National List MPs destroyed UNP: Ravi

At least two or three MPs who were elected from the National List had drawn the United National Party (UNP) to its destruction, UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake said

Govt. should review PC delimitation: SLMC

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) yesterday said the Government should review delimitation done in view of the Provincial Councils as otherwise, it would reduce the number of members to be returned from the minority councils.

Newly elected members to receive Rs.5mn to develop village

President Maithripala Sirisena in Polonnaruwa yesterday (1) said that each member elected to the local bodies would receive a sum of Rs.5 million to carry out development work in their villages.

Ranjan to make a disclosure on Arjun Aloysius soon

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday said he would make a disclosure with regard to the Perpetual Treasuries Chief Arjun Aloysius soon.

SLFP CC to decide on no-confidence motion against PM

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday said the Central Committee of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was to decide on the No-Confidence Motion, which was to be brought against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

US says its laws prohibit firms from bribing foreign govts

The laws and regulations drafted by the US had ensured that no US firm or its citizen could pay bribes when selling goods and services to foreign government, the US Embassy in Sri Lanka yesterday said.

SL, Thailand discuss utilizing 'Rain Making' technology here

The possibility of utilizing Royal Rain Making Technology in Sri Lanka had been discussed during the fourth meeting of the Sri Lanka-Thailand Bilateral Political Consultations held on February 27 and 28 in Colombo, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Seeks to sit in Opposition- Punchinilame

Deputy Minister of Public Administration and Management Susantha Punchinilame said today he sought permission from President Maithripala Sirisena to leave the Government and sit in the Opposition.

Special Envoy of Ottawa Treaty, Prince Mired to visit SL

Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein, the Special Envoy on the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention would undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from March 4 to 7, the government today said.

Senior UNPers signing No-Faith Motion against PM: JO

The Joint Opposition today said several stalwarts of United National Party (UNP) had started signing for the No-Confidence Motion, which was to be brought against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

India wasn’t interested in SL’s development projects: MR

Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that India was not interested in building ports and highway projects in Sri Lanka when it was first offered, the Hindu said. In response to a question on increasing interest from China in Sri Lankan projects, Mr. Rajapaksa has told reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday on his return from Tirupathi that Sri Lanka offered development projects including ports and highways to India

Thambuttegama: Thugs used to disperse protestors, says NFF

Thugs had been used to disperse the group of farmers, who protested at Thambuttegama yesterday against Government’s move to use water of the Rajanganaya Tank for a water supply project, National Freedom Front (NFF) Spokesman Mohammed Muzammil said today.

PM leaves for Singapore

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Singapore this afternoon with a delegation of six members to attend the ‘Invest Sri Lanka' forum organized by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

Rajanganaya water supply project suspended

Anuradhapura District Secretary R.M. Wanninayake said today the proposed drinking water supply project based on the Rajanganaya Tank was suspended.

Commissioners appointed to OMP

President Maithripala Sirisena handed over the appointment letters to the commissioners of the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, Government Information Department said.

SLPP threatens legal action against Thalatha

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman G.L. Peiris said yesterday they would take legal action against former Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Atukorale for allegedly transferring 30 employees who celebrated the victory of the SLPP at the local government elections.

Principal’s death: Two Secretaries, 11 officials on the mat

The Education Ministry has interdicted two Additional Secretaries and 11 officials in the Education Ministry following the inquiries conducted over the death of Ambalantota Suchi National School Principal while participating in a training programme.

Two Lankans arrested with Rs. 5 mn in foreign currency

Two Sri Lankans were arrested early this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle out foreign currency worth Rs. 5 million to Dubai.

MR arrives in SL

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was in a visit to Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, arrived in Sri Lanka last night.

SF will be Law and Order Minister in fortnight

Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne confirmed yesterday that Regional Development Minister, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka would be appointed the Minister of Law and Order in less than two weeks.

Jaffna Prez House to open to public

President Maithripala Sirisena has said he did not wish to use the Presidential super luxury abode built by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kankesanthurai (KKS) at a cost of Rs. 3.5 billion and as such it could be used by Ministers, public officials and tourists at a cost, a Spokesman of the Presidential Secretariat said.

Some Police top brass against SF as Law & Order Minister

Some Senior Police Officers have protested the purported plan to appoint Regional Development Minister Sarath Fonseka as the Law and Order Minister, it is learnt.

Many areas receive 100mm of rain

Several areas in the country, particularly the Eastern Province, had received heavy rainfall, some over 100 mm yesterday (28), the Department of Meteorology reported.

Four Ministers want action against Ampara violence

Ministers Rauff Hakeem, Mano Ganesan, Daya Gamage and Rishad Bathiudeen had urged the Government to ensure that action is taken against those responsible for communal violence in Ampara two days ago, it is learnt.

New Law and Order Minister next week

A new Law and Order Minister would be sworn in next week, sources close to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Soliciting bribe: Wennappuwa ASP interdicted

The Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Wennappuwa, who was arrested on Tuesday by the Bribery Commission officials while soliciting a bribe of Rs.30, 000, was interdicted today on the instructions of IGP Pujith Jayasundara.

JVP to support no-faith motion against PM

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today the party would support a no-faith motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on the basis that he had not carried out his duties properly and with allegations of fraud and corruption and on allegations of protecting thieves.

SC prevents arrest of former IGP over Lasantha's murder inquiry

The Supreme Court today issued an Interim Order preventing the arrest of former Inspector General Jayantha Wickramaratne by the CID, over the ongoing Magisterial Inquiry into the killing of former Sunday Leader Editor late Lasantha Wickramatunge.

Traffic restrictions for Gangaramaya Navam Perahera

A special traffic plan was implemented limiting the transportation in several roads  in Colombo for the annual Navam Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple today and tomorrow, Police said.

Father, 3-year-old daughter killed after taking poison

A 41-year-old father and his three-year-old daughter were killed after taking poison in Homagama this morning, Police said.