Prez says Judges to both High Court & Appeal Court were appointed by CC

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said the High Court Judge who gave the verdict on the Premalal Jayasekera case as well as the Court of Appeal Judges were appointed by the Constitutional Council (CC) in which Karu Jayasuriya, Sajith Premadasa and Thalatha Athukorala were members.

Govt considers changes to 20A during committee stage

The government is reported to be considering the incorporation of certain changes to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution during the committee stage of the debate.

Govt. to ban cattle slaughter

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told the ruling party’s parliamentary group yesterday the government would legislate against cattle slaughter soon.

Don’t auction sniffer dogs: Defence Sec. tells Police

Defence Secretary Major General (Rtd) Kamal Gunaratne yesterday directed the Police Chief not to auction police sniffer dogs which had served the department before they retired, the military spokesman said.

SLMC agreed to Zahran’s policies before the 2015 General Election: Shibly Farook

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) had agreed to a policy statement submitted by National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) Leader Zahran Hashim to the representatives of five political parties before the 2015 General Election, former SLMC Provincial Councilor Shibly Farook today admitted at the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

Flames reignite in MT New Diamond

A fire has erupted again inside the oil tanker MT New Diamond as a result of extreme temperature and high wind, Navy Spokesman Captain Indika de Silva said.

Court allows Premalal to attend parliament sittings

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order directing Commissioner General of Prisons to allow convicted MP Premalal Jayasekara to attend Parliament sittings.

Oil tanker towed away from Sri Lankan coast

Sri Lankan ships and Indian Coast Guard ships successfully towed the MT New Diamond more than 40 Nautical Miles away from Sri Lanka coast to safe waters, officials said.

Fire on New Diamond brought under control

The Fire onboard MT New Diamond ship was brought under control after massive fire fighting effort by India Coast Guard and Sri Lanka Ships and Aircraft, India Coast Guard unit announced.

I am grieved by SLFP’s fate at present: CBK

Former President and incumbent Patron of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said she was regretted about the fate of the SLFP, which was formed by her father, late Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and later strengthened by her mother Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

553,000 Sri Lankans addicted to drugs: Justice Minister

Justice Minister Ali Sabry said yesterday 553,000 Sri Lankans were addicted to drugs. Speaking at a function held at Viyangalla in Kalutara, Minister Sabry assured that measures would be taken to eradicate the drug menace from the country.

British woman writes to AG over son’s death in Colombo

Britisher Maryanne India Beare has written to Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera last week requesting him to expedite the case relating to her son’s suspected killing. The case is currently being heard in a Magistrate’s Court.

29-year-old mother blessed with quintuplets

A 29-year-old mother from Pepiliyawala gave birth to quintuplets (5 girls) this morning at the De Soysa Hospital for Women (Teaching), Colombo 08.

12th Covid-19 death reported in Sri Lanka

A 47-year-old woman, who returned from India and being treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) has died due to Covid-19, reporting the 12th death from the virus infection in Sri Lanka, the Health Ministry said.

Accident kills five in Alawwa

At least five persons have died following an accident involving a car and a tripper truck at Alawwa, Walakumbura area on the Colombo-Kurunegala road this morning.

President pledges new Constitution based on 'one country, one law' principle

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his inaugural address to the ninth Parliament today, pledged to bring about a new Constitution envisaging the principle ‘One country, One law’ for all ethnic communities.

2h 45 minute power cut for four days

A two hour forty five minute power cut came into effect from yesterday to be continued for four days due to the breakdown in the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant (NCPP) on Monday, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) General Manager Vijitha Herath said.

Pillaiyan allowed to attend inaugural session of parliament

The Batticaloa High Court today granted permission for Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyan to attend the inaugural session of new parliament on August 20.

Ranil should enter P’ment as National List MP: SJB MP

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should enter Parliament filling the sole National List slot of the United National Party (UNP), since there was none other than him more experienced in Parliamentary affairs, an SJB MP said yesterday.

Maithri summoned to Police Unit of PCoI probing Easter attacks

The Police Unit of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday Attacks has informed former President Maithripala Sirisena to appear at the Police Unit on August 26 to record a statement.

Will hand over party to young leader after PC polls: Ranil

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the party will be handed over to a young leader after the provincial council elections, while a new mechanism will be created initially where the younger members could play a major role in the party.

New Govt.’s Policy Statement on August 20

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would present the new government’s Policy Statement at the ceremonial sitting during the first session of the Ninth Parliament on August 20, the Department of Communication of Parliament today said.

Lankan to be deported after sexually assaulting New Zealand woman

A Sri Lankan national who sexually assaulted a Christchurch woman while she slept will be deported as soon as he becomes eligible for parole.

20A to be tabled in House by mid next month: Justice Minister

Moves are underway to drafted new proposals to abolish the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and replace it with the 20th Amendment which is to be tabled in Parliament by mid-September, Justice Minister Ali Sabry said.

Cabinet structure outlines govt. intentions: SJB

The government has made its intentions clear through the synopsis of its cabinet, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said yesterday.

SJB hands over names of national list members to EC

The Samagi Jana Balaweguaya (SJB) today handed over the names of the party’s national list nominees to the Elections Commission.

PM gets Finance, Buddha Sasana & Urban Development Ministries

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed as the Minister Finance, Buddha Sasana & Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Minister of Urban Development and Housing.

Pavithra & Dinesh retain Health & Foreign

Former Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and former Foreign Affairs Minister Dinesh Gunawardane retained their previous portfolios at the Cabinet swearing-in ceremony today. Accordingly, Wanniarachchi was re-appointed as Health Minister while Gu

Ranil decides to resign

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to step down from the party leadership paving the way for a new one to take over, an official said today.

Mano issues ultimatum to SJB

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) led by Mano Ganesan which contested the general election under Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) says 15 MPs from his party, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) led by Rishad Bathiudeen would sit as a separate group in Parliament if they are not given slots from the national list, as promised by the SJB leadership.