Samagi Jana Balavegaya to be launched today

The official launching of Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), the new coalition formed under the leadership of United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa will be held today at the Nelum Pokuna assembly hall in Colombo.

Prisons congestion worsens, new prison on the cards

The congestion in 30 prisons in the country including Welikada prison has come to a head with more than 26,000 inmates being housed in them where only 10,000 could be detained, prison sources said.

Act wisely and elect a govt. for economic and political stability: RW

People should think wisely and elect a bold Parliament which could bring about economic and political stability instead of a government which would create a nation which goes begging, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said over the weekend.

UNP WC majority wants elephant symbol

UNP working committee meeting ended without a final decision with majority wanting to contest the general election under the elephant symbol whilst Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa demanding that MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the General Secretary of the party if the party and the alliance to go with elephant.

Beginning of a new political journey: Sajith

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday said he and others representing various political parties will begin a new political journey with the launch of Samagi Jana Balawegaya today.

Mathews stars as Sri Lanka whitewash West Indies 3-0

Angelo Mathews held his nerve with the ball to help Sri Lanka clinch a tense six-run win over West Indies in the third one-day international and sweep the series 3-0 on Sunday (Mar 1).

Former Electoral Organisers of SLFP decides to support SJB

Electoral Organisers of the organisation for the protection of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) have decided to support Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) headed by Opposition Leader and Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP) Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming Parliamentary election.

Don’t display President’s photos in public places- PMD

Presidential Media Division today requested all relevant parties not to display President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s photos or portraits in public places.

Big-match vehicle parade, Defender accident damages 4 vehicles

At least four parked vehicles were damaged when a high-speed defender jeep, which took part in a school big-match vehicle parade in Colombo 4, met with an accident, this morning.

Space images reveal drastic fall in pollution over China as factories closed

Satellite images show a dramatic drop in pollution over China after the coronavirus outbreak shut down swathes of the country’s industry and travel.

Samagi Balawegaya should have two Joint General Secretaries: Ruwan

The Samagi Balawegaya should create two posts of general secretaries and appoint UNP general secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Samagi Jana Balawegaya General Secretary Ranjit Maduma Bandara to the posts, MP Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

22 undergrads remanded till tomorrow

Twenty-two university students including the convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Ven. Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thera, who were arrested for protesting outside the University Grants Commission (UGC), were remanded till tomorrow by Colombo Additional Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today.

Parliament to be dissolved tomorrow

The Parliament would be dissolved tomorrow midnight, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said today.

Two Sri Lankans arrived from Italy tested Negative for Coronavirus

Two Sri Lankans, who arrived from Covid-hit Italy and admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), had been tested negative for Covid Virus, hospital sources said.

Two Lankans arrived from South Korea admitted to hospital with fever

Two men among 137 Sri Lankans who arrived from South Korea this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) had been admitted to the Negombo Hospital with signs of fever, airport sources said.

U.S. records 1st coronavirus death, in Washington state

The U.S. has recorded its first coronavirus death — a man in Washington state, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

New Malaysia PM sworn in amid crisis

A former interior minister was sworn in as Malaysia’s premier Sunday, marking the return of a scandal-mired regime to power after the last government’s collapse but ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad slammed the move as illegal.

22 protesting undergrads arrested for violating court order

Twenty-two university students including the convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Ven. Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thera were arrested for protesting outside the University Grants Commission (UGC), for violating a court order, the Police said.

US & Taliban sign peace deal to end 18-year war

The US and the Taliban have signed an agreement aimed at paving the way towards peace in Afghanistan after more than 18 years of conflict, BBC reported today.

Statement being recorded from former ASP over Dr. Shafi case

A statement is being recorded from Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) former ASP B.S.Thisera over the previous investigation into Dr. Shafi Shiyabdeen, police said.

Meth & heroin worth Rs.1,180mn seized in seas off Galle

A large haul of crystal methamphetamine and heroin worth Rs.1,180 million rupees was seized by the Navy and Police Narcotic Bureau officials in the seas off Galle today.

Foreign Minister meets HR Chief, expresses intention to review PTA

Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is in Geneva, met UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet last afternoon and expressed government’s intention to undertake a review of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the Foreign Relations Ministry said.

Prez Sec. has to focus more on protests than duties: President

A number of protesting groups from state institutions daily hold agitation campaigns in front of the Presidential Secretariat and as a result, the staff has to devote more time to these agitators than performing their duties, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

General election - Posters, cut-outs banned for campaigning

Displaying posters and cut-outs during the election campaign has been banned and legal action will be taken against those who do so, Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday.

Two arrested with heroin haul in Rajagiriya

Two people were arrested while transporting a heroin haul weighing 3.257 kilograms and worth over Rs.30 million in a three-wheeler in Rajagiriya today, police said.

Hot weather - Met Dept. asks people to remain extremely cautious

The Department of Meteorology has issued a hot weather advisory to 11 districts including the North-Western, Western, Southern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and Mannar warning people to be extremely cautious.

Bathiudeen’s wife and brother - Court calls for report on their bank accounts

In the wake of some documents relating to a financial fraud that had occurred at the Lanka Sathosa, the Mt Lavinia Magistrate Udesh Ranathunga yesterday directed the CID to submit a report after examining the bank accounts of former minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s wife and his brother.

New govt. always respect instructions of Maha Sangha: PM

The new government always respect instructions and advises of the Maha Sangha unlike the previous government, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said.

Harsha unhappy over WC indecision

UNP MP Harsha de Silva who expressed dissatisfaction over the UNP working committee’s failure to end all issues regarding the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, today said he was even contemplating bowing out of politics.

Govt. teacher uses creative methods to teach mathematics

A video of a government teacher, who teaches mathematics to his students with some creative methods has gone viral on social media.