Police officers dissatisfied over mayor's decision

Police officers attached to Colombo city limits expressed their dissatisfaction over Colombo Mayor’s decision to allow pavement hawkers to conduct their businesses on certain streets in Pettah.

MS appoints committee with MR supporters

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a committee headed by former higher education minister S.B. Dissanayake to conduct talks with the group of SLFP and UPFA members who are backing former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, with a view to mending fences with them, party sources said yesterday.

UNP gears up for polls with shifts and newcomers

The United National Party (UNP) has appointed its leadership council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, who will be in charge of the party’s campaign for the general election this year, party sources said today.

I have a Presidential mania: Somawansa

I have a Presidential mania and not a mania for Parliamentary membership, the former leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Somawansa Amarasinghe said.

Ex-Tiger’s application for poll ticket puts ITAK in fix

An application by a former top LTTE leader, Athmalingam Ravindra alias Ruban, for an Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) ticket to contest the August 17 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections, may have put the ITAK in a fix.

PAFFREL to invite 50 ANFE observers for monitoring polls

A total of 50 observers representing the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFE) would be invited to monitor the upcoming Parliamentary elections, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said today.

JNP to contest with MR

The Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) will contest the next general election with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, its leader Wimal Weerawansa said today.

MR to make announcement on July 1

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would make an official statement to the public on his stance of contesting at the Parliamentary Elections, his Spokesman Rohan Weliwita said today.

'Election rallies not allowed near exam centres; security tightened'

Police security would be tightened at GCE A/L examination centres and marking centres due to the general elections, Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said today.

High level Road closed at Pannipitiya

Vehicles movement along the High level Road will be restricted today from 10.00 p.m to 05.00 a.m tomorrow due to the construction of the new flyover in Pannipitiya, Police said.

Fire at tourist hotel in Kalpitiya

Forty foreign tourists had been evacuated following a fire that broke out at a tourist hotel in Kalpitiya last night, the Police said.

​Sangakkara announces Test retirement

Sri Lanka’s batting great Kumar Sangakkara has ended speculation about his future by confirming on Saturday that he will retire during his team’s home series against India in August.

Commercial High Courts in disarray

The Commercial High Court, the only court which has jurisdiction into specialized areas of Law in the island, is in complete disarray, following the shuffling of judges at least 5 times during the past six months.

Postal voting applications from July 3

Applications for postal voting for the upcoming General Election will be accepted from July 3 to July 14, the Elections Department said.

Heavy rains exceeding 150 mm: Met Dep.

The Meteorology Department said today heavy rains exceeding 150mm could be expected in several districts including Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura and Kegalle districts due to the convergence of wind flows.

A/L exams to begin on time: Duration extended by 5 days: Akila

The A/L examinations would not be held between August 17 and 21 due to the general elections, though Examinations would begin on August 4 as scheduled, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

Port city project to start soon: Arjuna

Work on the Colombo Port City project will begin soon as it has not been cancelled, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga informed Parliament yesterday.

A/L exam will be delayed: Dy. Minister

Deputy Education Minister S. Radhakrishnan said last night that the GCE A/L examination in August will have to be postponed as a result of the August 17 Parliamentary elections.

Polls on Aug. 17

The general election is to be held on August 17 this year while nominations will be accepted between July 6 and July 15, government sources said.

Parliament dissolved

President Maithripala Sirisena has called for the dissolution of parliament a short while ago, the Daily Mirror learns.

Death sentence on staff sergeant proves vibrant judiciary: Army

The conviction and death sentence imposed on an Army Staff Sergeant on Thursday clearly indicated that Sri Lanka has an independent and exceptional judicial system, Army Spokesman Jayanath Jayaweera said today.

Basil attends Parliament

United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Basil Rajapaksa who was in remand custody for two months attended parliament today for the first time after the new government was formed in January.

T.B. Ekanayake grilled by FCID

Former Cultural Affairs Minister T.B. Ekanayake was today grilled by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) for four hours in connection with financial irregularities in the Central Cultural Fund, Police said.

FCID files case against Prasanna Ranatunga

The Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) today filed a case against Western Provincial Council Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga in the at Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court,  alleging that he had accepted a sum of Rs.15 million from a businessman to perform an official duty.

Video: Elections Chief collects his pension card

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said today that even though he had retired from his post on June 6, he was unable to quit the service until a new commissioner was appointed according to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Decline in disappearances,unlawful killings in SL: US HR report 2014

The 2014 Human Rights Report issued by the US State Department, in its section on Sri Lanka has noted a comparative decrease in involuntary disappearances and unlawful killings in relation to the immediate postwar period but has noted a series of many other human rights violations that occurred due to governance issues stemming from Rajapaksa-family dominance.  

Two sentenced to death in Chilaw

Two people found guilty of having murdered a 34-year-old man in 2002 were today sentenced to death by Chilaw High Court Judge Ravindra Amal Ranaraja.

Emirates flight makes emergency landing at BIA

An Emirates flight with 510 passengers, flying from Sydney to Dubai made an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) due to a technical fault in the early hours today, Airport sources said.

Kalam to address Energy Forum today

Former Indian President and internationally renowned scientist Dr. Abdul Kalam was scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka last night to deliver the keynote address at the inauguration of the two-day international symposium organized by the Power and Energy Ministry.

Why didn't COPE ask me ? - Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that despite his request that he be summoned to give evidence before the Parliamentary Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) regarding the Central Bank Bond Issue, he had not been given an opportunity to present himself before the committee.