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.

IMF urges revenue measures and spending cuts for 2025 budget

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), during its recent mission to Sri Lanka, said the 2025 budget needs to be underpinned by appropriate revenue measures and continued spending restraint.

President meets IMF team; discusses successful completion of 3rd review: Semasinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met IMF Mission Chief Peter Breuer and his team where they discussed matters involving the successful completion of the 3rd review which is crucial for the timely disbursement of the 4th tranche, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.

Dayasiri as SLFP General Secretary denies aligning with President

Hot on the heels of the Central Committee of the SLFP expressing support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the presidential election, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who claims to be the SLFP’s legitimate General Secretary categorically rejected the statement.

SLFP Central Committee expresses support for President: PMD

The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe a short while ago and expressed their unwavering support for his victory in the forthcoming presidential election, the President Media Division said.

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.

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 of candidates or more. Still the contest narrows down to two main candidates and the third one becomes a distant third as per the results of the previous elections.

SC decision cannot be overruled by PM or Speaker - BASL

The Supreme Court’s decisions cannot be overruled by any other forum, and neither the Prime Minister nor the Speaker have the ability to do so, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka announced today.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe officially announces candidacy

President Ranil Wickremesinghe officially announced his candidacy at the upcoming Presidential election during a rally in Galle today.

Four candidates submit deposits for Presidential Election today

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

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.

Supreme Court prevents Deshabandu from functioning as IGP

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order restraining Deshabandu Tennakoon from functioning as the Inspector General of Police.

GR govt. made wrong decision to cremate COVID dead, RW govt. to apologize

The Gotabaya Rajapaksa government made the wrong decision to forcefully cremate the COVID dead, after recent research found that the virus had not spread in the surface water.

22A to Constitution unlikely to see the light of day

The enactment of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament is heading to be unrealistic because it is all set to deny two-thirds for the ruling party in case a vote is taken.

MRI under fire for not performing sufficient testing

The Medical Research Institute (MRI), the apex institute which performs laboratory testing, laboratory diagnosis and consultations has come under fire for neglecting a significant number of its testing.

Joe Biden steps down from election race

U.S. President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign on Sunday after fellow Democrats lost faith in his mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump, leaving the presidential race in uncharted territory, the foreign media reported.

Prasanna urges Ranil to declare candidacy promptly

During a spirited rally in Kadawatha today, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga passionately urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to promptly announce his candidacy for the presidency within the upcoming week.

It is regretted that President places blame on me for current constitutional error - Jayampathi

Dr. Jayampathi Wickramaratne , the former MP who played a key role in drafting the 19th Amendment , said the upper limit of the term of President and Parliament as mentioned in Article 83 of the Constitution was not touched at that time only to avoid a referendum, and therefore it is regretted that President Ranil Wickremesinghe placing the blame solely on him for the constitutional error.

22nd Amendment Bill gazetted by President

The bill titled the ’Twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution’ was published in a gazette notification, as ordered by the President.

Customs interdict four top officials over major fraud

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday interdicted four of its senior officials attached to the Central Cargo Examination Directorate for being involved in a major fraud of releasing an illicit goods container to its importer by preparing fraudulent documents, the Daily Mirror learns.

Lawyers facilitated Kanjipani’s escape from country: Alles

Amidst speculation surrounding the escape of underworld figure Kanjipani Imran, who is implicated in the Athurugiriya shooting incident, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles stated that the lawyers who represented Kanjipani played a pivotal role in facilitating his departure from the country immediately following his release on bail.

Gnanasara Thera released on bail

The Court of Appeal today ordered to release Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera on bail, in a bail pending appeal.

Excessive use of Air Force helicopters by MR and Sirisena revealed

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa made 978 flights using Air Force helicopters under presidential privilege for domestic flights between 2005 and 2015, while former President Maithripala Sirisena flew 557 times during his five-year tenure, information obtained from the Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters under the Right to Information has revealed.

No attempt by Sajith to patch-up : Fonseka

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, says he is still on the fence on contesting the upcoming Presidential elections but is willing to take the challenge and put the country back on track.

Starlink satellite system nears approval as Musk’s representative visits Sri Lanka

A representative from the Starlink satellite system, founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk of SpaceX and Tesla, visited Sri Lanka this week and is set to return next week to complete the final stages of obtaining the necessary licence for operations in the country.

Electricity tariff slashed by 22.5%

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced today a 25 per cent electricity tariff reduction for domestic consumers, effective from tomorrow, along with an overall tariff revision of 22.5 per cent.

Sri Lanka limits bilateral engagements ahead of Presidential Elections

The government has limited its bilateral engagements including entertaining foreign leaders except Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi within the next couple of months because of the presidential elections, Daily Mirror learns.

Thailand allows visa-free entry for Sri Lankans from tomorrow

Thailand will allow visa-free entry for travellers from 93 countries and territories, including Sri Lanka from tomorrow (July 15).

Vehicles emitting excessive smoke to be blacklisted

The Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund (VET) of Motor Vehicles has announced that vehicles emitting excessive smoke will be blacklisted.

45 Sri Lankan organised criminals still at large overseas

As many as 45 Sri Lankan criminals –red noticed by Interpol are stationed overseas - mostly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - and carry organised criminal activities in Sri Lanka, a top police source said.