Navin won’t contest without elephant

UNP National Organiser Navin Dissanayake told a press conference held yesterday that he would not contest the upcoming general elections if he were not allowed to contest under the elephant symbol.

I will proceed with the project whatsoever: Sanath Nishantha

State Minister of Inland Fisheries Industry, Sanath Nishantha Perera said yesterday that he would proceed with the project to construct a playground at Kadolkele mangrove in the Negombo lagoon despite objection from the Gampaha District Wildlife Officer.

MR's family members used no State funds: Bandula

Cabinet spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today the family members who accompanied Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on his visit to India last week had spent their own money for air tickets and accommodations.

Sanath Nishantha oblivious to Wildlife Protection Act: Chandrasena

Referring to the incident in which the Gampaha District Forest Officer rejected the proposal to construct a playground at the Kadolkele mangrove in Negombo, Environment and Wildlife Resources Minister S.M. Chandrasena said State Minister Sanath Nishantha Perera would have been ignorant of the Wildlife Protection Act when dealing with the situation.

New Alliance urges UNP to lend Elephant symbol

The newly-formed Samagi Janatha Balawegaya led by Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa today urged UNP to lend elephant symbol to contest the general election if it does not want the alliance to contest under a new symbol.

Ranjan further remanded until Feb. 26

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested in connection with the controversial audio clips, was further remanded until February 26 by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today.

Forest officer sticks to guns, refuses to break the law

A proposal to construct a playground in the Kadolkele mangrove of the Negombo lagoon had been withdrawn following the strong stand taken by the Gampaha District Forest Officer Devani Jayathilaka at meeting chaired by the Fisheries and Inland Fisheries Industry State Minister Sanath Nishantha Perera on Monday (10).

PM returns from India

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in the country a short while ago from India after concluding his first official overseas visit.

170 patients sought treatment over the weekend at hospitals in SL

Over 170 patients, over the weekend, sought treatment at various hospitals in Sri Lanka, including the IDH in Angoda, in fear that they may have contracted the novel coronavirus, health ministry sources told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Wimal demands probe

Minister Wimal Weerawansa requested the acting IGP and the CID to carry out a probe into an incident where US $100,000 had been transferred to the bank account in the United States belonging to former minister Rishad Bathiudeen during the 52-day government period in 2018.

Sajith walks out of UNP WC meeting

The UNP working committee meeting yesterday ended in a stalemate following the issue on the symbol of the alliance led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to contest the next general election.

Prez on sudden inspection at Welikada Prison

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a sudden inspection visit to Welikada Prison this evening, the President’s Media Division said.

Gota has his style of governance: Bandula

Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today President Gotabaya Rajapaksa takes the full responsibility of Cabinet decisions and government’s performance and therefore would prefer to personally chair all cabinet meetings.

Kapila Chandrasena, wife remanded

SriLankan Airlines former CEO Kapila Chandrasena and wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayaka were remanded till February 19 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Body of sergeant found with injuries

The body of a police sergeant attached to the Valachchenai was recovered with injuries at Mullamunai in Vavunathivu this morning, Police Media Division said.

Pujith, Hemasiri released on bail

IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court a short while ago. The two were granted bail by the Colombo High Court earlier today.

Ratnapriya sworn in as MP

Trade union and civil society activist Saman Ratnapriya was sworn in as UNP National List MP in Parliament today. The UNP proposed Mr.Ratnapriya to the parliamentary seat after it fell vacant following the resignation of Jayampathy Wickramaratne.

UNF approves Madduma Bandara as alliance secretary

The UNF Parliamentary Group today approved the appointment of UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the General Secretary of the proposed UNP-led alliance.

Coronavirus: Death toll reaches 492

The death toll from novel coronavirus has climbed to 490 in mainland China, with one additional fatality in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines.

Pujith, Hemasiri should be allowed to testify freely

IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Secretary to President Hemasiri Fernando should be allowed to testify freely before the presidential commission on the Easter Sunday attacks so that they will reveal as to who is truly responsible for the carnage, UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara told a press conference held yesterday.

Madduma Bandara named secretary of new UNP alliance

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has named UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the general secretary of the new alliance under which the UNP and its allies would contest the general elections, a statement from the office of Opposition Leader said today.

SC permits to name Fmr. Prez as respondent in Pujith’s FR petition

The Supreme Court today granted permission to name former President Maithripala Sirisena as a Respondent in a Fundamental Rights petition filed by IGP Pujith Jayasundera seeking a court order declaring the decision to send him on compulsory leave unconstitutional.

Three died after falling into an abandoned mine

Three persons including a 17 year-old boy died after falling into an abandoned mine at Seethawaka, Avissawella, police said.

UNP Working Committee decides to continue with RW as leader

The Working Committee of the UNP today decided to continue with Ranil Wickremesinghe as the UNP leader, the party said.

UNP elects Sajith as UNF leader and PM candidate

The Working Committee of the UNP has elected Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa as the leader of the UNP led alliance UNF, and as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the party.

Sri Pada College of Education temporarily shut down due to viral fever

The National College of Education, Sri Pada has been temporarily closed down till February 5 due to an outbreak of a viral fever.

UNP to sack SF, Ajith from working committee

The United National Party (UNP) has decided to sack its Kalutara District MP Ajith P. Perera and National List MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka from the party’s working committee on the grounds of violating party discipline, sources said.

UNP working committee meets today

UNP working committee will meet today at Sirikotha to decide on the future course of action by the party, its General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.

SL lack proper equipment to safeguard lab experts: UNP

Sri Lanka still lacks necessary equipment to carry out experiments on Coronavirus and there are certain steps that have to be taken in this regard, United National Party (UNP) said yesterday.

Ranjan re-remanded until Feb. 12

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested in connection with the controversial audio clips, was remanded further until February 12 by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today.