ITAK reaffirms support to Sajith at Presidential election

The Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has reiterated its support to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming 2024 Presidential election.

EC bars voters from carrying mobile phones into polling stations

Following the release of the image of a marked postal ballot paper to social media, the Election Commission has decided to bar voters from carrying their mobile phones inside polling stations at the presidential poll on September 21, an official said today.

J’pura university temporarily closed

The University of Sri Jayawardenepura will be temporarily closed from 6:00 p.m. today due to a clash between two groups.

Young man arrested after dodging checkpoints at airport

A young man who managed to pass all security checkpoints at the Katunayake International Airport and attempted to surreptitiously board a Chennai-bound flight early today was arrested by the airport police.

Vietnam death toll climbs to 197 as typhoon’s aftermath brings flash floods and landslides

Nearly 200 people have died in Vietnam in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi and more than 125 are missing as flash floods and landslides take their toll, state media reported Thursday.

Seven Syrian passengers arrested while attempting to fly to Rome

A group of seven Syrians in two families who attempted to fly to Rome in Italy on forged passports of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was arrested last morning by the Immigration and Emigration officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Child abuse cases escalating in Anuradhapura

Child Protection Authorities in Anuradhapura district expressed concern over the escalation of child abuse in the district.

ADB approves USD 100 million for Sri Lanka’s water sector reforms

The Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry welcomed the approval of a USD 100 million policy-based loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support transformative reforms in Sri Lanka’s water supply and sanitation sector.

President inaugurates “Times School of Higher Education”

President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the inauguration of the “Times School of Higher Education,” a new institution established in collaboration with three international universities.

Minister Tiran Alles says he holds 10-year visa to live in any country

Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles said he holds a visa allowing him to live in any country for ten years, and that he does not need to obtain a visa to leave the country after the Presidential election.

Opening of Maho-Anuradhapura railway line cancelled indefinitely

The opening of the railway line from Maho to Anuradhapura today was cancelled due to officials in charge of the project reporting that it has not been completed yet, the Railways Department said.

Pope Francis urges fair wages for migrant workers

Pope Francis on Thursday urged political leaders in Singapore, a leading global financial hub, to seek fair wages for the country’s million-plus lower-paid foreign workers.

Election Commission voices concerns over recent Cabinet decisions

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has expressed serious concerns over recent decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers, some of which are perceived as clear endorsements of a candidate.

Australia plans a minimum age limit for social media use

Australia intends to set a minimum age limit for children to use social media, citing concerns about mental and physical health. The plan has sparked backlash from digital rights advocates who warn the measure could drive dangerous online activity underground.

Military Intelligence Chief files complaint against YouTuber over hate speech

Director of Military Intelligence Brigadier Chandika Mahathanthila has filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against a YouTuber who allegedly made a hate speech claiming that there is a plan to create unrest in the country before the upcoming Presidential election.

Former Peruvian leader Alberto Fujimori dies at 86

Peru’s former President Alberto Fujimori, who was convicted of human rights abuses and corruption, has died aged 86, his daughter has confirmed.

UK declines to speculate on potential sanctions against some individuals in SL over war crimes

Britain has declined to speculate about future sanctions against individuals in Sri Lanka accused of war crimes claiming it could reduce their impact.

Presidential Poll: Indelible ink pens dispatched to district authorities

The election authorities have already dispatched indelible ink pens to district authorities to be used in marking fingers of voters when casting ballots on September 21, an official said.

Price of Essential Food Items Tripled Since 2022- Dr. Chandrasiri

Director of Socio- Economics and Planning at the Department of Agriculture, Dr. Chamila Chandrasiri said there has been a threefold hike in prices of essential food items since 2022.

Plans underway to keep security beefed up post Presidential election

Plans are underway to keep security beefed up islandwide following the post-election period in order to maintain law and order and uphold democracy, the Daily Mirror learns.

Private sector employees minimum basic salary Rs. 21,000

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday signed the Bill passed in Parliament, making the minimum basic salary for private sector employees Rs. 21,000.

SL’s solar PV sector, driven by rooftop solar sector, on path to meet 2030 climate commitment: Expert

Sri Lanka’s solar PV sector, driven by the rooftop solar sector, is on the path to meet the 2030 climate commitments, where the country aims to meet 75 percent of the energy requirement from the renewable energy sector, according to an expert.

Tour operators face cancellations as visa issues remain unresolved

Sri Lanka’s tour operators are witnessing a spike in cancellations, as the ongoing visa delays frustrate tourists and this is threatening the country’s tourism recovery.

Gotabaya’s government funded efforts to end fuel queues, power cuts before he stepped down: Namal

Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government had provided sufficient funds and measures to end the fuel and gas queues and stop power interruptions before Gotabaya stepped down as president, presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa said today during his election campaign in Avissawella.

Sri Lanka Tourism opens bidding for destination management partner

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has launched a bidding process to select a destination management company (DMC) for 2024/2025, to oversee familiarisation tours aimed at promoting Sri Lanka as a leading tourist destination.

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.

Customs thwart air passenger smuggling Rs. 5.1Mn worth cigarettes

An attempt to smuggle in illegal cigarettes worth over Rs.5.1 million by an inbound passenger was thwarted by the Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

Opposition camp could resort to violent incidents pretending as NPPers: Tilvin

The National People’s Power (NPP) said today they have a doubt that the opposition camp could create violent incidents after the deadline for propaganda activities on September 18 employing their conspirators pretending as NPPers.

CID questions former Army Major over alleged threat during NPP rally

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has recorded a statement from a former Major of the Sri Lanka Army for allegedly making a threatening statement towards supporters and members of other political parties in a video posted on social media.

Ethnicity, religion won't shape Presidential election

President Ranil Wickremesinghe who participated in an election rally in Sainda-Marudu today said that ethnicity and religion has nothing to do with the Presidential election. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana