Priority bus lane from Borella to Maradana from tomorrow

The priority bus lane will be in force from Borella to Maradana from tomorrow, the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry said today.

Remove PM for a fair bond trial: JO

The joint opposition (JO) today requested President Maithripala Sirisena to remove Prime Minister Ranil Wikcremesinghe so as to ensure a free and fair trial on the Central Bank bond scam.

Victor Ratnayaka’s wife remanded

Veteran singer Victor Ratnayake’s wife Hashini Amendra was remanded till January 17 by the Tangalle Magistrate today.

Bond report - Without copies debate sure to fizzle out: NFF

National Freedom Front (NFF) MP Jayantha Samaraweera asked how the parliamentarians could debate on the bond commission report without knowing its contents because none of them were given copies of the report.

Victor Ratnayaka’s wife arrested

Hashini Amendra, the wife of veteran singer Victor Ratnayake, was arrested by the Tangalle Police this morning for the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 1.28 million worth of jewelry belonging to a state bank.

Ex-navy spokesman, five others get bail

Former navy spokesman D.K.P. Dassanayake and five others, held in remand custody, were granted bail by the High Court today.

Distributing ballot papers: EC to find alternatives in case of Postal strike

The Elections Commission to issue a gazette seeking an alternative to distribute postal voting ballot papers if the Postal employees decided to go ahead with the scheduled strike tomorrow, Additional Election Commissioner M.M. Mohomad said today.

Mathews appointed as ODI, T20 captain

Angelo Mathews has been appointed as the ODI and T20 captain of the Sri Lanka national team, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced short while ago.

Ex-LTTE spokesman assaulted in Jaffna

A man was arrested by the Jaffna Police in connection with assaulting former LTTE media spokesman Daya Master in Jaffna yesterday.

I will gladly go before a bond commission: Cabraal

Central Bank’s former governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said yesterday he would gladly go before a presidential commission if such a commission was set up to probe alleged bond irregularities from 2008 to 2014.

Rajagiriya flyover, Moragahakanda planned by my Govt: MR

In a statement on the third anniversary of the yahapalana government, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said the Moragahakanda project was planned, funds allocated and construction work launched under his government in 2007 under the 2005 Mahinda Chintana programme.

Ravi denies Mano Ganesan's claims

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake yesterday denied the claims made by Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Minister Mano Ganesan that underworld figures had been nominated for the upcoming local government (LG) elections to represent the Colombo North.

Price of packeted lunch goes up in Colombo

The prices of the packeted lunch sold within the Colombo City limits have shot up at least by 20 to 30 rupees from today following the increase of the lunch sheets and polythene bags from the beginning of the year.

Election propaganda -- Don't misuse Temple Trees: CaFFE to PM's Secy.

The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) today requested the Prime Minister's Secretary not to allow Temple Trees to be used for election propaganda work.

Some conspiring to destroy me for political survival: Ravi

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, who faces charges in connection with the Central Bank bond scam, asked for a copy of the commission report today under the Right to Information Act.

Murder suspect shot dead in Pannala

A 35-year-old man was shot dead by an unidentified gunman at Pallama in Pannala on the Kurunegala-Negombo Main Road this afternoon.

President hasn’t used his sword well- Gammanpila

President Maithripala Sirisena had not used his sword well to trap the real culprits of bond scam, General Secretary of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

‘Akbar Town’ renamed as ‘Enderamulla 01’

Issuing a Gazette extraordinary on Friday, the government renamed the 'Akbar town' election constituency in Mahara Pradeshiya Sabha as 'Enderamulla 01'.

Pedestrian run over in Nugegoda

A 59-year-old pedestrian was killed when he was run over by a lorry at a zebra crossing in Nugegoda on the High level Road this morning.Police said the victim who was a resident of Sangharajapura had died on admission to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital.

Govt. borrowed USD 14.6 bn foreign currency loans: MR

The government has borrowed over USD 14.6 billion in foreign currency loans alone during the short period of 36 months that this government has been in power, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

Fire at Meethotamulla garbage dump

A fire broke out at a section of the massive garbage pile at Meethotamulla this morning, the Police said.  

Special Parliamentary session on Jan. 10

A special sitting of Parliament would be convened on January 10 following a request made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Acting Secretary General of Parliament Neil Iddawala said today.

Moragahakanda reservoir declared open

Moragahakanda reservoir was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago.

SLC gives Hathurusinghe selector's job on tour

New national coach Chandika Hathurusinghe has been assigned the role of selector on tour as part of a plan to give him more say in team selections, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Thilanga Sumathipala said yesterday.

Rajagiriya flyover declared open

Rajagiriya flyover which is considered as the longest flyover in Sri Lanka, was declared open a short while ago by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

President and I remain committed to ideals & vision that united us 3 yrs ago- PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, issuing a statement on the eve of the third anniversary of the presidential election victory of 2015, said there is much left to be done to bring justice for the sins of the past and heal this country from the culture of brutality that prevailed for nearly a decade.

Govt. directs transfer of officers to avoid conflict of interest

The government has directed all Divisional Secretaries to transfer with immediate effect any Samurdhi Officer, Agricultural Officer or Development Officer out of their divisions of duty if any close family member of these officers are contesting the local government elections in the respective areas.

Special Parliamentary session likely this week

Parliament is likely to hold a special session this week to debate the Central Bank scam as requested by political parties, it is learnt.

President halts recovery of Samurdhi loans given during former rule

President Maithripala Sirisena had ordered the Department of Samurdhi Development to halt the recovery of loans issued for housing renovation of low income families by the Samurdhi Banks during the previous government.

Schoolchildren trapped in Piliyandala drug racket

A well- organised drug racket which has continued for several months targeting schoolchildren in the Piliyandala area has been revealed to the Daily Mirror.