Rare solar eclipse was visible in 13 districts

Skywatchers in thirteen districts of the country were able to observe yesterday’s annular solar eclipse which is also called the ring of fire, the Arthur C. Clarke Institute said.

CID officials arrive at hospital to record statement from Rajitha

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials arrived at the Lanka Hospital in Narahenpita to record a statement from MP Rajitha Senaratne over the white van news conference.

President inspects DMT Office, instructs officials to streamline services

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today inspected the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Office at Werahera, which was previously known as Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and instructed its officials to streamline the services within a month.

CID, STF officials at Rajitha’s residence

A group of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Special Task Force (STF) personnel inspected former minister Rajitha Senaratne’s residence at Colombo 7 today to arrest him.

Look for Rajitha at MR’s residence: Anura tells CID

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today the CID should search Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence if it was keen to locate former minister Rajitha Senaratne.

Rajitha will appear in court at right time: Champika

Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday that former Minister Rajitha Senaratne was not absconding but he would appear in court at the right time.

Use scientific method to purchase harvest from next season: Prez

While addressing the first Cabinet Sub Committee on Cost of Living at the Presidential Secretariat, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday instructed the officials to follow a scientific method to purchase harvest from next season.

A rare solar eclipse tomorrow after nine years; Next in 2031

A rare annular solar eclipse will be visible from Sri Lanka tomorrow (26) after nine years, Professor Chandana Jayaratne of the Department of Physics at the Colombo University said.

UNP can form new Govt. if need arises: Wijepala

The United National Party (UNP) will not hesitate to form a new government by showing a majority in Parliament if the present regime continues its political victimisation, MP Wijepala Hettiarachchi said yesterday.

Mahendran has reportedly escaped S’pore: Vasu

State Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said yesterday they had news that former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran had reportedly escaped Singapore and moved to other hideouts.

UNF to meet Speaker on remanding of MP Patali

UNF leaders will meet Speaker Karu Jayasuriya shortly to discuss the steps that should be taken against the remanding of MP Patali Champika Ranwaka, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Heavy rains kill five, affects 7000 people

At least five people were killed and some 7,025 people belonging to 2,062 families in eight districts were affected by the prevailing heavy rains, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today.

Politics not involved in Champika’s arrest

While saying that the law will take its course and there is no politics involved in the arrest and detention of former minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, State Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said Attorney General Dappula De Livera was an extremely strict public officer who does not listen even to the President.

No law violated in arresting Patali: Gammanpila

While saying there is no political motive behind the arrest of MP Patali Champika Ranwaka, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila today pointed out that there was no violation of the law in the process of arresting him.

Anticipatory Bail - Rajitha files fresh application

MP Rajitha Senaratne today filed a fresh anticipatory bail application in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court seeking an order to prevent his arrest in connection with the ‘white van news conference’ held on November 10.

MP’s arrest illegal: UNP

To a question asked by journalists whether it was wrong to investigate a road accident involving former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka on a request made by the victim’s parents, the United National Party (UNP) said today there was no issue in doing so if done legally.

Will do our best to get Champika released legally: Sajith

United National Party (UNP) MP Sajith Premadasa said today the party would do its best to get former Minister Champika Ranawaka released in a legal, democratic and constitutional manner.

Rajitha’s anticipatory bail application rejected

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by former minister Rajitha Senaratne on the basis that it could not be granted in relation to uncertain charges.

Maradana train derailment: All trains on mainline delayed

All train services including office trains operating on the mainline were delayed this morning due to the yesterday’s train derailment between the Maradana and Dematagoda railway stations, The Railway Control Room said.

No politics involved in ex-Minister’s arrest: Bandula

There is no politics involved in the arrest and detention of former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and legal action against him is based purely on hard evidence available to the law enforcement authorities, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday.

UNP MPs allege arrest was political victimisation

While alleging that the arrest of MP Patali Champika Ranawaka was illegal and an act of political victimisation, the UNP today said the Party is currently having discussions on the steps to be taken with regard to the arrest.

Lanka managed Swiss embassy issue diplomatically: Govt.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Ramesh Pathirana said today Sri Lanka has managed the incident involving the Swiss embassy employee diplomatically and was careful not to make it an international issue.

MCC deal suspended; 4-member committee appointed to review agreement: Govt.

The government has suspended the proposed Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement while a four-member committee was appointed to review the MCC and submit recommendations to the Cabinet, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

20-year, 12-year RI for Fmr. President’s Chief of Staff, ex-STC Chairman respectively

Former President Maithripala Sirisena’s chief of staff I.H.K. Mahanama and State Timber Corporation (STC) former chairman P. Dissanayaka, were sentenced to 20 and 12 rigorous imprisonment respectively after they were found guilty of accepting a bribe of Rs.20 million by the Special High Court today.

Manjula Perera arrested for assaulting journalist

UNP Kelaniya organiser Bewan Perera’s son Manjula was today arrested on charges of assaulting Lake House photo journalist Gayan Pushpakumara.

Patali re-remanded until Dec. 24

Former minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, who was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) in connection with the road accident in 2016, has been re-remanded until December 24 by the Colombo Additional Magistrate today.

Swiss Embassy staffer taken to Mental Health Institute

Swiss Embassy local staffer, Garnier Banister Francis, who is in the remand custody, was taken to the National Institute of Mental Health, Angoda this morning.

THE KOREAN DREAM

A coffin was rolled out of the arrival area of the Bandaranaike International Airport. Inside was the remains of twenty-four-year-old Ganushka Madumal who drowned in South Korea in a boat accident. Madumal, who had never swum in Sri Lankan seas, was working in a fishing vessel in Korea. He was not even wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.

UNP constitution should be amended to elect new leader: MP Harsha

UNP MP Harsha De Silva yesterday proposed an amendment to his party’s constitution in order to make provisions to elect a new leader through a vote.

Boris Johnson’s speech: SL must pull out of C’wealth in protest

Sri Lanka should withdraw from the Commonwealth and from the United Nations in protest over a speech made by British Premier Boris Johnson over reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka, Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera said.