Category: Local News

In order to cement his hold on power, Sri Lanka’s newly-appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has called for a snap parliamentary election in his first public statement following the political developments.

India on Sunday reminded Sri Lanka of constitutional process, in an official statement following the ongoing political crisis that erupted after President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. India’s response came as both the leaders began an outreach to the global diplomatic community.

Addressing the nation a short while ago, President Maithripala Sirisena said that appointing Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister was totally  in accordance with the Constitution.

A person who was admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo following the shooting at the CPC premises this evening has succumbed due to injuries, police said.

UNP Badulla district MP Vadivel Suresh met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and pledged his support in the Parliament a short while ago, according to Prime Minister’s Media.

The Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a grant and loan package totaling $50 million to support the development of a more responsive and efficient primary health care system in four underserved Sri Lankan provinces.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision on October 26, 2018, to appoint former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister has raised fears about a return to past abusive practices in the country, Human Rights Watch said today.

Political opponents of Sri Lanka’s sacked leader Ranil Wickremesinghe have given him a Sunday deadline to vacate the prime minister’s official residence amid a deepening constitutional crisis in the Indian Ocean nation.

President Maithripala Sirisena is expected to address the nation tomorrow while the new Cabinet of Ministers would be appointed on Monday, UPFA MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena today said.

Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka, Cheng Xueyuan, today called on newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is having a special meeting with diplomats including high commissioners and ambassadors at Temple Trees.

Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that they have decided not to support any party in the Parliament.

Ranil Wickremesinghe says that says that the Parliamentary majority is still with him and that requested that Parliament be convened immediately as it is not necessary to create a crisis and for the people to suffer.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has decided to support the leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremesinghe.

President Maithripala Sirisena has prorogued Parliament today, Speaker’s office said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara arrived at Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa‘s residence and was in discussion with Mr. Rajapaksa after he was sworn in as the Prime Minister.