Sovereignty, territorial integrity would hang in the balance in 2017 - MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and the fate of future generations would hang in the balance in 2017 under this increasingly dysfunctional government.

Wijeyadasa blasts MP Ashu for criticising monks

Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe hit out at Government MP Ashu Marasinghe describing him ‘as a NGO write-off’, who entered Parliament on the national list with no voter base. He said Mr. Marasinghe was attempting to erode the Sinhala Buddhist vote base of the United National Party (UNP) by criticising Buddhist monks.

Achieved many, but much needs to be done- Ranil

While claiming that during the last two years, many milestones have been achieved as a country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his New Year message said … “yet undoubtedly, much needs to be done in our pursuit to be a fully-fledged democracy that is also economically sound and socially empowered.”

Ruhunu Uni to add faculty for Tech. Stream in Jan.

Another faculty of the Technology Stream will be opened at Ruhunu University on January 2, it's Vice Chancellor Prof. Gamini Senanayake said today.

Doctor stabbed at private hospital in Colombo

A specialist doctor attached to a private hospital in Colombo is reported to have been stabbed  this evening and had undergone a surgery, Police said.

State Minister Piyankara Jayaratne resigns

State Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils Piyankara Jayaratne is reported to have tendered his resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena today.

President instructs extension of forest cover in Wilpattu

President Maithripala Sirisena today directed the authorities to publish a gazette notification declaring the Wilpattu sanctuary and all forest reserves abutting it as a Wild Life Zones.

North East monsoon setting in: Met Dep.

North-East monsoonal conditions are gradually setting in over the country, the Department of Meteorology said today.

South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 206 runs in 1st Test

Kyle Abbott struck twice in the first seven overs to set up a 206-run win for South Africa on the fifth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at St George's Park on Friday.

Killing of two Jaffna students: 5 policemen re-remanded

The five policemen remanded in connection with the killing of two Jaffna University students were further remanded today till January 13 by Jaffna Magistrate S. Satheeshkaran.

Obama expels 35 Russian diplomats in retaliation for US election hacking

The Obama Administration yesterday announced its retaliation for Russian efforts to interfere with the US presidential election, ordering sweeping new sanctions that included the expulsion of 35 Russians, the Guardian reported today.

Man issued death threats on Prez, PM granted bail

The suspect remanded on charges of posting anaudio recording on Facebook with death threats on the President, Prime Minister and Opposition Leader was today released on bail by Colombo Additional Magistrate Aruni Attigalle.

Minister rejects Jayasuriya’s resignation

Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera yesterday intervened to defuse growing tension between National Cricket Selectors and the Cricket Board after Chairman of Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya tendered his resignation citing ‘interference’.

Two youth killed in motorcycle accident

Two youth were killed when the motorcycle they were riding on veered off the road and crashed onto a parapet at Horawala in Welipenna last night, Police said.

Four CPC officials held captive by IOC

Four officials, including a deputy manager, of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), who had gone on an observation tour of four oil tanks belonging to the CPC in China Bay, had been held captive by officials of the Indian Oil Company (IOC). They had been locked up for about one hour.

Delimitation report to be handed over to acting minister

The Delimitation Review Committee headed by Asoka Peiris has decided to hand over the report to Acting Minister Priyankara Jayaratne in the absence of subject minster Faizer Mustapha, it is learnt.

President tells MEP: No mandate for changes needing referendum

President Maitripala Sirisena is reported to have told the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) that he had not got any mandate for constitutional changes that need to be referred to the people for approval through a referendum, it is learnt.

Looming power shortage: CEB seeks purchase of power for 6 months

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is to urgently lease purchase power at a cost of nearly Rs. 35 per unit for the next six months on an emergency basis at a total cost of Rs. 8 billion, the Daily Mirror learns.

I want to topple the govt. in 2017: MR

Two years after he was unseated, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the first time explicitly stated his intent to make a political comeback, saying he wants to “topple” the current government in 2017, the Hindu reported.

UNP hits out at SLFP saboteurs working with JO

The government’s main constituent party the UNP today charged that some SLFPers who are dealing with the Joint opposition are working to sabotage the development programmes of the government.

Development Bil: JHU says must bring in Bill with required amendments

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today that the Development (Special Provisions) Bill should be brought in with necessary amendments despite petty political gains as it was crucial to establish a powerful institute in encouraging and retaining foreign investors in the country.

Dense fog delays flights from Middle East

Flights scheduled to arrive from Middle Eastern countries such as UAE, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait  have been delayed because of the dense fog in the Mediterranean zone, Airport sources said.

Susanthika airlifted to Colombo

Olympic Silver Medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe who was admitted to the Diyatalawa Hospital on Tuesday after she suddenly fell ill, was airlifted to the National Hospital in Colombo today.

Two Sri Lankans arrested with fake passports

Two Sri Lankans were arrested today at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata with fake Indian passports, the India Today reported.

UNP snubs Wijayakala's statement

The UNP cannot agree with the statement made by its MP Wijayakala Maheswarwan on the late LTTE leader Prabahakaran, one of its MPs said today.

Lottery sellers refuse to sell tickets if price increased to Rs.30

The lotteries ticket dealers said they would stop selling lottery tickets from January 1 if the government does not withdraw its proposal to increase the price of a ticket to Rs.30, the All Island Lottery Dealers Society (AILDS) said today.

WPC rejects Development (Special Prov.) Bill

The Western Provincial Council (WPC) today rejected the Development (Special Provisions) Bill with a majority of 24 votes.

Sasikala: 'New Mother' of Tamil Nadu politics

Sasikala Natarajan has been elected as the general secretary of India's regional AIADMK party, replacing Jayalalitha Jayaram, who died this month after a prolonged illness. BBC Tamil's Thirumalai Manivannan profiles Sasikala's political journey in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the BBC News reported today.

Man dies during running event

A 50-year-old employee of the Nagoda Pradeshiya sabha died this morning while participating in a running event at a carnival organised by the Nagoda district secretariat, Police said.

National day of mourning cancelled following family request: Ministry

The national day of mourning which was declared by the government for former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake was canceled following a request made by his family members, Home Affairs Ministry sources said.