Video: Rathana Thera meets UNP; discuss Executive Presidency

UNP National leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today said his party hoped to reach consensus with regard to the abolishing of executive presidency after having discussions with other political parties and organisations.???

Video: Joint efforts to scrap executive presidency

The National Council for a Better Tomorrow headed by parliamentarian the Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera held discussions with the Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the UNP headquarters Sirikotha today with regard to the abolishing of the executive presidency. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Police officer’s revolver misfires; suspect injured

A man arrested in connection with a road accident received gunshot injuries while at the Mirigama police station when a police officer’s revolver is alleged to have misfired.

New SSP for Kalutara Division

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ranjith Kodithuwakku has been transferred as the Head of the Kalutara Division with immediate effect.

Lankan woman run over by car in UAE

A 52-year-old Sri Lankan woman was killed after she was run over by a car while she was crossing the road in Umm Al Quwain.

Romero the shoot-out hero as Argentina reach Final

Sergio Romero inspired Argentina to a 4-2 victory over the Netherlands on penalties and FIFA World Cup™ Final place for the first time in 24 years

Ban on NGOs a chilling blow to civil society: Karu

Banning Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from holding press conferences workshops and issuing media releases was a chilling blow to civil society and the freedom of assembly and free expression in Sri Lanka, United National Party (UNP) Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday

Feasibility studies finalised for R’pura expressway

Feasibility studies for the Colombo-Ratnapura expressway from the Kahathuduwa interchange on the Southern Expressway are being finalised and construction work is expected to begin this year, Ports and Highways Ministry’s Project Minister Nirmala Kothalwala said

GL-Sushma pow-wow in Delhi

External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj tomorrow in New Delhi to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, sources said.

Kataragama Esala Perahera

The annual Kataragama Esala Perahera was held at the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Devale this evening for the 12th day with the participation of Basnayake Nilame, Shashindra Rajapaksa. Perahera will be held till July 12. Pix by Nisal Baduge

SL beat South Africa by 87 runs

Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 87 runs in the second one-day international in Kandy on Wednesday to level the three-match series 1-1.

I did what I did for the people: Thewarapperuma

United National Party (UNP) MP PalithaThewarapperuma in an interview with Daily Mirror said the people and the media should view his offer to resign as an indictment on the present system and not attempt to portray him in bad light

387 more complaints on missing persons

The Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons has received more than 380 complaints during its public sittings in Mullaitivu that ended on Tuesday

Motorcyclists struck by Election Commissioner’s vehicle

Two people were injured when a motor- bike was struck by the official vehicle of Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya at Arambekade on the Kandy Kurunegala Road this afternoon.

Concerns regarding SL NGO freedom of expression

The United States is concerned by reports that the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense has ordered registered Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups to cease their media engagements and activities

Dayasiri, Harin exchange blows

North Western Province Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara and United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Harin Fernando are reported to have exchanged fisticuffs during the commercial break of a political programme on a private television channel on Tuesday night.

NGO’s to defy Defense Ministry ban

The Civil Society Collective (CSC), a coalition formed by the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) said today the move by the Defence Ministry to ban NGOs from conducting news conferences and workshops was illegal and therefore they would continue their activities ignoring the ban.

Jacqueline sends bunny cake to Indian Health Minister

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez has sent a bunny-shaped vegan cake with the words "Be Sweet to Bunnies - Ban Animal-Tested Products" written in icing, along with a letter to Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardhan hoping to urge him to have a heart for animals.

Video: Valuable gifts

President Mahinda Rajapakse and Australia's immigration minister Scott Morrison pose for a photograph in Colombo during a ceremony held to commission two Australian-gifted naval patrol boats. They will be deployed for preventing people smuggling operations. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Australia denies SL asylum seekers were ill-treated

Australia on Wednesday rejected allegations by Sri Lankan refugees returned to the island nation that they were mistreated and said their return sent a strong message to those thinking of following suit

Two arrested with Rs 50 Mn worth gold

Two suspects were arrested last night with nine kilogrammes of robbed gold worth around Rs.50 million in their possession. It is said to be the largest gold robbery to be detected in Sri Lanka in recent times

Protest for Consumer Rights

The Alliance for protection of consumer and farmer Rights today staged a protest near the Health Ministry in Colombo urging the authorities to establish a standard for every canteen in Government intuitions and schools. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Australia has committed 'piracy on the high seas': Malcolm Fraser

Former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has characterised Australia’s interdiction and detention of  more than 150 Sri Lankan asylum seekers at sea as ‘‘piracy on the high seas’’.

Scott Morrison in SL

Australian Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning for two day official visit. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Obama nominates Sison to top UN Security Council post

US President Barack Obama has decided to nominate US Ambassador to Sri Lanka  Michele Sison as the Deputy Representative of the US in the UN Security Council

Disaster for Brazil as Germany run riot

Brazil's World Cup dream was smashed into oblivion as majestic Germany ran riot to win an extraordinary semi-final 7-1 on Tuesday and send the South American hosts crashing to their worst ever defeat in their 100-year footballing history

Customs briefing

A brief media discussion was held this evening at the Sri Lanka Customs auditorium in view of the opening of its new headquarters on July 14. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Aluthgama incident, scripted drama: BBS

Budu Bala Sena (BBS) today said it suspected whether the Aluthgama incident was a scripted drama enacted either by the Government or the Opposition just like the incident which occurred during the concert held in Colombo participated by famous actor Shahrukh Khan despite repeated protests by religious leaders

OHCHR expresses concern over return of SL asylum seekers

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed deep concern over the decision by Australian authorities to return the 41 Sri Lankan asylum seekers without sufficient screening of their protection claims and needs

MR asks for report from Eran

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was present at the parliamentary sessions today asked United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne to submit a report on the Ministry Secretaries doing part-time jobs as directors in private organisations.