Air force flight to bring Lankans in Nepal

The government has taken steps to bring back Sri Lankans including students currently in Nepal in a special Sri Lankan Air Force flight, which will leave for Nepal with a stock of emergency relief to those affected by the earthquake.

​Sri Lanka to send emergency relief to Nepal

The Government of Sri Lanka has taken steps to provide emergency relief to those affected by the earthquake in Nepal, the Prime Minister office said.

Fears of breakaway rebel cricket league sparks ICC probe

New Zealand Cricket has been drawn into an International Cricket Council-led investigation targeting a possible breakaway rebel cricket league, New Zealand based STUFF news agency reported.

Nepal earth quake has no impact on SL: DMC

DMC Assistant Director Pradeep Kodippili said the 7.6 magnitude earthquake which struck Nepal this morning had no impact on Sri Lanka as it occurred on a separate land and not in the sea.

7.5 magnitude earthquake hits Nepal

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake has struck Nepal less than 50 miles from the capital of Kathmandu, the U.S. Geological Survey said today. It occurred at a shallow depth of about six miles.

Wigneswaran defends raising convicts’ issue with Modi

Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran yesterday strongly defended his action of forwarding to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a representation, seeking the release of four convicts of a case of rape and murder, popularly called the Premananda case.

Mother, three children drown at Hambanthota sea

Three children and their mother drowned at sea, while playing on the beach off Old Tangalle Road in Hambanthota this morning, the Police said.

Sri Lanka reiterates warning on Indian fishermen

Sri Lanka yesterday reiterated its warning that Indian fishermen who violate its maritime border and illegally fish within its waters will be arrested.

​Writing to Modi;Did Wigneswaran break protocol?

Northern Province Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran may have broken protocol when he officially wrote to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to consider releasing four Sri Lankan Tamils sentenced to life imprisonment in the 1994 Premananda rape and murder case, Sri Lankan officials told The New Indian Express.

Tax on potatoes, big onion increased

The import taxes on potatoes and big onion have been increased by Rs 15 and Rs. 20 respectively with effect from today, the Finance Ministry announced.

Bond issue: JVP wants President to appoint new committee

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led ‘Voice Against Corruption’ had written to President Maithripala Sirisena requesting him to appoint a new committee to look into the controversial bond issue.

Protesting MPs summoned for contempt of court

MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Bandula Gunawardane, Gamini Lokuge, Jayantha Ketagoda and Sarath Weerasekara, WPC Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Provincial Councillor Udaya Gammanpila and 27 others have been ordered to appear before the Court by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on May 8 on charges of Contempt of Court.

Tsunami funds: Complaint lodged against MR

A complaint has been lodged at the Bribery Commission against former President Mahinda Rajapakse on charges of misappropriating Rs. 82 billion from tsunami funds in 2004 by Deputy Minister of Social Services Ranjan Ramanayake.

Video: Hold general election after 19A: Sobitha Thera

National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Leader Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera said today parliament should be dissolved and the general election held after enacting the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Video: MR visits Basil at CNH

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday the Rajapaksas were not thieves and said they had taken only political decisions.

Video: Dullas apologises for using wrong flag

UPFA MP Dullas Alahapperuma today apologised for using a lion’s flag without the two coloured strips -- reprsenting the minorities -- at the protest held outside the Bribery Commission yesterday.

Video: MS-MR meeting cancelled

A meeting scheduled between President Maithripala Sirisena and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has been cancelled because of Mr. Rajapaksa’s busy schedule, UPFA MP Kumara Welgama told a news conference held in parliament.

We will submit changes to 19A: GL

In the wake of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee (CC) deciding to support the 19th Amendment on a matter of principle, the party said it would support the enactment of the constitutional amendment subject to the incorporation of certain provisions it had proposed.

Motion to remove CB Governor: Bandula

UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardena said today a motion signed by opposition members would be handed over to the Speaker calling for the removal of Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran.  

India denies hurling petrol bombs by SL Navy

The Indian government did not get any complaint against Sri Lankan navy hurling petrol bombs at Indian fishermen, External Affairs State Minister V. K. Singh had informed the Rajya Sabha, the New Indian Express said.

SL 132nd in happiness

Sri Lanka had been ranked 132 at the 2015 World’s Happiness Report compiled by a group of international academics on the people’s wellbeing, GDP, Per Capita and healthy life expectancy in 158 countries.

Wigneswaran seeks release of Lankans in Premananda case

Chief minister of Sri Lanka's Tamil-majority Northern Province C V Wigneswaran has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release three life convicts in the sensational Swamy Premananda case.

Kerry amazed after seeing 100-day programme-Rajitha

US Secretary of State John Kerry was amazed after seeing the work done by Sri Lanka during the 100-day programme, claiming that even a US President could not fulfil such a large number of promises in such a short period, Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

President urges all MPs to vote for 19A

President Maithripala Sirisenatoday urged all parliamentarians to ensure freedom for the people by voting in favour of the 19th Amendment and to be contributors to this act of ensuring democracy in this country.

Those who oppose 19A will be swept from politics - Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who sounded aggressive in expressing his desire to get the 19th Amendment passed yesterday said that all those who were involved in conspiracies to stop it from being enacted, including the Rajapaksa, would be swept away from politics.

​SLFP decides to support 19A

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party Central Committee that met this evening, has decided to support the 19th amendment to the constitution, a party spokesman said.  

Video: BC turned into hunting mansion: NFF

The National Freedom Front (NFF) today accused the government of misusing the Bribery Commission (BC) to witch-hunt its political opponents and to tarnish the image of the former President.

Jail not serious for politicians: MR

Jail terms should not be taken seriously as such experience was natural for them, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in Matale.  

Video: Don’t risk Gota’s life - BBS

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) said today it would urge the government not to harm former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa because he was a conscientious government servant who risked his life to bring peace to the country.

Basil at National Hospital

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa was admitted to the Out Patient Department (OPD) of the Colombo National Hospital a short while ago, hospital sources said.