I will not let anyone lay eggs in my nest.: Maithripala

Referring to the Government’s attempts to make new appointments to China-gifted National Nephrology Hospital in Polonnaruwa, former President Maithripala Sirisena said it was a gift to him by China, and hence, he would not let anyone ’lay eggs’ there.

Who is it who wants me arrested: Ravi

Former minister Ravi Karunanayake said today he was curious to know as to whose political agenda it was in having an arrest warrant issued on him less than 12 hours after Parliament was dissolved though this case had been ongoing for almost five years.

China’s first lady thanks Devi Balika students for backing anti-coronavirus fight

Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has written back to a group of students from Devi Balika Vidyalaya in Sri Lanka, expressing her appreciation for their support for China’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and encouraging them to make contributions to carrying forward China-Sri Lanka friendship.

Kapila Chandrasena, wife released on bail

Former CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Wijenayake, who were remanded in connection with the controversial Airbus deal, were released today on a cash bail of Rs.2 million with two sureties of Rs.20 million each by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake.

Champika’s travel ban temporarily lifted

The travel ban imposed on former minister Patali Champika Ranawaka was lifted from April 26 to May 12 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today after considering a motion filed by Mr. Ranawaka to leave for Australia on a personal matter.

7 SL fishermen remanded for illegal fishing in Seychelles’ waters

The crew of a Sri Lankan registered fishing vessel intercepted on suspicion of fishing illegally in the Seychelles’ waters have been remanded for 14 days by the Seychelles Supreme Court, the Seychelles News Agency reported.

I will contest from UNP: Mervyn

Former Minister Mervyn Silva said yesterday that he would contest the General Elections under United National Party (UNP) and its elephant symbol.

Applications for postal voting to be accepted from March 6 to 16

Applications for postal voting at the forthcoming General Elections will be accepted from March 6 to 16, the Election Commission said today.

People suffered when leaders tried to be eagles: Mahinda

It was people who had to suffer when leaders of the previous Government attempted to be eagles, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said during an event held at Kurunegala yesterday.

Passengers from SL need health clearance to enter Kuwait

The civil aviation authority in Kuwait has asked passengers returning to Kuwait from 10 populous nations including Sri Lanka to produce health certificates showing they are free of the deadly coronavirus, otherwise they will be denied entry.

Sri Lankan security agencies shutting down civic space: HRW

Sri Lankan security agencies are stepping up surveillance, harassment, and threats against human rights activists and journalists, Human Rights Watch said today.

To be effective, OMP says it needs unstinted govt. support

The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) yesterday said it remains committed to furthering the cause of the missing and the disappeared but said it requires the unstinted cooperation of the government and state agencies in order for it to be effective.

SL looks to set up ’quarantine areas’ in western province

Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry is looking at the possibility of setting up separate quarantine areas for passengers arriving from South Korea, Iran, Italy and China to prevent the COVID-19 from entering the country, a health ministry official told Daily Mirror yesterday.

NPP urges NCPA to arrest the culprits

The National Peoples Power (NPP) yesterday urged the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and the police to expedite legal action against those involved in the sexual abuse of a 6-year-old girl as shown in a video clip aired on social media websites and ensure her safety.

Severe shortage of face masks in SL

Pharmacies located in hospitals are currently facing a crisis because of a shortage of disposable face masks urgently required in Sri Lanka.

If unsettled, UNP to go it alone

If the rift between the faction led by UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and the one led by Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa is not settled by the date of nominations, the Ranil faction is to explore the possibility of contesting the general elections separately under the elephant symbol, a senior UNP official told Daily Mirror yesterday.

SL rejects ‘inaccurate’ references in Special Rapporteur’s report

The Sri Lankan Government rejected ‘inaccurate’ references in the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief’s report which has said “serious concerns” regarding “Sri Lankan security forces colluding with mobs and not acting to prevent or stop violence” in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks.

UNP says SJB constitution needs changes

The United National Party (UNP) hierarchy said today the constitution of the new alliance was more or less a party constitution and that it should be converted into an alliance constitution.

Ministry requests police to probe drunkard harassing foreign couple

A video which shows a drunken local man verbally harassing a foreign couple during the cricket match between Sri Lanka and West Indies held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota, has gone viral on social media.

Dilshan to contest Galle district under SLPP

Former Sri Lanka Cricket captian Tillekaratne Dilshan said he would contest the forthcoming general election from the Galle District with a new approach and wish the support of all irrespective of any religious and racial differences.

Levy on imported fish upped to Rs 150 per kilo

Special Commodity Levy (SCL) imposed on imported fish had been increased by Rs 150 per kilo from midnight today, the Finance Ministry said.

Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya to contest under SLPP & Pohottuwa

Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya, the recently formed alliance led by SLPP and SLFP, will contest the upcoming General Elections under the Sri Lanka Podujana Permauna (SLPP) and its lotus bud symbol (Pohottuwa), the SLPP informed the Election Commission today.

Pope Francis tested negative for coronavirus

The Pope, who has been suffering from a cold, was tested for the coronavirus and the results came back negative, a report said Tuesday.

AG directs IGP to arrest Ravi, Mahendran and Aloysius

The Attorney General today directed the acting IGP to obtain warrants for the arrest of several people including former minister Ravi Karunanayaka, former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) owner Arjun Aloysius, PTL CEO Kasun Palisena and former Public Debt Department (PDD) Director Sarathchandra in connection with the Central Bank bond scam.

SL High Commissioner to UK assumes duties

High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Saroja Sirisena assumed duties on Monday, the High Commission today said.

Man killed in shootout in Middeniya

A 36-year-old man was killed after an unidentified gunman opened fire at him in Middeniya a short while ago, Police said.

Ranil says will continue talks with Sajith

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told party organizers at Sirikotha today that he would continue to hold discussions with Samagi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sajith Premadasa in efforts to ensure that the UNP to contested the general election without a split.

20 school boys detained for entering into girls schools released

The 20 students of Royal College in Colombo, who were taken into custody today for allegedly entering into two girls schools in the Kollupitiya area, were released after being reprimanded, police said.

US Ninth Circuit Court vacates ruling on President Rajapaksa

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal of the United States on Friday February 28 allowed the Appeal Petition filed by Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of the slain Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, to vacate the Lower Court’s ruling which was delivered on October 22, 2019.

Netanyahu claims victory after exit polls show narrow lead

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in Israel’s general election, with early results putting him ahead of main rival Benny Gantz.