia.

SL Navy refloats World War II British Ship

The wreck of one of the famous ships of Her Majesty’s Naval Service - SS Sagaing which sank at the Trincomalee harbour during the World War II, is refloated after 75 years stay underwater by a team of divers of Sri Lanka Navy making a landmark turning point in the field of Diving and Salvage, the Navy said.

SL makes its best contributions to int’l community- Aryasinha

Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha has said Sri Lanka makes its best contributions to the international community when it leads from the centre, rather than positioning itself in a manner "either to be taken for granted, or to remain isolated.

Legal action against 4 eateries at Olcott Mawatha

Legal action has been taken on four eateries operating at Olcott Mawatha in Fort after a raid carried out by officials of the Colombo Municipality’s Health Department. They have charged with violating food safety regulations.

Maithri Gunaratne arrested and released

Secretary of the United National Freedom Front and former UNP provincial councillor Maithri Gunaratne, was arrested by the Kadugannawa police with two shotguns, at Pilimathalawa, Police said.

Woman and three teenage girls drown

A 39-year-old woman, her daughter and two other girls, aged 14, drowned while bathing in the Gin River at Hiniduma in Galle, this afternoon, police said.

No-faith motion: Wijeyadasa still undecided

MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday he had still not decided on whether to support the no-confidence motion and underscored the fact that the MPs should evaluate the outcome of the no-confidence motion before voting for or against it.

No decision to ban pandals on Vesak poya day - Govt

The government has not taken a policy decision to ban the conduct of ‘Dansalas’ and the display of Vesak pandals in view of Vesak, the Information Department said in a statement. 

No meeting between Prez, PM: Lakshman Yapa

State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane yesterday rejected media reports that President Maithripala Sirisena had met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday to discuss the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.

President, PM focus on no-faith motion

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has had a lengthy discussion on the political developments on Thursday night, sources close to the Prime Minister said yesterday.

Screening process to maintain army personnel’s standards: Army

The Sri Lanka Army yesterday said it has agreed on a process to screen all army personnel being deployed on UN assignments in order to maintain the highest standards of discipline and conduct at home and abroad.  

Don't ban pandals on Vesak, Poson Poya Days: Wimal

The National Freedom Front (NFF) today urged the government to withdraw its decision to prohibit pandals on Vesak and Poson Poya Days without underestimating the Buddhists in the country and claimed it was an unwise decision.

Compulsory leave for Prisons Chief Lamahewa

Prisons Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa, arrested by the CID on Thursday in connection with the Welikada Prisons riot, has been sent on compulsory leave, Prisons Department media spokesman Thushara Upuldeniya said yesterday.

Party reforms soon after defeating no-faith motion: UNP

The United National Party (UNP) said yesterday it would carry out rigorous party reforms no sooner it defeated the no-confidence motion against UNP Leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament.

Restored compartments back on track today: GMR

The first batch of nine restored Romanian compartments will be put on track this morning on a special train from Colombo Fort to Ragama, Railways General Manager Mahanama Abeywickrama said.

SL asylum seeking applications to UK on the decline

The number of applications made by Sri Lankans seeking asylum in the UK has been reduced relatively in the recent years, the British Government said.

President should ask SLFP to support no-faith motion: JO

The joint opposition today said President Maithripala Sirisena should ask Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) parliamentarians to support the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe so that he could be removed from the position without pruning his portfolios.

President, SLFP to back PM: UNP

President Maithripala Sirisena and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) are reported to have pledged their support to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with regard to the no-confidence motion against him, the United National Party (UNP) said today.

Police post in Maniyathottam set on fire

An abandoned police post at Maniyathottam, Ariyale in Jaffna was set on fire by some unidentifed people on Wednesday night, Police said.

Army Chief meets NP CM: Discuss possibility of releasing more land

Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake said the possibility of releasing more lands to civilians in the North would be explored in line with government policy.

Only option for the PM is to step down: Dilan

The only option to prevent the removal of the prime minister on a no-confidence motion and protect the yahapalana government was for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down before April 4, State Minister Dilan Perera said today.

Nepali who swallowed heroin arrested at BIA

A 41-year-old Nepali, who is reported to have swallowed pills coated with heroin, was arrested by Police Narcotic Bureau officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport today after a scan confirmed he had swallowed the pills.