Category: Local News

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he is willing to work with President Maithripala Sirisena, who abruptly sacked him on October 26, if given a chance to prove his majority in Parliament.

Gleaming cranes stretch out on the waterfront in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo as Chinese companies construct a $1.5 billion new commercial district, including hotels, marinas and a motor racing track. They have already built a giant container terminal nearby and a huge port in the south.

The captain of a Sri Lankan-flagged vessel appeared in court after being arrested for allegedly fishing illegally in the waters of Seychelles, while a second captain is being investigated after two boats were intercepted by the Seychelles Coast Guard.

Another group of Parliamentarians were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers before President Maithripala Sirisena today (08) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

MP Kumara Welgama states that although he will support Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in proving majority, he will act as an independent MP in the parliament.

The United States has urged President Maithripala Sirisena to reconvene parliament immediately to resolve the prevailing political crisis.

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday said it will take legal action if Parliament is dissolved as anticipated.

Twenty-six-year-old Kamer Nizamdeen who obtained the support of many after being wrongfully accused and arrested under the terrorism law in Australia, spoke of his ordeal and revealed that there may be a collateral reason in the way his arrest was orchestrated.

Several new Cabinet Ministers have been sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena today (07) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara issuing a statement stated that he cannot provide earlier numbers of security for former Prime Minister and Ministers as requested by the former Minister of Law and Order.

Bus Associations stated that they have agreed to reduce the bus fares by 2 percent from midnight tomorrow (08).

Negombo divisional narcotic unit arrested a person, aged 51 years with 2.6 kgs of heroin valued at Rs. 25 million at Poruthota, Kochchikade yesterday evening.

The appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka was unusual, but it was not unconstitutional, British Lord Naseby told the media yesterday.

The United National Party yesterday called a special media breifing to explain the present political crisis within the country.

Sri Lanka’s parliamentary speaker has called the president’s sacking of the prime minister to bring a former leader back to power a non-violent coup d’etat.

United People’s Freedom Alliance’s Manusha Nanayakkara has resigned from his post as Deputy Minister a short while ago.