Ravi’s crisis beyond EC’s control

The controversy surrounding the nomination of Ravi Karunanayake as an MP on the National List representing the New Democratic Front (NDF) is beyond the control of the Election Commission, according to its chairman.

Perks announced for newly elected MPs

Parliamentary Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera outlined the benefits newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) will receive.

Three Sri Lankan women survive Hezbollah rocket attacks on Tel Aviv

Three Sri Lankan women survived the rocket and shelling attacks on Tel Aviv in Israel, by Hezbollah, the militant group based in southern Lebanon, according to Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara.

Kanchana likely to enter Parliament through National list

Former Minister and New Democratic Front (NDF) Matara District candidate Kanchana Wijesekera is to enter Parliament through the National list while the UNP is to deal with Ravi Karunanayake who is alleged to have engaged in an unethical move to enter the House through the National list.

Parliamentary traditions changed for Thursday’s opening

Some of the traditions involved in opening of a new Parliament has been changed, sources said yesterday. This has been done to make the opening ceremony as simple as possible.

Public Security Minister promises reforms to strengthen Police and tackle corruption

While assuring the public that tackling bribery and corruption would remain a priority, the new minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijayapala said yesterday that he is committed to restoring the independence of the Sri Lanka Police, which he noted had been politicized under previous governments.

Rise in fever, viral infections, dengue among children

A rise in cases of fever among children in Colombo and suburb have been observed in viral infections and a growing number of dengue cases, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) consultant pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

SJB must change to fit into new situation: Tissa

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has to change in line with the new political situation, its National Organizer Tissa Attanayake said yesterday.

UNP disputes Ravi’s nomination for National List slot, EC gazettes Ravi’s name

The United National Party (UNP) disassociated itself from the nomination of its member former MP Ravi Karunanayake on the National List to Parliament and vowed to institute disciplinary action against him.

Confusion surrounds SJB’s national list selections

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) seems to be facing a confusing situation as well in deciding who should enter the legislature through the national list with its General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara stating that only his name has been finalised while former MP Sujeewa Senasinghe claims that his name has also been finalised.

Know your boundaries and limitations of authority; act with responsibility: President tells new Ministers

Claiming that MPs and Ministers have immense power, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday he expects that all Ministers will know the boundaries and limitations of their power and act with responsibility. Addressing the new Cabinet, he said most of the Ministers are new, not only to the Cabinet but to Parliament as well.

Prez to visit India in mid-December: FM

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to visit India in mid-December as his maiden state visit, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday. He told the media after the swearing-in ceremony that the President is scheduled to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit.

22 Ministers appointed; 13 newly elected MPs get Ministerial portfolios

The government yesterday appointed a 22-member Cabinet of Ministers, which included the President and the 13 newly elected MPs who are university academics and professionals cum politicians.

Sri Lanka to have its first physically challenged MP in new Parliament

Sri Lanka will see its first physically challenged MP with the decision by the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) to nominate Sugath Wasantha De Silva who is visually impaired though its national list.

More than two-thirds of new parliament are first-timers

The new Parliament will see 160 fresh MPs who have been elected for the very first time as people have given the green light to only around 37 members who represented House from 2020 to return.

Sumanthiran who lost in Jaffna refuses nomination on National List

Former Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) MP for the Jaffna district M.A. Sumanthiran who lost his parliamentary seat has refused to be nominated on the National List.

ITAK nominates defeated Padmanathan through national list

Illankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) decided to nominate Dr. Padmanathan Sathiyalingam to Parliament thorugh the national list.

Travel restriction on Arugam Bay lifted due to reduced risks:US Embassy

Affirming that the travel restriction on Arugam Bay was rescinded due to reduced risks, a spokesperson for the U.S.embassy said it strongly values partnership with the Sri Lankan government and the law enforcement agencies whose collaboration had been essential to neutralize such threats and ensure safety of Sri Lankans and visitors from around the world .

Secrecy of ballot compromised by layout of polling stations – ANFREL raise concerns

Commending Sri Lankan voters for their commitment to democracy as demonstrated by their participation in the 2024 Parliamentary Elections, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) raised serious concerns about the secrecy of the ballot compromised by the layout of the polling stations.

SJB will survive tremors: Madduma Bandara

Whilst stating that the party can withstand any tremor or adverse situation, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday said it will go along with its present leader Sajith Premadasa and thus make a claim for the opposition leader’s post.

A clean sweep for NPP

In what appeared to be an election outcome with numerous firsts, the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) swept the polls securing more than two-thirds majority, an achievement considered impossible under the current electoral system of proportional representation so far.

Indian High Commissioner congratulates President on electoral victory

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and congratulated him on his party’s electoral victory at the General Election.

Several senior ministers of previous government defeated

A number of long-standing MPs who served as ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers have been voted out by constituents at their respective electoral districts.

NPP’s attractive policies weaned people away from other parties: SJB

Whilst highlighting that attractive incentives offered by the National People’s Power (NPP) had led to the defeat of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), its General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara yesterday said electoral setbacks are a common phenomenon in Sri Lankan politics.

SLPP stand for values of its supporters:Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will uphold the values of its supporters and those who voted for the party, its National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Thai woman smuggling Kush on election night stopped at BIA

A female Thai national who tried to enter the country through airport green channel with 22 kilos of Kush worth over Rs.186 million in baggage on the election night was intercepted by Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

49 parties, 282 independent groups in the fray, but only 13 of them secure parliamentary representation

Only 12 recognised political parties and one independent group out of the 49 parties and one independent group out of 282 independent groups that were in the fray have managed to obtain representation in Parliament as per the results of this year’s General Election, according to the data put out by the Government Information Department.

Will not misuse excessive power given by the people: NPP

Claiming that it is a huge challenge to keep the trust placed by the people on the National People’s Power (NPP), NPP member Tilvin Silva said yesterday the NPP government will make sure that the excessive power given to the NPP will not be misused and is committed to use it for the benefit of the people and to uphold democratic rights of the people.

NPP heading for clear parliamentary majority

The National People’s Power ( NPP) led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is heading for a clear parliamentary majority according to results issued by the time this edition went to press last night .

Parliamentary election complaints reduced by 44 percent compared to Aug. 2020

The Parliamentary election related complaints have reduced by 44 per cent since the previous election which was held in August 2020. The Parliamentary election held in August 2020 reported 8,683 complaints whereas the parliamentary elections held in November 2024 reported 3,822 complaints.