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.

Thilanga appointed Deputy Speaker

UPFA Parliamentarian Thilanga Sumathipala was appointed as the Deputy Speaker of new parliament a short while ago.

Stay order on full-face helmet ban extended

The interim order issued staying the operation of the police circular banning the use of full-face helmets, was extended till October 13 by the Court of Appeal today.

Karu appointed new Speaker

UNP MP and former Public Administration Minister Karu Jayasuriya was appointed uncontested as the Speaker of new parliament a short while ago.

PCoI summons ex-ITN chief

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) will today interrogate former ITN chairman Anura Siriwardena over a loss of Rs.115 million incurred by the state-owned television station for broadcasting ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa's advertisements, which were not paid for.

Ranil states criteria for portfolios

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have told his party seniors that in assigning Cabinet portfolios he would consider those who had either won their respective electoral districts or improved their performance when compared with previous elections.

CEA temporarily revokes suspension on Coca-Cola’s EPL

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) today temporarily revoked the suspension imposed on the Environmental Protection Licence (EPL) of the Coca-Cola beverage factory.

Karzai arrives in SL

Hamid Karzai, former President of Afghanistan, arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon to take part in the Defence Seminar 2015 scheduled to be held on September 1 and 2 at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo.  

Speaker will decide on Opp. Leader: UNP

It is the speaker who has the power to decide who would be the Leader of the Opposition in the new Parliament, a United National Party (UNP) MP said today.

UPFA allies to form new party: Gammanpila

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila said today several constituent parties of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) would contest the local government election under a new political alliance.

FR challenging UPFA national list fixed for support

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) challenging the UPFA national list, was fixed for support on September 10 by the Supreme Court today when it was taken up before the three-judge bench.

Saudi fire: Embassy checking on casualties

Officials of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Saudi have been directed to check whether any Sri Lankan employees had been affected by the fire which engulfed the Aramco Oil Company’s residential complex, Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) said.

Video: Maithri allows Opposition to select their leader

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa today said President Maithripala Sirisena has allowed Opposition MPs to appoint the Opposition Leader.

Video: No offence transpired against KP: AG

The Attorney General today informed the Appeal Court that so far no offence has transpired against Kumaran Padmanadan (KP) in respect of the report examined by him on the writ petition filed by the JVP.

Vaiko, Ramadoss oppose India gifting ship to SL

Opposing the gifting away of a Indian Coast Guard ship to Sri Lanka, MDMK chief Vaiko said it was a "betrayal" of Eelam Tamils and Tamil Nadu fishermen.

President to make special statement

The inaugural session of the eighth Parliament will begin tomorrow at 9.30 am. Afterwards, United National Party (UNP) MP Karu Jayasuriya will reportedly be elected as the Speaker of the new Parliament.

SLFP to help rectify anomalies

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by President Maitripala Sirisena has decided to look into the shortcomings that may arise in the demarcation of ‘electoral wards’ for conducting elections to the local authorities, party officials said yesterday.

Video: Ranil stops demolition of old buildings in City

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to stop demolishing old buildings in Colombo City.

Hit and run vehicle kills leopardess in Yala

The carcass of a young female leopard was found inside the Yala National Park reportedly a victim of another hit and run tragedy. The authorities had received reports of several animals being killed by careless drivers transporting visitors on safari.

It's up to Mayadunne to decide: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today there was some doubt about former Auditor General Sarathchandra Mayadunne accepting his appointment to parliament from the JVP national list after he expressed reservations about it.

Kandy Diayawadana Nilame; election on Sep 8

The Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Ministry said the election of the new Diyawadane Nilame of the Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa would be held on September 8.

Australian Naval Ship in Colombo

The Australian Naval Ship HMAS “Melbourne” arrived at the port of Colombo yesterday on a goodwill visit.

Oppon. must select opposition leader: Wimal

President Maithripala Sirisena should not appoint the Opposition Leader but it should be based on the consent of the majority of opposition MPs so that the opposition could function in a proper manner, National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa said today.

Man hacked to death in Opanayake

A 46-year-old man was hacked to death at Akarella in Opanayake early this morning, Police said.

Golden opportunity for SL refugees in India to return: OfERR

Given the prevailing political situation in Sri Lanka, the time has come for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu to return home, said S. C. Chandrahasan, founder of the Organisation for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation (OfERR).

Three killed in accident

Three persons including two women died when a lorry fell into a precipice at Pahala Naragala area in Bulathsinhala on the Horana-Mathugama Road last night.

Omanthai checkpoint removed

The military checkpoint at the Omanthai in Vavuniya has been removed with effect from today (29), officials said. “The checkpoint is now open for free passage,” a senior government official said.