O/L candidates disturbed by election rallies

Candidates facing the ongoing 2015 O/L examination, have been severely inconvenienced as a result of the rallies and campaign meetings that are being held for the upcoming Presidential elections.

Sangakkara reaches his 20th ODI century

Kumar Sangakkara completed his 20th one-day international century to lead Sri Lanka to a healthy 292-7 in their sixth match being played against England in Pallekele.

Four Lankans held in India over credit card scam

The Central Crime Branch police in India has arrested a five-member gang, including four Sri Lankan Tamils, in Madipakkam for stealing credit and debit card data and producing cloned cards to swindle money from accounts of card holders in foreign countries.

Tissa withdraws oral questions

Former UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake had withdrawn some of the oral questions he had submitted to Parliament after his defection, it was reported yesterday.

MR never promised to abolish Executive Presidency: Susil

UPFA General Secretary and Minister Susil Premajayantha yesterday said President Mahinda Rajapaksa had never made a promise to abolish the Executive Presidency.

TN parties clash in Rajya Sabha over arrest of fishermen in SL

Members from various political parties in Tamil Nadu yesterday expressed concern in Rajya Sabha over arrest of Tamil fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, an issue that saw a clash between DMK and AIADMK members.

Take action: UNP asks Polls Chief

The main opposition UNP today requested the Elections Commissioner to take the strongest possible action against those candidates or parties attempting to thwart the will of the people.

Injured airman loses his legs and hand

 Leading aircraftman LAC Chaturanga GKN, who was injured in the plane crash this morning, underwent an operation at the Colombo National Hospital, Hospital sources said.

Ameer Ali now an MP

Former Eastern Provincial Councillor Ameer Ali of the All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) was sworn in as a United Peoples Freedom Alliance national list MP a short while ago.

Gammanpila’s cross over a surprise: JHU

Jathika Hela Urumaya said today its former Deputy General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila who joined the government had fully endorsed the MoU signed with common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena and the party was surprised at his sudden crossover.

Remaining Antonov-32 aircraft grounded

In the wake of today’s crash of an Antonov-32 aircraft in Hokandara, the Air Force said it had grounded the other Antonov aircraft until the cause of the crash was ascertained.

Update: Plane crash in Hokandara (VIDEO)

Four Air Force Officers were killed and another hospitalised after a Russian made Antanov-32 (fixed wing) aircraft of Sri Lanka Air Force crashed into a rubber estate in Hokandara at around 6.30 am today, police said.

I’ll end interference with judiciary: Maithripala

Common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena pledged yesterday to end the system whereby verdicts given by courts could be changed with one telephone call.

Discharge your duties impartially -- UNP to Elections Comm.

The United National Party yesterday called on Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya to discharge his duties diligently and impartially as the election laws were violated daily.

Hashan pledges to support MR

Former test cricketer and active UNP member, Hashan Tilakaratne pledged his support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the forthcoming presidential election.

Loaves remain aloft

The prices of bakery products could not be reduced despite a fall in fuel prices, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners' Association (ACBOA) said today.

A cup of coffee will win over Ranil: MR

Addressing his maiden propaganda rally in Anuradhapura, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that he needed only a cup of coffee to lure Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to the UPFA.

Google begins capturing Sri Lankan streets

Global technology leader Google Inc. yesterday said it would begin imaging Sri Lanka for its ‘Street View’ service to create new views of the country to share with the world.

80% cutouts removed in Colombo: Police

Police said today that 80 per cent of cutouts and posters had been removed by the police in Colombo so far and Rs. 50 million had been allocated by the Elections Commissioner for the removal of posters and cutouts during the entire campaign period.

Video: My life is in danger: Solangarachchi

State sponsored goons had been unleashed on him and his that his life was at risk, Prasanna Solangarachchi, who teamed up with common opposition candidate Maitripala Sirisena, said at a hurriedly arranged media briefing today.

Balasuriya bypassing IGP: Poll watchers

Charging the Police Department of being inactive against violations of election laws, local election watchdogs today accused Law and Order Ministry Secretary Mahinda Balasuriya of influencing politically motivated transfers of Police officers.

Video: Mangala gives black marks for campaigning officials

The common opposition today announced its decision to open a ‘Big Black book’ where the names of all government officers who are involved in election campaign would be written while all these names and their details would be handed over to foreign missions in Sri Lanka.

Udaya is a clever politician

JHU General Secretary and ex-Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka commenting on the decision of party strongman Udaya Gammanpila to support government said ‘He is a clever politician. I wish him all the best. Let people decide what kind of a political leadership this country needs now’.

Death sentence for UNP PC member

Sabaragamuwa United National Party (UNP) Provincial Councillor Hasitha Mohandiram was sentenced to death by the High Court Judge after he was found guilty to the charge of knocking down two pedestrians in 2002.

Video: JHU splits; Udaya to govt

JHU strongman and ex-Minister of the Western Provincial Council Udaya Gammanpila sat at the government (UPFA) press conference that is being held at the SLFP headquarters now.

Tissa sworn in as Health Minister

Former General Secretary of the United National Party Tissa Attanayake, who  crossed over to the Government, sworn in as the Minister of Health a short while ago at the president’s House in Kandy.

14 Lankans miss passport at Marina

Fourteen Sri Lankan nationals, including two of them permanently settled in Germany and the UK,  lost their passports on the Marina Beach on Tuesday night. The group, along with police, swept through the entire beach, not sparing even garbage bins, till the wee hours of Wednesday, searching for the backpack in which they had kept their passports, but to no avail.

Protests against MR unfair: BJP

BJP Tamil Nadu leader L. Ganesan on Thursday said the protests against President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Tirupati was unfair as it was not ethical to prevent somebody from pursuing one’s personal belief.

Fishermen go on strike

Fishermen of Nagapattinam, Karaikal and Pudukottai districts began an indefinite strike from Wednesday, demanding the release of the arrested fishermen and seized boats by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Tissa to be sworn in as Health Minister?

The former General Secretary of the United National Party, Tissa Attanayake, who recently crossed over to the Government, would be sworn in as a Minister this morning (11) before President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government sources said.