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.

Court allows CID to obtain statements from Aloysius, Palisena

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne has permitted the CID to obtain statements from Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena who are currently in remand custody.

Namal’s travel ban temporarily lifted

The Fort Magistrate’s Court today permitted Namal Rajapaksa to travel abroad. He was previously not allowed to do so because of the magisterial inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of funds in the 'Krish' deal.

Dissolve Parliament- MR tells govt.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today called on the government to dissolve Parliament immediately and hold a General Election to end the current political instability in the county.

Gota returns

Former defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who was in USA, arrived in the country this morning.

I take full responsibility: President

President Maithripala Sirisena has told SLFP ministers who met him yesterday that he would introduce far reaching changes to the government following the LG polls results in the days to come. 

Prepared to face any challenge: Rosy

Rosy Senanayake, who has become the first Mayoress of Colombo, yesterday said she is prepared to face any challenge that would come her way.

Red light warning to Govt. by people: Ranjan

People have shown the red light to the Government for not taking appropriate action against those who plundered public funds, Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said yesterday.

People have rejected the government- JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna ( JVP) today said the people had rejected the government as it had put the mandate it received in January 8, 2015 to eradicate corruption and to resolve other issues faced by them.

It’s clear country needs a change: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who led the new political party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to the Local Government election victory, today said it was clear that Sri Lanka needs a change.

We accept the people's verdict: Kabir

UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim in a statement said the UNP would accept the people’s verdict given at the local government elections humbly. “The people have shown us a danger signal,” he said.

SLPP wins 239 LG bodies, UNP 41

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has secured 239 Local Government (LG) bodies including Municipals Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas.

Russian plane crashes with 71 passengers on board

A plane carrying 71 passengers crashed in the Moscow area today, Russian state-run news agency Tass reported.