Video: Motion defeated because split in opposition: Kiriella

Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella said today the voting on the increase on the Treasury Bills’ threshold showed a split among members of the opposition.

Mine collapses: two killed, two missing

At least two miners were killed and two others are missing after a gem mine in Gilimale, Ratnapura collapsed a short while ago, police said.

54 Lankans evacuated from Yemen: Govt.

Fifty-four Sri Lankans, who were stranded in Yemen resulting from the volatile situation there, have been evacuated and steps would be taken facilitate their return to Sri Lanka, the Foreign Ministry said.

Susil tasked to find nominee for Opp. Leader post

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa has instructed UPFA General Secretary Susil Premjayantha to find a suitable nominee for the post of the Opposition Leader after a discussion with the fellow opposition MPs when the matter led to a heated debate among opposition members in Parliament today.

Mathews among Wisden's Cricketers of the Year

Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews has been named among Wisden’s five cricketers of the year while star batsman Kumar Sangakkara was named for the leading men’s cricketer in the world award.

Cricket Selection Committee appointed

Sri Lanka Cricket announced today that Kapila Wijegoonewardene has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Selection Committee with effect from April 8, 2015. The other members of the committee are Amal Silva, Brendon Kuruppu and Hemantha Wickramaratne.

Two Lankan refugees arrested

Two Sri Lankan youths were today arrested by the Coastal Marine Group Personnel at Pamban sea coast, in Tamil Nadu, Indain police said.

Lankan drowns in Sydney

A Sri Lankan, holidaying in Coffs Harbour from Sydney died at Sapphire Beach on Monday after he was pulled unconscious from the water.

Expect more rain: Met. Dept.

Showers or thundershowers would occur at several places of the inland in the afternoon or evening with heavy rainfalls exceeding 100 mm, the Meteorology Department said today.

Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter passes away

Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera has passed away at a private hospital in Singapore. He was 85.

Video: Government not affected by defeat – Ravi K.

Condemning the unparliamentary move to defeat the finance regulation, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake yesterday maintained that the government was not least affected by this but assured to continue with granting the already proposed concessions to the people.

No respite for handicapped child

The mother of a handicapped student of a leading girl’s school in Colombo has complained to the Human Rights Commission over the shifting her handicapped daughter’s class room to the third floor of the building much to her inconvenience.

Video: Don’t oppose 19A: Sobitha Thera

National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Leader Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera today urged political parties not to oppose the 19th Amendment, because it was one of the much awaited Constitutional reforms and that this opportunity would not present itself again.

Namal denies Yoshitha’s business dealings

Rejecting the allegations levelled against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha linking SriLankan Airlines, his brother MP Namal Rajapaksa said the allegations were mere attempts of tarnishing the image of the Rajapaksa family.

Video: Maithri behind attempts against 19A: Anura

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today charged that President Maithripala Sirisena was behind the statements made by Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and MPs Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Nimal Siripala de Silva against the 19th Amendment.

Motion to increase T-bill threshold defeated

A motion to increase the threshold of Treasury Bills was defeated in Parliament a short while ago with 31 voting for and 52 against.

Video: Tiran Alles barred from leaving country

Parliamentarian Tiran Alles along with five other Directors of the Radha Company were barred from leaving the country by the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with alleged fraud in companies purportedly set up to reconstruct houses for tsunami-affected people, Police said.

Video: Leading florist caught selling foreign liquor

A leading florist reputed for its flowers, chocolates and gift packs was raided by sleuths of the Excise Department City Office today for selling seasonal gift hampers which included bottles foreign liquor.

Yoshitha’s motor spare parts business through SriLankan-UNP

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, one of Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s sons, carried out a motor spare parts business through the State-run SriLankan Airlines abusing his father’s powers, UNP Spokesman and Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam alleged at a media conference today.

Port City awaits instructions from SL Government

CHEC Port City, a subsidiary of China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) and the Project Company of the Colombo Port City said that the Sri Lanka government is yet to invite the Company for a discussion or issue a directive to the company regarding the project review process, which is currently underway.  

Not decided on Opposition leader-Speaker

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today informed Parliament that he was still studying the matter concerning the dispute over the Opposition Leader post.

Video: MR to return after elections are declared: Udaya

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila said today they hoped to get former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to participate in the election campaign after the General Election was declared.  

SL cricket team to tour Pakistan soon-report

Visiting Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday assured that Sri Lankan cricket team will tour Pakistan soon, Pakistan based The Express Tribune reported.

More than 60 MPs want Dinesh

A letter, signed by more than 60 UPFA MPs calling for the appointment of the MP Dinesh Gunawardena as the Opposition Leader of Parliament replacing Nimal Siripala de Silva, has been handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa this afternoon.

Decision on Opposition Leader today

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa will give his ruling in Parliament today on the post of opposition leader, informed sources said.

Kumar camp claims TV talk blocked due to pressure

A television interview of controversial left camp political activist Kumar Gunaratnam had been prevented from being telecast due to external influence from the top, the Frontline Socialist Party charged today.

Illegally held elephants found at polo event

Wild Life officers took into their custody two elephants found without proper registration documents, as they raided an elephant polo event at the Oruwala Steel Cooperation grounds on Sunday, official said.

Bhutan PM due here

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobay will visit Sri Lanka on Thursday on a three-day visit, the Government Information Department said.

BOC GM suspended

Bank of Ceylon (BoC) General Manager D.M.Gunasekera has been suspended with immediate effect.

SLFP to invite CBK, MR and MS for May Day rally

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said today it would invite former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa to the party’s May Day rally which will be held at Hyde Park Grounds in Colombo under the aegis of President Maithripala Sirisena.