'UN should place due emphasis on non-interference in domestic affairs'

In a pre-recorded statement at the High-Level Meeting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations today, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, ‘We expect the United Nation will place due emphasis on non-interference in domestic affairs of other states.

Indictments filed against Ravi, Arjun Aloysius

The Bribery Commission has filed indictments against former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Perpetual Treasuries Ltd’s (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius at the Colombo High Court over leasing of an apartment in Kollupitiya.

Kandy building collapse: Bodies of parents recovered

The bodies of parents of the infant child, which was trapped under the debris of the building collapsed on the hotel in Buwelikada, Kandy had been recovered, an official said.

Building collapses in Kandy: Infant killed, two rescued

A one-and-a-half-month-old infant was killed and two others were rescued after a five-storey building collapsed on to another building at Buwelikada in Kandy this morning.

Sirisena promised Pujith retirement perks if he took responsibility: Hemasiri

Former President Maithripala Sirisena on April 24, 2019 informed former IGP Pujith Jayasundara that if he accepted responsibility for the co-ordinated terror attacks on April 21, 2019 and resigned from his position, he would be given the pension and a position as an ambassador in any country he wished to serve, former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando yesterday informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

Clearing Anawilundawa Wetland: Suspects released on bail

The two suspects including the businessman who were involved in clearing the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary in Mundalama, Puttalam were released on bail by the Chilaw Magistrate’s Court today.

Country will have to face repercussions of 20A before long: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday urged the government and opposition MPs to come forward to defeat the 20th Amendment to the Constitution claiming that the country would have to face repercussions of the 20A before long.

Inbound flights to be limited to one a day

The Government is considering limiting the number of flights arriving in Sri Lanka to one a day as more and more arrivals test positive for the coronavirus.

SJB has mixed feelings on Ruwan’s appointment

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs appear to have mixed feelings on the election of Ruwan Wijewardene as the Deputy Leader of United National Party (UNP).

Willing to resign at any moment: Ranil

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the party working committee that he is willing to resign from the leadership at any moment, party sources said.

UNHR Chief says 20A may negatively impact on independence of institutions

Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the proposed 20th amendment to the Constitution may negatively impact on the independence of key institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission.

Ordered to produce last will, testaments in Court on Sept. 22

Colombo High Court ordered the heir of late Miss Sri Lanka 1962 Jennifer Ingleton to produce the purported Last Will and Testaments in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on September 22.

No negotiation with criminals on hunger strike at Boossa: Prisons Dept.

While stating that the hunger strike which was launched by several high profile criminals at the Boosa Prison is continuing, the Prisons Department officials said they were not whatsoever ready to have any negotiation with those involved in the hunger strike.

SL’s response to COVID-19 swift, decisive & coordinated: WHO

Sri Lanka’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been swift, decisive and coordinated using whole-of-society approach under the strong leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with technical guidance from the Health Ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO), a monthly selection of case studies released by the WHO said.

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.