Public urged to avoid visiting Yala Sanctuary and Horton Plains

The Wildlife Conservation Department requests the public to avoid visiting the Yala National Park and Horton Plains National Park due to the prevailing inclement weather conditions.

The department’s operations director Manjula Amararatna stated

Storm leaves 7 dead, 5 missing and 20,000 affected

Storms with heavy rain and winds across Sri Lanka have left at least seven people dead and another 5 people missing, officials said today.

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) said around 20,000 people have been affected by the adverse weather conditions which

Petition against LG delimitation Gazette withdrawn; court dissolves stay

The Court of Appeal today dissolved the stay order issued against the implementation of the Gazette notification on Local Government delimitation after the petition filed against it was withdrawn by the petitioners.

A stay order had been issued preventing the implementation of the

Over 15 million eligible to vote!

More than 15 million voters are eligible to exercise their franchise at upcoming elections, including the polls for local government bodies, says additional election commissioner H.M. Mohamed.

The figure according to the 2017 electoral register, 15,760,867, is

Bribery Commission files case against Wimal over Rs 75m

The Bribery Commission today filed a case with the Colombo High Court against MP Wimal Weerawansa over unlawful earnings of Rs 75 million.

Indictments have been filed against the National Freedom Front

Sri Lanka Cricket To Achieve Captains On Tour-By-Tour Basis: Five ODI Captains Already In 2017

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva has said the Sri Lanka national cricket team will appoint captains on a tour-by-tour basis in the future.
This controversial remark has come under criticism from many a cricket lover, including former Sri Lankan Captain Mahela Jayewardena who asked how the Sri Lankan cricket can achieve

SLFP finishes preparing nominations - Duminda

he SLFP has finished preparing its all nominations to contest elections to local government institutions, and will hand them over on December 12, says its general secretary Duminda Dissanayake.

He said the party would most likely contest the polls under its

Bad weather leaves four dead

Four deaths have been reported so far from Galle, Gampaha and Badulla districts due to the adverse weather conditions, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

According to reports, one person was hit dead by a tree branch on

Deadline to exchange damaged currency notes

The Central Bank has issued a deadline to exchange damaged and distorted currency notes for good ones from banks until December 31.

Thereafter, such currency notes will not be exchanged, the bank

Thisara Perera named ODI and T20 captain

All-rounder Thisara Perera will take over as Sri Lanka's ODI captain from the upcoming three-match series against India. Perera will also lead the side in the three-match Twenty20 International series.

The 28-year-old will take over from opening batsman Upul

No action to be taken against Gotabhaya; stay order issued on FCID

The Court of Appeal issued a stay order on the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) preventing any action against former Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa over public properties following court proceedings today (29).

Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa filed a writ

SLFP rejects JO condition to vote against budget!

The SLFP has rejected a joint opposition condition to demonstrate its sincerity by voting against the 2018 budget if the two sides are to contest the election for local government bodies together.

The SLFP has assured finance minister Mangala Samaraweera of its fullest support for the budget, a ministry spokesman said, adding

Chandrika mediates in UNP-SLFP dispute!

Ex-president Chandrika Kumaratunga has come forward to mediate in the dispute between the UNP and the SLFP, the key partners in the government.

It was Kumaratunga who brokered talks with Ranil

Global investors already in SL shipping industry: JO

The budget proposal to open up the shipping industry with the objective of attracting major players to invest in Sri Lanka would not serve any purpose as global players are already engaged in business in the country, joint opposition MP Rohitha Abeygunawardene said yesterday.

“Global players in the shipping industry are already in Sri Lanka

Muttiah Says Ravichandran Ashwin Is Currently The Best Spinner In The World

Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan feels India’s Ravichandran Ashwin is presently the best spinner in the world and his achievements with the ball are a testimony to his greatness.

 Ashwin yesterday became the fastest bowler to reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets in his 54th match, breaking Dennis Lillee’s

Principal transferred for not including son in cricket team

The Principal of St. Alloysius College in Galle had been transferred for not taking the OBA head’s son into the school cricket team, it was revealed at the PC meeting held today (28).

However, no investigation had been conducted in this regard, said the JVP – MP Nalin Hewage.

He said this had been done with the consent of politicians while alleging that the Education Director too had not taken any action with regard to this injustice.

 Entire school held as pawns over one child

“This was done by a Provincial Council member, an old boy of the school, who is close with a powerful politician in the area, together with the Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. The reason was that this provincial counsellor’s son was not taken to the school cricket team. For the sake of just one child, the whole school was put in jeopardy and pawned. The reason given for the Principal’s transfer was that he had enrolled two students to the school. However 35 students had been enrolled in the school based on letters sent by the Education Ministry. But, there are no investigations regarding these issues,” he said.

