Pujith, Hemasiri should be allowed to testify freely

IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Secretary to President Hemasiri Fernando should be allowed to testify freely before the presidential commission on the Easter Sunday attacks so that they will reveal as to who is truly responsible for the carnage, UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara told a press conference held yesterday.

Madduma Bandara named secretary of new UNP alliance

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has named UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the general secretary of the new alliance under which the UNP and its allies would contest the general elections, a statement from the office of Opposition Leader said today.

SC permits to name Fmr. Prez as respondent in Pujith’s FR petition

The Supreme Court today granted permission to name former President Maithripala Sirisena as a Respondent in a Fundamental Rights petition filed by IGP Pujith Jayasundera seeking a court order declaring the decision to send him on compulsory leave unconstitutional.

Three died after falling into an abandoned mine

Three persons including a 17 year-old boy died after falling into an abandoned mine at Seethawaka, Avissawella, police said.

UNP Working Committee decides to continue with RW as leader

The Working Committee of the UNP today decided to continue with Ranil Wickremesinghe as the UNP leader, the party said.

UNP elects Sajith as UNF leader and PM candidate

The Working Committee of the UNP has elected Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa as the leader of the UNP led alliance UNF, and as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the party.

Sri Pada College of Education temporarily shut down due to viral fever

The National College of Education, Sri Pada has been temporarily closed down till February 5 due to an outbreak of a viral fever.

UNP to sack SF, Ajith from working committee

The United National Party (UNP) has decided to sack its Kalutara District MP Ajith P. Perera and National List MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka from the party’s working committee on the grounds of violating party discipline, sources said.

UNP working committee meets today

UNP working committee will meet today at Sirikotha to decide on the future course of action by the party, its General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.

SL lack proper equipment to safeguard lab experts: UNP

Sri Lanka still lacks necessary equipment to carry out experiments on Coronavirus and there are certain steps that have to be taken in this regard, United National Party (UNP) said yesterday.

Ranjan re-remanded until Feb. 12

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested in connection with the controversial audio clips, was remanded further until February 12 by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today.

Protests block Galle Face Road

Heavy traffic was reported on the Galle Face Road opposite the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo and surrounding areas due to protests march.

Mahendran, Cabraal should both be arrested, tried: UNP

Former Central Bank (CB) Governors Arjuna Mahendran and Ajith Nivard Cabraal should be arrested and tired in court as the forensic audit reveals that the bond scam had taken place from 2005 onwards and continued even after 2015, UNP MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena told a press conference held yesterday.

CID grilled Rajitha

Former Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to give a statement over the controversial “White Van” media conference.

No decision to shut down University Colleges: Bandula

Higher Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane said yesterday that no decision had been taken to shut down university colleges and the future of the students would be ensured while being allowed to obtain degrees through the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC).

EU poll observers call for better cooperation between EC and Social media platforms

In its final report on Sri Lanka’s November 16 presidential election, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) yesterday proposed to empower the Election Commission and to develop more efficient mechanisms between the EC and Facebook to enhance transparency in campaigning.

HC remands Ajith Prasanna till Feb.7

High Court Judge Dhammika Ganepola today remanded retired Maj. Ajith Prasanna till February 7 on charges of making defamatory statements against the Colombo Chief Magistrate and a High Court Judge at a news conference held on December 6, 2019.

Wimal questions Judge Pilapitiya’s arrest

Minister Wimal Weerawansa today blamed the Attorney General for wrongly requesting that Judge Gihan Pilapitiya be arrested.

Easter Sunday Attack - Ex-prez should be arrested: Range Bandara

United National Party (UNP) MP Palitha Range Bandara yesterday called for the arrest of former president Maithripala Sirisena and said as the then commander-in-chief he held the prime responsibility for the Easter Sunday carnage.

Govt. to purchase paddy at higher prices

The government would purchase top quality paddy at a minimum certified price of Rs. 50 per kilogramme and a kilogramme of paddy with moisture at a certified price of Rs. 45 from the harvest of Maha season, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday.

12 injured as lorry crashes with Black Maria

Twelve people including nine suspects had been injured in an accident involving a Black Maria and a lorry at Kaluwilapathana, Ambanpola this morning, the Police said.

Rishad’s brother Rifkhan remanded

Rifkhan Bathiudeen, the brother of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) was remanded until February 06 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.

Three nabbed with gold biscuits worth Rs.50 mn

Three suspects including a 16-year-old boy was arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with gold biscuits worth more than Rs.50 million this morning, airport senior official said.

Shani Abeysekara arrives at CID

Former CID Director Shani Abeysekara arrived at the CID to give a statement with regard to the investigations carried out on the incident into the alleged abduction of Swiss Embassy local staffer Garnier Banister Francis.

Politicians shouldn’t chase after positions: Kiriella

Referring to the prevailing UNP leadership crisis, MP Lakshman Kiriella said they, as politicians, should not chase after positions, but positions should come in search of them, if they had worked properly.

Medical student stabbed to death in Jaffna

A soldier attached to the Paranthan Army camp had been allegedly stabbed to death his wife at a park near the Pannai lagoon in Jaffna this afternoon over a family dispute, the Defence Ministry said.

No need to make Ranjan a hero: MP Hesha Withanage

The incumbent government is trying to cover up the concerning issues in the country at present and there is no need of making former MP Ranjan Ramanayake a hero, and what he did was not suitable to consider him as such, UNP MP Hesha Withanage said at a media briefing today at the Opposition Leader’s office.

CB bond scam forensic audit: JVP calls for 2-day debate on report

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today requested the Speaker to allocate two days to debate the forensic audit report on the Central Bank bond scam.

SLFP is suffering for what they did: Marikkar

The SLFP is suffering for what they did to the UNP during the coalition government of 2015, a UNP MP said today.

Hemapala leaves CCD

Interdicted Magistrate Dhammika Hemapala, left the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) after giving 3-hour-long statement regarding the telephone conversation he held with MP Ranjan Ramanayake.