MR not named Prime Ministerial candidate: President

Sri Lanka Freedom Party Chairman and President Maithripala Sirisena has not decided to accept or nominate former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Ministerial candidate at the next general election, President’s media unit said today.

Indonesian military plane with 113 aboard crashes into city

An Indonesian military aircraft with 113 people aboard crashed into a neighborhood in the city of Medan on Tuesday, according to the head of the country’s air force. Forty-nine people were confirmed to have been killed, but the toll appeared certain to rise.

UPFA agrees to nominate MR

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has finally agreed to nominate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as a candidate at the August 17 general election under the betel symbol, a party leader said.

MR's return to politics not a worry: Ven. Rathana Thera

The National Council for a Better Tomorrow Chairman Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said today they would not be worried if former president Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to politics by contesting at the general elections.

Third term on Sept. 09 for A/L Exam schools

The third term would begin on September 9 for State schools, where Advanced Level Examinations were held, Secretary to the Education Ministry Upali Marasinghe said today.

Nilanga Dela appointed acting Diyawadana Nilame

The Sri Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, whose term of office ended today was appointed as its acting Diyawadana Nilame with effect from tomorrow (1) until the election of the next Diyawadana Nilame.

Full-face helmets: Stay order on ban extended

The Court of Appeal today extended the interim order issued staying the operation of the police advisory banning the use of face-covered helmets, until July 14.

UN to close down OCHA in Sri Lanka

The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sri Lanka would be closed by the end of the year while that in Papua New Guinea will be closed this month and radically downsising it's office in Indonesia, the UN said.

'All Ministry portfolios will remain in force'

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe today said all Cabinet and State Ministers along with Deputy Ministers would continue to function until a new set of ministers was appointed in a new parliament following the general elections.

No plans to come back into power: CBK

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga today said she had no intentions to come back into power or grab power.

JVP urges govt. to postpone polls

The JVP today urged the government to postpone the general elections to the first week of September so that it won't affect students sitting the GCE Advanced Level examination.

Harin vows to give up politics if MS joins MR

I will resign from politicsiIf President Maithripala Sirisena joins former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Uva Chief Minister Harin Fernando said.

VIdeo: CB Bond probe politicised: UNP

The UNP today accused COPE Chairman D.E.W. Gunasekera of politicising the parliamentary probe into the sale of Central Bank bonds.

Kotakethana murder case suspects file bail application

The husband and wife who remain in remand custody over the murder of a 52-year-old woman and her 17-year-old daughter in Kotakethana, filed a bail plea in the High Court today.

BBS to contest election as BJP under Cobra symbol?

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) would contest the upcoming general elections under the name Bodu Jana Peramuna (BJP), BJP Leader and BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera said today.

SL ranked 114 in Global Peace Index

Sri Lanka ranked 114th on the global peace index conducted by an Australian-based Institute for Economics and Peace which measured national peacefulness in 162 countries.

Tiran won’t be arrested till July 6: AG

The Attorney General (AG) today undertook not to arrest former MP Tiran Alles until July 6 in connection with an alleged fraud at the Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) when the matter was taken up in the Supreme Court.

Ranil challenges MR to defeat him

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe challenged former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to defeat him if possible after securing the prime ministerial candidature.

Lankan arrested with Rs.16mn worth currency

A Sri Lankan male was arrested by the Customs while attempting to smuggle out foreign currency worth Rs.16.9 million concealed inside his baggage at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

Police officers dissatisfied over mayor's decision

Police officers attached to Colombo city limits expressed their dissatisfaction over Colombo Mayor’s decision to allow pavement hawkers to conduct their businesses on certain streets in Pettah.

MS appoints committee with MR supporters

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a committee headed by former higher education minister S.B. Dissanayake to conduct talks with the group of SLFP and UPFA members who are backing former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, with a view to mending fences with them, party sources said yesterday.

UNP gears up for polls with shifts and newcomers

The United National Party (UNP) has appointed its leadership council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, who will be in charge of the party’s campaign for the general election this year, party sources said today.

I have a Presidential mania: Somawansa

I have a Presidential mania and not a mania for Parliamentary membership, the former leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Somawansa Amarasinghe said.

Ex-Tiger’s application for poll ticket puts ITAK in fix

An application by a former top LTTE leader, Athmalingam Ravindra alias Ruban, for an Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) ticket to contest the August 17 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections, may have put the ITAK in a fix.

PAFFREL to invite 50 ANFE observers for monitoring polls

A total of 50 observers representing the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFE) would be invited to monitor the upcoming Parliamentary elections, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said today.

JNP to contest with MR

The Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) will contest the next general election with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, its leader Wimal Weerawansa said today.

MR to make announcement on July 1

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would make an official statement to the public on his stance of contesting at the Parliamentary Elections, his Spokesman Rohan Weliwita said today.

'Election rallies not allowed near exam centres; security tightened'

Police security would be tightened at GCE A/L examination centres and marking centres due to the general elections, Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said today.

High level Road closed at Pannipitiya

Vehicles movement along the High level Road will be restricted today from 10.00 p.m to 05.00 a.m tomorrow due to the construction of the new flyover in Pannipitiya, Police said.

Fire at tourist hotel in Kalpitiya

Forty foreign tourists had been evacuated following a fire that broke out at a tourist hotel in Kalpitiya last night, the Police said.