Wigneswaran should resign as Chief Minister - Thavarasa

The Northern Provincial Council’s Leader of the Opposition, S. Thavarasa, says that Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran should resign in the wake of court order issued yesterday against the latter’s decision to sack a provincial minister.

He stated that if Wigneswaran has any shame he should step down

Ingiriya OIC, Policemen suspended over assault

The Officer In-Charge of the Ingiriya Police, Inspector Ananda Piyadasa had been suspended with immediate effect over the alleged assault on two civilians by the three Police officers of the Ingiriya Police.

The IGP has suspended the OIC on covering approval of the National Police Commission (NPC).

President stresses importance of producing quality films and teledramas

President Maithripala Sirisena has emphasized the importance of implementing a methodology in producing quality films and teledramas which increase the taste for arts and aesthetics.

The President stated this at a meeting held with artistes at the

UNP has already decided on presidential candidate - Kavinda

MP Kavinda Jayawardena says that the United National Party (UNP) has already decided on its candidate for the presidential election in 2020.

Responding to questions from reporters following an event held in Wattala, he alleged that the Joint Opposition currently does not

SL to launch Light Rail System soon: Champika

Sri Lanka hopes to build a Light Rail System (LRS) with the main objective of easing traffic congestion on roads leading to Colombo from the suburbs and the feasibility report on the first project was handed over to Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka yesterday at his Ministry.

According to the feasibility study prepared by the Japan

Regional Courts will take SL to pre-2015 era: Thalatha

Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Thalatha Atukorale said yesterday the suggestion made by some people to setup separate regional Courts to curb underworld activities would lead the country into a situation which prevailed before 2015.

She said this at the end of a visit to Welikada Prison and pointed out

SL should join India, China to reap benefits of trade arrangements: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today Sri Lanka should join India, China and other countries to reap the benefits of trade arrangements such as, the Belt and Road initiative and Asia- Africa trade corridor initiative.

He said this at the Dr. Saman Kelegama Memorial Conference held

PC Polls before December: Speaker agrees to work out roadmap

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya agreed to work out a roadmap for the conducting of the provincial councils elections before December this year.

Mr. Deshapriya told the Daily Mirror yesterday that the Speaker

Wijeweera’s wife files petition Habeas Corpus petition

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) founding leader Rohana Wijeweera’s wife Chitrangani has filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the Court of Appeal seeking an order directing the government to produce Rohana Wijeweera who disappeared in 1989, in Court or to release him.

Former Secretary to the President, K.H.J. Wijedasa, former Army

Udayanga will appear in court: Counsel informs

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga would arrive in Sri Lanka and appear in Court over the MiG aircraft

China funding MR’s campaign: Ranjan complains to FCID

Social Empowerment Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday lodged a complaint with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) against former president Mahinda Rajapaksa over the recent allegations revealed by the New York Times.

The New York Times in an article published on Monday (25)

‘Group of 16’ tag-line no more: WDJ

Former United Freedom Peoples Alliance (UPFA) Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne, who defected the government along with 15 other UPFA members, yesterday said they should no longer be addressed as the 'group of 16’ because they have decided to work together with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

The MP expressed this view after meeting SLPP party leaders

Ravi gave no evidence to back allegations against Dr. Nandalal: CB Governor

Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy today said no evidence had been produced by former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake to backup his allegations against Central Bank Senior Deputy Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.

Dr. Coomaraswamy issuing a statement said Mr. Karunanayake had

Speaker signs KDU Bill

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today signed the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (Special Provisions) Bill, which would enable SAITM students to be absorbed into the KDU.

The Bill, with amendments,was earlier approved by Parliament

SC orders Peshala to pay Rs. 250,000 over a Principal’s transfer

The Supreme Court today ordered Former North Central Province Chief Minister Peshala Jayaratne to pay a compensation of Rs. 250,000 to a school Principal, who had challenged his transfer in

Udayanga would return on my request: MR

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who the government has named as a fugitive, would return to Sri Lanka in a month on my request, Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

He expressed these views to the media after taking part in religious

How China got Sri Lanka to cough up Hambantota Port - Report

China’s acquisition of the strategic Hambantota port from Sri Lanka has given it “control of a territory” just a few 100 miles off the shores of India, highlighting its “debt trap” and ambitious use of loans to gain influence around the world, a media report has said.

