Debate on Constitutional Assembly not on Jan.26

The resolution on setting up a constitutional assembly will not be debated in Parliament next week, informed sources said today.

Time till March 17 for amendments

The Supreme Court today granted time till March 17 to the fisher-folk to amend their petition seeking the Court to cease the activities of the Colombo Port City Development Project.

LG polls likely in June

Local Government elections will be held in June after sorting out the grievances of all stakeholders with regard to the recommendations of the National De-Limitation Commission, Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faizer Musthapha said today.

UNP MP Hafeez resigns

United National Party (UNP) national list MP A. R. A. Hafeez resigned from Parliament today following a decision made by his party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC).

Cricketers not under investigation: Mathews

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Captain Angelo Mathews said today the team members including himself were keen to safeguard the reputation of SLC and that was why they volunteered to disclose what they knew about the match fixing allegations.

Narrow escape for man after Iron rod pierces head

A 47 year-old resident of Ulapane, who was seriously injured after an iron rod pierced his head was admitted to the Gampola Hospital today.

Smart meters to replace Analog meters

All analog electricity meters in the country would be replaced with smart meters within next couple of months, Power and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera said today.

MKADS Gunawardana passes away

Lands Minister MKADS Gunawardana passed away at a private hospital a short while ago. He was 68 years at the time of his pasing away.

Water cannons to disperse FSP protest

Police used water cannons to disperse Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) members at Ceramic Junction in Fort a short while ago when they attempted to walk towards the Presidential Secretariat demanding the release of FSP politburo member Kumar Gunaratnam.

Sujeewa wants civil body to monitor Police

Expressing his displeasure on the slow progress of the investigations carried out on the incident in Embilipitiya, where a youth named Sumith Prasanna was killed, the State Minister of International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe today suggested setting up a special institution to monitor the actions of the Police.

Trial begins in 30-year-old Devananda case

The trial in the nearly three decades-old Kodambakkam shoot-out case, in which former Sri Lankan minister Douglas Devananda is the prime accused, commenced with the examination of a witness in Chennai on Monday.

Lankan tried in Germany for backing LTTE

A Sri Lankan-born man in Germany, charged with the membership of the LTTE which Germany considers a terrorist organization, went on trial on Monday, the AFP reported.

SL condemn nuclear test by North Korea

The Sri Lankan government has noted with concern on the reported nuclear test recently conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Mathews arrives at FCID

Cricket Captain Angelo Mathews arrived at the FCID a short while ago to give a statement in connection with a probe carrying out into alleged match-fixing approaches.He was accompanied by Counsel Nishan Premathiratne.

Lankan Smuggler escapes Dubai arrest through toilet window

Details of the incident at Jebel Ali Port emerged as prosecutors tried the Sri Lankan in absentia on Monday. The man, who was in the shipping business, remains at large.

Ranil leaves for Switzerland

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Switzerland this morning to attend the World Economic Forum to be held in Davos-klosters from tomorrow to the 23rd of this month.

Sexual harassment: Female MPs can complain to Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has requested female Parliamentarians to inform him if they are subjected to any kind of sexual or other harassment, the Speaker’s office said yesterday.

Peshala to seek SC analysis on NPC role

The regular summoning of Principals of schools coming under Provincial Councils to Colombo by Education Ministry Higher officials, has created confusion in the duties of the North Central Provincial Council, North Central Province Chief Minister Peshala Jayaratne alleged.

President says Bill presented had shortcoming

President Maithripala Sirisena today said there was a shortcoming on the part of the government when the Theravadi Bhikku Kathikawath Bill was tabled in Parliament.

Embilipitiya clash: final report delayed

The final investigation report into the death of the youth in Embilipitiya, which was to be released today was not released as scheduled as the investigations were not yet concluded, a senior Police officer told Daily Mirror.

Thisara Perera wants to retire from Test

All-rounder Thisara Perera has retired from Test cricket after been constantly overlooked for the longer version but will continue to play limited over cricket.

Talks with President successful-BBS

The closed-door discussions between the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and President Maithripala Sirisena this evening had been successful, BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera said.

Mother involved in fatal accident further remanded

The suspect woman, who had allegedly committed the offense of aiding and abetting the 15-year-old her son to drive a car, during which a 10-year-old girl and her 47-year-old mother were fatally run over on a pedestrian crossing on the Baseline Road last Saturday night, was further remanded till January 28 by the additional Magistrate Chandana Kalansooriya today.

Racing star noticed to appear in HC

The Colombo High Court today noticed Sri Lanka’s only motor racing star Dilantha Malagamuwa and two others to appear in Court on March 23 to face charges against them for allegedly defrauding US $ 600,000 from a Japanese national.

Anusha suspended over fixing probe

Anusha Samaranayake, a fast bowling coach attached to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had been suspended today pending an inquiry into the alleged match-fixing probe, SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva said.

Canteen Chief nabbed near President’s House

Canteen Owners Association Organiser Asela Sampath had been arrested by the Cinnamon Gardens Police today in the vicinity of the President’s House at Wijerama in Colombo.

New rush hour traffic plan for vehicles leaving Colombo

In a bid to reduce traffic congestion during evening rush hour, Police said a new traffic plan will be implemented from January 21 for vehicles leaving Colombo.

PHU files petition in SC over Kathikawath Bill

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) today filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Theravadi Bhikkhu Kathikawath Bill, which was tabled in Parliament to take action against Buddhist monks who break ‘Vinaya’ rules.

Rail-bus service from Kosgama to Maharagama

A Special Rail-Bus Service operating on the Kelani Valley Railway Line from Kosgama to Maharagama was inaugurated by Transport Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva today.

Saudi Royals throw farewell party for SL driver

A Saudi royal family went out of their way and gave a warm farewell party to its non-Muslim Sri Lankan private driver after 33 years of service, Emirates 24/7 news reported.