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.

Video: Ranjith S. blames social media for rumours

Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said yesterday he had no intention of quitting the government accused the social media of spreading rumours that he would cross over to the opposition.

No ‘Computer Gilmart’: Maitripala

Common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena said the President’s reference to a ‘computer gilmart’ at a recent meeting with the electoral organisers of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLPF) was inappropriate as the head of the state.

Football Federation CEO assaulted

Anura de Silva, CEO, Football Federation of Sri Lanka suffered severe head injuries when an unidentified man attacked him on the back of his head with a hockey stick at the FFFSL headquarters at around 7 p.m today.

Our fishermen treated well by SL-Swaraj

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday that whenever the Indian fishermen were detained by the Sri Lankan authorities, they were treated in a humane and pragmatic manner and were released expeditiously.

Australia policy not changed on people smuggling: Gen. Angus Campbell

Australian government policy on combatting maritime people smuggling had not changed, a top Australian border official said.

Wisden Lanka launched

Wisden, the unique brand of cricket publication made its entry into Sri Lanka today with the aim of providing quality cricket reading to the cricket fans in the island.

Digambaram, Radhakrishnan for Maithri

Former Deputy Ministers P. Digambaram of the National Workers Union and V. Radhakrishnan of Upcountry People's Front have pledged their support to common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Radhakrishnan resigns

Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation Deputy Minister V. Radhakrishnan submitted his resignation a short while ago.

US issues travel advisory on SL

The United States advised on its citizens in Sri Lanka to avoid political rallies and demonstrations, during the Presidential Election campaign period.

Digambaram relinquishes portfolio

National Languages and Social Integration Deputy Minister P. Digambaram of the National Workers Union has resigned from his portfolio this morning, the party spokesman said.

MR returns

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who visited the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, India returned this morning, sources said.

Chandralal to remain silent

Matara Municipal Council UPFA member Raj Chandralal said he would keep silent until the presidential election was over but said his decision to back common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena had not changed.

Indian Naval ship 'Sukanya' arrives in Colombo

The Indian Naval Ship 'Sukanya' arrived at the Port of Colombo for logistic support on 09th December 2014. It was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on arrival.

MR offers prayers at Tirupati

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday offered prayers at the Lord Venkateswara Temple here, where he performed Suprabhatam, the first temple service of the day.