Karannagoda challenges Julie Chung

In a strongly-worded letter to US Ambassador Julie Chung, North Western Province Governor Wasantha Karannagoda yesterday accused the envoy of infringing upon his human rights with the recent decision to designate him and his family.

UGC asked to draft laws against improper use of doctorate, professor titles

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has informed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to present the legal changes required to take action against the improper usage of titles like doctors and professors, the Parliament Media Unit said.

Kalutara Big Match ends with hospitalisation of vice-captain

Vice-captain of the Kalutara Tissa College’s cricket team was injured and admitted to the hospital with serious head injuries following a clash between students at the end of the cricket match between Kalutara Tissa College and Kalutara Maha Vidyalaya at the Maggona Surrey sports grounds, yesterday, police said.

Fake drama with a Fake account holder?

Almost a week after Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s controversial statement in Parliament indicating a bribe of a massive US dollar 250 million, deposited at a UK bank over the X-Press Pearl disaster, investigators and parties interested in justice who probed and examined the claim have been directed to nowhere but the conclusion that the so-called account holder is a fake and the whole drama is a distractor.

Evacuated Lankans from Sudan arrive in Sri Lanka

The 14 Sri Lankans residing in the Sudan who were evacuated due to the prevailing crisis arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport today, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Karannagoda says former military official, US ambassador behind his ban

While expressing surprise on the US decision to black list him and his family from entering US, North Western Province Governor Wasantha Karannagoda yesterday said that there is ‘something else’ behind the move.

Designating Karannagoda; Russia hits back at US

Russia has expressed its displeasure over the US decision to designate former Navy Commander Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda.

SL rejects US decision to designate Wasantha Karannagoda

Sri Lanka has rejected the U.S. decision to designate Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and also expressed its ‘grave concern’ about the decision, the foreign ministry said.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa was controlled by Julie Chung

When former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country, both India and the United States requested him to remove Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, MP Wimal Weerawansa said.

Those in SJB will walk towards common journey with me before long: President

In response to a request made by the Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa to walk the talk and thereby put into practice what he had talked of, President Ranil Wickremeinge yesterday told Parliament those in Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will walk towards a common journey with him soon.

Chamara Gunasekera sinks in mystery!

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa’s revelation in Parliament yesterday over one Chamara Gunasekera being the recipient of a US 250 million dollar bribe to bury the X Press Pearl compensation claim sent shockwaves amongst politicians and journalists who were hurrying to find who the name was connected to locally.

SDIGs' transfers: Minister siding particular person, alleges Ajith Rohana

Senior DIG Ajith Rohana who is among the seven SDIGs who were transferred, writes to National Police Commission Chairman Chandra Fernando requesting not to approve the malicious, unreasonable and unjustifiable transfers by Public Security Minister Tiran Alles.

Inquiry launched over alleged sexual harassment of State TV presenter

Chairman of the Independent Television Network Sudarshana Gunawardana today said he had instructed the General Manager of ITN to immediately start an inquiry on the alleged sexual harassment case of a former employee at the News and Current Affairs Division at ITN.

Experts smell a rat as Lankan authorities place hopes on Singapore

Two years after the MV X-Press Pearl container ship caught fire in Sri Lankan waters, local authorities continue to take a snail-paced approach to file a compensation claim. The inferno is reported as the single worst incident of chemical and plastic pollution at sea.

Sri Lanka risks loss of GSP+ unless Anti-terrorism Bill changed

Sri Lanka risks the loss of GSP + trade concessions due to the provisions of the proposed Anti-terrorism Bill as the European Union (EU), the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK) have expressed their concerns over it through multiple diplomatic channels, Daily Mirror learns.

Ex-Parliament Secy. Gen responds to Sajith over RW

With reference to the comments by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on the legitimacy of the mandate of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to hold that office and the demand for a Presidential election to seek a fresh mandate, Former Parliament Secretary General Priyanee Wijesekera has responded with the following facts.

Who is the Sri Lankan who was paid $250mn bribe to derail litigation against X-Press Pearl?

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said he got hold of details regarding the transfer of US $ 250 million to the foreign account of a Sri Lankan as a bribe to obstruct the legal process related to X-Press Pearl disaster and directed the police to initiate investigations into it.

Filling maximum volume of fuel won’t cause explosions: LIOC

While refuting reports on social media, the Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) said there need not be any fears of explosions due to petrol being kept filled to full tank capacity in vehicles due to the rise in atmospheric temperature in the coming days.

Sri Lanka to further relax import controls: Siyambalapitiya

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya yesterday said that measures would be taken to further relax import restrictions on many other goods in the future.

Govt. restricts holding events, meetings at Galle Face Green

A Cabinet decision has been taken not to grant permission for the holding of musical performances, political meetings or other activities at the Galle Face Green, except for religious activities, with effect from April 20.

Sri Lanka at 75 is a failed state; CBK

Despite possessing enviable social indicators at the time of Independence in 1948, Sri Lanka, at 75, is a “failed state”, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said on Sunday.

President to call for a national government

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to make a fresh call for a national government on April 25 when Parliament takes up the debate on the IMF extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement.

We endeavoured to merge UNP, SJB - Mano

Whilst stating that he together with MP Rauff Hakeem initiated an effort to bring UNP and SJB under one umbrella, MP Mano Ganesan said they had to abandon the idea since the SJB leadership did not respond.

SL assures “comparable treatment” to all its creditors

President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured Sri Lanka’s commitment to principles of “comparable treatment” when engaging with its creditors in the upcoming debt restructuring process.

India, Japan and France to announce SL debt restructuring process on Thursday

Finance Ministers of the three creditor countries-India, Japan and France will hold a press briefing in Washington on Thursday to announce Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring negotiations process, the IMF has announced

US has no intention of setting up military base in SL: Ambassador

U.S. Ambassador Julie J. Chung said yesterday that her country does not have any intention of setting up a military base in Sri Lanka.

SJB confirms few crossovers after New Year

SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha today confirmed that some members from the SJB will cross over to the government after the New Year.

All road users to pay a toll

The government will soon set up a Road Maintenance Fund (RMF) with initial funding of Rs. 100 million to make all main and inter-provincial roads toll-paying roads, Transport and Highways Minister, Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said.

Sajith vows disciplinary actions against members attempting to divide SJB

Those party members who try to divide and destroy the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will be brought before a disciplinary Committee, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa said over the weekend.

Ranil to contest Presidential election, hints at poll early next year

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will contest the next Presidential Election and has hinted at a possible presidential poll to be held early next year, the Daily Mirror learns.