Thai Engineers to bring artificial rain

A team of Thai Engineers yesterday carried out a feasibility study in the catchments areas of Castlereigh and Maussakele reservoirs to cause artificial rains in view of the prevailing drought. They had arrived on the request of the Ceylon Electricity Board.

No decision to increase gas prices yet: Minister Bathiudeen

Government has not been decided to increase the price of domestic gas in the upcoming days until the pricing formula is finalised, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiudeen said.

19 including 12 military personnel injured in bus explosion

Nineteen passengers including twelve military personnel were injured in an explosion inside a bus in Diyatalawa this morning, Army Media Spokesperson Brigadier Sumith Atapattu said.

25% women reps not possible in 10 LG bodies

Elections Commission Mahinda Desapriya said the 25 per cent woman representation could not be maintained in at least ten local government bodies because of a lacuna in the Local Authorities’ Elections Act.

Maharagama UC: Independent group rejects claims of resigning

Seven councilors of the Independent Group, which contested from the motor-bicycle symbol for the Maharagama Urban Council, said today that they would not resign as Councillors.

Speaker to rule on national Govt. tomorrow

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said today he would inform Parliament whether the national government was still in existence and give a ruling on the validity of the Cabinet tomorrow.

Govt. withdrew 150 warrants on LTTE terrorists: Udayanga

Although the yahapalana government is attempting to obtain an Interpol ‘Red Warrant’ on him it had withdrawn some 150 some such warrants including those issued on former LTTE terrorists because of the influence by Tamil politicians, former envoy Udayanga Weeratunga said today.

One injured in shooting in Borella

A 33-year-old man was injured after he was shot at in Cotta Road, Borella while he was travelling in a car, a short while ago, police said.  

Local Govt. bodies likely to be exempted

Parliament was informed that the 25 per cent representation of women in local government bodies would be implemented, other than in those where it was not practically possible.

Will challenge Active Liability Management Bill in SC: JO

The joint opposition (JO) said today it would file legal action in the Supreme Court challenging the Active Liability Management Bill, which was presented to Parliament on Monday. JO MP Bandula Gunawardana said the Bill violated the Constitution and basic human rights.

Providing Tabs to students halted

On the instructions of President Sirisena, the Cabinet today decided to suspend the programme to provide Advanced Level students and teachers with Tabs, the Cabinet spokesman said.

Edu. Minister suspends leadership programme

Education minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam today instructed the Education Ministry Secretary to suspend the leadership programme till the completion of the investigation of the death of the principal of the Ambalantota Suchi National School.

Debate on Bond, PRECIFAC reports postponed indefinitely

The debate on the Bond Commission report and the PRECIFAC Report, which was scheduled to be taken up in Parliament today, was postponed indefinitely due to the non-availability of the English and Tamil translation of the PRECIFAC report.

Army contingent leaves for UN Peacekeeping in Lebanon

The first batch of the Sri Lanka Army's 12th Force Protection Company (FPC) consisting of two officers and fourteen other rankers left for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Sunday, Defence Ministry said.

Gayantha to cover SF’s Ministry

Lands and Parliamentary Reforms Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka had been assigned to cover the duties of the Regional Development Ministry from today as Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka is on a foreign visit.

Lankan among two held for harassing tribal woman in Andhra Pradesh

Two men, including a Sri Lankan national, were on Sunday arrested by Visakhapatnam Rural Police for allegedly sexually harassing a tribal woman. The accused and victim worked in a private firm at Brandix India Apparel City, Atchutapuram SEZ area in Vizag. 

Ven. Girambe Ananda Thera passes away

Anunayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanya Nikaya Venerable Girambe Ananda Thera passed away this morning at the age of 80.

SAITM's Marketing Dept. outlet shut down from yesterday

Marketing Department outlet of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) has been shut down with effect from yesterday, senior official of SAITM said.

President continues to keep PM without removing him: MR

Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa today said it was none other than President Maithripala Sirisena who keeps Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his post without ousting him.

Authorities interference needed to cease post election violence: Champika

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka today requested the relevant officials who maintain law and order to take necessary actions to stop post election violence.

SLMC to support a stable Govt.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) said today it would only support a stable government which commanded a comfortable majority in Parliament.

I told media, UPFA will quit unity Govt.- Thilanga

Deputy Speaker Tilanga Sumathipala today confirmed that he had told the media the UPFA had decided to quit the government and sought the President's permission to do so.

SLFP MPs will remain in Govt. backing President: SB

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members of the Unity Government would continue to remain in it, backing SLFP Chairman and President Maithripala Sirisena, Minister S.B. Dissanayake today said.

President asks SLFPers to remain in Govt.

President Maithripala Sirisena has asked the members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) not to quit the unity government. He is reported to have made this request when he met the ministers representing the SLFP led by him today.

I was not informed about UPFA quitting Govt: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya told Parliament today that he had not been informed of any decision by the UPFA to quit the national government.

I don’t aspire to be PM: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today told Parliament that he nursed no aspirations of being the Prime Minister because there was already a Prime Minister in the country. He said this in response to a question asked by an Opposition MP.

President can remove PM if required: GL

President Maithripala Sirisena has the sole power to remove Prime Minister as the Constitution outlined the provision as to how a President could remove a Prime Minister, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris said today.

SL housemaid in Kuwait found dead

The body of a Sri Lankan housemaid, who had committed suicide inside her sponsor’s house at Rabya in Kuwait, has been discovered by the sponsor, Arab Times reported today.

UAE, SL to deter unscrupulous recruitment agents

The UAE and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sunday to keep unscrupulous recruitment agents, who exploit job seekers to the UAE, away from the recruitment sector, Gulf News reported today.

Parliament to debate political crisis this evening

A debate on the current political situation would be held from 4 pm to 7 pm in Parliament today, following a request made by Joint Opposition Leader MP Dinesh Gunawardane.In the morning, the Parliament session was suspended for 10 minutes when Speaker Jayasuriya responded