Electoral reforms: Cabinet fails to reach agreement

Despite last ditch attempts Cabinet, last night, failed once again to reach consensus on the proposed electoral reforms, informed sources said yesterday.

Kotakethana killing: Three accused acquitted

The three accused who were charged with the killing of a mother and her daughter at Kotakethana in July 2012 were acquitted by Colombo High Court Judge Devika De Livera Tennakone today.

Johnston released on bail

Former Minister Johnston Fernando was released on bail by the Kurunegala Magistrate a short while ago.

Video: EC wants self-regulation for media

Election Commissioner Mahinda Desapriya said yesterday he would initiate discussions with private media institutions to evolve a self regulatory system to be followed during elections .

No need to change President or Prime Minister- Champika

Power and Energy Minister and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) general secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday that what was required today was not to change the president or prime minister but to change the electoral system.

I was not allowed to work freely: Vijith Vijayamuni

UPFA MP Vijith Wijayamuni Zoysa said yesterday that he was not allowed to work freely in the Wildlife Ministry as its subject minister, and that everything was done by former minister Basil Rajapaksa.

No dissolution till 20A enacted-Rathana Thera

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) chairman and Pivithuru Hetak convenor, the Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said yesterday that they would not allow parliament to be dissolved without the 20th Amendment to the Constitution first being enacted.

Video: Regulate population growth -BBS

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Organisation today explained the policies of their proposed political party and said they had a vision to regulate the country’s population growth to avoid ethnocentric issues.

Blood ‘stolen’ from 49-year-old woman

A 49-year-old woman today complained to the Wattala police that unknown person or persons had drawn her blood when she had lost consciousness while travelling in a three-wheeler.

Basil’s FR fixed for June 4,5

The hearing of the Fundamental Rights Petition filed by UPFA MP Basil Rajapaksa seeking an interim order to release him from remand custody was fixed for June 4 and 5 by a three judge bench of the Supreme Court today.

It was Keheliya who wanted to rejoin UNP: Hashim

The United National Party (UNP) never wooed former media minister Keheliya Rambukwella to join the party, General Secretary Kabir Hashim said today.

I never betrayed the SLFP: Pavithra

Parliamentarian Pavithra Wanniarachchi, who resigned from her ministerial portfolio recently, said today that she did not betray the SLFP or the SLFPers and pledged not to quit the party.

Basil still in ambulance

Shashi summoned to FCID

Former minister Wimal Weerwansa’s wife Shashi has been summoned to the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) tomorrow morning to record a statement over some questionable land deals.

Video: Voice against violence

Tiran Alles won’t be arrested till June 11: AG

The Attorney General today assured that Parliamentarian Tiran Alles would not be arrested till the Supreme Court gives a ruling on his fundamental rights petition seeking a stay order is taken up on June 11.

Heavy traffic in Town Hall

Heavy traffic was reported in the Town Hall area due to a protest by a group of junior health workers outside the Health Ministry urging their demands be granted, the police said.

Vienna Airport employees caught smuggling Lankans to US, UK

Austrian police have arrested several security employees at the Vienna Airport including a Sri Lankan for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka to the UK and the US, The Telegraph reported yesterday.

Enact the assessment services constitution

Basil’s bail application rejected; re-remanded

Kaduwela Magistrate Dhammika Hemapala today rejected the bail applications submitted by UPFA MP Basil Rajapaksa and three others and re-remanded them till June 10.

I am sick of politics: Geetha

The opening of the technological science centre of Ananda Madhya Maha Vidyalaya, Elpitiya, which was built at a cost of Rs nine million, was held yesterday under the patronage of Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunatilleke. Southern Provincial Council member Geetha Kumarasinghe had attended the function and made a speech, though she had not been invited to do so.

SF says will welcome war crime investigation

Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka says his conscience is clear and he would welcome a war crimes investigation to prove his innocence.

SL rejects TN fishermen's demand

Sri Lanka on Tuesday rejected the demand of Indian fishermen, especially those from Tamil Nadu, to allow fishing in its waters of for 63 days a year.

Video: FCID will probe bond issue if necessary: PM

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) would be asked to investigate the controversial bond issue if it was found to be necessary, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday.

Video: Sarath Silva does another U-turn

Former Chief Justice Sarath Silva launching a scathing attack on the present government, saying that it ‘was illegal from its inception.’ He said that he ‘regrets having lit the fire’ by opposing President Rajapaksa’s candidacy.

Shiranthi to appear before FCID

Former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has been asked to appear before the police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) on June 1, over alleged corruption in connection with a bank account of the ‘Siriliya Saviya’ Foundation,MP Namal Rajapaksa told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Husband turns to be a woman

In a strange turn of events a 30-year-old woman in a complaint to the police has said her 'husband' with whom she had been living for the past eight years was after all a woman and not a man.

Enact 20 A without delay: Nimal Siripala

Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva today urged all the political parties to support and show their commitment to enact the 20th Amendment to the Constitution which was to be approved by the Cabinet.

Strikes disrupt services at Govt. hospitals

Work in some 1,070 government hospitals countrywide were paralysed today as a result of 48-hour strike launched by All Ceylon Health Services' Union urging that their ten major demands be granted.

Vasu against Gota, Basil contesting

While saying he was opposed to Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa contesting the general elections under the UPFA or the SLFP, DLF Leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara said he was helpless if the alliance nominated them.