Samagi Jana Balavegaya to be launched today

The official launching of Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), the new coalition formed under the leadership of United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa will be held today at the Nelum Pokuna assembly hall in Colombo.



Heat Index to reach danger level

The Department of Meteorology states that the Heat Index is likely to reach the cautionary level in the coming few days in some parts of the country.



UNP Working Committee settles on ‘Elephant’ symbol; Sajith faction disagrees

The majority of the United National Party (UNP) Working Committee has agreed to contest the upcoming general election under the election symbol ‘Elephant’.



President requests not to display portraits of him in public

The public has been requested not to display photographs or portraits of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in public places, stated President’s Media Division (PMD).



22 university students remanded for protesting despite court order

22 university students including the convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Ven. Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thera, who were arrested for protesting outside the University Grants Commission (UGC), were remanded till tomorrow.



Government to sign US MCC agreement after negotiations

The government says it would sign the proposed US Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact after re-negotiating what was agreed upon during the previous Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration.



Parliament to be dissolved tomorrow

Speculation was rife that the eighth Parliament of Sri Lanka would be dissolved by midnight tomorrow for the country to go for fresh elections to elect a new Parliament.



68kg of heroin, 50kg of ‘Ice’ seized from Galle sea

A haul of drugs containing 68kg of heroin and 50kg of Crystal Methamphetamine (‘Ice’) have been seized from Galle sea, says the Navy Spokesperson.



Mangala reveals Sirisena was with him in New York when text of resolution was finalised

Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has said that the decision to co-sponsor Geneva Resolution 30/1 was taken by the yahapalana government under the leadership of then President Maithripala Sirisena.



Two from Italy sent to IDH

Two Sri Lankans arriving from Italy were admitted to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH Hospital) in Angoda with signs of fever and cough yesterday.



Two nabbed with over 3kg of heroin at Rajagiriya

Two suspects have been arrested at Rajagiriya with more than 3 kg of heroin, says the Police Narcotics Bureau.



High Posts Committee approves Rohana Beddage as ambassador to Maldives

The Government proposal to appoint veteran singer Rohana Beddage as the new Sri Lankan ambassador to the Maldives was approved by the Committee on High Posts today.



Cabinet decides not to sign MCC agreement

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided not to sign the Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) based on the recommendations of the expert committee, says Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena.



‘Bond transaction culprits at large’

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says those responsible for the controversial Treasury bond transactions should not be allowed to walk free.



PUCSL too says power blackout on February 03 could have been avoided

The power blackout, on 03 February, could have been avoided, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the electricity sector regulator has said in a special investigation report titled, “Report on Rotational Load Shedding Carried Out on February 03”, released yesterday.



Not convinced of another Commission of Inquiry in Sri Lanka: Human Rights Chief

UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet today expressed regret over the new Sri Lankan Government’s decision to withdraw from the UN Resolution 30/1 and said she was not convinced of yet another Commission of Inquiry as domestic processes have consistently failed to deliver accountability in the past.