Cabinet reshuffle postponed

President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to postpone the Cabinet reshuffle which was to take place in few days time, informed sources from the government said yesterday.

COPE chairman undecided on appearing before PCoI

Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman Sunil Handunnetti said yesterday he had not still decided whether to appear before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to testify on the Central Bank bond issue.

Gazette notification of electoral wards out by Feb 9

The gazette notification announcing electoral wards is to be released on February 8 or 9, clearing the way for conducting the local authorities’ election, officials said yesterday.

Some newcomers try to create problems - Ravi

A few members who joined in the government, after its formation by the President and the Prime Minister on good governance principles, try to create problems for the government while enjoying ministerial portfolios. They should realise that the President and the Prime Minister have engaged in one integrated journey, said Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake today.

Ranjan complains to BC against Div. Sec.

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake has complained to the Bribery Commission (BC) against the Divulapitiya Divisional Secretary with whom he was at loggerheads recently.

VK Sasikala to be next Tamil Nadu CM

VK Sasikala- the longtime companion of J Jayalalithaa who became the party chief after her death - has been elected the chief of AIADMK's legislature party, clearing the decks for her takeover as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, NDTV reported.

Mahendran spent Rs.66mn for his own purposes: VAC

Former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran spent Rs.66mn of Central Bank funds on 163 occasions during a span of 21 months for his own purposes, Voice against Corruption (VAC) Convener Wasantha Samarasinghe alleged today.

Trump bid to reinstate travel ban fails

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit announced early Sunday morning that it has denied the Department of Justice's emergency motion -- filed late Saturday -- to issue an immediate stay on a Washington State judge's temporary restraining order of President Donald Trump's controversial travel ban.  

Wiggy’s hybrid court is a dream that will not materialise: Samarasinghe

Northern Province Chief Minister C. V Wigneswaran’s moves to establish a hybrid court in the province is a dream which will never materialize, Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

I was forced into a deal with India, J.R. Jayewardene told U.S. envoy: Report

Sri Lanka was forced into making a deal with India as its own armed forces had twice refused to “take Jaffna”, then President J.R. Jayewardene has been quoted as saying in a declassified document, nearly 30 years after the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was deployed in the island nation.

Three Sri Lankans rescued by Royal Air Force of Oman

A helicopter of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) rescued three people of Sri Lankan nationality from a ship sailing to Khasab Port on Friday.

Kudu Roshan hacked to death

A leading drugs trafficker Chamara Sandaruwan alias ‘Kudu Roshan’ was reportedly hacked to death by two unidentified men at Wanathamulla in Borella this morning.

Three nabbed over mobile cash transfer scam

Three persons including a woman had been arrested over Rs. 1.1 million eZ Cash scam in Mount Lavinia yesterday, the Police said.

Chinese military will not be permitted at H'tota port: SL envoy

Chinese military activity will not be allowed at the Hambantota port considering concerns from India, Sri Lankan ambassador in Beijing said on Saturday, playing down protests by hundreds of opposition supporters over handing of 80 per cent stakes of the strategic port to a Chinese firm.

SL lose 10 for 103 and the series

South Africa routed Sri Lanka by seven wickets to take the third one-day international at the Wanderers on Saturday in a match held up for an hour after bees swarmed onto the famous arena.

Water tariff revision in the pipeline

The government yesterday said it will have to decide on a water tariff revision soon given the precarious financial situation of the Water Resources and Drainage Board.

SL vs SA; Bees stop play in third ODI

A swarm of bees stopped play midway through Sri Lanka's innings in the third one-day international against South Africa in Johannesburg.

US suspends Trump’s travel ban

The United States Department of Homeland Security said Saturday it won't force airlines to block foreigners with visas from boarding planes into the U.S. under President Donald Trump's travel ban.

Gemunu demands Rs.500mn from Dilan Perera

SAITM Medical Faculty Parents Forum Convener Gemunu Wijeratne today said that he would file a defamation case against Minister Dilan Perera demanding Rs. 500 million for allegedly making defamatory remarks on him in Badulla recently.

Wigneswaran boycotts Independence Day event

The Chief Minister of Sri Lanka’s Tamil-majority Northern Province, C.V.Wigneswaran, boycotted the 69 th. Sri Lankan Independence Day function in Jaffna on Saturday, and instead attended protest meetings held at Keppapilavu and Puthukudiyiruppu in Mullaitivu district.

Wellamadama premises of Ruhunu Uni. temporarily closed

The Wellamadama premises of the Ruhunu University were temporarily closed due to a tense situation prevailed between the students and the villagers, sources said.  

Indian national arrested for photographing Temple Trees

A 36-year-old Indian national was arrested this morning while he was taking photos of Temple Trees and surrounding area, Police said.

Two arrested over Athurugiriya shooting

Two suspects were arrested yesterday in connection with the murder of underworld figure, Tranil Bandara Dharmasiri alias Banda inside a beauty salon at Athurugiriya recently, police said.

SL a valued friend and neighbour of India: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extending his greetings to Sri Lanka on its 69th Independence Day celebrations said in a twitter message that Sri Lanka was a valued friend and a neibour of India.

Mysterious young woman arrested in Padukka

A 17-year-old female who had been loitering in the Padukka area for the past month and a half in a suspicious manner was taken into custody following information received by the Special Operation Investigating Unit, Padukka police said.

Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s travel ban

A federal judge in Washington State on Friday (3) temporarily blocked enforcement of President Trump’s controversial ban on entry to the United States, and airlines planned to begin allowing passengers from banned countries to board, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Work honestly and with commitment: President tells politicians

Highlighting the need to eliminate corruption, bribery, malpractices, waste and fraud, President Maithripala Sirisena said today it was essential for the politicians and public servants to work honestly and with commitment.

A Cabinet reshuffle soon: Amaraweera

UPFA General Secretary and Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday a mini cabinet reshuffle was in the offing because the people and government members thought that a change in certain cabinet portfolios was necessary.

Only united people can make Sri Lanka strong: PM

Only a path that unites all can pave the way for a stronger Sri Lanka, a path that calls for what each of us can give of ourselves to our nation, to our common future and to a better tomorrow, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in his Independence Day message yesterday.

President’s Independence Day message

President Maithripala Sirisena said in his Independence Day message that the realization of the true meaning of freedom and independence lies in the country’s potential to free itself from the shackles of all kinds and forms of poverty and ill-health.