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
Read More

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).

Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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)
Read More

‘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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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’
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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.
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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-
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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,
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More