New EP Chief Minister takes oaths

SLMC Provincial Councillor Ahamed Nazeer Zainulabdeen took oaths as the Eastern Province Chief Minister before Governor Austin Fernando this evening

State Minister of Defence visits Jaffna

Kalutara District parliamentarian re- remanded

Kalutara District Parliamentarian Palitha Thewarapperuma currently in remand was re-remanded till 10 by the Mathugama Magistrate Dakshina Chamani Wijebandara when he was produced in court today (06).

30-hour water cut in Colombo

A 30-hour water cut will be imposed in Colombo from 9.00 a.m. tomorrow to 3.00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon because of an urgent repair to the main pipeline at Maligakanda, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Complaint against Mervyn Silva to BC

United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Western Provincial Councillor Sisira Jayakody today lodged a complaint at the Bribery Commission against former Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva citing several cases frauds among other misdemeanors.

Beware of the UNP, JVP: Polgampola tells Maithri

People’s Liberation Front’s Alternative Group Convener and former parliamentarian Anurudda Polgampola warned President Maithripala Sirisena to be careful of the UNP and the JVP claiming that they were engaged in political deals.

Mahindodaya: Bandula asks BC to expedite probe

Former Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane today requested the Bribery Commission (BC) to expedite the investigations into a complaint lodged by the Lanka Teachers Service Association (LTSA) on the construction of ‘Mahindodaya’ Laboratories.

Thavisha’s killer loses appeal over sentence

The killer serving life for the murder of Sri Lankan student in Sheffield has lost an appeal against his sentence, The Star said.

Student dies during Marathon

A 15-year-old student of the Ambalanthota Bolana Vidyalaya died when he collapsed on the road while running in the marathon of the school sports meet this morning.

President to reside at Keppetipola Mawatha

The official residence of former minister Keheliya Rambukwella (on Keppetipola Mawatha Colombo 7) is to become the official residence of President Maithripala Sirisena, government sources said.

36 diplomats recalled

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has decided to recall 36 politically appointed Sri Lankan diplomats.

Regulation banning Al-Qaida in Parliament

The Government today presented the regulation under the United Nations Act to locally ratify the ban on Al- Qaida or Taliban as a global terrorist outfit.

SLFP to support mini-budget

The main opposition, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said today it would support the interim budget presented by the new government with a host of measures to give relief to the people.

Two groups of students of J’Pura Uni clash

At least seven students were injured in a clash that erupted between two groups at the Sri Jayewardenepura University this evening, the Police said.

Veteran industrialist Nihal Jinesena no more

Veteran industrialist and motor racing enthusiast Dr.Nihal Jinesena has passed away on February 2 at the age of 75.

Rs. 130 M if SL wins Cricket World Cup

The Cabinet yesterday approved a payment of Rs. 130 million as an inducement to the national cricket team in the event they won the 2015 ODI World Cup to be held in New Zealand and Australia later this month.

More taxes on CSN of Rajapaksa sons

Carlton Sports Network (CSN), a dedicated sports channel operated by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s sons, is among the companies to be levied under the Super Gain Tax introduced by the Government, Parliament was informed today.

Wele Suda not in court for security reasons: SC

Colombo High Court Judge Devika De Livera Tennakoon today directed the CID to produce heroin kingpin Samantha Kumara Vithanage alias Wele Suda in court on February 19 to face charges of money laundering.

Video: Govt. to proceed with Colombo Port City Project

The Government said today it would go ahead with the Chinese-funded Colombo Port City Project saying that the initial studies on the project including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report were found in order.

Video: Govt. called exiles back to arrest them – FSP

Charging that the government had gone back on its stance to bring back those who were politically exiled, Propaganda Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party Pubudu Jagoda yesterday said that government officials were hounding its leader Kumar Gunaratnam who had come back to engage in politics.

Policeman shot and injured in Vavuniya

A police officer attached to the Settikulama police station was injured when he was shot at while patrolling at Ulukkkulama in Vavuniya early this morning, police said.

Video: Protest against Bribery Chief

Video: Cabinet approval for National Medicinal Drugs Policy

The Cabinet on Thursday unanimously approved the long-awaited National Medicinal Drugs Policy (NMDP) or the amended Senaka Bibile Drugs Policy to be presented in parliament to regulate and reduce the prices of drugs in the country.

Protest at Defence School

Choksy no more

Former Finance Minister and constitutional lawyer President’s Counsel K.N. Choksy passed away at the age of 82.

Tissa allowed to attend Parliament

Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage today directed prison authorities to make arrangements for former minister TissaAttanayake to participate in parliamentary sessions.

KP can’t leave the country

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order directing the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to prevent Kumaran Pathmanadan alias KP from leaving the country.

Video: Protest at Defence School

A group of about 100 parents of the students of the Defence School were protesting in front of the School in Slave Island against its Principal, the Police said.

Why don’t the police arrest Wimal’s wife? - Buddhadasa

Kaduwela mayor G.H. Buddhadasa said that the law should be applied equally to all, including the wife of MP Wimal Weerawansa.

Upul Jayasuriya new BOI chairman

Top lawyer and outgoing Bar Association President Upul Jayasuriya has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Investments of Sri Lanka.