EC pins hope on Senior DIG–Elections in absence of performing IGP

​In the wake of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon being barred from performing duties in his office, the Election Commission yesterday turned to Senior DIG (Deputy Inspector General) D.Y. Asanka Karavita to press ahead with poll-related duties, an official said.

Last respects to Wickramabahu

The remains of New Sama Samaja Party leader Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne were placed at a private funeral parlour in Colombo, allowing the public to pay their final respects. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

SC order cannot be invalidated by PM’s speech in Parliament: Lawyers’ Collective

The Lawyers’ Collective, a prominent legal advocacy group in Sri Lanka today maintained that an order made by the Supreme Court cannot be invalidated by a speech given by the Prime Minister in Parliament.

Binura Fernando hospitalized ahead of first India T20I

Sri Lanka were dealt another injury blow ahead of the first T20I against India on Saturday, with left-arm fast bowler Binura Fernando being hospitalized due to a chest infection.

Armed Forces instructed to implement maximum security measures

State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon instructed security chiefs today to implement all necessary measures to ensure the safety of presidential candidates and citizens following the announcement of the Presidential Election.

ITAK will not nominate candidate for Presidential Election

The Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) will not nominate a candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election, said Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran.

Four candidates submit deposits for Presidential Election today

Four candidates have officially submitted their cash deposits for the 2024 Presidential Election today (26).

India blows away Bangladesh with 10-wicket win to enter final

The Women in Blue will face the winner of semifinal two that will be played later in the day between host Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

World Mangrove Day...

The photos capture the Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, as observed on World Mangrove Day, July 26, 2024. Located 19 kilometers north of Colombo, Muthurajawela is a crucial wetland area, vital for flood control. However, its size has diminished from 6,300 hectares to 3,068 hectares. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Barack Obama endorses Kamala Harris

Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle endorsed Kamala Harris‘ bid for president on Friday in a roughly one-minute long video that captured a private phone call between the couple and the current vice president.

Head-on collision kills father and son

A tragic head-on collision involving a truck and a car in the Maththaka area on the Pitigala-Mapalagama road has resulted in the deaths of a father and his son.

Kumarasiri Hettige appointed SJB Matara District Organizer

Kumarasiri Hettige, a journalist who was one time Parliamentary Affairs Secretary of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been appointed as the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) District Organizer for the Matara District.

Looking forward to free and fair elections: US

While welcoming the announcement of the Presidential election, the United States said they look forward to free and fair elections that empower Sri Lankan citizens to determine their future.

Sajith asks President to resign if he cannot uphold SC Order

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today challenged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down, if he cannot appoint an Acting IGP as per the Supreme Court Order.

Special procedure needed to remove official appointed by CC: Speaker on SC judgment

The Speaker and Chairman of the Constitutional Council (CC) said today that removing the IGP requires a special procedure and the situation with regard to the IGP cannot be resolved by the President, and the matter must be sorted out in court if necessary.

Tense situation in Parliament after PM’s statement on IGP

A tense situation emerged in Parliament after Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena declared that the restraining order issued by the Supreme Court preventing IGP Deshabandu Thennekoon from functioning in his post is illegal.

Price of bread will be reduced by Rs. 10 from tonight

The All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) has decided to reduce the price of a 450-gram loaf of bread and other bakery items by Rs. 10 with effect from midnight today.

Paris braces for 'most incredible' Olympics opening ceremony

Thousands of athletes are set to sail through central Paris on Friday during an unprecedented and high-risk Olympics opening ceremony that will showcase the country’s hugely ambitious vision for the Games.

Stay order to bar Deshabandu from functioning as IGP illegal: PM

The stay order issued by the Supreme Court preventing Deshabandu Tennakoon from functioning as the IGP is illegal, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament today.

Deposits placed for Ranil Wickremesinge’s candidacy

Ronald Perera PC, placed a cash deposit on behalf of President Ranil Wickremesinge as an independent candidate for the forthcoming Presidential election.

EC begins accepting deposits; Sarath Keerthirathna first to submit bond

Deposits from candidates for the upcoming Presidential election will be accepted from 8:30 am today till 12:00 noon on August 14, 2024.

Presidential Election on September 21, nomination on August 15

The Presidential Election would be conducted on Saturday, September 21, the Election Commission has officially proclaimed, putting an end to long speculations and debates.

Court orders capture and release of tusker Agbo into forest reserve

The Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate yesterday ordered the Anuradhapura Assistant Director of Wildlife Conservation to capture and release the wild elephant, popularly known as Agbo, which has been frequenting the Thirappane area for more than a year, into a forest reserve.

IGP post to remain vacant a while more?

No step had been initiated afresh for the appointment of the next Inspector General of Police (IGP) either in permanent or acting capacity triggering further uncertainty on how the Elections Commission will secure police protection for the conduct of the Presidential election to be declared tomorrow, a top source said.

Sri Lanka unveils blueprint to transform outdated plantation sector to thriving agro-business

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday unveiled a blueprint to transform the country’s outdated plantation sector towards a modern and thriving agro-business by rolling out a slew of major reforms with an inside-out approach.

Efforts underway to introduce climate change legislations to meet net zero carbon targets

The government is planning to introduce climate change legislation along with other new environment laws to meet net zero carbon targets before 2050.

CB cuts key rates by 25bps to prop up credit, economic growth

The Central Bank trimmed the policy rates by 0.25 percentage points. While the decision caught some sections of the economy off guard, others were not surprised.

PMD: Announcing President’s political campaign rallies abuse state resources – EC, PAFFREL

The President Media Division (PMD), the official portal to announce the President’s decisions, activities and news updates would violate the election law and abuse state resources if the former announces President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s public campaigns in the run-up to the poll, the Election Commission and polls monitoring bodies said.

Minister Harin sends letter to AKD regarding foreign trips

Minister Harin Fernando has responded to a statement made by leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake, regarding the expenses for foreign trips undertaken by Fernando.

Police Clearance Division relocated from Police HQ

The Police Clearance Division, previously located at the Police Headquarters, has been relocated to the 17th floor of the Suhurupaya building in Battaramulla, police said.