Club Wasantha murder: Another suspect taken into custody

Another suspect who was taken into custody yesterday in connection with the double murder at a tattoo centre in Athurugiriya was produced before Kaduwela Acting Magistrate D.G.P. Karunaratne and detained for 48 hours for further questioning.

GMOA to launch trade union action today

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced a trade union action today(18), targeting hospitals across the country, GMOA spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said.

Presidential Election campaign ends midnight today

As the campaign period for the upcoming Presidential Election will end tonight (18) at midnight, those engaging in illegal campaigning after the given deadline could face arrest and legal action, the Election Commission warned.

Eleven rallies today

Around 11 election rallies are to be held before the campaign deadline for the Presidential Election which ends midnight today. Independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe will address rallies in Matara, Galle, Kalutara, Homagama and Maradana. The final rally will be held in Maradana. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa will participate in rallies in Galle, Beruwala and Colombo Central. His final rally will be held in front of Tower Hall.

Use of aircraft for Presidential campaigns only on payment basis: SLAF clarifies

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has clarified that it provides aircraft for Presidential candidates’ campaigns only on a payment basis, in line with standard procedures.

SLPA Seminar on Free and Fair Election

Chairman Election Commission R. M. A. L. Ratnayake speaks at a seminar organized by Sri Lanka Press Association (SLPA) under the title ’Media’s role in Free and Fair Election. SLPA President Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana, SLPA Secretary General Tilak Senanayake and Secretary International Affairs Kelum Bandara are also present.

Police Sergeant injured in collision with elephant

A police sergeant riding a motorcycle had bumped against a wild elephant moving across the road near Mahakanadarawa tank last morning and received serious injuries.

SEPTANERY Art Exhibition 2024

The ‘SEPTANERY Art Exhibition 2024’, featuring the diverse works of seven painters who explore the vitality of the natural world, will be held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery starting with an opening event on 13th September 2024 at 5.30 pm and continuing on the 14th and 15th of September.

CID questions fmr. Army Major

The suspect, a 47-year-old, is identified as a former Army Major and a resident of Kiribathgoda.

President values cap gifted to him at over Rs.100,000

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking at an election rally in Dambadeniya, said that a woman from Killinochchi presented him with a cap as a token of gratitude for his assistance with food, medicine, fuel, and essential support, expressing that its value to him exceeded Rs.100,000.

Thundershowers unprecedented during current Monsoon

The Meteorological Department issued a weather advisory yesterday warning of heavy showers above 50 mm in areas within the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

You have to be shrewd when doing politics -RW

Highlighting that one has to think correctly to ensure a bright future for the youth, independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe said one cannot be a successful politician without being shrewd.

I don’t intend to make Sri Lanka a welfare state -Sajith

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said he does not intend to make Sri Lanka a welfare state and will turn the poor into entrepreneurs. Speaking during a rally in Mawathagama, Mr. Premadasa said his new poverty alleviation programme is aimed at making the poor successful entrepreneurs.

No chance for last minute rigging; all state employees with us -AKD

Claiming that there is no chance for last minute election rigging as feared by some, NPP presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday all government employees who deal with election related duties such as police personnel, teachers and election department officials are supporting the National People’s Power (NPP) this time.

Excessive taxation will not increase state revenue as intended - Namal

Excessive taxation will not increase state revenue as intended nor will it mete out justice to the people, SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa said.

Jalani Premadasa receives salute from Air Force?

The present arms is a salute position where the rifle is brought up vertically in line with the body and is usually given to the Heads of State and Members of Parliament

Rice price hike unfair, say S&M rice mill owners

Small and Medium Scale Rice Mill Owners’ Association has accused the government and the Consumer Affairs Authority of failing to take action against large scale rice mill owners for increasing the prices of Nadu rice to Rs. 230 a kilo.

IUSF stages protest

A protest organized by the Inter-University Student’s Federation (IUSF) was held in front of the Fort Railway Station yesteday

Greenpeace South Asia calls on Presidential candidates to commit to the Global Ocean Treaty

Greenpeace South Asia is calling on all the Sri Lankan presidential candidates for their commitment to sign and ratify the Global Ocean Treaty once they come into office, in order to safeguard ocean biodiversity, support climate change mitigation and the future of the generations to follow.

Easter Sunday attacks: Pujith completes Rs.75Mn compensation payment

In compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgement former IGP Pujith Jayasundara has paid the remaining balance of compensation owed to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. The Supreme Court had ordered former IGP Pujith Jayasundara to pay Rs. 75 million as compensation for his failure to perform his statutory duties.

Prez challenges Anura to clarify revenue plan

President Ranil Wickremesinghe who participated in a rally in Gampola urged NPP candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake to state how he is planning to increase government revenue in order to fulfil his pledges.

Mango cultivation for export with modern technology training

Department of Agriculture has taken steps to promote mango cultivation as an export crop.

Three-year-old girl sexually abused

A three-and-a-half-year-old girl from Highland Estate in Bandarawela had been subjected to grave sexual abuse by a relative. Police said the suspect had taken the girl to a secret location under the pretext of buying toffees for her and caused grave sexual abuse. The 30-year-old suspect was a resident of Meethotamulla.

Schools closed on Sept 20 for election

The Education Ministry yesterday announced the closure of all schools on September 20 as requested by the Election Commission. The schools will reopen the following Monday. The decision was taken following a request from the Election Commission due to the Presidential Election to be held on Saturday (21).

Cop arrested for suspected narcotics dealing

A Police Constable attached to the Ipalogama Police was arrested on suspicion of dealing in narcotics.

Farmer trampled to death by wild elephant

A farmer had been trampled to death by a wild elephant in the Madayakalalanda area in the early hours of last morning. The victim Hewa Hakuruge Upul Priyanga, 40, was a resident of Perakum Mawatha in Madayamalalanda in Ambalanthota Police area.

Next SL govt should commit to accountability, justice, reconciliation- UN Human Rights Chief

With less than two weeks for the presidential elections Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the newly elected administration must commit to the concrete transformational changes needed to ensure accountability, justice and reconciliation.

Ranil pledges provincial development boards for the North and East

President Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged to set up provincial development boards to take charge of developments in the North and the East..

Sajith pledges a new constitution

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa pledged a new constitution without Executive presidency and where there is a system of appointing people to the top posts after stakeholder consultation.

AKD pledges pension scheme for private sector

The National People’s Power (NPP) has proposed to introduce a contributory pension scheme for private sector employees in a move to ensure a dignified and happy retired life, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.