April 11, 12 declared as special public holiday

The government has declared April 11 and 12 as a special public holiday in view of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the Public Administration Ministry said. Ministry Secretary J.J. Rathnasiri said a circular in this regard will be issued with immediate effect.

SC nods for petitions challenging Proclamation of State of Emergency

The Supreme Court fixed the four petitions for argument on July 15

Tense situation outside Temple Trees

A tense situation was reported near the Temple Trees, the official residence of the Prime Minister a short while after a group of individuals who were protesting outside the premises, attempted to break the barricades.

Opposition members called before PCoI amidst crisis: Ranil

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe alleged that he had been called before the Presidential Commission probing ma

Not ready to accept any proposal unless President resigns: Anura

The National People’s Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday that they were not prepared to accept any proposal such as an interim government unless President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns from being the Presid

Indian posing as journalist arrested with drugs worth over Rs11mn

He was pretending to be a journalist for a human rights organisation in SL

Massive protest with Sajith’s participation

The protest resulted in a heavy traffic congestion in Talawakelle town for hours

JVP leader under fire over instigating violent protests

it was unbecoming of the JVP leader to provoke protesters to unleash violence and vandalism against anyone

No takers for Finance portfolio as time runs out to leave for IMF

Following the resignation of Ali Sabry as the Finance Minister in less than 24 hours, the position still remains vacant with many MPs hesitant to take it up amidst the economic mess Sri Lanka ha

Won’t allow anyone to even touch Johnston’s hair, challenges Kurunegala mayor

Following public protest against minister Johnston Fernando in Kurunegala, Kurunegala mayor held a meeting in support of the minister and challenged that they would not allow anyone to even tou

Speaker warns of looming food crisis Demands urgent action by MPs

While saying that the country is facing a power, fuel, and food shortage which could aggravate further, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday urged MPs of both sides to exercise the power

I only told protesting youth not to give up their fight against fraudsters: Anura

Refuting claims that he instigated violent protests, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday he never instigated violence against any individual but told the protesting youth not to give up their fight against the fraudsters.

Nirupama Rajapaksa leaves for Dubai

The former deputy minister, Nirupama Rajapaksa left for Dubai from the Katunayake international airport last night, the Immigration and Emigration Department said. She le

CEYPETCO disappoints consumers; falls to political pressure

The newly opened fuel station belongs to a close relative of a private secretary of the Presidential Secretariat

verbal clash with police and army Police officers should have not assaulted army officers: SF

Police officers who were at Polduwa junction near the parliamentary complex should not have assaulted the army officers who entered the area on motorcycles on Tuesday, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament yesterday.

IGP expresses regret

The incident took place when the Army motorcycle squad attempted to ride their motorcycles despite the police barricades being set up to prevent protesters entering towards parliament

Legal fraternity to bring an impeachment motion against AG: Wijedasa

The legal fraternity has decided to bring in an impeachment motion against the Attorney General through some members of Parliament, MP Wijedasa Rajapakshe said yesterday. “It is not only the legislature and the Executive who are responsible for the present crisis in the country the Judiciary too is responsible,” Rajapakshe told Parliament. “The law f

Govt. fails to uphold fundamental rights of all: GMOA

The present government has failed to uphold the fundamental rights of the people, including the right to live, the right to health, and the right to freedom of expression, the Government Medical O

Commotion in Parliament including fisticuffs and a protest

Commotion in Parliament including fisticuffs and a protest inside the chambers yesterday made Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywaradana suspend sessions twice yesterday. The Sp

April school holidays from yesterday

Even though the third term of all government and government-assisted private Sinhala and Tamil schools for the year 2021 would end on Friday (8), the Education Ministry has announced the closure of the said schools from yesterday (6). Education Mini

Red alert for 19 districts on severe lightning: Met Dept.

A Red alert on thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning has been issued for 19 districts, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday. Accordingly, thundershowers accompanied by lightning are likely to occur at several places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Eastern, and North-Central provinces and in the

Move by JVP to launch another insurrection: Johnston

There is a sinister move by the JVP to launch another insurrection similar to one they launched in 1988/89, Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando claimed yesterday. Minister Fernando told Parliament that the man with a helmet who got onto Jathika Jana Balawegaya MP Anura Dissanayake’s vehicle while he was returning from Parliament on Tuesday is a mem

Catholic clergy in protest

A large number of Catholic priests, Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and nuns yesterday took part in a protest march from the Archbishop’s House against the present regime which is, as they claim, res

People protest outside PM’s residence in Wijerama

A large number of protesters have flocked in front of the residence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wijerama Mawatha. Barricades have been set up preventing protestors from entering the residence.

Misconception over STF protection given to container: SLPA clarifies

Regarding the video footage circulating on social media in which a container was seen transported under the STF security personnel, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) clarified that it was routine practice to provide security to such containers as they contain atomic substances.

President revokes state of emergency

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last night revoked the state of emergency which was in force for the last five days.

Probe underway over verbal and physical clash between police and army personnel near Parliament

A probe has been initiated over the incident where a verbal and physical clash has taken place between two police officers and several army personnel attached to the Army motorcycle squad at the roadblock near the Parliament complex during a public protest yesterday.

Sun directly over SL for ten days: Met. Dept.

The sun is expected to be directly over Sri Lanka up to April 15 from yesterday (5) due to the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday. Accordingly, the nearest areas where the sun will be overhead today (6) are Welipenna, Moragala, Weddagala, Dolekanda, Pallebedda, Angunakolapelassa and Mahirawa around 12:13 noon. Meanw

Recent protests BASL condemns harm caused to private property

Such acts are criminal and can lead to those participating in such protests being charged in courts of law

Opposition Leader calls for urgent constitutional reforms

He proposed the reduction of powers of the Executive Presidency