JVP MP Mayadunne resigns

JVP National List MP Sarathchandra Mayadunne resigned from his MP post a short while ago after making a special statement in parliament.

Sampanthan new opposition leader

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya informed parliament that TNA leader R. Sampanthan was recognized as opposition leader in parliament.

Gota, Duminda at PRECIFAC

Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, former MP Duminda Silva and seven others have been summoned to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources, and Privileges (PRECIFAC) over several allegations.

Mayadunne to resign today

JVP National List MP Sarathchandra Mayadunne has decided to resign from his MP post today.

Cabinet size increase: Debate today

A resolution calling for the enlargement of the Cabinet in the proposed ‘national unity government’ will be debated in parliament today, it is learnt.

Ranil orders probe on leopardess

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had ordered the Wildlife Director General H. D Ratnayake to carry out an investigation on the recent killing of a leopardess at the Yala National Park after being knocked down by a vehicle.

Coca-Cola fiasco: GMOA says country lacks toxicologists

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today said that there were not enough specialists in the country to assist probes into hazardous incidents such as the Coca-Cola factory’s oil leakage, which contaminated the Kelani River.

MR’s good and bad: Prof. Wijesooriya

Former President and former SLFP Chairman Mahinda Rajapaksa, who rendered a yeoman service by ending the war, did a serious damage to the party by extending the term of office, Colombo University’s Professor Sarath Wijesooriya said today.

Won’t stop my journey: Maithri

President Maithripala Sirisena today said he won’t stop his journey though it might be a steady and slow one.

CBK to meet Modi in Delhi this week

Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who played a key role in engineering the electoral defeat of former Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of an international  Hindu-Buddhist conference to be held in New Delhi between September 3 and 5

Kaushal reported with suspected illegal bowling action

Sri Lanka off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal has been reported with a suspected illegal bowling action during the third Test against India, which concluded at the Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Tuesday.

Premier to visit India

India and Sri Lanka are working to fix the dates for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to make New Delhi his first foreign port of call this month itself.

FR case against national list

General Secretary of Sri Lanka Communist Party DEW Gunasekara today filed a Fundamental Rights Petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order to quash the appointments of MPs elected by the Elections Commissioner under the National List that was gazetted.

Protest against paddy storing in MRIA

A group of people staged a protest at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) this morning against the Paddy Marketing Board’s decision to use airport warehouses as a paddy storage space.

SC allows Tiran’s FR petition to proceed

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights petition filed by former parliamentarian Tiran Alles in connection with an alleged fraud at the Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) and observed that there was no reason to arrest him immediately.

Toyota says cause of fire cannot be determined

Motor car bearing number KQ-6543 which was found with Wasim Thajudeen's body inside had been severely gutted by fire.

The new parliament will be a success: MR

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday expressed his confidence that the new parliament would be a success.

New constitution, oversight committees soon: Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who congratulated Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, said today the new government intended to introduce parliamentary oversight committees, a budget office and a new constitution.

Enact electoral reforms within a year: Nimal Siripala

Electoral reforms must be enacted during the first year of the new parliament, former Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva said today.

Stop witch-hunt against army intelligence personnel: BBS

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera called on authorities to stop hunting army intelligence personnel for the benefit of foreign parties, and protect law abiding Sri Lankan army personnel instead.

Vital Sri Lanka - India relations on sound footing as never before - Arvind Gupta

Indian Deputy National Security Advisor Dr Arvind Gupta said that the ever increasing India - Sri Lanka relations were now on a sound footing and Sri Lanka was a vital component in the periphery as regional development was taking root.

Kotahena shooting: Police release suspect’s photo

Police today released the photograph of a person identified as Jude Priyantha Francis and sought the public’s assistance to locate his whereabouts. He is a suspect in the Bloemendhal shooting which killed two people and injured 12 others during an election campaign.

‘Terrorism’ should be looked at as Common Threat: Karzai

Unless the International Community began to see terrorism as a common threat to the very survival of the world, there could not be an end to the chain of extremism, coupled with terrorism, Former President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai said participating as the keynote Speaker at the inaugural session of the ‘Defence Seminar - 2015’ at Galadari Hotel.

Gammanpila's talk of armed struggle shouted down

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila's speech in parliament was met with protests by some government members when he mentioned an armed struggle.

House should decide on Executive Presidency: Maithri

President Maithripala Sirisena today entrusted the power to make a final decision on the executive presidency to the members of parliament.

Five soldiers injured in attack by detainees

Five army personnel were injured when attacked by a group of detainees at the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre for drug addicts in Kanda Kadu, Welikanda, Polonnaruwa last evening.

Roads to parliament closed till 4.00 p.m.

Vehicular traffic on the roads leading to parliament would be restricted for two hours this afternoon because of the special ceremony to be held in parliament, police said.

Free Wi-Fi zone at Viharamahadevi Park

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has taken measures to install a Wi-fi zone at the Viharamahadevi Park to provide free Wi-fi facilities to people visiting it.

Sharma, three SL players charged for misconduct

India paceman Ishant Sharma and three Sri Lankan players have been charged for misconduct during the ongoing third test between the neighbours, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Tuesday.

MR becomes an MP

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn-in as a parliamentarian of the new parliament today. He was seated in the second seat of the front row next to UPFA stalwart Nimal Siripala de Silva.