Dual Executive System

The ruling coalition has reached consensus on the proposed constitutional amendment that will primarily seek to introduce a dual executive system of governance and on the re-instating of the independent commissions, political sources said yesterday.

Lawyers protest against CJ Mohan Peiris

A group of lawyers affiliated to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) staged a protest in front of the Hulftsdorp Court complex this morning demanding the resignation of Chief Justice Mohan Peiris.

Rumesh Ratnayake answers the SOS

Former great Rumesh Ratnayake has agreed to take up coaching the Sri Lanka fast bowlers till the World Cup tournament starts, SLC sources told “Daily Mirror” yesterday.

Stray dogs kill 13 chevrotains in the Zoo

13 mouse deer (Chevrotains), considered endemic species, died on Monday night due to an attack by a pack of stray dogs that entered through a hole on the Dehiwala zoo parapet wall, according to the employees.

Plan to kill Wele Suda -- JHU

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) leader, the Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera alleged today that there was a plot to murder the drug kingpin Samantha Kumara (alias ‘Wele Suda’) in an attempt to prevent him from giving evidence against persons in high places who were involved in drug trafficking.

BBS on drug menace

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation today urged the Government to appoint a common front comprising of all parties to expose drug dealers in the country.

Vehicle was only lent to me - Jackson Anthony

Popular artiste Jackson Anthony today denied allegations that a luxury vehicle without number plates belonging to a government ministry was recovered from his home.

Video: Weerawansa’s wife will be arrested if charges proved: Police

Steps will be taken to arrest former minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife, if Immigration and Emigration Controller confirmed that she had violated the Emigration and Immigration laws by holding two passports giving contrary information, Police said.

Austin, Ellawala new Governors

Six new Governors were appointed to Northern, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Central and Uva Provinces and were sworn in by President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat today, the Presidential Media Unit said.

​MR says media blitz to vilify him

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a statement today charged that a media blitz had been unleashed to vilify him and mislead the public instead of following a proper procedure to act on allegeations of wrongdoing against anybody.

Video: KP: AG noticed to appear in Court

The Attorney General was today noticed to appear before the Court of Appeal on February 5 in connection with the writ application filed by JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath calling for the arrest of former LTTE arms procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP.

Video: Police to probe Duminda’s accounts

Police Spokesman Ajith Rohana said today a Court Order was obtained from the Colombo Magistrate’s Court to check all accounts held by Colombo District United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Duminda Silva at several banks and financial institutions.

Video: Bus fares to be reduced by 8 – 10%

The fares on private and SLTB buses will be reduced from February 1 with Rs.8 as the minimum fare sequent to the fuel price reduction introduced by the Power and Energy Ministry.  

India to take bilateral ties with SL to new level: Envoy

India will work closely with the new Sri Lankan government led by Maithripala Sirisena - whose victory was a tribute to Lankan people's yearning for change - to take bilateral ties to a new level, the Indian High Commissioner Y K Sinha said today.

Immigration Dept. looking for Gunaratnam

The Immigration and Emigration Department has informed the Front line Socialist Party (FSP) that it wished to record a statement from its leader Kumar Gunaratnam on his political activities since his arrival in the country.

Facebook Down

World's No.1 social networking website, Facebook on Tuesday suffered a service disruption that made the website unavailable to some users for nearly 5 minutes.

Lankan refugee held on rape charge

A 25-year-old Sri Lankan refugee was arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 64-year-old Dalit woman in Kanyakumari on Sunday.

Shashi Weerawansa’s passport under CID probe

The CID has launched an inquiry into the controversial diplomatic passport alleged to have been obtained by former minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife Shashi Weerawansa by producing false information.

Attack me or my father but not other family members

While denying allegation that his mother was involved in a gold racket, MP Namal Rajapaksa said yesterday that if anyone wanted to take revenge politically they should only attack his father or himself and not the other members of his family.

India House celebrates Republic Day

31 injured in private bus accident

At least 31 persons were injured following a head-on collision involving two buses in Pahala Naragala Wedage Watta junction on the Horana - Bulathsinhala Road this evening, Police said.

CJ not worried on BASL stance: Spokesman

The Chief Justice will not worry about the statements made by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and continue to as the Chief Justice, his media spokesman said.

Video: Palestine Ambassador meets SL Defence Minister

Police file report on Rakna Lanka armoury

Cinnamon Gardens Police today filed a report describing and listing the weapons recovered from the Rakna Lanka Armoury located at the BMICH.

Roads around Parliament to be closed for rehearsals

Traffic would be restricted on roads around the Parliament Grounds from 8. 30 a.m. to noon from tomorrow till February 4 in view of the rehearsals of the Independence Day celebrations, the Police said.

Video: JVP complains against Yoshitha

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today complained to Defence Secretary B.M.U.D. Basnayake against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha who is a Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Navy.

Aluthgamage’s passport impounded

The Bribery Commission has ordered the Immigration Department to impound the passport of former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage for three months.

Missing persons’ commission to meet Maithri, Ranil

Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons today met presidential secretary P. B. Abeykoon and requested a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Rehearsal on Ramakrishna and Vivekananda Road tomorrow

The Ramakrishna Road and Vivekananda Road in Wellawatta connecting the Galle Road and the Marine Drive would be made one-way tomorrow between 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and between 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m., the Police said.

PS transport director barred from leaving country

Colombo Fort Magistrate today directed the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to prevent the Presidential Secretariat Transport Director Keerthi Samarasinghe from leaving the country because he was still to account for 246 presidential secretariat vehicles which had gone missing.