Sanga irreplaceable for SL: Jayasuriya

Sri Lankan cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya on Wednesday said recently-retired wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara is "irreplaceable" for the team.

Don't worry about NL MPs: Ranjan

People should not take the appointment of defeated MPs to Parliament through the National List seriously as many of them were slated to end up in prisons before long, United National Party (UNP) MP elect Ranjan Ramanayake said yesterday.

Video: SLFPers did not vote for me: Solangaarachchi

Provincial councilor Prasanna Solangaarachchi said today SLFPers neither understood him nor voted for him at the last general election.

Derailment causes delays on coastline

All trains scheduled on the coastal line had been announced delayed, causing difficulties to the commuters following a derailment of a train at the Fort Railway Station early today, Railway Control Room said.

Abe wishes Ranil

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had sent a congratulatory message today to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe following his swearing in as the Prime Minister.

CaFFE urges repeal of PTA

The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) today urged the government to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) saying it was misused by the previous regime to suppress media and human rights activists in the country.

Prof Warnapala is UPFA’s new Gen. Secy.

Professor Vishwa Warnapala today assumed duties as the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary after yesterday’s resignation of former general secretary Susil Prmajayantha.

US backs Sri Lanka's domestic probe

The United States said today it would work together with Sri Lanka's new government to propose a resolution to a U.N. human rights forum that seeks to come to terms with the painful legacy of a 26-year civil war.

UNP-SLFP reach agreement: Malik

The United National Party (UNP) today said it had finally reached an agreement with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to form a national government for two years.

Walla Patta detection: 4 Lankans, 2 Chinese arrested

Police Narcotics Bureau in a special operation carried out in Bambalapitiya last evening seized a large stock of ‘Walla Patta’and a stash of local and foreign currency amounting to several million rupees which were in the possession of six suspects including two Chinese.

FR petition against UPFA national list

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Vice Chairman Somaweera Chandrasiri today filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order to suspend the gazette notification naming the twelve national list nominees appointed to parliament.

SL to work with Fijian military

Sri Lanka is hoping to sign a defence cooperation agreement with Fiji, a South Pacific country, the Fiji Sun reported.

Seneviratne withdraws case against Ranil

A lawsuit filed by former Minister of sugar industries Lakshman Seneviratne against UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and its working committee members challenging his expulsion from the UNP was dismissed by Colombo District Court after the former minister’s decision to withdraw the case.

Sarana further remanded

Former UPFA MP Sarana Gunawardane was further remanded till September 9 by the Gampha Chief Magistrate Tikiria K Jayatilake today for allegedly assaulting a man in Gampaha during the election campaign period.

SLFP asks for important portfolios

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is dismayed over the nature of Cabinet portfolios offered to its members during initial discussions in the proposed national unity government, and discussions are underway to sort them out, it is learnt.

MR won't accept post of opposition leader

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will give political leadership to the parties and groups with him, but will not accept the post of opposition leader in parliament and function as an ordinary MP, it is learnt.

No-confidence motion against Central province CM

Central Province Opposition Leader Ranjith Aluvihare said today the Attorney General had granted approval to submit the no-confidence motion against the Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and that his party (UNP) will be submitting it to the council shortly.

Coca-Cola EPL suspended

The Environmental Protection Licence (EPL) granted to the Coca-Cola beverage factory which is being blamed for oil leakage into the Kelani River has been temporarily suspended, Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman Prof. Lal Dharmasiri said.

US to provide USD 1 M for resettlement in Sampur

The United States said today it would join with other international donors to provide one million US dollars to support resettlement efforts in Sampur as part of its continuing commitment to strengthen Sri Lanka’s peace and development.

Sobitha Thera blasts move to form jumbo Cabinet

National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Leader the Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera today severely criticized the move to appoint a large number of ministers for the purpose of accommodating a 'National Government'.

Mervyn noticed over white vans

Colombo Chief Magistrate issued notice on Former Minister Mervyn Silva to appear before court on November 11 to give evidence regarding “white van culture.”

US pledges support for SL

The United States today pledged to support Sri Lanka in its endeavor to bring about reconciliation, uphold democracy and the rule of law as long Sri Lanka continued to take courageous and positive decisions on these matters.

Susil resigns as UPFA General Secy.

Susil Premajayantha has resigned from the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary post with effect from August 24.

Sajin Vass further remanded

Former UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardane was further remanded till September 8 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate today for allegedly misusing 22 vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.

Swearing-in ceremony on Thursday

The swearing-in of the ministers of the new government that was scheduled for today has been postponed, for the second time, until Thursday (27). It is learnt that the Cabinet will comprise 51 ministers.

Second interim report to MS on Friday

The second interim report of the Presidential Commission to Inquire into Complaints on Missing Persons will be handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday, by Commission Chairman Maxwel Paranagama.

Biswal arrives in SL

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal arrived in Sri Lanka in the early hours today on a two-day visit with Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Tom Malinowski, Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesman Satya Rodrigo said.

Don't blame me for NL appointments: Susil

Former UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha said yesterday he was not involved nor consulted when selecting the party's National List (NL) nominees for appointment to parliament.

No legal basis for an int'l investigation

Asserting that there was no legal basis for an international investigation within Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that there should be a domestic inquiry into the alleged violations of human rights in Sri Lanka.

UPFA won't be dissolved: Gammanpila

The United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) will not be dissolved for at least five more years despite reports to the contrary, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila said today.