Majority of candidates enter Prez poll for petty personal gains – independent monitors

Majority of contestants who enter the Presidential Election fray do so to seek petty and personal gains such as to become famous, to support another candidate or to apply for political asylum. Scores of candidates were not even eligible to reclaim their cash deposits since 1982, an independent monitoring body opined yesterday.

EU and Commonwealth election monitors for presidential poll

European Union and Commonwealth election observers have been authorised to monitor the upcoming presidential election, the Election Commission said yesterday.

The President told us not to worry; I said Manusha and I are leaving with our “heads held high” - Harin

Despite their expulsion, both Harin and Manusha pledge to continue supporting President

Note

We were summoned before the Parliamentary Privilege Committee on July 25, on an article published on February 28, 2024, under the heading ‘SLPP Parliamentarian Accused of Land Grab in Kalpitiya’ which requested us to publish an apology immediately.

Presidential Election No more lavish spending by candidates, Rs.20 per voter or more, final decision after nominations

Presidential candidates will be barred from lavish spending for the September 21 Presidential Election because the Elections Commission is slated to introduce a ceiling on their campaign spending on each voter, according to a new law enacted this time, an official said

Graphic of the day

Graphic of the day

Replacements for Harin and Manusha only after Presidential election

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided not to appoint new MPs for the moment in place of Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara who lost their seats following their expulsion from the SJB which was upheld by the Supreme Court yesterday.

Rare disease grips Anuradhapura, fatal if untreated

The most number of Leishmaniasis patients in the country have been reported from the Anuradhapura District, a medical expert said.

SF’s operation to woo some NPPers fails, decides to contest independently

Whilst revealing that an initial discussion he had with a group of National People’s Power (NPP) members had failed due to policy differences, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday said he will contest the Presidential Election as an independent candidate.

Daily Mirror lead story yields Hakeem flays officials for not streamlining visa processing

Refers to a letter addressed to the Controller General, and copied to the AG, warning of severe consequences if they continue to disregard the court’s order

We know where Kanjipani Imran is, but cannot tell media: Minister Alles

Dismisses claims made in YouTube discussions about the possibility of bringing Kanjipani Imran back

Kandy Esala Perahera to commence tonight

Over 5,000 police personnel, along with Army and STF deployed

Visa issuance Can’t revert to old system as IT system changed: Minister

Says will have to pass new regulations in Parliament and revert to the old system

Underage girls arrested after fleeing detention home

A group of underage girls between 15 and 17 years of age who fled from Keppetipola Yasodara detention home were arrested by the Welimada Police.

Sri Lanka steps up action to promote 5G technology

The country’s first-ever 5G Summit took place recently in Colombo, marking a significant step towards Sri Lanka’s digital transformation. The summit brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the strategic development and implementation of 5G technology in the country.

Supreme Court quashes recommendations of Gotabaya’s Presidential Commission

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an order quashing the findings and recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry appointed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in respect of nine petitioners including former High Court Judge Padmini N. Ranawaka and President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya.

Fleet of 438 SLTB buses assigned for Esala Perahera

The Transport Ministry has decided to assign 438 Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses to operate day and night services during the Kandy Esala Perahera for the convenience of the public.

Dambulla onion farmers urge import controls to protect local harvest

Dambulla onion farmers have expressed concerns that if the import of big onions is not controlled now that the harvest of this year’s local big onions has begun, they will face serious problems, as they have in previous years. The harvest of loca

Electronic items donated to Apeksha Hospital

Officials attached to the Ministerial Security Division (MSD) donated electronic items to the Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama yesterday.

Buddhist monks conduct Atavisi Buddha Pooja at Gangaramaya Temple

A group of Buddhist monks led by Dr. Ven. Kirinde Assaji Thera conduct an Atavisi Buddha Pooja organized by the Tudugala - Wijewardene family at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo to invoke blessings on the family members.

SL National poverty line triples in just over a decade

The national poverty line, which determines the minimum income threshold to meet basic needs, has nearly tripled over slightly in the span of just over a decade according to a report released by the Department of Census and Statistics. In January 2024, the national poverty line reached Rs. 17,014, increasing from Rs. 5,223 in 2012/13. A consistent upward trend can be seen when the poverty line rose from Rs. 5,223 in 2012/13 to Rs. 6,117 in 2016 f

25 percent of children below the age of one year experience sleep related problems: Medical Expert

Approximately 25 percent of children less than one year in Sri Lanka are having some form of sleep related problem that can lead to various physical and mental health issues due to not getting good sleep, Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) Consultant Community Physician Dr. Enoka Wickramasinghe said.

Govt. takes steps to make Online Safety Act less draconian

In response to objections raised by sections of the society on the ‘Online Safety Bill, the government has taken an initial step towards diluting Sri Lanka’s online safety laws through the Online Safety ( Amendment) Bill which was presented in Parliament yesterday.

New Internal Affairs Unit established to receive public complaints: Soliciting bribe to perform duty is like selling one’s soul - Senior Counsel tells Customs

It is high time the Customs officers practice integrity and to build up a work environment free of bribery and corruption as opined by President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne, who spoke at the launch of new Customs Internal Affairs Unit to receive public complaints. PC Jayamanne who emphasized the importance of creating a state sector free of corruption to render a clean and better service said soliciting a bribe to perform one’s duty is like selli

SL enacts law to recognize 1000 foreign medical colleges in global ranking

Medical Amendment Bill which provides provisions for the government to recognize over 1000 foreign medical colleges was unanimously approved by Parliament yesterday. Minister of Health Dr. Ramesh Pathirana who referred to the Bill said it will enable Sri Lanka to recognize foreign medical colleges which enjoy slots in the global rankings. We shall be recognizing first 1000 medical colleges in the global ranking,” he said.

Cannot give a time frame for debt restructuring: State Minister

It is not possible to give a time frame as to when Sri Lanka would end its engagements with M/S Lazards France and M/S Clifford Chance LLP because of the complex situation with regard to the restructuring of debt pertaining to international sovereign bonds(ISB) , State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe told Parliament yesterday.

Liquor companies reject Excise Department’s request to lower prices

The Excise Department’s recent request for liquor companies to reduce prices has been rejected by the companies, drawing criticism from health professionals who view the move as promoting alcohol consumption.

Pig,Dog out of election symbol list for independent candidates

The Election Commission has amended the list of symbols to be assigned to independent presidential candidates, leaving out ones that can cause embarrassment and offend religious sensitivities, an official said .

Sri Lanka seals first ODI series win against India since 1997

After enduring a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series, Sri Lanka scripted a remarkable turnaround on Wednesday in the final ODI of the three-match series by defeating India by 110 runs, ending their 27-year drought for a bilateral series win against India.

Justice Ministry brought under President’s purview

Colombo, August 7 (Daily Mirror)- The Ministerial portfolios of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms have been brought under the purview of the President through a Gazette Extraordinary issued by the President.