Vast re-organization of UNP by coming May–Ruwan

The country would be able to witness a large-scale re-organization of the United National Party (UNP) before May this year, State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Overstaying foreign fortune tellers arrested

Four Indian nationals, who were illegally remaining in the country while working as fortune tellers by violating their visa regulations, were nabbed by the Department of Immigration and Emigration yesterday in Mannar.

Govt. to operate SriLankan on 51-49 equity partnership

The government is prepared to grant 49 percent of the equity of SriLankan airlines together with its management to a private partner, Public Enterprise Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella told Daily Mirror today.

Saudi to repatriate SL housemaid’s body following postmortem report

The body of a Sri Lankan woman, who had worked as a housemaid in Saudi Arabia, will be repatriated within two weeks following the issuance of the postmortem report, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said yesterday.

No-faith motion targets President, Speaker: Arjuna

The real target of the No-confidence motion submitted by the Joint Opposition was not the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe but the President Maithripala Sirisena and the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Petroleum Industries Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said yesterday.

Hindu priest killing: Soldier, 3 others sentenced to death

A soldier and three others accused of killing a Hindu priest in Murugumoorthi Sankanai, Jaffna on April 11, 2010, and severely injuring another were convicted and sentenced to death yesterday (22) by Jaffna High Court Judge Manikkavasagar Illanchelian.

Set timeframe to implement UN resolution: Canada urges SL

The Canadian Government today urged the Sri Lankan government to set a time-bound strategy for full implementation of the UN Resolution, with technical support from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

‘Political power devolution integral for SL’s reconciliation’

As Sri Lanka acknowledged with its co-sponsorship of the UN resolution of 2015, devolution of political authority through constitutional reform is integral to lasting reconciliation and non-recurrence of violations and abuses, a joint statement issued by four UN member States said.

Judicature (Amendment) Bill: SC to inform its decision to Speaker

The Supreme Court today announced that the decision  on seven petitions over the draft Judicature (Amendment) Bill to set up Permanent High Court of Trial at Bar would be informed to Parliament in future.

Govt. compelled to give poison if people ask for it: Harrison

We would be compelled to provide them with poisonous synthetic fertilizer as a Government if the people demand so to increase their harvests, Rural Economic Affairs Minister P Harrison said.

Legal action to be taken against those who misuse kerosene subsidy

The Petroleum Resources Development Ministry today said legal action would be taken against those misusing kerosene subsidies, which was a relief given by the President.

Fraud suspect Wijenayake in President's delegation of Japan visit: JVP

JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake said today former MP Piyasiri Wijenayake, who was held responsible for fraud by PRECIFAC, had accompanied the President on his recent visit to Japan and said this would negatively influence the legal proceedings against him.

UNP MPs sign confidence motion on PM

All UNP MPs have signed a motion expressing confidence in Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, party sources said today.

President leaves for Pakistan

President Maithripala Sirisena left Sri Lanka for Pakistan this afternoon with a delegation of 20 members.

No-faith motion against PM scheduled for April 4

Political party leaders in Parliament today decided to take up the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on April 4.

No construction, land filling in Muthurajawela sanctuary: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena, who today inspected the Muthurajawela sanctuary, ordered the restriction of all kinds of activities including any construction and land fillings, which could result in the environment surrounding the sanctuary being destroyed, the President’s Media Unit said.

Prasanna Ranaweera granted bail

The Mahara Magistrate’s Court today granted bail to UPFA Gampaha District MP Prasanna Ranaweera who was remanded over an assault incident.

Namal blocked flying to US from Moscow

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapakse, who was in Moscow, Russia to observe the presidential election, said that he was not allowed to travel to US on the instructions of  US officials.

Zuckerberg admits 'mistakes' amid Trump-tied data scandal

Facebook honcho Mark Zuckerberg offered to testify before Congress over the Cambridge Analytica scandal as he apologized for the first time for allowing personal data to be misused in the lead up to the 2016 presidential election, the New York Daily News reported today.

SL judiciary capable of advancing justice

Sri Lanka informed the United National Human Rights Council (UNHRC) yesterday that the country’s judiciary and law enforcement mechanisms are fully capable and committed to the processes of advancing justice to all concerned.

Regret slow progress in transitional justice mechanisms in SL

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) yesterday told the UNHRC that it much regrets to learn of the slow progress in establishing transitional justice mechanisms in Sri Lanka.

JO covering up sins through no-faith against PM: Akila

The joint opposition is attempting to cover up its misdeeds by moving a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, said UNP Deputy General Secretary and Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

Can’t accept all UNHRC recommendations: SF

Minister of Regional Development Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday said that all the recommendations made by the United Nation’s Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva cannot be accepted as not all the charges were true.

UNP delegation meets President

A top-level UNP delegation, led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have had a closed-door meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday and discussed the political circumstances to be triggered by the No-confidence Motion.

Reconciliation mechanism to be presented to the house soon

A mechanism for reparations, another major component of the UNHRC Resolution adopted in 2015, is to be presented to Parliament next month, Chairman of the Committee appointed to set up the mechanism and Secretary to the President Austin Fernando said today.

UNP would easily defeat the no-confidence motion: Rajitha

The UNP would easily defeat the No Confidence Motion (NCM) against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Cabinet spokesman, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said the party will take a decision on SLFP ministers who campaigned for the NCM and signed it.

Assault on bus driver; Media presented only one-sided story: Kasun

Southern Provincial Councillor M.K. Kasun, who is under remand custody over the alleged assault on a bus driver, making a special speech at the Southern Council meeting on Tuesday said that the media had presented only one side of the story that had misleadingly portrayed him as an underworld figure.

Glyphosate ban: Rathana Thera ready to join JO to fight against it

While claiming that the decision to topple the Government was taken by the people, Parliamentarian Athuraliye Rathana Thera said today he was ready to join, even with the Joint Opposition to fight against any moves to remove the ban of Glyphosate.

US concerned over SL HR violations; issues statement at UNHRC

The US was concerned by ongoing reports of human rights violations and abuses by members of the security services, and recent attacks targeting members of religious minority communities in Sri Lanka, a statement issued by the US with regard to the UN Human Rights Council’s 37th Session in Geneva.

Thewarapperuma tenders resignation as organiser

Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma today tendered his resignation as Bulathsinhala Organiser of the United National Party (UNP), to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.