Joint Opp. slams Govt's stance on kidney transplantation

The Joint Opposition yesterday said the Government was suppressing the professionals and that was why it has stopped kidney transplantation and also opted for the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperative Agreement (ETCA) with India.

SLFP chairman should stop any divisions: CBK

Former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga responding to a question asked by journalists on attempts by a section of the SLFP to form a new party under the leadership of ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa, pointed out that it was the party's chairman who should decide on this matter and said had she been the chairperson she would have known how to handle them.

Navy to take action against Lt. Yoshitha Rajapaksa

The Navy will take action against Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa based on the advise of the President's office in the wake of the recommendations made by the tripartite committee, Chief Government Whip Gayantha Karunatilleke told Parliament today.

Inquiry will be held on Homagama protest: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today he had ordered a full investigation into the incident which occurred at the Homagama Courts where a certain group had held a protest against the remanding of the Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera.

Video: Tense situation outside Homagama Court

A tense situation continues to prevail outside the Homagama Court premises after a large number of Buddhist monks and some youth protested against the Homagama Magistrate’s order to remand Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera.

No harassment of female MPs: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said today there was no truth about female parliamentarians being subjected to any kind of sexual or other harassment in Parliament as claimed.

Thowfeek sworn in as MP

M. Sharrif Thowfeek was sworn in as a Member of Parliament by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya this morning.He replaces Dr. A.R A. Hafeez who resigned last week.

Gnanasara Thera remanded till Feb.9

BBS General Secretary the Ven. Galagodaatte Gnansara Thera, arrested this morning on charges of contempt of court, was remanded till February 9 by the Homagama Magistrate.

Hirunika’s Defender released on bond

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra’s Defender vehicle, which was used by several staff members of the MP to allegedly abduct a man from Dematagoda was released on Rs. 4.5 million bond by Additional Magistrate Mohamed Mihar today.

Nasheed seeks SL, Indian influence to return

Former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed, who is in the UK for medical care, had said the date of his return was uncertain and that he might seek to exert influence from Sri Lanka or India to return, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Gnanasara Thera arrested

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera was arrested by the Homagama Police a short while ago on charges of contempt of court.

Lankan health officials involved in Kidney racket: Report

Suresh Prajapathi, who was arrested by the Indian police after busting a kidney transplantation racket recently, has told his interrogators that gaps in the legal provisions helped him exploit the kidney donors and recipients, the Hindu reported.

Gnanasara Thera surrenders

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera, who was issued an arrest warrant, surrendered to the Homagama Police a short while ago, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.  

Russian drowns in Trincomalee

A 39-year-old Russian man has died after drowning while bathing in the seas off Sagarapura, Trincomalee.

​Bhikku Bill a timely need-Asgiriya Mahanayake Thera

While stressing that it is a timely need to have the Bhikku Kathikawath Bill, Asgiriya Chapter Mahanayake Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi Thera said there was a misconception in the society about the bill due to some of its contents.

Probe on some incidents must to clear name of security forces: President

A probe on a few incidents has become essential in order to prevent the world from naming the Sri Lankan security forces as an unlawful force, President Maithripala Sirisena said today.

Ministry will not intervene in admitting students: Akila

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam today requested all government school Principals not to send parents to him or to his secretary with requests for letters to admit their children to school.

CCD summons ASP Liyanage

Businessman and Sri Lanka Labour Party Leader A.S.P. Liyanage said today he was summoned by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to record a statement in connection with the probe into complaint that gold had been hidden in his swimming pool.

New buildings in Kotte should confirm to that Era: CM

The construction of new buildings, which do not clearly depict the identity of the country or the village should not be encouraged, because constructing them according to foreign plans will not portray our values and can sometimes become health hazards, Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya said.

Arrest warrant on Gnanasara Thera

The Homagama Magistrate today issued an arrest warrant on Bodu Bala Sena Secretary General, Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara on charges of contempt of court and the disruption of court proceedings.

CCD to probe kidney racket

Police Chief N. K. Illangakoon has instructed the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to investigate the alleged kidney transplant racket at some private hospitals.

SL should fulfill rights council call for justice- HRW

The Sri Lankan government should fulfill its commitments to the United Nations Human Rights Council by ensuring that foreign judges and prosecutors play a significant role in the mandated accountability mechanism for wartime abuses, Human Rights Watch said today.

One of the six doctors is a member: GMOA

One of the six doctors suspected of being involved in the kidney transplant scandal is a member of the GMOA, Assistant Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said yesterday.

Shiranthi won’t appear before PRECIFAC today

Former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa who was summoned to appear before the PRECIFAC will not make an appearance today, officials said.Mrs. Rajapakse’s legal representative had informed the Commission’s officials of her decision.

Indian fishermen to boycott Katchatheevu pilgrimage

Tamil Nadu fishermen have decided to boycott Katchatheevu pilgrimage for the annual festival at St Antony’s Church and not lend their boats, the Hindu reported today.

Lalith Kotelawala at PRECIFAC

Businessman and former Ceylinco Chairman Lalith Kotelawala arrived at the PRECIFAC a short while ago to give a statement.He was summoned to record a statement over the alleged financial irregularities

Dollar will hit 160- Bandula

In an interview with the Daily Mirror the Joint Opposition’s Economic Affairs Spokesman, MP Bandula Gunawardane said that people would be compelled to endure economic hardships in the form of rising price and the lack of employment opportunities in the new year. He said it would not bode well for the country, because of budgetary provisions.

No agreement with India in February- Malik

Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama yesterday refuted the charges made by the Opposition that a framework agreement on the proposed India and Lanka Technological and Economic Participation Agreement is to be signed in February this year.

President calls North to stop consuming alcohol

In his continuing campaign for abstinence, President Maithripala Sirisena called upon the residents of the Northern Province to stop consuming alcohol.

Arjuna faults FCID for summoning Mathews

Former world cup winning Sri Lanka cricket captain and Minister of Ports and Shipping, Arjuna Ranatunga said the summoning of Sri Lanka Cricket captain Angelo Mathews to the FCID was regrettable.