President to issue gazette on poll on Nov.19: Minister

Investment Promotions Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana told a media briefing at the SLFP head office yesterday that President Mahinda Rajapaksa would issue a gazette extraordinary on November 19 instructing the Elections Commissioner to conduct a presidential election.

Mangala shelves crossover plans?

United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera, who is in the midst of speculation about plans to join the government, had shelved his decision after the party assured to address his grievances, the Daily Mirror learns.

EX-CJ cries foul

Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva said yesterday the move by the President to seek an opinion from the Supreme Court was to preclude parties such as him from going before the Supreme Court.

Launch of seven books

Video: Ranil wants to defeat regime

The Rajapaksa regime should be defeated and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) should be allowed to function in order to safeguard democracy in the country, United National Party (UNP) National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Light Infantry Colours Night

Video: Koslanda shows importance of Digital IDs: Commissioner

The proposed digital Identity Cards would be the most efficient source of data in future and could be useful when providing information on people in tragic situations like Koslanda landslide, Registration of Persons Department Commissioner General R.M.S Sarath Kumara said.

Video: Ranil next presidential candidate: Sajith

United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said today the party had decided to field UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as its candidate at the forthcoming presidential election and there was no argument about that.

A friend in deed

MR seeks SC opinion on third term

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today sought the Supreme Court’s opinion on the constitutionality to contest for a third term under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution

Flawed nature of OISL is being exploited-SL

Minister of External Affairs Professor G. L. Peiris has expressed regret at the manner in which the processes of the OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) is being carried out, pointing out that such flaws are being exploited by parties with vested interests to deceive masses affected by the conflict.

Video: ‘Sammabhimani’ Spiritual Programmes

Sanga, Mathews shortlisted for ICC awards

Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews have been shortlisted for both prestigious ICC Cricketer of the Year award and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award, the International Cricket Council announced.

Brothel raided in Maharagama

Four sex workers were arrested during a raid by the Organised Crimes Investigation Unit on an alleged brothel being run under the guise of an Ayurvedic Medical Centre in Weerakkody Mawatha, Maharagama last evening, police said.

Court allows SF to go to S’pore

Colombo High Court allowed the Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka to leave the country for Singapore for further treatment for a period of one month from today. Colombo High Court Judge also allowed the Captain Senaka de Silva to visit Singapore for a period of one month.

BIA strike called off

The trade union action launched by the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya employees at the Bandaranaike International Airport- Katunayake has been called off a short while ago.  

Woman goes to Police over breast surgery

A 41-year-old woman had lodged a complaint with the Peliyagoda Police over a complication following a reduction mammoplasty surgery.  

Ebola: Health officials to get training in India

A team of doctors and nurses will be sent to India for a special training on the prevention and treatment of Ebola infection in a bid to keep a tab on the deadly virus, Director General of Health Services Dr. Palitha Mahipala said.

For whom are these?

Republicans take control of US Senate

Republicans rolled up big victories on Tuesday and seized control of the U.S. Senate in midterm elections that tipped the balance of power away from President Barack Obama and will complicate his remaining two years in office.

India conveys sensitivities over fishermen issue

India on Tuesday conveyed the ‘sensitivities of Indian public’ to Sri Lanka over the detention of country's fishermen in international waters, days after five Indian fishermen were given death penalty in the island nation for alleged drug trafficking.

Scotsman allegedly assaulted by Malaka fears for his life

The Scotsman James Casserly, who was allegedly assaulted by Minister Mervin Silva’s son Malaka at a nightclub on Friday said he feared for his life.

UNP rumbles

There was speculation yesterday that a United National Party (UNP) top gun upset by some recent developments in his party was reviewing his options. Party seniors were hard at work last evening to re-assure him.

Match Govt. salary hike: Yapa

The Government expects the wages boards and the employers to increase salaries of some six million private sector employees in the wake of the non-formal sector salaries being increased up to a minimum of Rs.10,000 and the public sector salaries up to a minimum of Rs.25,000, Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said yesterday. 

Mervyn at Chief Magistrate’s Court

No districts on ethnic lines: Govt

The Government told Parliament today that administrative districts would not be carved out on the basis of enthnicity.

MR hopes NZ will represent small nations

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was hopeful New Zealand, that secured a seat at the United Nations Security Council, would be able to make a valuable contribution at the Security Council with its commitment to representing small and medium countries.

New uniform for police

A newly designed uniform will be issued to the police service to give it a more people-friendly outlook, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne told Parliament today during the committee stage debate of the budget.

Indian envoy visits TN fishermen on death row

The Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Y.K. Sinha, visited the five Indian fishermen who were sentenced to death by a Colombo court last week for alleged drug trafficking.

Pakistan sends relief assistance for SL landslide victims

The First Cargo flight of relief goods from Pakistan for the land slide victims of Haldummula arrived today at Katunayake airport, Pakistan High Commission in Colombo said.