HRCSL summons Uva Chief Minister

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has summoned Uva Chief Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake to report to the Commission on February 1 for an inquiry into the incident where he is alleged to have forced a Tamil girls’ school principal in Badulla, to kneel in his presence.

U.S. lifts ban on refugees from ‘high-risk’ nations

The Trump administration said Monday that it will resume accepting refugees from 11 nations whose applicants it designated “high-risk” and will implement tougher screening procedures to weed out potential extremists and criminals.

Proper if Ravi steps down: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have indicated that it will be proper if UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake steps down from his post as the assistant leader of the party.

Govt. talking to India on Mattala Int'l Airport

The government is discussing with the Indian Aviation Authority on forming a joint venture to develop the Mattala International Airport, Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama said.

Mud-slingers will be taught a good lesson on Feb.10: Kiriella

Minister Lakshman Kiriella said UNP supporters would teach political mud-slingers a good lesson on February 10.

SLPP challenges Govt. to strip MR of his civic rights

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today challenged the government to strip former president Mahinda Rajapaksa of his civic rights if possible.

Veteran politician Jinadasa Niyathapala passes away

Veteran politician and former Senator Jinadasa Niyathapala passed away at the age of 88, at a private hospital today. Mr. Niyathapala was a former member of Senate of Ceylon for four years.

Sri Lanka, all talk no action on repealing PTA: HRW

The Sri Lankan government has failed to fulfill its pledge to abolish the ‘abusive’ Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said today.

Abolishing MR’s civic rights not mentioned in PRECIFAC report- PHU

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) had not recommended abolishing the civic rights of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as claimed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

PCoI report: JVP tells Prez to use executive powers to convene Parliament

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today urged President Mithripala Sirisena to convene Parliament immediately using his executive powers and debate the Bond Commission and PRECIFAC reports without issuing challenges at election rallies.

GMOA to launch strike tomorrow

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today threatened to go ahead with the planned 24-hour countrywide token strike tomorrow over various demands including that of rectifying salary anomalies.

Lalith Weeratunge’s request to travel abroad rejected

Colombo High Court today refused the request made by former Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunge to travel abroad.  

India arrests 2 Lankans for attempting to smuggle gold

Two Sri Lankans were arrested by the Navy when they attempted to smuggle out 12 kg of gold worth Rs. 70 million to India in the seas off Urumalei last night.

PRECIFAC report is the biggest issue -PM

The biggest issue at hand was the report of PRECIFAC, as it had recommended stripping former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Civic Rights for life, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said at an election rally in Deniyaya.

PCoI report on CB Bond scam: Mahinda wants debate before Feb. 7

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking in Wellawaya on Saturday (27) said that he would request that the debate on the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to investigate the alleged Central Bank bond scam be held in Parliament before February 7, if possible.

PM’s call for bond scam debate: EC faces dilemma

Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday that he was in a dilemma over the move by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to call for a Parliamentary debate on February 8 on the two reports – one on the Central Bank’s bond scam and the other on serious frauds allegedly committed during the former rule.

Debate on PCoI report: President calls party leaders, secretaries for urgent meeting

A special discussion is scheduled to take place today between President Maithripala Sirisena and the leaders of all political party.

Prez will have to hold group meeting in hell: Ajith

UNP Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera said today in case President Maithripala Sirisena intended to form a government with 96 MPs of UPFA, he would have to conduct the government’s group meeting only in the Buddhist realm of hell known as Avici.

SL a strategic partner in South Asia: Qatar

For Qatar, Sri Lanka is a strategic partner in South Asia, Vice Chairman of Qatar’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mohammed Bin Ahmed Bin Towar Al Kuwari has said.

Re-export of tea, pepper will be stopped: President

Re-export of tea and pepper would be stopped completely and the 50-percent concession given to farmers on seed potatoes would be increased to 100 percent, President Maithripala Sirisena said today.

ICC sanctions Danushka, Mashrafe for misconduct

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza and Sri Lanka opener Danushka Gunathilaka have been found guilty of breaching Article 2.1.7 in two separate incidents during the tri-series final in Mirpur on Saturday, the ICC said today.

German arrested for growing cannabis in Habaraduwa villa

A 47-year-old German national was arrested on charges of operating a cannabis cultivation project at a villa, in guise of a greenhouse, at Katukurunda in Habaraduwa yesterday.

12 TN fishermen arrested for poaching in SL waters

Twelve Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for poaching in the Sri Lankan waters in the seas off Talaimannar today.

Indian arrested with gold worth Rs. 5mn

An Indian national was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning when he attempted to smuggle 1 kg of gold worth Rs. 5 million into the country.

Karnataka man arrested for sexually assaulting Lankan minor

In a shocking case of child sexual abuse, a Karnataka man has been arrested for luring a Sri Lankan minor to India on the promise of a modelling career, and sexually assaulting her and looting Rs 2 lakh from her and her mother.

President: Ready to form SLFP Govt. if all UPFA MPs join

President Maithripala Sirisena said that he was willing to establish a government led by Sri Lanka Freedom Party, if all 96 United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Parliamentarians joined hands with him.

Dharmasena Pathiraja passes away

Award winning film director and screen writer Dharmasena Pathiraja passed away at the age of 74 at a private hospital in Kandy this morning.

Taliban suicide bomb kills 95 in Kabul

A Taliban suicide bomb attack has killed at least 95 people and injured 158 others in the centre of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, BBC reported. Attackers had driven an ambulance laden with explosives past a police checkpoint into a street that was only open to government workers.

SL clinch tri-series; Beat hosts by 79 runs

Fast-bowler Shehan Madushanka claimed a hat-trick on debut as Sri Lanka registered a fighting 79-run win over hosts Bangladesh to clinch the tri-series final at the Shera Bangla at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. 

Hearing of SAITM issue in SC: SLMC sub committee decides not to give its opinion

The Sri Lanka Medical Council’s (SLMC) sub committee on the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) issue has decided to refrain from giving its opinion to the Supreme Court on the SAITM at the relevant hearing, reliable sources confirmed.