JO wanted to form a separate govt. with UNP: Amaraweera

UPFA General Secretary and Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday said five senior members of the Joint Opposition requested Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to sever ties with the SLFP, offer them six ministerial portfolios, three state ministerial and two deputy ministerial posts to support the President to form a separate government.

Govt. to set up new city in H'tota

The government is to set up a ‘new city’ in the proposed China-Sri Lanka Industrial Zone in the Hambantota district, it is learnt.

Govt. committed to ensure security of students

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday that the government was fully committed to ensuring the security of the students of Jaffna university.

Non-academic staff on strike informed to report to work

All non-academic staff of state universities who are currently on strike had been informed to report to work tomorrow, the University Grants Commission (UGC) said today.  

VAT Bill should not be passed: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill should not be allowed to be passed into law.

Govt. to launch Hanuman Bridge project: Gammanpila

The Sri Lankan government is involved in a secret mission to launch the ‘Hanuman Bridge’ project connecting Sri Lanka and India under the intimidation of the Indian Government, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary and MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

SLFP rebels invited for CC meeting tonight

The members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) who are in its Central Committee but aligned with the Joint Opposition were invited to Central Committee meeting, which would be held tonight, United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Infant abducted in Galle Face found in Chilaw

A 10-month old infant who had been abducted at the Galle Face Green on Tuesday was found in Chilaw last night the following day, Police said.

MR and team off to S. Korea

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is to leave for South Korea along with a team of MPs from the Joint Opposition tonight, sources close to him said today.

Not against selling loss making SoEs: JVP

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday they were ready to co-operate in selling loss making State-owned Enterprises (SoEs), which do not have a direct impact on the public lives.  

SLFP CC meets today

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party Central Committee (SLFP CC) headed by President Maithripala Sirisena is expected to meet this evening.

One killed, two injured in accident

A 48-year-old mother was killed and her husband and daughter injured when their car collided head on with a cab near Biyagama entrance on the Kadawatha-Matara Expressway this morning.

Norwegian PM on holiday in SL

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg arrived in Sri Lanka on vacation this morning, Foreign Affairs Ministry sources said.

MG Dhanushka surrenders

Reality show singer MG Dhanushka, who was on arrest warrant, surrendered to the courts today.

One dead, five injured in central London knife attack

A woman has died and five other people were injured in a knife attack in Russell Square, central London.

Wimal arrives at PRECIFAC

Former minister Wimal Weerawansa arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) a short while ago in connection with the misappropriation of Rs.1 billion in public funds.

Foreign currency smugglers caught at BIA

Two Lankan men were today arrested at the Katunayake airport by the Customs Narcotics Division with foreign currency amounting to around Rs.35 million while they were attempting to smuggle them out to Singapore.

PM returns from Indonesia

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremeisnghe today returned to the country concluding his three-day official visit to Indonesia.

Govt. trying to sneak out dialysis to India: GMOA

Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) President Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya said he had learnt that of attempts by the top brass of the Government to outsource dialysis service of kidney patients to Indian companies.

No more political activities at 23 public grounds in Colombo

Political rallies and meetings will no longer be held at some 23 public grounds located in Colombo and its suburbs including the Hyde Park Corner, the Colombo Municipality said yesterday.

Hooting: MR explanation not enough: Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa

The hooting by the Joint Opposition supporters in front of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) headquarters during the Paada Yathra was an insult to their own party, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa said today.

Revelation on Port City reflects badly on India, China: JO

The Government’s revelation that it had to suspend the Port City Project due to pressure from India not only shows the incompetency of the government but also reflects badly on both India and China, the joint opposition charged today.

SriLankan to resume flights to Dubai tomorrow

SriLankan Airlines will resume its flights to Dubai tomorrow after the reopening of the runway which was closed due to an Emirates passenger jet crash landed at Dubai Airport this morning, a spokesman for the SriLankan Airlines said.

Framework for democracy, reconciliation and development in place: Mangala

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the National Unity Government was now putting in place the framework for democracy, reconciliation and development.

Hooting: Foolish act, if happened, says MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said it was a foolish act if the Joint Opposition supporters hooted in front of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s’ (SLFP) headquarters during the Paada Yathra.

Disgraceful deal between MR and RW: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) alleged today that the most disgraceful deal in the country was taking place between Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Speaker not yet signed RTI: Dinesh

Joint Opposition leader MP Dinesh Gunawardena today rejected Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka’s statement that the Speaker had placed his signature on the Right to Information (RTI) Bill allowing it to become the law.

Countrywide WiFi facilities from Nov: Harin

The government will set up WiFi hotspots at 400 locations by November 1, Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando said today.

Thajudeen murder: CID says calls were from Presidential Secretariat

Senior State Counsel Dilan Rathnayake today told Court that according to the information revealed from the phone details of Former OIC of the Narahenpita Police Damian Perera, in connection with the murder of the killing of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen, the CID had recovered that the phone calls were received from the Presidential Secretariat on the day the incident happened.

Emirates plane on fire after crash-landing

An Emirates passenger jet has crash landed at Dubai Airport this morning before exploding into a massive fireball on the runway.