Video: We didn’t ask for 100-day plan-Sobitha Thera

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, one of the key activists in President Maithripala Sirisena’s election campaign, today said that they didn’t ask for the 100-day programme.

Ceylinco depositors protest

Committee appointed on Welikada shooting

The Committee, appointed to inquire into the Welikada shooting on November 9, 2012, said it would welcome any evidence or information that could be provided by the public on this tragedy, Justice and Labour Relations Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said.

PM orders Customs to release Frontline Magazines

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe directed the Customs to release the 175 copies of the Frontline Magazine that were taken into custody at the airport earlier this month.

UN Chief assessing developments in SL

UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon is aware that the new Sri Lankan administration is planning to set up a domestic accountability mechanism and will be carefully assessing developments, his spokesman said.

No new Army Chief appointed-MoD

No decision has been taken on the appointment of a new Army Commander as reported in some media reports, the Defence Ministry said today.

Thewarapperuma released on bail

Remanded UNP parliamentarian Palitha Thewarapperuma was released on bail by the Matugama Magistrate’s Court today.

35 illegal migrants arrested

At least 35 people were taken into custody this morning by the Police Marine Division at Weligama in Matara on charges ofillegal migration.

President returns

President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in Colombo from Cochin a short while ago. Concluding his four day visit to India, President Sirisena landed at Katunayake Airport on UL 166.

Appachchi will never leave the party even if expelled

My father was the former Secretary of the UNP, and no sooner the UNP won the election my father was taken into custody and jailed. I have a great respect for the Judiciary and hope that justice would prevail. After protecting the party leader over a long period this had been a great humiliation for him.   

Lankan murder suspect eligible for protection visa in Australia

A Sri Lankan man who came to Australia by boat has been found to be eligible for a protection visa, although he is suspected of murder in his home country.

US welcomes Indo-SL nuclear pact

The United States has welcomed the signing of civil nuclear cooperation agreement between India and Sri Lanka, saying it is consistent with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and other international standards and practices.

Don’t interfere in my work: Rajiva

Higher Education State Minister Rajiva Wijesinghe said today that he should be allowed to work without interference and if the UGC Chairman had to be removed it should have been done after a proper inquiry into the charges levelled against her and not for politically motivated reasons.

Gota approved weapons to armories: Police

In an intial statement to the CID, former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said it was he who had approved the issuance of automatic weapons to Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Limited and to the Avant Garde floating armoury in the Galle Port, Police said today.

Palindanuwara PS Vice Chairman killed in accident

Vice Chairman of the Palindanuwara Pradeshiya Sabha was killed when his car veered off the Road at Makeli Ella in Baduraliya this evening, police said.

Lankan jailed for raping woman in UK to be deported

A Sri Lankan who had raped a woman whom he met in a club, will be deported back to Sri Lanka after serving his five-and-a-half year sentence.

SL Navy provides treatment to fisherman

The Sri Lankan naval men today offered treatment to a fisherman after he was stung by a poisonous fish while fishing in the Palk strait.

Nil Balakaya changed to Nidahas Tharuna Peramuna

The name of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) youth wing has been changed into ‘Nidahas Tharuna Peramuna’ from its earlier name ‘Nil Balakaya’.

Golden Key depositors protest

TNA accepts portfolios in EPC

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has decided to accept two ministerial portfolios and the Deputy Chairmanship of the Eastern Provincial Council, TNA Batticaloa parliamentarian P. Ariyanendran said today.

Govt. to give relief to prisoners on death row

Changes with regard to prisons and inmates are on the cards with the new government contemplating on bringing in new legislations to provide some relief to those who are sentenced to death.

Protest against Welikada shooting

Mangala to visit China this month

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera will undertake an official visit to China on February 27-28, at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi, the ministry announced today.

Centre urged to expedite Sethusamudram project

A delegation from Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry met Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Pon. Radhakrishnan in New Delhi recently and made a plea for expediting the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project through an alternative route.

Video: Fresh probe on Welikada riots

A fresh probe, on the Welikada Prison riot in 2012, is underway and the report is expected to be out in a few weeks, Justice and Labour Relations Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe said today.

Video: CID summons 21 in link with Duminda’s dealings

The CID has summoned 21 persons in connection with facilitating fund transactions of UPFA MP Duminda Silva, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said.

Video: New buses to Prisons

Video: Fmr Transport head of Pres. Secretariat arrested

Former director of the Transport division of the Presidential Secretariat, Keerthi Samarakoon has been arrested by the Police in connection with the missing of three vehicles of the Presidential Secretariat.

Delay of UN report must not herald impunity: AI

The UN Human Rights Council’s decision to delay the release of the report into alleged human rights violations during the conflict in Sri Lanka must not allow the perpetrators of those crimes to escape punishment, Amnesty International said.

Rambukpotha appointed as Army Commander

Major General Jagath Rambukpotha has been appointed as the Commander of the Army with effect from February 22, informed sources said.