If I were the President?

If I were the President?

Video: BBS meets CB Governor over Islamic Banking

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation today met Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to discuss the recent move to offer financial services under Islamic principles by private banks.

Sri Lanka at high risk of heart diseases: Report

People in South Asian countries including Sri Lanka have a higher risk of heart disease at an early age than any other ethnic group, says a report released by Stanford South Asian Translational Heart Initiative.

SL, China commence joint Army Exercise

The first phase of the second joint Sri Lanka Army - People’s Liberation Army ‘Exercise - Silk Route – 2015, was launched on Monday at Officer Career Development Centre (OCDC) at Buttala, the Army said.

HC turns down Dhanuna’s requests

The Colombo High Court today turned down a request made by Dhanuna Thilakaratne to lift his travel ban and allow him to access his assets which were frozen in connection with the HiCorp case.

One killed as police open fire at lorry

An individual was killed when police opened fire at a lorry when the driver refused to stop the vehicle at a road block in Maha Oya early this morning.

200 hospitalised due to food poisoning

At least 200 employees of a garment factory in the Seethawaka Industrial Zone were admitted to the Awissawella Base Hospital this morning due to suspected food poisoning.

12 OICs transferred

Twelve OICs including the chief inspector (CI) of Fraud Investigation Bureau (FIB) had been transferred with immediate effect under the instructions of the Inspector General of Police on service requirements, the police said.

Maggi Noodle samples sent to ITI for testing

Health Service (DGHS) Director General Palitha Mahipala yesterday directed that samples of Maggi Noodles, particularly popular among children and other varieties of noodles be tested at the Industrial Technical Institute (ITI) to determine their lead content.

UNHRC says not funding diaspora festival

The UNHRC on Monday dismissed reports of having allocated funds for the proposed 'Diaspora Festival' organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the end of this year.

​Butter may have been the cause: Cinnamon Grand

The Cinnamon Grand Colombo Hotel Management on Monday said an internal investigation report into the food samples of the hotel served during the June 12 event at the Oak room at Cinnamon Grand Hotel where around 20 guests were hospitalised, revealed that the butter served at the function may have been the cause for concern.

Prasanna Ranatunga doesn't want pavement hawkers

Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has instructed Western Provincial Council Commissioner Chandrani Samarakoon not to allow pavement hawkers to conduct their businesses on the pavements of Colombo City.

Like a piglet challenging a lion-Mahinda Yapa

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne’s son challenging former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest the general elections from Beliatta is similar to a piglet challenging a lion, UPFA MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said.

GL wants meeting on US report on LTTE

Parliamentarian Prof. G.L.  Peiris today urged the government to take serious note of the US report, which claimed that LTTE’s international network of sympathizers and financial support continued.

Mahindananda grilled by FCID

Former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was quizzed by the Police Financial Crime Investigation Division today over the non-payment of Rs. 39 mn to Lanka Sathosa for purchasing a large consignment of gaming boards during the previous regime.

Video: Hold fresh talks with stakeholders on 20A: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today urged the government to withdraw the gazette notification on the 20th Amendment and have a dialogue with all political parties before preparing a set of fresh legislation.

Video: President frowns upon SLFP MPs

President Maithripala Sirisena said that all 127 Parliamentarians of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) elected at the 2010 General Elections, were not involved in programmes held at the SLFP Head Quarters for the betterment of the party.

Video: Skeleton found in house at Rajagiriya

A skeleton was recovered from a house at Silva Mawatha in Welikada, Rajagiriya, police said.

Sailor dies during training

A sailor attached to the Trincomalee Navy Camp had died during a training programme held in the sea off Trincomalee, Navy Spokesman Indika Silva said.

20A adjournment debate starts tomorrow

Parliament would take up an adjournment debate on the 20th Amendment tomorrow and on Wednesday as requested by several parties, Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said today.

Taliban attacks Afghan Parliament

A Taliban suicide bomber and gunmen attacked the Afghan parliament today, shattering windows, wounding at least 19 people and sending a plume of black smoke across Kabul, as a second district in two days fell to the Islamist group in the north.

​SL to purchase new fighter-jets?

Despite foreign media reports that claim Sri Lanka will be the first foreign buyer of the multi-role combat aircraft JF-17 Thunder, Sri Lanka Air Force says no decision has been made yet with regard to the procurement of the fighter jet. 

Leave no room for UPFA govt. -Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that he would not leave room for the establishment of a UPFA government. He said the 100 Day Period mandated by the people had ended at the moment.

Dissolution before no-faith motion?

Parliament will be dissolved prior to the debate on the no confidence motion already listed on the Order Paper, it is learnt.

Maithri to strive for SLFP govt. with MR, CBK

President Maitripala Sirisena, addressing the Nuwara Eliya district committee of the SLFP yesterday, said that he would strive to form a government led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and include former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in it.

Diaspora Festival- JHU considers restraining order

Opposing the scheduled Sri Lankan Diaspora Festival organised by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today said they would consider obtaining a Court order restraining the festival unless President Maithripala Sirisena reveal his stance on the event.

Jellyfish: Indefinite bans if issue persits

The coastal belt in Matara including the 'bathers’ paradise' Polhena Beach will be banned indefinitely for all local and foreign tourists if the on-going jellyfish issue persists that left five beach users with infected wounds today.

I am in Ukraine: Udayanga

Former ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga who was accused of supplying arms to Ukrainian rebels has denied all the allegations levelled against him by the Sri Lankan government, BBC reported today.

National security will be protected-Ruwan

The present regime will never do anything which is harmful to the national security, State Minister for Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said today

I will resign if Sajith is found guilty-Thalatha

Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorala said she would resign from politics if Housing and Samurdhi Minister Sajith Premadasa is found guilty of misusing the savings of Samurdhi beneficiaries for political purposes.