​MR says will contest only from SLFP

"I will contest the next election only from the UPFA led by the SLFP", stated former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the committee which was now attempting to unite the SLFP, sources said.

​Basil discharged from hospital

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who was granted bail by the Colombo High Court on June 15, had been discharged on Thursday from a private hospital in Colombo where he had been warded.

SL instant noodles safe: Health DG

Samples of locally produced instant noodles tested at the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) have been found to be safe and their lead concentration is below the internationally accepted risk level, Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Mahipala said today.

Dissolution only after 20A is passed-Rajitha

Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said today that Parliament would not be dissolved until the 20th Amendment to the Constitution is passed.

19 OICs transferred

The Police Department today said that nineteen Police Officers-In-Charge (OICs) had been transferred on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police with immediate effect.

MS residence for MR: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today that plans were afoot to assign the Wijerama Mawatha residence currently occupied by President Maitripala Sirisena to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as his official residence.

Duminda Silva to be tried by trial-at-bar

The Chief Justice has fixed the trial against Parliamentarian Duminda Silva and 12 other accused over the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra to be heard before three High Court judges Shiran Gunaratne, Pathmini Ranawaka and C.B.S. Moreis.

Ravi sends Rs.2 b letter of demand to Bandula

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has sent a letter of demand for Rs. 2 billion to Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena against a remark allegedly made by him during a political TV interview telecast on 18 June.

Video: Is MR hoping to rule country with same “Gang of robbers” - Navin

Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake today asked former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to disclose whether it was the same “Gang of robbers” that would govern the country if he was elected prime minister again.

Dodangoda OIC arrested

Dodangoda Police OIC was arrested today in connection with an accident which occurred in Beruwala last night, Police said.

8 civilians murdered in Jaffna: Soldier sentenced to death

A former staff sergeant attached to Sri Lanka Army who was found guilty for the murder of eight Tamil civilians in Mirusuvil, Jaffna in 2000 was today sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court after a 13-year-trial.

GK repayment plan: AG seeks time

The Attorney General today sought a further date to submit the government’s decision to repay 41 % of the deposited money of Golden Key (GK) depositors, when the fundamental rights petitions filed by depositors were taken up in the Supreme Court.

8 Indians, Lankan arrested with gold worth Rs.4.5mn

Eight Indians and a Sri Lankan were arrested this morning by the Sri Lankan Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle out more than Rs.4.5 million worth of gold to Chennai, Customs said.

Govt.to prohibit erecting of unauthorised structures in City

President Maithripala Sirisena has prohibited the erecting of unauthorised structures on the streets of Colombo and Mayor A.J. Muzammil had also agreed to withdraw the unauthorised pavement boutiques erected recently on three streets in Colombo, Skills Development and Vocational Training Deputy Minister Thilanga Sumathipala said.

Banks refusing to pay guaranteed 15% interest: JVP

Banks had refused to pay the guaranteed 15 per cent interest rate for the deposits of senior citizens with over a million rupees in their accounts despite the assurance given by the government in the budget this year, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Sunil Handunnetti said yesterday.

SLMC now worse off than before-Rauff

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem, in an emotional speech, said in Parliament yesterday that his party had been placed in a worse predicament after it tried to unseat former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Will it be another white elephant?

The Ministry of Sports will press ahead with the proposed multi-million dollar High Altitude Training Centre and the super luxury hotel within the confines of the picturesque Race Course in Nuwara Eliya once it gets the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) done.

Parliament dissolution within next two days

Parliament is likely to be dissolved either tonight or tomorrow night to enable General Elections to be conducted by the middle of August, informed sources said yesterday.

City hawkers to get IDs

Street vendors, who have been given permission by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to set up their stalls, would be given an identification card to operate, Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil said yesterday.

US report used with ulterior motives: Ruwan

State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said that statements portraying ‘danger to national security’ citing a recent report by the US State Department were baseless and made by persons with ulterior political motives.

Lanka Sathosa to be restructured

The government has decided to restructure LANKA SATHOSA, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said today.

Video: Anyone can go to court

Minister Mangala Samaraweera today said he welcomed any party to institute legal action against the Diaspora Festival being planned by his Ministry to be held by the end of the year.

Nine new ambassadors

The Foreign Affairs Ministry today confirmed the appointments of new ambassadors to nine countries out of thirty three.

Basil’s FR granted Leave to Proceed

The Supreme Court granted Leave to Proceed in the Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Minister of Economic Affairs Basil Rajapaksa.

BBS boils over noodles

Sri Lanka was becoming the largest garbage food dump in Asia because the food items imported were usually unsuitable for human consumption, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera charged today.

Sajin re-remanded

UPFA MP Sajin de Vaas Gunawardena was further remanded till July 7 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya a short while ago.

Bangladeshi black money invested in SL- Report

Sri Lanka is among many countries where the ill-gotten money of several Bangladeshi politicians are being siphoned off and invested in properties and businesses to ensure a secure future for their families, Bangladesh based Daily Star newspaper reported.

SL a critical partner: US

Sri Lanka would be a critical partner in broadening the United States interests across the Indo-Pacific region, US President Barack Obama's ambassadorial nominee for Sri Lanka Atul Keshap told lawmakers on Tuesday.  

Probe into missing arms at army museum

The Sri Lankan Army today said it had launched an investigation into the misplacement of three weapons at the Diyathalawa Army Camp museum.

Body found in hotel room

The body of a 28-year-old male was found in a hotel room in Wadduwa last night, the police said.