The two students enrolled by the Principal are both good sportsmen, while one is good at cricket and the other at rugby. This principal had been notified that he is being transferred for taking these two students.

He said this is a pathetic plight that the school had been put in jeopardy over such an issue and warned that if this matter is not investigated by the zonal education ministry, it would contribute to the downfall of the school.


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Shanil’s petition dismissed

The Supreme Court today (28), dismissed a FR petition without being taken up for hearing, filed by Shanil Nettikumara seeking the prevention of his arrest or filing of a case against him.

The verdict was given by a three member judge panel comprising

Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Files Writ Petition At Appeals Court Seeking Order Not To Arrest Him

Former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court seeking an order against his arrest.

Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is under investigations for misappropriating state funds to build a memorial for his parents.

A sum of Rs. 91 million obtained for the ‘Weeraketiya Project’ of

Twin storms over Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal:Prevailing 'Low' Set To Cross Sri Lanka

The low-pressure area over South-West Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lanka may not have intensified yet, but models see twin storms spinning up over the seas this week, separated by the peninsula.

Satellite pictures this morning showed most of Sri Lanka shrouded

Pothas slams ‘embarrassing’ Sri Lanka after worst Test defeat

Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas warned his players there would be “repercussions” after the country’s worst-ever Test defeat, at the hands of India on Monday.

The South African could barely contain his anger after Sri Lanka

Delimitation Gazette: AG files motion seeking early call up

The Attorney General (AG) today filed a motion in the Court of Appeal seeking the Writ petition, which challenged the gazette notification on delimitation of electoral boundaries and the number of members of Local Government Authorities, to be called on November 30.

Earlier, the case was scheduled to be called on December 4 and an

President leaves on state visit to South Korea

President Maithripala Sirisena left the country today and is scheduled to arrive in Seoul tomorrow (28) for a three-day state visit to Republic of Korea, on an invitation extended by the Korean President Moon Jae-in.

The visit is significant in many aspects as Sri Lanka has highly

LG polls: Notice issued calling for nominations

The notice calling for nominations for 93 Local Government (LG) bodies was issued by respective returning officers today, the Elections Commission said.

Accordingly, the accepting of candidate’s deposits will begin today

India record big win against SL in 2nd Test

India thrashed Sri Lanka by an innings and 239 runs on the fourth day of the second Test on Monday to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

The visitors, who started the day in Nagpur on 21-1 after conceding a 405-run first innings lead, crashed to 166 all out in the second session.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed four wickets to return

Appropriation Bill debate to be held today

The Appropriation Bill debate will be held for the 15th consecutive day at the parliament today (27).

The Acting Minister of Finance and Mass Media, Eran

Decision given to Shanaka unfair - Gurusinghe

The decision given to Dasun Shanaka of the Sri Lankan team on charges of ball tampering, when Sri Lanka was way behind India on the second day of the second test played in Nagpur, was unfair, said SL team Manager Asanka Gurusinghe.

He said this incident was not planned and Dasun had taken full

SLFP-JO union is imminent!

Discussions between the SLFP and the joint opposition are nearing conclusion, says a participant at the talks, noting that a union between them is imminent.

He told Sri Lanka Mirror that the main objective of the talks was to

New rules over death inquests

A twelve-member committee chaired by Prof. Ravindra Fernando, Head, Department of Forensic Medicine of the Colombo University has made far-reaching proposals on the Policy and Legal Framework pertaining to the Law on Inquests into Deaths.

The proposals include a Postmortem Examination shall be

Kick in the gut for transferred teachers!

Teachers who had served in a certain school for over ten years were transferred recently, but many of them complain that they have not received last month’s wages.

 These teachers said they are facing great difficulty as a result of not being paid.

 Further the teachers complain that the zonal education offices had

Air-dropped packets of tea: Panic in Pannipitiya

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said it will investigate an incident where a private company had using a helicopter air-dropped packets of tea in Pannipitiya yesterday resulting in the frightened residents complaining to the CAA.

“The company was only permitted to distribute leaflets and not any

Several ministries in dismay without allocated funds!

Several ministries are in distress due to the lack of funds for the final quarter of this year as they have not received the funds allocated to them in the Budget 2017, it is reported.

It is reported that the amount due for construction that has been

Secret talks to form single government!

Based on the complicated situation within the unity government, there is reliable information to suggest that both the UNP and the SLFP are in separate secret talks in order to establish a separate government.

Several SLFP seniors have held secret talks with Rajapaksa

EC says polls possible for unaffected local bodies

The Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Desapriya told a JVP delegation yesterday he would inform Court on December 4 that there was no impediment in conducting elections to the local bodies unaffected by delimitation.

A petition has been filed in the Court of Appeal against the

President ready to leave all positions for struggle against corruption & fraud

“If there are undue criticism and complaints against the decisions taken by me to stop corruption and fraud, I am ready to leave all positions and join the people to continue the struggle,” says President Maithripala Sirisena.

