Ex-DIG Nanayakkara arrested

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) yesterday arrested the former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Prasanna Nanayakkara on alleged concealing of evidence into the investigation of the murder of former Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, Police said.

Prez, PM should apologize to the people

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should admit their mistake and apologize to the people, Purawesi Balaya Co-Convener K.W. Janaranjana said yesterday.

Civil groups want Maithri and Ranil to continue

Civil groups which backed President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential election 2015 had decided to urge strongly President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to continue with the joint government.

Won't join any Govt; will cooperate on progressive matters: TNA

Amid speculation of a new ruling coalition, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said yesterday it would not become part of any government, but would cooperate on progressive measures adopted by it as far as the issues of Tamil people were concerned.

Some SLFP Ministers to join UNP

Some Ministers belonging to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) are planning to team up with the United National Party(UNP) to form the new coalition government, while others are trying to align with the opposition.

Former head of CSN summoned by FCID

Former Chairman of the Carlton Sports Network (CSN) Rohan Welivita had been summoned to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning to record a statement.

Changing the ‘jockey’ is pointless: JO

Commenting on a move to replace Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, the joint opposition (JO) said today there was no point in changing the ‘jockey’ without changing the direction the horse is moving.

Special committee to decide on ‘Good Governance’ Govt.

It was agreed at the meeting with the President and the United National Front (UNF) to appoint a special committee tomorrow to decide on how to proceed with the Good Governance Government, UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said.

Crucial discussion underway with President and UNF

Crucial meeting between President Maithripala Sirisena and United National Front (UNF) got underway at President’s House, a short while ago.

Indian High Commissioner meets President and PM

The Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe separately on Tuesday, ahead of his departure for New Delhi to meet the new Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.

UPFA refuses to be in a Govt. under Ranil: Dilan

State Minister Dilan Perera said the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) had informed President Maithripala Sirisena that they refused to remain in a government led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Never shied away from taking responsibility in UN system: SL

Sri Lanka has never shied away from taking its fair share of responsibility in the UN system, which has helped Sri Lanka build an image as a moderate and progressive partner, able to bridge differences and build consensus, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the UN Ravinatha Aryasinha said.

NFF says replacing PM not the solution

While claiming that there is a move by the government to hand over the Prime Minister post to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, the National Freedom Front (NFF) asserted that a change of personnel was not what was needed.

Australia to deport LTTE suspect

A Sri Lankan asylum seeker, who is an LTTE suspect, has been ordered for deportation next week, despite the UN requesting Australia not to move him while it investigates whether he will be tortured if he is returned, the Guardian reported on Monday.

Backbenchers urge PM to form UNP Govt.

The United National Party (UNP) backbenchers, who met with party leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today, had urged the Premier to form an independent UNP government.

JO mulls no-faith motion against Auditor General

The Joint Opposition (JO) today said it was mulling a no-confidence motion against the Auditor General for making a statement over State loans during the silent period of the election campaign, in what it called a last minute attempt to mislead the voters.

Shiromala, first Adiwasi public representative

For the first time in the history of governance in Sri Lanka, an Adiwasi people’s representative, who contested at the Local Government election from Dehiattakandiya has been elected from a multi-member ward in Henanigala as a member of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Prez meets PM

A special meeting between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was held at the President’s official residence at Mahagama Sekara Mawatha in Colombo 7 last night on the current political situation in the country in the wake of the local government elections, informed sources said.

As a US citizen, I can't accept PM’s post: Gota

Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who returned yesterday to Sri Lanka from the US, said he could not accept the Prime Ministerial portfolio because he was an American citizen.

Form a caretaker Govt. and dissolve parliament: Vasu

While claiming that Parliament should be dissolved immediately, Democratic Left Front (DLF) Leader and MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara said yesterday they were ready to discuss with other political parties to gain two-third majority to do so.

Territory of Eelam reduced: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said the results of the Local Government election has showed that the territory of Eelam has also been minimized.

UNP has a duty to prevent return of Rajapaksa rule: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today the UNP had a solemn duty not just to the 46% of the electorate who voted for it and President Maithripala Sirisena's SLFP last Saturday, but to the entire resounding majority of citizens of all 6.1 million of (55.3%) who marched to the polls last Saturday and voted against a return to the Rajapaksa rule.

Mandate was to rectify January 8 mistake: PHU

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) today said the people have voted for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the Local Government election to rectify the mistakes they have made on January 8 Presidential election.

Resolving SAITM issue -- GMOA to prepare common document

A majority of anti-SAITM forces have agreed to a proposal by the GMOA which is in the process of preparing a common document to resolve this longstanding matter.

President rejects reports of agreement with PM

The presidential media said today that no agreement had been reached between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on the future political activities of the government or on setting up the administration in local government bodies.

PM to form UNP Govt.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe obtained the consent of President Maithripala Sirisena to form a UNP government in place of the current unity government between the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), a source close to the UNP said today.

Violating election laws -- 85 candidates among those arrested

Some 85 candidates were arrested on charges of violating election laws during the LG elections, Police Media Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said today.

Will do what it takes to cleanup, strengthen UNP: Harsha

Commenting on the Local Government (LG) election results, UNP Deputy Minister Harsha De Silva today assured that he will do what it takes to cleanup and strengthen the UNP to deliver on their promises.

Five years RI for Vass Gunawardena

Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga today sentenced former DIG Vass Gunawardena to five years rigorous imprisonment after he was found guilty of threatening to kill the then ASP now CID director Shani Abeysekara, who questioned him during the investigations into the killing of Businessman Mohammed Shiyam in 2013.

Fire breaks out at Iranian Ambassador’s residence

A fire broke out at the Iranian Ambassador’s residence at the Bauddhaloka Mawatha in Colombo 7 a short while ago.