US pledges support for SL

The United States today pledged to support Sri Lanka in its endeavor to bring about reconciliation, uphold democracy and the rule of law as long Sri Lanka continued to take courageous and positive decisions on these matters.

Susil resigns as UPFA General Secy.

Susil Premajayantha has resigned from the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary post with effect from August 24.

Sajin Vass further remanded

Former UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardane was further remanded till September 8 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate today for allegedly misusing 22 vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.

Swearing-in ceremony on Thursday

The swearing-in of the ministers of the new government that was scheduled for today has been postponed, for the second time, until Thursday (27). It is learnt that the Cabinet will comprise 51 ministers.

Second interim report to MS on Friday

The second interim report of the Presidential Commission to Inquire into Complaints on Missing Persons will be handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday, by Commission Chairman Maxwel Paranagama.

Biswal arrives in SL

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal arrived in Sri Lanka in the early hours today on a two-day visit with Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Tom Malinowski, Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesman Satya Rodrigo said.

Don't blame me for NL appointments: Susil

Former UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha said yesterday he was not involved nor consulted when selecting the party's National List (NL) nominees for appointment to parliament.

No legal basis for an int'l investigation

Asserting that there was no legal basis for an international investigation within Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that there should be a domestic inquiry into the alleged violations of human rights in Sri Lanka.

UPFA won't be dissolved: Gammanpila

The United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) will not be dissolved for at least five more years despite reports to the contrary, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Sanga to decide on British HC post offer

Sri Lankan cricketing icon Kumar Sangakkara said yesterday he was surprised by President Maithripala Sirisena's invitation to take up a diplomatic posting as Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Britain.

I’ll speak on behalf of SL: Blair

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is in Sri Lanka on a private visit, met President Maithripala Sirisena today and assured he would speak on behalf of Sri Lanka to help negate the misconceptions being spread about the country.

Video: Gotabaya quizzed by PCoI for five hours

Former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was today questioned by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) over allegations of misusing state funds and using personnel of the state-owned security firm, Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Limited (RALL) for the presidential election campaign.

Four army personnel arrested over Eknaligoda disappearance

Four army personnel were arrested by the CID today in connection with the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, police said.  

Sarana remanded

Sarana Gunawardane and two others were remanded today till August 26 by the Gampaha Magistrate for allegedly assaulting a man in Gampaha during the election campaign period.

Eknaligoda disappearance: CID quizzes four army personnel

Four army personnel are being questioned by the CID in connection with the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, police said.

Wrong Scholarship paper: Inquiry initiated

An inquiry would be carried out into an incident at the Presbyterian Girls’ National School, Dehiwela, in which an invigilator of the Examination Department had distributed the 2nd paper of the Grade Five Scholarship Examination instead of the 1st paper, the Examinations Department said today.

President offers UK HC post to Sanga

President Maithripala Sirisena today invited Sri Lanka’s former cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara, who retired from Test Cricket, to accept the post of Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK.

Three ministers sworn in

Former ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and D.M. Swaminathan were today sworn in as ministers of the new government by President Maithripala Sirisena.

TNA names its national List MPs

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today finalised its national list with the appointment of K. Thurairatnasingam from Trincomalee and Shanthi Sriskantharajah from the Vanni.

President and PM at Sanga’s last match

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are likely to be present at P Sara Oval Stadium in Colombo today to pay tribute to retiring cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara.

Gota arrives at PCoI

Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) in BMICH this morning to give a statement into allegations of large scale corruption and fraud.

UNFGG ministers to be sworn in tomorrow

Thirty cabinet ministers and 40 state and deputy ministers from the UNFGG will take their oaths tomorrow, informed sources said.

Senior SLFPers tipped for ministries

Several senior members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party will be offered portfolios in the national unity government to be formed jointly by the United National Front for Good Governance and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, sources said.

Election to 335 LG bodies in November

The government is determined to hold elections to the now dissolved local government bodies in November, an authoritative government source said yesterday.

SLFP likely to break-up with UPFA

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) headed by President Maitripala Sirisena and its newly appointed officials are contemplating the termination of its political affiliation with the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), informed sources said yesterday.

Poll monitors regret defeated candidates entering parliament

A leading election monitoring group today expressed its regret and disappointment over the nomination of defeated candidates to parliament through the national list and called for a new criterion for this purpose.

We'll function as main opposition: TNA

Selvam Adaikkalanathan, who was elected to parliament on the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) ticket said today his party intended to function as the main opposition in parliament.

Sampur lands returned to owners

A new ministry will be set up to promote reconciliation, mutual understanding and communal harmony soon under the powers vested with the President in the 19th Amendment, President Maithripala said.

NFF to file action against Susil Premajayantha

The National Freedom Front (NFF), a constituent party of the UPFA, today claimed that it would take legal action against former UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha for including defeated candidates in the party’s national list replacing the original nominees.

Sanga plays last innings

Kumar Sangakkara was dismissed for 18 in his final international innings, ending a remarkable 15-year career during the second Test against India in Colombo on Sunday.