Sri Lanka decides today

Sri Lankans will go to the polls today to elect the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka to run the country for a period of five years. The presidential poll holds significance this time since it is the first election to be conducted after the country went through its worst-ever economic crisis since 2022.

Pre-election panic buying in country’s main vegetable market in Peliyagoda

Panic buying was reported at Manning Market in Peliyagoda today during the eve of the presidential poll 2024 with people hurriedly buying stuff such as vegetables sufficient enough in anticipation of disruption to normalcy in the post-election period.

Agreement in principle on commercial debt restructuring is a game changer: Economist

In reference to Sri Lanka agreeing in principle on the restructuring of commercial debts (ISB), Chairman of Advocata Institute Murtaza Jafferjee said it was a game changer on the path to debt sustainability.

Heading home for voting

Colombo Central Bus Stand seen crowded with people heading home in the outstations in view of the presidential poll. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Complaints on election law violations surpass 5,000

A total of 269 fresh complaints related to the upcoming Presidential election were received, pushing the total number of complaints to over 5,000.

Wasantha Mudalige files FR petition against debt restructuring programme

National Executive Committee member of the People’s Struggle Alliance, Wasantha Mudalige today filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing the authorities from entering into any agreement relating to the restructuring of public debts.

Pavithra, Rohitha, S.M. Chandrasena sacked from SLPP

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) sacked three of its members- Pavithra Wanniarachchi, S.M. Chandrasena and Rohitha Abeygunawardane - from all their positions for defying the party’s stand at the presidential election and supporting President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Rohitha suspended from SLPP membership, other positions

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has suspended SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardana from the SLPP membership and the post of national convenor.

SLPP confirms Basil left country for medical purposes

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today confirmed that its founder and former Minister, Basil Rajapaksa, has left for Dubai for medical purposes, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.

Scrutiny of Grade 5 Scholarship answer scripts suspended due to ongoing investigations: Ministry

The scrutiny of answer scripts for the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination has been suspended due to the ongoing investigations into the leak of the first paper in Anuradhapura, Education Ministry Secretary J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara said.

J’pura University to reopen on September 24

The Sri Jayewardenepura University, which was temporarily closed following a clash between two student groups, will resume classes on September 24.

India rejects report on transfer of ammunitions to Ukraine as ’speculative’

India has dismissed a news report claiming the government failed to prevent European buyers from transferring Indian-made artillery shells to Ukraine.

Ballot boxes ready for tomorrow's poll

All the squads named for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

The 10-team tournament will be held in the UAE in October and the squads for the event are beginning to roll in.

Commonwealth Election Monitoring delegation meets President

The Commonwealth Election Monitoring delegation, led by former President of Seychelles, Danny Faure, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat this morning, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Israel unleashes heavy strikes on Lebanon as US, UK urge restraint

Israeli warplanes carried out late on Thursday their most intense strikes on southern Lebanon in nearly a year of war, heightening the conflict between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah amid calls for restraint.

Ballot boxes on way to polling stations

Ballot boxes for tomorrow’s Presidential election being transported to polling stations from D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Sri Lanka announces squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has announced a 15-member squad to participate in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in the UAE from October 3 to 20, 2024.

Passenger vessel ‘Neduntharakai’ commences operations after full docking by Navy

The passenger vessel ‘Neduntharakai’ was ceremonially handed over to the Road Development Authority (RDA) in Delft yesterday (19), following the completion of full docking by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Israel says 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers hit in Lebanon

Israel says its warplanes have hit more than 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers and other ’’terrorist sites’’ including a weapons storage facility in southern Lebanon.

Another shooting in Dehiwala kills one

A 45-year-old man was shot and killed this morning near the Nedimala Cricket Ground in Dehiwala by two unidentified men on a motorcycle.

Procedure to vote

Basil leaves for USA

Founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and former Minister Basil Rajapaksa left for Dubai from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning, the airport Duty Manager said.

Two suspects arrested over Midigama shooting

Two suspects were arrested over the shooting incident at Midigama in Matara where a person was killed and two others injured when two men opened fire at a fish stall yesterday.

Sri Lanka strikes US $ 14. 2 billion ISB restructuring, paving way out of bankruptcy

Sri Lanka overcame yet another major obstacle in its attempt to get out of bankruptcy status with the government reaching agreement in principle with the ad hoc group of bond holders, China Development Bank and the Local Consortium of Sri Lanka (LCSL), an informed source said.

August PMI points to continued expansion in manufacturing & services activities

The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for both manufacturing and services activities came in stronger in August signalling that the economy continues to do well, and the prospects remain positive for the future.

Floods wreak havoc in Italy

Torrential rains have triggered severe floods across northern Italy, particularly in the Emilia-Romagna region. Rivers have overflowed, forcing the evacuation of over 1,000 residents in provinces like Ravenna and Bologna.

Postman alleged to have retained 145 polling cards

A postman in Puttalam is alleged to have retained 145 official polling cards.

Prof. Arjuna de Silva steps down from SLADA

Professor Arjuna de Silva, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Anti Doping Agency (SLADA), has decided to step down from his post effective September 30.

SJB says report on agreement on commercial creditors an act of influencing voters

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Lawyers’ Collective member Shiyan Punchihewa, in a letter addressed to Chairman Election Commission Saman Ratnayake has informed that the report issued by the government on the agreement with external commercial creditors is an attempt to influence the voters.