Presidential candidates barred from throwing parties for voters

The conduct of parties to lavish people with food, drinks or refreshments by the presidential candidates amounts to an offence under treating, in accordance with the Presidential Elections Act and therefore they are barred from doing so, an official said yesterday.

Election Commission gets tough on biased opinion polls on Presidential Candidates

Various institutions which purportedly conduct opinion polls and surveys, and publish results in a manner adversarial to some candidates and advantageous to others will come under scrutiny by the Election Commission, an official said yesterday.

Asset declarations Dilith, Wijeyadasa the richest main presidential candidates

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has published the asset declarations of all 39 Presidential candidates on its official website.

Monkeypox fears mount as Govt. allows visa free access to 35 countries

The government’s recent decision to allow visa-free entry for citizens of 35 countries has sparked serious concerns amid an uptick in Monkeypox cases in several of these nations.

I could not take it anymore; SJB is heading on a wrong path

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Thalatha Athukorala who shockingly resigned from her parliamentary seat just weeks ahead of the Presidential election said she made this decision as she saw no clear road ahead with the SJB and said she could not bear to see the party heading in such an ad hoc direction.

Sri Lanka braces for Presidential election amid severe Police shortage

Sri Lanka is preparing for a challenging presidential election on September 21 amid a significant police shortage and ongoing anti-crime operations, the Daily Mirror learns. Currently, Sri Lanka Police is grappling with a deficit of approximately 30,000 police officers. The shortage arose due to the retirement of officers, others leaving the services and some stepping down due to disabilities.

Election Manifestoes: Mere election promises will not suffice at this presidential poll

Ahead of the launch of their manifestos and theme songs, key presidential candidates are likely to face pressure from lobby groups to outline specific, time-bound action plans for implementation, rather than relying on broadly worded, catchy ideas.

Daily Mirror once again invites Ranil, Sajith, Namal and Anura for presidential debate

The Daily Mirror once again calls upon the main presidential candidates Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, Namal Rajapaksa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake for a live presidential debate, hosted by the Daily Mirror and Lankadeepa.

Majestically caparisoned! Randoli Perahera begins

The first Randoli procession in Kandy Esala perahera 2024 paraded the streets of Kandy on Thursday night. Maligawa tusker Indi Raja flanked by tuskers Miyan Raja and Kotte Raja, carried the casket of Sacred Relics. The procession set off from Sri Dalada Maligawa at the auspicious hour of 6.45 pm. The crowd of spectators of the grand cultural pageant had increased when compared to the previous days.

EC toughens up on candidates’ expenditure; calls for source of funds

The Election Commission has called for all the presidential candidates to provide the source of funds of how they will be funding their election campaigns and will also set a expenditure limit which each candidate can spend at the September 21 presidential poll, the Daily Mirror learns.

Male-dominant presidential run continues

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Sri Lanka is once again facing a male-dominated race, with no female candidates stepping forward to contest.

Presidential Election: New alliances, crossovers, strategic realignments on the cards

New alliances, crossovers and strategic realignments appear to be taking centre stage ahead of the nomination period of the Presidential Election.

Ranil, Sajith, Anura, Namal gearED up for 100-rally marathon for presidency

The four main political candidates - Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Namal Rajapaksa will begin their campaign rallies soon after nominations end on August 15 with each party eyeing to complete 100 rallies each.

Five Sri Lankans held as prisoners of war in Ukraine

Five Sri Lankan ex-soldiers who joined the Russian military and crossed the border have been arrested by the Ukrainian authorities and held up as prisoners of war, an informed source said yesterday.

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

SL Immigration handicapped in on-arrival visa processing

The Department of Immigration and Emigration at the airport is facing a critical situation with visa checks for arriving passengers, mainly due to the lack of an active Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.

I am ready to work with Sajith, Anura and Namal if I win: Ranil

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed his willingness to work with all parties if he wins the September 21 Presidential election and extended an open invitation to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the newly elected Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa to form a national government.

Namal Rajapaksa enters Presidential race after Dhammika Perera pulls out

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organizer, Namal Rajapaksa will be named as the party’s Presidential candidate today morning following the convening of the SLPP politburo meeting, a senior source from the SLPP told Daily Mirror last evening.

Security to be tightened countrywide after August 15

Security across the country will be tightened after August 15 in preparation for the Presidential Election, the Public Security Ministry said.

Ballot paper cost increases fourfold, more candidates burden taxpayers

The cost of security paper used for ballot paper printing has increased fourfold compared to 2019 when the last Presidential Election was conducted and therefore it is economically beneficial for the country to have a minimum number of candidates in the fray, two sources said.

Presidential candidates double down on efforts to woo minor, minority parties

In the wake of declaration of the Presidential Elections, the main candidates, particularly President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa have doubled down on their efforts to woo various parties and individuals, particularly those representing the minority communities to strengthen their bids for presidency.

Narendra Modi’s visit put off due to Presidential Election

The planned visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka is unlikely to take place anytime soon because of the declaration of the Presidential Election, the Daily Mirror learns.

PM pushes to patch up RW and MR

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, as the leader of Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP), still continues with his political efforts to unite Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) with President Ranil Wickremesinghe in view of the Presidential Elections, a source familiar with the two leaders said yesterday.

Tussle begins to garner Parliamentarians’ support for Ranil Wickremesinghe

Days after President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his candidacy in the September Presidential Election, 92 Parliamentarians, mostly from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) met Wickremesinghe last evening and pledged their support to him.

Health officials demand return of COVID rules as flu cases skyrocket

In light of influenza cases climbing to unprecedented levels, health officials have urged the public to comply with the safety guidelines observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presidential Poll: How will second, third preferences matter in case no candidate gets over 50%?

At every presidential election, it is a common phenomenon to see a dozen candidates or more.

Presumptive and announced presidential candidates: who will call the shots after September 21?

Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe was born on March 24 ,1949. He had his basic education at Royal College Colombo and entered Law College in 1972.

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 Election Commission will secure police protection for the conduct of the Presidential election to be declared tomorrow, a top source said.

Election Commission in dilemma over absence of IGP to conduct polls

Hot on the heels of the Supreme Court issuing an interim order restraining Deshabandu Tennakoon from functioning as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Election Commission is in a dilemma in the conduct of the presidential election after its declaration on Friday in the absence of a police chief.

Will RW, MR patch up for strong outcome at Presidential Poll?

Ahead of the announcement of the Presidential election, the United National Party (UNP) led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe is engaged in dealing with a section of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), which has now openly pledged its support to his candidacy.