Govt. used Digana violence to divert attention: Wimal

Joint opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday MP Dilum Amunugama had requested Central Province (CP) DIG to provide security in the Digana area following the death of the youth, but the DIG had rejected it saying the situation was under control.

All schools in Kandy closed tomorrow: CM

All government schools in the Kandy administrative district will be closed tomorrow in the wake of a tense situation reported in several areas in the Kandy District, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake said today.

Inter-communal violence needs to be taken seriously: BHC

British High Commissioner (BHC) in Sri Lanka James Dauris today said recent inter-communal violence needs to be a serious concern for everyone in Sri Lanka. “I am sure that people in every community will be looking to religious, community and political leaders to stand up against the spreading of mistrust and hate,” he tweeted.

32 killed in Russian plane crash in Syria

A Russian military plane has crashed in Syria killing 26 passengers and six crew members, the BBC reported.

Police curfew re-imposed in Kandy till 6 am tomorrow

The Police curfew which was lifted at 6 pm today in Kandy District would be reimposed from 8 pm until 6 am tomorrow, Police said.   The curfew was imposed following the tense situation in the Teldeniya and Pallekela police divisions.

Stern action against personnel spreading violence, rumour-mongers: President

President Maithripala Sirisena today assured stern action would be taken against anyone who spreads violence in the country and spreads rumours with the intention of provoking citizens.Making a special statement over the inter-communal clashes reported in several places of the country,

Outside group has created violence: PM

The violence in Kandy was unleashed by a group people who had come from outside and not by the people in the area, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

Buddhists must apologise to Muslims - Kiriella

House Leader Lakshman Kiriella today said that a resolution should be brought in parliament and Buddhists should apologise to the Muslims in connection with the violence in Digana and Teldeniya.

JO postpones no-faith motion against PM

The Joint Opposition (JO) today said it decided to postpone the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on two grounds.

Team appointed to monitor Army personnel’s social media platforms

In a bid to ensure army personnel were following regulations relating to the use of social media, the Army Commander appointed a team to monitor Army personnel on their social media platforms, the Army said.

President declares State of Emergency

President Maithripala Sirisena declared a State Emergency a short while ago to redress the unsatisfactory security situation prevailing in certain parts of the country.The President’s Media Division said the Police and Armed Forces have been suitably empowered to deal with criminal elements in the society and to restore normalcy with imme

Unrests due to inefficiency of Law and Order Minister : GL

Referring to the recent incidents in Digana, Ampara and Thambuttegama, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Head Prof. G.L. Peiris said today such incidents took place as there was no effective Minister for Law and Order portfolio.

Govt. to declare State of Emergency for 10 days

President Maithripala Sirisena and the Cabinet had decided to declare a State of Emergency for 10 days following the violence prevailed in some parts of the country, Minister S.B. Dissanayake said.

Nugegoda JO rally postponed: Namal

Joint Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa today said they have decided to postpone the Nugegoda rally, which was scheduled to be held tomorrow, due to the ongoing tense situation in various parts of the country.  

Heavy traffic at Town Hall

Heavy traffic was reported in Ward Place and Town Hall in Colombo 7 due to a protest March being carried out by a group of non-academic staff members of state universities.

Digana clash: Man found dead at a shop

The body of a 27-year-old man was found inside a shop at Kengalle in Digana, the Police said today. They said the Magisterial Inquiry into the death was being conducted.

Major Wanniarachchi fined Rs.5000, released

Colombo Additional Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today released retired Major Neville Wanniarachchi, after he surrendered to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

Police curfew in Teldeniya and Pallekele

A Police curfew has been imposed in the Teldeniya and Pallekele police divisions with immediate effect until 6 pm today, police said.

JO vows to move no-faith motion against PM

Joint opposition chief organizer and SLFP MO Dulles Alahapperuma said yesterday they would canvass for signatures from government and opposition MPs after the JO group meeting in Parliament at 10.00 a.m. today

Two die in motorcar-tipper collision

At least two people were killed and another two injured in a head-on collision between a motorcar and a tipper truck at Welhengoda on the Galle-Matara Main Road this morning, Police said.

LG Election: SLPP obtained 40% votes; media miscalculated: Champika

Though media reports said the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) obtained 44.65 per cent votes at the recent Local Government Election, it had actually received only 40 per cent votes, Jathika Hela Urumaya General Secretary and Minister Champika Ranawaka said yesterday.

UNP reforms committee recommends tangible changes

The committee appointed to look into restructuring the United National Party (UNP) has recommended tangible changes to the party, a member of the committee said yesterday.

Regional Cooperation, unity and stability key to the future –PM

Regional Cooperation, unity and stability will be the way forward for Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Brig. Priyanka Fernando to China

Brigadier Priyanka Fernando who was serving as a Defence consultant at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Britain is scheduled to leave for China on a five month course soon, the Army said.  

Govt. condemns acts of violence

The Government strongly and unequivocally condemns the recent sporadic incident of violence that had sparked off in Ampara and Digana, creating communal disharmony, where some places of worship, residences and businesses have been damaged, the Government Information Department said in a statement this evening.

Digana incident: MR says all should act responsibly

Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa today said everyone should act with responsibility to maintain law and order in Digana and said both the President and the Prime Minister should take action in this regard.

Govt. has contrast attitude towards North, South- G.L

The government has contrasting ways of dealing with public demonstrations in the Northern Province and the other parts of the country, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Head Prof. G.L. Peiris said today.

Indian docs hold mobile clinics in NE: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said today that several Indian medical officers who had visited the country for the ‘Medicare Health Exhibition’ had conducted mobile clinics in Northern and Eastern provincies risking the lives of patients.

President calls for impartial probe into Digana incident

President Maithripala Sirisena today instructed the Police and the security forces to conduct an impartial investigation into the Digana incident. The President also instructed the law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the people in the area.

All schools in Kandy closed: Ministry

The Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam today announced the closure of all provincial and national schools in the Kandy administrative district tomorrow in the wake of a Police curfew being imposed.