Presidential candidates summoned to Election Commission

The Election Commission has scheduled a discussion today (09) with the presidential candidates and their representatives.

Investigation launched over wedding pre-shoot in Sri Dalada Maligawa

Kandy police have launched an investigation into a pre-wedding photoshoot involving actor Devnaka Porage and musical artist Hashini Wedanda at the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

Former Minister’s daughter arrested in Akuressa for possession of ammunition

A 44-year-old woman, the daughter of late Provincial Minister P.B. Dissanayake, was arrested in Galenbindunuwewa, Akuressa, after 28 rounds of live ammunition were discovered at her residence.

Ferry service between Nagapattinam and Sri Lanka increased

The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka will add an extra weekly sailing.

Travelling History Museum in Mannar

The Travelling History Museum is currently underway at the Mannar Town Hall till September 11. The museum explores historical narratives in Mannar and its people affected by the civil war, recollection of memories, history through stamps, significance of Mannar, exploring various cuisine, similarities between Tamil and Sinhala letters among other important features. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

AKD proposes contributory pension scheme for private sector employees

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.

EC issues guidelines on door-to-door election campaigning

The Election Commission (EC) has issued guidelines on door-to-door election canvassing for the upcoming Presidential election.

Elon Musk on track to be the first trillionaire by 2027

Elon Musk is on track to become the world’s first trillionaire by 2027, according to a new global wealth report.

Namal pledges to transform Jaffna into a technology and business hub

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa has pledged to transform the Jaffna Peninsula into a thriving technology and business hub, positioning it as Sri Lanka’s version of Silicon Valley.

Forty-eight killed in Nigeria fuel tanker crash

At least 48 people have been killed in the central Nigerian state of Niger after a fuel tanker collided with a lorry carrying passengers and cattle, the country’s disaster agency said.

Showers enhance from today

The prevailing showery condition over the south-western parts of the country is expected to enhance to some extent during the next few days from today (9).

Joe Biden took 532 days off during his presidency, claims republican report

US President Joe Biden has reportedly spent approximately 40 percent of his presidency away from the White House, according to a report from RNC Research, a Republican platform on Sunday. The report alleges that Biden has taken 532 vacation days during his less than four years in office.

New virus discovered in China that can affect brain

A new virus, dubbed wetland virus (WELV), has been discovered in China that can spread to humans through tick bites, causing neurological disease in some cases, according to media reports.

Namal’s Economic policies - The good, the bad, the ugly

Namal Rajapakse’s (NR) English manifesto, spanning 11,809 words, appears to have been hastily prepared. It is poorly conceived, riddled with inconsistencies, lacking in specifics and heavily relies on invoking the legacy of his father, Mahinda Rajapakse (MR).

Visa issues jeopardise Sri Lanka’s tourism: Industry cautions

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is at risk of a winter season collapse due to delays in reactivating the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, stakeholders warned this week.

JAAF calls for urgent action on business visa issue

The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) joined the bandwagon in urging the government to immediately resolve the ongoing challenges related to the issuance of short term business visas, which have been halted since August 2.

Central Bank relaxes mandatory export conversion period

The Central Bank has relaxed the mandatory export conversion period in the latest exports proceeds conversion rule which came into effect from 4 November.

Tourism generates US$ 282mn in August

Earnings from tourism have climbed in August and so were the arrivals, although not quite up to the level targeted by authorities.

Will question AKD at all rallies till he answers my question: Ranil

He will question National Peoples Power (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake at all rallies till he responds, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Wide range of goods in exhibit

Aluth Pola, a pop-up fundraiser organized by Justice for Animals Sri Lanka, held an exhibition featuring a wide range of goods, including handcrafted jewelry, second-hand books, home-cooked meals, artisanal bread, sweets, drinks and more.

Thalatha pledges support to Ranil

Former SJB MP Thalatha Athukorala was in attendance at President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s rally in Welimada, seemingly pleadging her support to him at the upcoming Presidential election.

RW acting as Anura’s general secretary: Sajith

President Ranil Wickremesinghe acts as if he is the General Secretary of the National People’s Power (NPP) and both seem to have got into a political deal.

Ranil must apologise to northern people for inciting racism: AKD responds to Ranil

President Ranil Wickremesinghe must apologise to the northern people for inciting racism during a rally in Jaffna, instead of challenging him to apologise to the northern people, NPP Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

’I don’t think Anura Kumara made any racist statement’: Sumanthiran

TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran, who defended NPP Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake over a controversial statement he is said to have made in the north, said he never thinks that Dissanayake uttered those words with a view to expressing any racist feelings.

President calls for Anura Kumara to apologize to Tamil people of North

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called on NPP Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to apologize to the Tamil people of the North following controversial remarks made during his recent visit to Jaffna.

Cess on imported cement reduced by Rs. 1

The government has reduced the cess on imported cement, the Ministry of Finance said.

Ranil Wickremesinghe’s campaign office vandalised in Akuressa

An election office for Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe in Akuressa was damaged last night, UNP Working Committee Member and UNP Akuressa Organiser Dinouk Colombage said.

Indian businessman arrested at BIA with Rs. 30M in gold

A 29-year-old Indian national was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials at the Katunayake Airport while attempting to smuggle gold biscuits worth approximately Rs. 30 million.

Ranil at Jaffna rally

President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended an election rally in Jaffna, urging voters in the North to cast their votes freely and without undue influence. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Postal Department aims to complete polling card delivery by mid-September

The Postal Department said that around three million official polling cards for the upcoming 2024 Presidential election have been distributed nationwide so far.