He was speaking at a public meeting held yesterday(24) in

Gotabhaya’s arrest put off!

An expected arrest of former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa by the FCID on November 22 was postponed following a meeting between a group of Buddhist monks and the president at the latter’s Paget Road, Colombo residence on the previous day, ‘Ravaya’ reports.

The attorney general has given permission to the IGP to arrest the

PM asks UNP whether polls be held before Feb.4

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed the legal unit of the United National Party (UNP) to check and inform him whether it would be possible to hold the local government elections before February 4 next year.

Sources close to Mr Wickremesinghe told Daily Mirror that he had

Suspended sentences for Hirunika’s supporters in abduction case

Six supporters of MP Hirunika Premachandra, who pleaded guilty to the abduction of a youth from Dematagoda, have been sentenced to 2 years rigorous imprisonment suspended for 12 years by the Colombo High Court.

The sentence was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge R.

Nimal Siripala recruits more casual railway workers

Transport minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has recruited more than 500 workers on casual basis to the Railway Department, which has been having around 2,000 workers in the non-permanent cadre for four years, railway trade unions allege.

De Silva has also enrolled 210 workers on permanent basis, and is

President gives into ‘caste’; extends Navy chief’s term!

President Maithripala Sirisena has given a six month service extension to Navy commander Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe, reports say.

Due to retire on November 19, he will now remain in the position until May next year.

Previously, the president justified the mere one month extension

UNP back-benchers tell Musthapha to resign

UNP back bench parliamentarians yesterday challenged Provincial Councils Minister Faizer Musthapha to resign from his portfolio before the gazette on delimitation was proved incorrect.

UNP MP Kavinda Jayawardhane told a news conference held at the parliament complex that the minister should resign and sit at the

Qatar donates town to Sri Lanka!

President Maithripala Sirisena said Qatar has promised to build a town in Sri Lanka complete with all amenities.

He said this while addressing a function at Water’s Edge hotel recently.

The President said Qatar has said we could select the location of the

‘Private sector’ under probe for funding CWG bid campaign!

The government is to investigate the private sector institutions that had reportedly funded in 2011 the then regime’s bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Finance Ministry will separately look into if those institutions had paid their tax dues.

Acting on a complaint it had received several months ago, the FCID

JO brings ‘no confidence’ motion against Faiszer

The Joint Opposition (JO) handed over a ‘no confidence’ motion against Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Musthapha, a short while ago.

The no confidence motion was submitted to the Speaker Karu

Police officers who probed Aloysius’ phone details face inquiry

Police officers who investigated the phone details of Perpetual Treasuries owner Arjun Aloysius on the order of the bond commission are under investigation by the police hierarchy, alleges MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara.

This is an indirect challenge posed to the presidential commission, he says.

Also, the police hierarchy has ordered the withdrawal of security given to Anitha Wijesuriya, who

Ship carrying substandard fuel still at Trinco Port: Ministry

The ship, which was rejected by the Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) for carrying a stock of substandard fuel, is still docked at the Trincomalee Port, the Petroleum Resources Development Ministry said recently.

Commenting on this, Ports and Shipping Ministry Media Secretary

‘Government Allocated Rs. 1,000 Million To Refurbish 25 Railway Stations’: Transport And Civil Aviation Minister

The government has allocated Rs. 1,000 million for the refurbishment of 25 railway stations in the 2018 Budget, said Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Speaking at a ceremony held in Kurunegala on Monday, to open a 75 m new fifth platform at the Kurunegala Railway Station, the

Podujana Peramuna to field Buddhist monks!

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna that will contest the upcoming polls for local government bodies under the leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa is to field a considerable number of Buddhist monks (Theravada) with the intention of increasing votes for the party.

Reports say they will comprise between 25 and 30 per cent of the

NFF’s crisis deepens as its secretary resigns

Priyanjith Vitarana has resigned as secretary of the National Freedom Front led by Wimal Weerawansa.

In a facebook posting, Vitarana thanks all those who have supported him.

Weerawansa’s lankacnews website claims the secretary has

LG elections postponed

The Court of Appeal issued a stay order today (22) preventing the implementation of the Gazette notification on the delimitation of Local Government councils.

This decision was issued when the petition submitted by six voters was taken up before a three member judge bench.

Accordingly this stay order will be effective until December 4.

Therefore, the Local Government Elections which were scheduled to be held on January 27, will delay further, it is reported.


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Sujeewa speaks out on phone calls to Aloysius

State Minister of International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe says that technology is so advanced  yeasterday  that phone calls can be made using any number – be it the President or Prime Minister’s phone number- to another phone. “Therefore not all these reports are accurate,” he said.

However, the State Minister says that he is not saying he did not