Three EP Councilors quit UPFA

Three Eastern Provincial Councilors of the All Ceylon People’s Congress led by Minister Rishad Bathiudeen today decided to break ranks with the ruling party and function as an independent group, political sources said.

Mervyn at court

I am not here to topple governments: EC

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya today said that he was only a public servant and that it was not his duty to protect or topple governments.

Video: Malaka further remanded

Additional Fort Magistrate A.M. Sahabdeen re-remanded Minister Mervyn Silva’s son Malaka and six others till November 28 with a direction that they be produced at an identification parade on that date.

Lankan jailed for biting workmate’s finger

A Sri Lankan worker in Dubai, who was under the influence of alcohol when he bit his Pakistani co-worker’s finger following a heated argument, has been jailed for one year.

Police take fingerprints of Museum workers

Fingerprints of some security personnel and those of 74 workers engaged in renovating the Colombo Museum were taken by the Cinnamon Gardens police during the investigations into force-opening of a Gallery door in the Museum.

Mervyn threatened outside court

Minister Mervyn Silva is reported to have been threatened by an unidentified person who arrived in a jeep, outside the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court this morning.

Video: Presidential Election postal voting on Dec 23, 24

The Elections Department today announced the dates for postal voting for the upcoming Presidential Election as December 23 and 24, the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Narcotics worth about Rs. 2.5 crore seized

About 250 kg 'ganja' worth about Rs 2.5 crore in black market was seized from a Sri Lanka-bound boat at Keelakarai, about 65 km from India, and three persons on it were arrested, police said.

Severe weather advisory

The Meteorological Department this morning issued a severe weather advisory with strong winds exceeding 70 Km per hour and heavy rains for the next 24 hours.

Vaas to be sacked after England series

With less than three months to go for next year’s World Cup, the crisis within Sri Lanka national team has spilled over to the support staff as Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) executive committee discussed yesterday about sacking national team’s famous fast bowling coach Chaminda Vaas after the current home ODI series against England.

MR leaves for Nepal to attend SAARC summit

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, this morning, left for Kathmandu, Nepal, to attend the 18th SAARC Summit, taking place Nov. 25-27, Presidential media division said.

Embassy seeks info of SL expats in Iraq

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Iraq today requested information on Sri Lankan expatriates living in various parts of Iraq, due to the prevailing security situation in Iraq.

Membership drive in Malwana

Some ministers say they won’t quit the Govt.

Some ministers said today they were in favour of abolishing the executive presidency or to at least prune its powers and would continue the struggle to bring these about.

Give us our dues

UNP won’t allow war crimes charges against Govt. leaders: Harsha

The United National Party (UNP) said today it would not allow government leaders to be hauled up before any international war crimes tribunal

2015 Budget passed

The third reading of the 2015 Budget was passed in Parliament with a majority of 95 votes. 152 members voted in favour while 57 voted against. The United National Party, Tamil National Alliance and Democratic National Alliance voted against the budget.

Video: Why not take action on the files: JVP

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today questioned why President Mahinda Rajapaksa was not taking any action if he had files on the illegal activities of government members.

High security in TN refugee camps after ferry plan

A tip-off that a group of Lankan Tamils were getting ready for an illegal ferry to Australia from a spot in Tharangambadi in Nagapattinam District has brought all refugee camps in Tamil Nadu under the tight surveillance of intelligence sleuths.

Lalith Dissanayake is Acting Health Minister

Deputy Minister of Health Lalith Dissanayake was sworn in as the Acting Minister of Health this morning, the Health Ministry said in a news release.

NCP minister sacked

North-Central Province Co-operative, Trade, Industrial, Rural Development and Tourism Minister Peshala Jayaratne was today removed from his ministerial portfolios by Chief Minister Ranjith Samarakoon.

Maithripala invited us for talks: BBS

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Organisation said today common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena had invited the BBS for a discussion on the forthcoming presidential election.

14 Indian fishermen arrested for poaching

The Navy yesterday took into custody 14 Indian fishermen and their three trawlers while allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Delft’s Island in Jaffna, Navy Spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya said today.

Missing principal returns

The Principal of Hewavitharana Maha Vidyalaya in Rajagiriya who was reportedly missing since last Wednesday has returned home yesterday morning, the Police said.

Symbol for common candidate under discussion

The parties, supporting common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena, are now looking for a symbol under which to contest the presidential election, political sources said yesterday.  

Police unit under Polls Chief?

Amidst indication that violence will surge in the run up to the presidential poll, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday decided to seek the establishment of a police unit directly answerable to him in containing such activities.

I have files on those who left but will not use them - MR

I won’t take revenge on anybody. When I took over the party from Chandrika there were only 57 parliamentarians. I increased it into 127, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

‘Conspiracy to take MR before int’l court by April’

The government said today an interview telecast recently on Al-Jazeera was related to a discussion by some opposition MPs with regard to the possibility of President Rajapaksa being taken before an international war tribunal by next April.

Common candidate meets Sobitha thera