27-member Cabinet sworn in

General Election after 100-day programme-President

After today’s swearing-in of the Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers, President MaithripalaSirisena said it would be an interim-cabinet and that General Elections would be held after the completion of the 100-day programme.

New Cabinet ministers sworn in

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the Minister of Planning and Economic Development before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago.

Mahendran as CB Governor ?

Economist and investment banker Arjuna Mahendran is to be appointed as the Central Bank Governor.

Sajin hiding an elephant?

A team of officials of the Wildlife Conservation Department had raided the residence of UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena at Ambalangoda in search of an elephant today.

Sobitha Thera urges MS to implement promised reforms

The head of the National Movement for Social Justice, Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera today urged new President Maithripala Sirisena to form a national government as soon as possible and implement the reforms which were promised by him during elections.

New Cabinet ministers to take oath shortly

The swearing in ceremony of the new Cabinet will be held today 6. p.m. at the Presidential Secretariat.

JVP to complain against Basil, Namal & Cabraal

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said it would complain to the Bribery Commission tomorrow (13) about alleged financial frauds committed by former UPFA Minister Basil Rajapaksa, parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

New President assumes duties

The 6th Executive President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena assumed his duties at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today.

President assumes duties

14 Wednesday declared public holiday

January 14 Wednesday has been declared as a special public and bank holiday in view of Pope Francis’s visit to the country, the Government Information Department has announced.

Video: Protest against CJ 44

Cabinet: JVP takes detached stance

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today said that it would neither accept any ministerial portfolios of the National Unity Government of President Maithripala Sirisena nor take any part in it.

Katunayake Expressway free; Do not exceed 70 kmph

Commuters using the Katunayake-Colombo Expressway due to the closure of the Colombo-Negombo Road should not exceed 70 kmph, the Police Deparment said.

Dr. Samaratunge is Finance Ministry Secretary

Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunge was today appointed Treasury Secretary and Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

Senthil surrenders to Court; granted bail

Uva Provincial Council Minister Senthil Thondaman, who had a warrant issued for his arrest on charges of having assaulted a postal employee while delivering poll cards, had surrendered to the Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court today morning.

Uyangoda here for mother’s alms giving

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Beijing, Ranjith Uyangoda yesterday rejected reports that he had come to Sri Lanka for the election campaign and said he was in Kandy for his mother’s alms giving on leave approved by the External Affairs Ministry.

Police officer in EC convoy dies

One police officer of the Elections Commissioner’s convoy was killed and another injured when their motorbike collided with a school van on the Maharagama-Kottawa Road this morning, the Police said.

Lawyers urge CJ to resign

Several lawyers and civil society organisations are protesting outside the Supreme Court urging Chief Justice Mohan Peiris to resign.

I am in Kilinochchi-KP

Rejecting reports that he had fled the country, former arms chief procurer of the LTTE Selvaraja Pathmanathan alias KP said that he did not intend to leave the country.

BASL wants CJ Shirani back

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) had urged the newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena to arrange necessary measures to reinstate the 43rd Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, who was impeached by Parliament in January 2013.

​SLFP reaffirms MR as party President-Yapa

SLFP General Secretary MP Anura Priyadharsana Yapa said that 42 members of the Central Committee of the SLFP have reaffirmed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the SLFP President during the CC meeting at its headquarters at Darley Road, Colombo this evening.

Over 20 SLFP MPs pledge support to President Sirisena

A group of 21 Sri Lanka Freedom Party Parliamentarians have pledged support to President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago. 

Blessings for a better Lanka

Explosives strapped to girl kill 20 people at Nigerian market

Explosives strapped to a girl, who was described as young as 10 years old, detonated at a crowded marketplace in Nigeria, killing at least 20 people and injuring 18 others, according to police.

Saman Ekanayake appointed Prime Minister’s Secretary

Special Grade official of State Administration Saman Ekanayake has been appointed Secretary to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, a statement from his office said today.

Video: UNP - UPFA trying to destabilise

The UNP today unveiled what it called a ‘shocking attempt’ allegedly made by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother Gotabaya to deny the victory to President Maithripala Sirisena

Come join us to form unity Govt: President

President Maithripala Sirisena addressing the nation today invited all political parties to join to form a national unity government.

Video: SLFP CC to meet today

Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party will meet at 4 pm today at the party headquarters, Darley Road, Colombo under the patronage of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Video: None will be spared: JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) and several other politicians who backed President Maithripala Sirisena at the presidential election today announced setting up a special fact finding unit to gather information on large scale corruption that is alleged to have taken place in the country during past ten years.