An investigation by New York Times about Sri Lanka’s handover of

MR wants Udayanga to return to SL

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who is under a court warrant in a case pertaining to the purchase of MiG fighter jets, has been asked to return to the country by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the 'Yahapalana Vindithayo

Kusal Janith cleared of any serious injury: SLC

Batsman Kusal Janith Perera, who crashed into the advertising boards, while fielding during the second innings of the West Indies in the ongoing test match, is cleared of any serious injury, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in an official statement a short while ago.

“He is cleared of any serious injury, but we will have to wait and

Govt. to curb underworld activities: Ruwan

The government has decided to curb underworld activities with the assistance of the tri-forces, State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

He said the decision was taken at the Defence Council meeting chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena and assured that

Put me in jail if I have I am a thief – Namal

Had I taken just one hundred rupees from Aloysius, I too am a suspect according to Yahapalanaya, stated MP Namal Rajapaksa.

He made this comment at a press conference held in Vitharandeniya area, last morning (25).

The ones who pointed fingers at them are now selling Aloysius’

SriLankan hoping to reduce excess staff

The government is considering retrenching the excess staff of SriLankan airlines by measures such as Voluntary Retirement Schemes, a report says.

The airline will appoint a task force for the implementation of a proposal made by the committee appointed to look into the financial situation of the national career. The airline is estimated to

Cannot solve all issues of education system at once – Education Minister

Past governments haven’t provided lasting solutions for certain issues in the education system, says Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

For decades, various individuals have been following narrow political policies regarding the

Leopard killing: Suspects remanded

The four suspects who were arrested by the Kilinochchi police over the leopard killing incident was remanded till June 29 by the

Gota arrives at FCID

Former defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa arrived at the FCID this morning to make a statement over an alleged misappropriation of government funds to build a monument for his parents Police said.

He undertook before Court of Appeal on June 14 to appear before FCID today to make a statement

I only meant governance based on firm policies: Anunayake

In response to critical remarks made by persons about a speech made by him in which the Nazi dictator Hitler was mentioned, Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter Ven. Wedaruwe Dharmakeerthi Sri Ratanapala Thera clarified that he only meant governance based on firm policies with this reference.

The thera made such remarks in his address at a function to mark

SL Army peacekeeping mission held up due to delay in clearance by HRCSL

The deployment of another contingent of military personnel for UN peace keeping mission has been held up due to the delay in giving clearance for them by Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka HRCSL, it is learnt.

Previously, such clearance for troops bound for UN missions were

Aloysius had given liquor dealership to some MPs: Ranjan

Perpetual Treasuries Chief Arjun Aloysius has given liquor sales dealerships from Mendis Ltd to several MPs at a discount, Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake alleged yesterday.

Mr. Ramanayake told Daily Mirror that Aloysius had given dealership at a discounted rate of Rs 3 million per annum to the

Joint Opposition will not come to power in 2020 - Kavinda

The Joint Opposition will not be able to come back to power in the year 2020, says UNP Parliamentarian Kavina Jayawardena.

The reason was this, he said, was due to conflicting opinions among them.

Speaking to media in Ja-Ela, he said that the Sri Lanka Freedom

Govt. to take action on leopard killers: Kiriella

The Government would conduct a proper investigation into the incident, where a leopard had been killed by a group of youth in Kilinochchi recently, Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday.

He told this in response to a question raised by JVP MP Nalinda

Judicial Commissioner rejects Chandimal’s appeal

Judicial Commissioner Michael Beloff QC has dismissed Dinesh Chandimal’s appeal after he was found guilty of changing the condition of the ball breaching clause 41.3 of the ICC’s Standard Test Match Playing Conditions, during the second day’s play in the second cricket Test against the Windies in St. Lucia on Saturday. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said Mr. Beloff’s written reasoned decision will be

Are state banks performing their national duty, asks President

President Maithripala Sirisena expressed reservations yesterday over the huge profits recorded annually by state banks established to serve the local industries, the agriculture sector and save the rural people from loan sharks.

He questioned whether the state banks served the purported

We are still under MR, say 16 SLFP rebels

Member of the SLFP of 16 rebels, former Minister W.D.J Seneviratne, while dismissing alleged remarks made against the group by certain members of the Joint Opposition said they would remain in politics under the leadership of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and contest the forthcoming PC, Presidential and

Govt. elevated SL to investment hub: PM

The ‘Yahapalana Government’ has been able to transform Sri Lanka from a debt-ridden, backward pariah state in the third world in 2015 to a respected, investment hub in South Asia by 2018 with a fast

Gnanasara Thera granted bail

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera, who was sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment, was granted bail on two sureties of Rs.500,000 each by Homagama Magistrate Udesh Ranatunga a short while ago.

