SLFP to help rectify anomalies

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by President Maitripala Sirisena has decided to look into the shortcomings that may arise in the demarcation of ‘electoral wards’ for conducting elections to the local authorities, party officials said yesterday.

Video: Ranil stops demolition of old buildings in City

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to stop demolishing old buildings in Colombo City.

Hit and run vehicle kills leopardess in Yala

The carcass of a young female leopard was found inside the Yala National Park reportedly a victim of another hit and run tragedy. The authorities had received reports of several animals being killed by careless drivers transporting visitors on safari.

It's up to Mayadunne to decide: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today there was some doubt about former Auditor General Sarathchandra Mayadunne accepting his appointment to parliament from the JVP national list after he expressed reservations about it.

Kandy Diayawadana Nilame; election on Sep 8

The Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Ministry said the election of the new Diyawadane Nilame of the Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa would be held on September 8.

Australian Naval Ship in Colombo

The Australian Naval Ship HMAS “Melbourne” arrived at the port of Colombo yesterday on a goodwill visit.

Oppon. must select opposition leader: Wimal

President Maithripala Sirisena should not appoint the Opposition Leader but it should be based on the consent of the majority of opposition MPs so that the opposition could function in a proper manner, National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa said today.

Man hacked to death in Opanayake

A 46-year-old man was hacked to death at Akarella in Opanayake early this morning, Police said.

Golden opportunity for SL refugees in India to return: OfERR

Given the prevailing political situation in Sri Lanka, the time has come for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu to return home, said S. C. Chandrahasan, founder of the Organisation for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation (OfERR).

Three killed in accident

Three persons including two women died when a lorry fell into a precipice at Pahala Naragala area in Bulathsinhala on the Horana-Mathugama Road last night.

Omanthai checkpoint removed

The military checkpoint at the Omanthai in Vavuniya has been removed with effect from today (29), officials said. “The checkpoint is now open for free passage,” a senior government official said.

Showers expected in Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces

The Meteorology Department said today showers could be expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, southern and central provinces.

Sri Lankan killed in car crash in New Zealand

A 44-year-old Sri Lankan named Pradeep Edirisinghe died in a two-car crash near Riversdale in Southland, New Zealand yesterday.

JVP’s Mayadunne to resign?

Authoritative sources confirm that JVP National List MP Sarathchandra Mayadunne is due to resign from his position as MP after swearing-in when Parliament convenes.

Karunanidhi condemns U.S. stand on Sri Lanka

The U.S. government’s decision to support the new Sri Lankan government’s plans for a local inquiry into alleged wartime atrocities has evoked strong criticism from DMK leader M. Karunanidhi and PMK founder S. Ramadoss.

No glitches at BOC in Seychelles

Bank of Ceylon Chairman Ronald Perera said yesterday the Seychelles branch of the BOC was functioning smoothly and there were no any grey areas in its setting up process in January 2014.

Making candidates account for campaign funds a must during polls: PAFFREL

Local election watchdog People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) yesterday said strict election laws should be introduced to make it compulsory for candidates to maintain only one bank account for election campaigning.

Lankan tourist attacked by orangutan

A Sri lankan national now domiciled in New Zealand was hospitalised after being bitten on the knee by an orangutan while trekking in North Sumatra, according to the Jakarta Post.

SLFP CC empowers Maithri to appoint ministers

President Maithripala Sirisena further consolidated his position in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) when the party’s Central Committee entrusted him the power to decide on the nomination of members to the posts of Opposition Leader, Deputy Speaker and Chief Opposition Whip.

I don’t have dual citizenship: Geetha

Rejecting reports that her parliamentary seat was being annulled, Geetha Kumarasinghe told Daily Mirror today that despite obstacles, she would definitely take oaths as a Member of Parliament on September 1.

UGGNF awaits EC approval to change name and symbol

The United Good Governance National Front (UGGNF) said today said it was awaiting the Elections Commissioner’s approval to change its name back to the ‘Jathika Hela Urumaya’ (JHU).

Initial approval to store paddy at MRIA warehouses: PMB

The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) said today it had received the initial approval from Sri Lanka Airlines and Aviation Company to store the Hambantota district’s Yala season paddy harvest at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) warehouses.

Oil contamination; water supply disrupted again

The water supply to Colombo, Sri Jayawardanepura Kotte and Dehiwala-Mt Lavinia was disrupted today after the water in the Kelani River was found to have been contaminated with oil, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

13 apply for two posts of hangmen

The Prisons Department said today they had received 13 applications in response to an advertising calling for applications to fill the two vacant posts of hangmen.

P.B. Jayasundera at SIU

Former Secretary of the Treasury, P.B. Jayasundera is being questioned at the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), police said.

Enjoining order on Anura, Susil dismissed

The enjoining orders which prevented Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Susil Premajayantha from functioning as general secretaries of the SLFP and UPFA were today withdrawn by the plaintiffs Duminda Dissanayake and Prof. Vishwa Warnapala.

SLFP CC meets today

The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will meet today, reportedly to discuss the party’s decision to accept ministerial posts in the national unity government which is to be formed in partnership with the United National Party (UNP).

No repeal of PTA at present

The government is not considering the revocation or the amendment of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) at present, a minister said yesterday.

MoD issues detention order on suspects

The Defence Ministry issued a detention order today to detain and interrogate the four army personnel arrested in connection with the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, the Ministry said.

India gifts ship 'Varaha' to SL Navy

Former Indian Coast Guard Ship Varaha, which had been in service with Sri Lanka Navy as Naval Ship ‘Sagara’ since 2006, was today ceremonially handed over to Sri Lanka Navy by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Y. K. Sinha at Colombo port.