​Sangakkara announces Test retirement

Sri Lanka’s batting great Kumar Sangakkara has ended speculation about his future by confirming on Saturday that he will retire during his team’s home series against India in August.

Commercial High Courts in disarray

The Commercial High Court, the only court which has jurisdiction into specialized areas of Law in the island, is in complete disarray, following the shuffling of judges at least 5 times during the past six months.

Postal voting applications from July 3

Applications for postal voting for the upcoming General Election will be accepted from July 3 to July 14, the Elections Department said.

Heavy rains exceeding 150 mm: Met Dep.

The Meteorology Department said today heavy rains exceeding 150mm could be expected in several districts including Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura and Kegalle districts due to the convergence of wind flows.

A/L exams to begin on time: Duration extended by 5 days: Akila

The A/L examinations would not be held between August 17 and 21 due to the general elections, though Examinations would begin on August 4 as scheduled, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

Port city project to start soon: Arjuna

Work on the Colombo Port City project will begin soon as it has not been cancelled, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga informed Parliament yesterday.

A/L exam will be delayed: Dy. Minister

Deputy Education Minister S. Radhakrishnan said last night that the GCE A/L examination in August will have to be postponed as a result of the August 17 Parliamentary elections.

Polls on Aug. 17

The general election is to be held on August 17 this year while nominations will be accepted between July 6 and July 15, government sources said.

Parliament dissolved

President Maithripala Sirisena has called for the dissolution of parliament a short while ago, the Daily Mirror learns.

Death sentence on staff sergeant proves vibrant judiciary: Army

The conviction and death sentence imposed on an Army Staff Sergeant on Thursday clearly indicated that Sri Lanka has an independent and exceptional judicial system, Army Spokesman Jayanath Jayaweera said today.

Basil attends Parliament

United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Basil Rajapaksa who was in remand custody for two months attended parliament today for the first time after the new government was formed in January.

T.B. Ekanayake grilled by FCID

Former Cultural Affairs Minister T.B. Ekanayake was today grilled by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) for four hours in connection with financial irregularities in the Central Cultural Fund, Police said.

FCID files case against Prasanna Ranatunga

The Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) today filed a case against Western Provincial Council Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga in the at Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court,  alleging that he had accepted a sum of Rs.15 million from a businessman to perform an official duty.

Video: Elections Chief collects his pension card

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said today that even though he had retired from his post on June 6, he was unable to quit the service until a new commissioner was appointed according to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Decline in disappearances,unlawful killings in SL: US HR report 2014

The 2014 Human Rights Report issued by the US State Department, in its section on Sri Lanka has noted a comparative decrease in involuntary disappearances and unlawful killings in relation to the immediate postwar period but has noted a series of many other human rights violations that occurred due to governance issues stemming from Rajapaksa-family dominance.  

Two sentenced to death in Chilaw

Two people found guilty of having murdered a 34-year-old man in 2002 were today sentenced to death by Chilaw High Court Judge Ravindra Amal Ranaraja.

Emirates flight makes emergency landing at BIA

An Emirates flight with 510 passengers, flying from Sydney to Dubai made an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) due to a technical fault in the early hours today, Airport sources said.

Kalam to address Energy Forum today

Former Indian President and internationally renowned scientist Dr. Abdul Kalam was scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka last night to deliver the keynote address at the inauguration of the two-day international symposium organized by the Power and Energy Ministry.

Why didn't COPE ask me ? - Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that despite his request that he be summoned to give evidence before the Parliamentary Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) regarding the Central Bank Bond Issue, he had not been given an opportunity to present himself before the committee.

​MR says will contest only from SLFP

"I will contest the next election only from the UPFA led by the SLFP", stated former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the committee which was now attempting to unite the SLFP, sources said.

​Basil discharged from hospital

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who was granted bail by the Colombo High Court on June 15, had been discharged on Thursday from a private hospital in Colombo where he had been warded.

SL instant noodles safe: Health DG

Samples of locally produced instant noodles tested at the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) have been found to be safe and their lead concentration is below the internationally accepted risk level, Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Mahipala said today.

Dissolution only after 20A is passed-Rajitha

Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said today that Parliament would not be dissolved until the 20th Amendment to the Constitution is passed.

19 OICs transferred

The Police Department today said that nineteen Police Officers-In-Charge (OICs) had been transferred on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police with immediate effect.

MS residence for MR: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today that plans were afoot to assign the Wijerama Mawatha residence currently occupied by President Maitripala Sirisena to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as his official residence.

Duminda Silva to be tried by trial-at-bar

The Chief Justice has fixed the trial against Parliamentarian Duminda Silva and 12 other accused over the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra to be heard before three High Court judges Shiran Gunaratne, Pathmini Ranawaka and C.B.S. Moreis.

Ravi sends Rs.2 b letter of demand to Bandula

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has sent a letter of demand for Rs. 2 billion to Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena against a remark allegedly made by him during a political TV interview telecast on 18 June.

Video: Is MR hoping to rule country with same “Gang of robbers” - Navin

Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake today asked former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to disclose whether it was the same “Gang of robbers” that would govern the country if he was elected prime minister again.

Dodangoda OIC arrested

Dodangoda Police OIC was arrested today in connection with an accident which occurred in Beruwala last night, Police said.

8 civilians murdered in Jaffna: Soldier sentenced to death

A former staff sergeant attached to Sri Lanka Army who was found guilty for the murder of eight Tamil civilians in Mirusuvil, Jaffna in 2000 was today sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court after a 13-year-trial.