Three policemen, two civilians injured in Matara shooting

Three police officers and two civilians including a woman were injured during a gunfire exchange between the police and a gang which attempted to rob a jewellery shop in Matara this morning, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

He said more than six armed personnel had arrived to rob the shop.

Following the shooting incident, injured police

Won’t allow dictatorship to emerge: President

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said on January 8, 2015, the people of this country contributed to the change the administration of the country which was increasingly moving towards a dictatorship.

The President emphasized that he will not allow to tarnish the

Govt. to introduce laws to waive taxes: Mangala

The government will soon introduce new legislation -- in the form of an amendment to the Inland revenue Act -- to waive taxes on children’s savings accounts, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera told Parliament yesterday.

“The government’s policy is to gradually reduce the Value Added

Hold referendum on Sinhala-Tamil coexistence: Sritharan

The government should hold a referendum to determine whether the Sinhalese and the Tamils were willing to coexist with each other, TNA MP Sivagnanam Sritharan told Parliament yesterday.

He said the government had not considered the needs of the Northern people and claimed that a sports stadium constructed in

Group of 16 is not with us yet – Dilum Amunugama

There is no conflict within the Joint Opposition, claimed Joint Opposition MP Dilum Amunugama, at a press conference today (21).

According to him, a certain minister has stated that a disappeared journalist was murdered, yet everyone else only knows him to only have disappeared. Therefore, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) should

Aloysius, Palisena further remanded

Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius and its CEO Kasun Palisena, who were arrested by the CID over the Central Bank bond scam, were further remanded till July 5 by the

SLC to contest ICC charge over inconsistent application of rules

An interesting legal battle is on the cards between the lawyers of Sri Lanka Cricket and International Cricket Council after the former reported to have decided to contest the ICC sanctions issued on Thursday, the Cricbuzz reported.

Following the drawn second Test match between Sri Lanka and West Indies in St. Lucia, ICC Match Referee Javagal Srinath found Sri Lanka

Indian team, TNA, to assess need for reconstruction

A team of experts sent by the Indian government will visit the North to assess the need for road development in the province, Highways and Road Development Minister Kabir Hashim told Parliament yesterday.

He said this in response to a question asked by Tamil National

Sri Lanka receives final tranche of USD 584 million for Hambantota Port

China’s state-owned China Merchant Port Holdings has paid the final tranche of US$ 584 million in the Hambantota Port investment to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

In December last year, Sri Lanka handed over the control of the

Compensating ex-LTTE combatants: People should stop paying taxes: JO

The joint opposition said yesterday people should stop paying taxes to the government, if it continues with its move to pay compensation to ex-LTTE combatants.

JO member and MP Wimal Weerawansa told a news conference that no country in the world had ever paid compensation to ex-

New type of petrol for three-wheelers and motorcycles

Minister of Petroleum Resources Development Arjuna Ranatunga stated that a new type of petrol will be introduced for three-wheelers and motorcycles.

He stated this attending the event for handing over the appointment

Sinhala Ravaya alleges conspiracy against Gnanasara Thero

The General Secretary of the Sinhala Ravaya  organisation Ven.  Magalkande Sudatta Thero accuses the Attorney General’s Department for evading the case of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation.

The bail application filed on behalf of Gnanasara Thero was to be

Film distribution comes under Film Corporation from today

The distribution of local films, which was handled by four private companies, would come under the purview of the National Film Corporation with effect from today, National Film Corporation Chairman Sithendra Senaratne said.

“Earlier the distribution of films was handled by the five agents,

Mahanama, Dissanayake re-remanded till June 26

President Maithripala Sirisena's former chief of staff I.H.K. Mahanama and State Timber Corporation (STC) former chairman P. Dissanayaka who are in remand custody on charges of accepting a Rs.20 million bribe, were today re-remanded till June 26 by

Losses at State institutions exceed Rs.50 bn last year: Speaker

According to Finance Ministry reports, the losses incurred by State institutions last year had exceeded Rs.50 billion, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said at a workshop organized by the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) yesterday.

He said more than 40 per cent of the funds belonging to State