Category: Local News

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will dissolve Parliament between 2 and 6 March, Information and Communication Technology State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said yesterday.

There was no agreement among party leaders on releasing all the phone recordings that were tabled by UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake to MPs as it might create serious issues, Parliament was told yesterday.

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa have agreed to contest the upcoming general election from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya under the swan symbol, UNP MP Navin Dissanayake said.

Those who possess illegal weapons would be charged Rs. 10,000 fine and or five-year rigorous imprisonment if it is the first offence, the Defence Ministry said.

The United National Party says a final decision will be reached on the symbol of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya tomorrow.

The preliminary report of the 4-member Committee appointed to review the proposed Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact (MCC) was handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (17).

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will contest the upcoming general election under the alliance – “Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya”.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of State Minister Jayantha Samaraweera after he failed to appear for a Court hearing.

Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother, Rifkan Bathiudeen, who was arrested and remanded for allegedly forging a deed for a 78-acre plot of land in Mannar has been released on bail.

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday cautioned against panic over COVID-19 but also urged governments to step up their efforts to prepare for the virus, saying “it’s impossible to predict which direction this epidemic will take.”

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has restrained the Centre and the State from deporting a woman to Sri Lanka, the Hindu reported.

Minister of Small & Medium Business and Enterprise Development, Wimal Weerawansa yesterday denied allegations made by JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti that he had purchased a chair worth Rs. 600,000 for his use.

The United States of America (USA), by restricting Army Commander Shavendra Silva and his immediate family members from entering the United States without making any inquiry from Sri Lanka, could harm diplomatic ties between the two countries, Investment Promotion State Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Imposition of a travel ban on Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva and his immediate family members is regrettable and unfortunate, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said today.

The United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B Teplitz met with Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on the travel restriction imposed on Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.

The Government will not conduct any investigations against the Forest Department Officer who refused to break the law and release conservation land, Minister of Environment and Wildlife Resources S.M. Chandrasena told The Sunday Morning.