I will contest independent or give up politics: Ranjan

Gampaha District MP Ranjan Ramanayake said he was contemplating whether to contest the general election in the Gampaha District from an independent list or to give up politics and become a full-time artiste if he was denied the ticket to contest the next general election.

Permits no longer required to transport sand, granite, soil: Minister

The Cabinet has decided that permits to transport sand, granite and soil were no longer necessary, Environment, Wildlife Resources, Land and Land Development Minister S.M. Chandrasena said.

Calling armed forces for civil matters shows signs of military rule: NPP

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s move to call on the three forces to maintain law and order in the country at a time when there was no emergency situation was a bad sign that the country was heading towards as a military rule, National People’s Power (NPP) said today.

Barawakumbuka-Mattala segment should be closed: Dolawatte

Immediate measures should be taken to close the recently opened Barawakumbuka to Mattala segment of the Southern Expressway (E01) with immediate effect and to take legal action against all responsible persons who were involved in the sudden opening of the segment, the Truth Seekers Movement (Sathya Gaveshakayo) Convener Attorney-at-Law Premnath C. Dolawatte said.

Two new governors sworn in

Two new governors were sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for Eastern and North Central Provinces today. Anuradha Yahampath was appointed as the Eastern Province Governor while Professor Tissa Witharana was appointed as the North Central Province Governor.

SL like to see more investments by Sri Lankan-Canadians: PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who met with Canadian High Commissioner David McKinnon, said Sri Lanka would like to see more Sri Lankan-Canadians come back and invest in the country.

Colombo roads flooded

Many roads in Colombo including Horton Place, Wijerama Road, Bauddhaloka Mawatha and Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha were flooded during the torrential rains causing heavy traffic.

Ministry has vehicles but can’t be used: Dayasiri

State Minister of Industries Dayasiri Jayasekera said today that none of the vehicles at his ministry, while new, can be used and that he hoped to get at least one vehicle from the Presidential Secretariat.

Campaign to be launched on Friday: Harin

United National Party (UNP) MP Harin Fernando said those who wanted the party’s former deputy leader Sajith Premadasa to be appointed as party leader and leader of the opposition would launch a campaign on Friday, December 6, 2019, to re-build Mr. Premadasa’s political future.

Swiss envoy has no right to detain SL worker: PHU

The Swiss Ambassador in Sri Lanka has no right to keep a Sri Lankan employee inside the Embassy on the basis that local employees do not enjoy diplomatic privileges, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) said today.

Proroguing Parliament may cause several problems: UNP

Some United National Party (UNP) MPs today claimed that proroguing Parliament till January 3, 2020 was bound to create several issues and also suspicion about political deals.

Govt. resorting to ‘white van culture’ sooner than expected: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday they expected that ‘white van culture’ and undemocratic actions would take place under this government, but they never expected such things would happen so soon.

Ex-cop alleges Shani, others coerced to implicate Gota, Namal in Thajudeen probe

Former Crime Branch OIC at the Narahenpita Police A. D. Sumith Chammika Perera yesterday alleged former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and several other officers coerced him to implicate Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa in the Wasim Thajudeen investigation.

Vaiko detained for protesting against Gotabaya's India visit

Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko and his supporters were detained by the Delhi Police on Thursday for protesting against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s visit to India.

Colombo air quality to be unhealthy in morning hours

Colombo city is to experience unhealthy air quality in the morning hours which would gradually decline after mid-noon, Senior Scientist H.D.S. Premasiri said.

John Amaratunga ready to resign

UNP MP John Amaratunga had said he was ready to resign as the party organiser for Wattala and hand over the reins to a young party member.

Yal Devi derailment: Trains operating up to Maho and Galgamuwa

The railway service which had been suspended due to derailment of the Colombo-bound Yal Devi express train between Galgamuwa and Ambanpola stations had resumed from this morning, the Railway Operations Superintendent Gamini Seneviratne said.

Revamping mission; Ranil to meet UNP groups: Akila

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is to meet the party MPs in small groups to review the presidential election results and to decide on revamping the party, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

300-year-old skeletal remains returns to Lanka from University of Edinburgh

The Chief of the Veddha Community Uruwarige Vanniyala Eththo mentioned the importance of having a secure place to deposit the human skulls and bones

Bandula, Ramesh appointed new Cabinet spokesmen

Ministers Bandula Gunawardane and Ramesh Pathirana were appointed as Cabinet spokesmen by the new government, sources said.

Portfolios are responsibilities not privileges: President

The ministers should execute duties bearing in mind that ministry portfolios were not privileges but responsibilities, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said speaking after the new State and deputy ministers were sworn in at the Presidential Secretariat.

Selection board to make appointments to Govt. institutions: Prez

The appointments of heads to State corporations, boards and other institutions would be made through a selection board to ensure only the qualified and professionals would be appointed as chairpersons and directors, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today.

New Cabinet sworn-in

Fifteen ministers were sworn in before President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa this morning at the Presidential Secretariat.

Ranil resigns as Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has tendered his resignation to President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa this morning, UNP media said.

Will sue disturbers of peace: Defence Secy.

Regardless of title or position, stringent legal action will be taken against any individual who attempts to disturb national peace, newly-appointed Defence Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said yesterday.

President on reformist path: Wimal

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is on a reformist path and has already taken a number of measures to change the system, Opposition MP Wimal Weerwansa today said.

Sajith loyalists contemplate forming new party: Harin

New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Sajith Premadasa’s loyalists are contemplating forming a new political party under his leadership if effective revamp of the UNP does not take place, former Minister Harin Fernando said today.

An individual in pursuit of a porcupine found dead in a burrow

Ganemulla police said that the body of an individual who got stuck in a burrow while in pursuit of a porcupine at Kossinna in Ganemulla was taken out with much effort.

PM should step down immediately: Ven. Dhammananda Thera

Chief Lekakadikari of the Asgiri Chapter, Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera, said today it was most suited for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down immediately giving the opportunity to President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to govern the country according to his policies.

President assumes duties

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assumed duties at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo a short while ago. The President assumed duties following religious observances and the event was attended by former President Maithripala Sirisena as well.