UNP alliance to contest under swan symbol

The two factions of the United National Party (UNP) decided to contest the general elections under the swan symbol, a party official said today. The decision was arrived at a meeting attended by UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

SLFP will accept Chandrika if returns: Dayasiri

Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga is welcome to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) or to the proposed SLFP-SLPP alliance at any time though she has been removed from the post of SLFP organizer of the Attanagalla electorate, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

President to visit Japan

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to visit Japan in May and participate at the global conference “The future of Asia” by becoming one of the first leaders from South Asia to bring fresh insight to the conference, the President’s Media Division said.

It’s a joke that US calling Shavendra Silva war criminal: Gammanpila

It is, in fact, a joke that US has banned Army Commander Shavendra Silva from entering the US based on the allegations concerning the war crimes, with the US being the number one war criminal in the world, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila said yesterday.

Sri Lankans should stop applying for US Visa: MP Marikar

UNP MP S. M Marikar yesterday said Sri Lankans should stop applying for US visa till the Army Commander Shavindra Silva is allowed entry into that country.

Govt. medical centres to go online soon: Dilum Amunugama

State Minister of Transport, Dilum Amunugama said today that instructions had been given to integrating all government medical centres into an online system for people to get their medical reports.

Preliminary report on MCC presented to President

The preliminary report of the four-member Committee appointed to review the proposed Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact (MCC) was handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today.

SLPP, SLFP to contest polls from Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today requested the Elections Commission (EC) to register their new alliance ‘Sri Lanka Nidhahas Podujana Sandhanaya’ to contest the upcoming elections under the lotus bud (Pohottuwa) symbol.

Udayanga Weeratunga further remanded

Former Sri Lanka Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, was further remanded until February 26 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court today.

Udayanga Weeratunga remanded until Feb.17

Former Sri Lanka Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, was remanded until February 17 by the Fort Magistrate Court Ranga Dissanayake today.

UNP invites SLFP to join their new alliance

The United National Party (UNP) extends an invitation to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to join the new alliance led by Sajith Premadasa and contest the upcoming parliamentary elections, UNP MP Harshana Rajakaruna said yesterday.

Navin won’t contest without elephant

UNP National Organiser Navin Dissanayake told a press conference held yesterday that he would not contest the upcoming general elections if he were not allowed to contest under the elephant symbol.

I will proceed with the project whatsoever: Sanath Nishantha

State Minister of Inland Fisheries Industry, Sanath Nishantha Perera said yesterday that he would proceed with the project to construct a playground at Kadolkele mangrove in the Negombo lagoon despite objection from the Gampaha District Wildlife Officer.

MR's family members used no State funds: Bandula

Cabinet spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today the family members who accompanied Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on his visit to India last week had spent their own money for air tickets and accommodations.

Sanath Nishantha oblivious to Wildlife Protection Act: Chandrasena

Referring to the incident in which the Gampaha District Forest Officer rejected the proposal to construct a playground at the Kadolkele mangrove in Negombo, Environment and Wildlife Resources Minister S.M. Chandrasena said State Minister Sanath Nishantha Perera would have been ignorant of the Wildlife Protection Act when dealing with the situation.

New Alliance urges UNP to lend Elephant symbol

The newly-formed Samagi Janatha Balawegaya led by Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa today urged UNP to lend elephant symbol to contest the general election if it does not want the alliance to contest under a new symbol.

Ranjan further remanded until Feb. 26

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested in connection with the controversial audio clips, was further remanded until February 26 by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today.

Forest officer sticks to guns, refuses to break the law

A proposal to construct a playground in the Kadolkele mangrove of the Negombo lagoon had been withdrawn following the strong stand taken by the Gampaha District Forest Officer Devani Jayathilaka at meeting chaired by the Fisheries and Inland Fisheries Industry State Minister Sanath Nishantha Perera on Monday (10).

PM returns from India

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in the country a short while ago from India after concluding his first official overseas visit.

170 patients sought treatment over the weekend at hospitals in SL

Over 170 patients, over the weekend, sought treatment at various hospitals in Sri Lanka, including the IDH in Angoda, in fear that they may have contracted the novel coronavirus, health ministry sources told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Wimal demands probe

Minister Wimal Weerawansa requested the acting IGP and the CID to carry out a probe into an incident where US $100,000 had been transferred to the bank account in the United States belonging to former minister Rishad Bathiudeen during the 52-day government period in 2018.

Sajith walks out of UNP WC meeting

The UNP working committee meeting yesterday ended in a stalemate following the issue on the symbol of the alliance led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to contest the next general election.

Prez on sudden inspection at Welikada Prison

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a sudden inspection visit to Welikada Prison this evening, the President’s Media Division said.

Gota has his style of governance: Bandula

Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today President Gotabaya Rajapaksa takes the full responsibility of Cabinet decisions and government’s performance and therefore would prefer to personally chair all cabinet meetings.

Kapila Chandrasena, wife remanded

SriLankan Airlines former CEO Kapila Chandrasena and wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayaka were remanded till February 19 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Body of sergeant found with injuries

The body of a police sergeant attached to the Valachchenai was recovered with injuries at Mullamunai in Vavunathivu this morning, Police Media Division said.

Pujith, Hemasiri released on bail

IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court a short while ago. The two were granted bail by the Colombo High Court earlier today.

Ratnapriya sworn in as MP

Trade union and civil society activist Saman Ratnapriya was sworn in as UNP National List MP in Parliament today. The UNP proposed Mr.Ratnapriya to the parliamentary seat after it fell vacant following the resignation of Jayampathy Wickramaratne.

UNF approves Madduma Bandara as alliance secretary

The UNF Parliamentary Group today approved the appointment of UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the General Secretary of the proposed UNP-led alliance.

Coronavirus: Death toll reaches 492

The death toll from novel coronavirus has climbed to 490 in mainland China, with one additional fatality in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines.