Bond Comm. report absolved UNP, its leader: Ajith

Power and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera said yesterday even though the bond issue was a minor issue for the United National Party, the Bond Commission report had clearly stated that no one from the UNP, including its leader, had done anything wrong.

TNA wants solution on par with Oslo Declaration

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in its manifesto for the forthcoming local government election said that that the solution it seeks with regard to the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka was similar to what was in the Oslo Declaration. This was the joint declaration by the representatives of the then UNF government and the LTTE at the third round of peace talks between the two parties in 2002.

Debate on bond, PRECIFAC reports a gimmick: President

The one-day Parliamentary debate on the Bond Commission’s report and the PRECIFAC report scheduled on February 6, is simply a ‘gimmick’ instead of a fruitful one, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.

Marapana Committee: Report to be submitted to UNP working committee

UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim said in a statement yesterday that the Tilak Marapana headed Committee report on the PCoI findings will be handed over to the Working Committee in February.

Enforced Disappearance Bill will be implemented soon

The Government will implement the Enforced Disappearance Bill soon, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday at an election rally in Vavuniya.

Doubts as to who is ruling the country: Lal Kantha

Though both the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP) are urging the people to cast their vote for the ruling party, it is doubtful as to which party was ruling the country, National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) Chairman K.D. Lal Kantha said.

Candidate asks MS for compensation

A candidate contesting for the elections to the Kattankudi Urban Council has claimed compensation from President Maithripala Sirisena for putting up posters on his wall by supporters of the SLFP led by the President.

Move to arrest Ravi and release after polls: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today said there was an attempt to arrest MP Ravi Karunanayake prior to the parliamentary debate on the Bond Commission report and then release him after the Local Government (LG) elections were over.

Polonnaruwa records most number of polls related violence: PAFFREL

The majority of the violent incidents during the Local Government Election period has been reported from the Polonnaruwa District while the least number of incidents is reported from the Kilinochchi District, the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said today.

Civic rights of MR-Rawana Balaya challenges Minister Samarasinghe

Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe is day-dreaming of abolishing the civic rights of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, General Secretary of the Ravana Balaya, Ven. Iththekande Saddatissa Thera said.

Be wary of friend requests: CERT

Principal Information Security Engineer of the Computer Emergency Readiness Team Co-ordination Centre (CERT|CC), Roshan Chandragupta said about 250 Facebook related complaints were received in January this year.

Bond scam miscreants using Ravi as scapegoat: CaFFE

Referring to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's statement that it was only proper for MP Ravi Karunanayake to step down from his post as the UNP's assistant leader, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon today said the major bond scam miscreants had used Mr. Karunanayake as a scapegoat.

Earl and Countess of Wessex arrive in SL

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and the Countess of Wessex arrived in Sri Lanka today on a five-day official visit. The royal couple will attend the 70th anniversary celebration of Sri Lanka’s independence representing Queen Elizabeth II.  

SL, India need to discuss fisheries issue: Envoy

Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India Chitranganee Wagiswara on Tuesday advised the Indian and Sri Lankan governments to discuss the fisheries issues, Outlook India reported.

Foot prints near Sri Pada have no archaeological value

The Foot Prints found on a rock surface in New Portmore Estate in Maskeliya Police division in close proximity to the Sri Pada conservation does not have any Archaeological value, states the Director General of Archaeology Prof. P.B. Mandawala.

Special High Courts to function by August: PM

The special high courts investigations on serious frauds will start functioning by August this year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Implement recommendations of Tilak Marapana

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe reportedly told his Cabinet Ministers that he would implement the recommendations of the Tilak Marapana committee on the bond scam.

3-bench trial-at-bar for cases of corruption and fraud

The Cabinet has approved a proposal by President Maithripala Sirisena for legislation, which if enacted, would enable the High Court to hear cases of corruption and fraud as defined under the Bribery Act and the Money Laundering Act.

All organs of brain dead woman transplanted

The Kidneys, Liver, Corneas of the eyes and Bones of the legs of a woman who was brain dead consequent to the injuries which affected her head in a critical motor accident were removed from her body during an operation lasting more than five hours performed at the Homagama base hospital on Monday night.

UNP capable of forming a Govt: Akila

The United National Party (UNP) is in a position to form a Government at anytime with the support of 125 members in Parliament, UNP General Secretary and Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

More rains expected today, tomorrow due to low level atmospheric disturbance

Heavy showers with thunder will experience today and tomorrow in most parts of the country as a result of the low level atmospheric disturbance over vicinity of Sri Lanka which is in its peak, Meteorology Department Director General K.H.M.S. Premalal said.

SAITM struggle will continue with or without GMOA: IUSF

Although the GMOA appeared to have settled their differences with the Health Minister on the SAITM issue, the Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF) said today it would continue the SAITM struggle regardless of the GMOA backing out.

GMOA now lauds Health Minister

In a new twist the GMOA which had been previously highly critical of Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, yesterday lauded him saying the minister had committed himself towards granting their demands.

Futile to continue ban on LTTE: NPC Chairman

Northern Provincial Council (NPC) Chairman C.V.K. Sivagnanam told a news conference, that it was meaningless to continue with the ban imposed on LTTE within Sri Lanka.

President violated election law: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today accused President Maithripala Sirisena of having violated election laws by saying funds won’t be allocated to the Local Government (LG) bodies that are won by the SLPP.

Spill gates of Rantambe Reservoir to be opened

The Disaster Management Center (DMC)  has issued to residents downstream the Rantmabe Reservoir to be vigilant of rising water following the heavy showers received in the catchment.

Interim Order stays election to Elpitiya PS

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order preventing the election to the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha until a ruling was given on a petition filed by the Democratic United National Front (DUNF).

President Sirisena protects bond scam offenders - JO

President Maithripala Sirisena has been attempting to protect the major bond scam offenders since the beginning of the first bond scam on February 2015, Joint Opposition MP Prasanna Ranatunga said today.

Debate on Bond, PRECIFAC reports on Feb 6.

The debate on the Bond Commission report and the PRECIFAC Report would be held on February 6 from 10.30 a.m. based on a request made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Speaker Karu Jauasuriya, Deputy Secretary of Parliament said.

GMOA strike called off

The 24-hour countrywide token strike launched by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) was called off a short while ago.