No intention to harm SL, need to remove any misunderstanding: Swiss Envoy

Ambassador of Switzerland in Sri Lanka, Hanspeter Mock, who called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today commented on the Embassy staffer incident and said Switzerland harboured no intention to do any harm to Sri Lanka.

Swiss Embassy local staffer arrested

Swiss Embassy local staffer, Garnier Banister Francis, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on the instructions of the Attorney General a short while ago.

Two arrested over ‘white van’ press briefing remanded

The two men who were arrested over the ‘white van’ press conference organised by Dr Rajith Senaratne, were remanded till December 27 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

Swiss Embassy employee arrived at CID taken to Mental Health Institute

Swiss Embassy local staffer, Garnier Banister Francis, who arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning to give a statement, was taken to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Fight Cancer Team rejects Apeksha Hospital Director’s allegations

While categorically rejecting the allegations levelled by Maharagama Apeksha Hospital Director Dr. Wasantha Disanayake, Fight Cancer Team Founder M.S.M. Mohammed said the control and management of the fund, which the Hospital Director referred to as having been misused was in fact vested with the Health Ministry.

Leadership changes will occur at right time: Mayantha

Those eyeing the United National Party (UNP) leadership should be patient because they will be able to secure it at the appropriate time, MP Mayantha Dissanayake said today.

New terror threat has to be contained by any means: PM

The new terrorist threat faced by Sri Lanka has to be contained by whatever means necessary with the fullest cooperation of other countries, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

Govt. to review MCC: AG informs SC

Attorney General Dappula de Livera has informed the Supreme Court that the government has decided not to sign Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) as they are to be revisited and reviewed.

Cabinet to review decision after expert committee report

The suspension of the law to obtain a licence for the transportation of sand, stones and soil, by the cabinet on Tuesday would be effective only for a week and an expert committee report is expected on the matter at the next cabinet meeting, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday.

Environmentalists critical of abolishing permits to transport sand, granite, soil

Environmentalists are of the opinion that the recent Cabinet decision to allow the transportation of sand, granite and soil without permits will have some negative impact on environment in the short and long term. Environment, Wildlife Resources, Land and Land Development Minister S.M. Chandrasena said the decision was made to facilitate those engaged in the construction industry. Lawyer and e

Water tariffs for usage above 15 units to be increased

State Minister of Water Supply Vasudeva Nanayakkara today said they planned to increase tariffs for domestic water bills exceeding usage of 15 units.

Several parties have invited me: Ranjan

Gampaha District parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake said today several minor parties had offered to give him nomination to contest the next general election and that he was ready to join them if he was denied the ticket to contest under the UNP.

Parties want EC Chairman to continue in office

Representatives of several political parties who attended a meeting with officials attached to the Elections Commission (EC) yesterday had requested its Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya not to step down from chairmanship, Daily Mirror learns.

UNF to take crucial decisions on future way forward: Navin

UNF Parliamentary Group will meet at party headquarters Sirikotha today for a healthy discussion on the party’s future, UNP National Organiser Navin Dissanayake said yesterday.

UNP condemns UK’s manifesto on two-state solution

UNP today criticised the manifesto of UK’s Conservative party which had called for a two-state solution for the national issue in Sri Lanka and urged the party to scrap it.

EC raises concerns to party officials

The Election Commission (EC) has raised its concerns over the change in the election system and discussed the several issues pertaining to the election system with the party secretaries today.

I will contest independent or give up politics: Ranjan

Gampaha District MP Ranjan Ramanayake said he was contemplating whether to contest the general election in the Gampaha District from an independent list or to give up politics and become a full-time artiste if he was denied the ticket to contest the next general election.

Permits no longer required to transport sand, granite, soil: Minister

The Cabinet has decided that permits to transport sand, granite and soil were no longer necessary, Environment, Wildlife Resources, Land and Land Development Minister S.M. Chandrasena said.

Calling armed forces for civil matters shows signs of military rule: NPP

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s move to call on the three forces to maintain law and order in the country at a time when there was no emergency situation was a bad sign that the country was heading towards as a military rule, National People’s Power (NPP) said today.

Barawakumbuka-Mattala segment should be closed: Dolawatte

Immediate measures should be taken to close the recently opened Barawakumbuka to Mattala segment of the Southern Expressway (E01) with immediate effect and to take legal action against all responsible persons who were involved in the sudden opening of the segment, the Truth Seekers Movement (Sathya Gaveshakayo) Convener Attorney-at-Law Premnath C. Dolawatte said.

Two new governors sworn in

Two new governors were sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for Eastern and North Central Provinces today. Anuradha Yahampath was appointed as the Eastern Province Governor while Professor Tissa Witharana was appointed as the North Central Province Governor.

SL like to see more investments by Sri Lankan-Canadians: PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who met with Canadian High Commissioner David McKinnon, said Sri Lanka would like to see more Sri Lankan-Canadians come back and invest in the country.

Colombo roads flooded

Many roads in Colombo including Horton Place, Wijerama Road, Bauddhaloka Mawatha and Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha were flooded during the torrential rains causing heavy traffic.

Ministry has vehicles but can’t be used: Dayasiri

State Minister of Industries Dayasiri Jayasekera said today that none of the vehicles at his ministry, while new, can be used and that he hoped to get at least one vehicle from the Presidential Secretariat.

Campaign to be launched on Friday: Harin

United National Party (UNP) MP Harin Fernando said those who wanted the party’s former deputy leader Sajith Premadasa to be appointed as party leader and leader of the opposition would launch a campaign on Friday, December 6, 2019, to re-build Mr. Premadasa’s political future.

Swiss envoy has no right to detain SL worker: PHU

The Swiss Ambassador in Sri Lanka has no right to keep a Sri Lankan employee inside the Embassy on the basis that local employees do not enjoy diplomatic privileges, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) said today.

Proroguing Parliament may cause several problems: UNP

Some United National Party (UNP) MPs today claimed that proroguing Parliament till January 3, 2020 was bound to create several issues and also suspicion about political deals.

Govt. resorting to ‘white van culture’ sooner than expected: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday they expected that ‘white van culture’ and undemocratic actions would take place under this government, but they never expected such things would happen so soon.

Ex-cop alleges Shani, others coerced to implicate Gota, Namal in Thajudeen probe

Former Crime Branch OIC at the Narahenpita Police A. D. Sumith Chammika Perera yesterday alleged former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and several other officers coerced him to implicate Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa in the Wasim Thajudeen investigation.

Vaiko detained for protesting against Gotabaya's India visit

Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko and his supporters were detained by the Delhi Police on Thursday for protesting against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s visit to India.