Distributing toddy to estate workers a serious breach of election law – Polls monitors

Distributing bottles of toddy to large groups of estate workers who attended political campaign rallies of two Presidential candidates in the upcountry recently would seriously breach the election law, independent polls monitors said.

RW invites SP, AKD for live discussion with IMF

President Ranil Wickremesinghe invited his rival candidates Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake for a live dicussion with IMF officials and see how they will react to ammendments they have proposed to the agreement which Sri Lanka has signed with the donor agency.

Two PHIs drown in Ethawatunu Wala

Two Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) drowned while bathing in the Ethawatunu Wala at Yagirala today, police said.

President meets Catholic Bishops’ Conference

President Ranil Wickremesinghe held a meeting with the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, and other key members, including Secretary General Don Anton Jayakody and the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo.

Colombo Aqua Fest at Lotus Tower

One of Sri Lanka’s biggest water sports championship, the ’Colombo Aqua Fest 2024’ was held today at the Colombo Lotus Tower, East Beira Lake. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

NPP government ready to bring in foreign investor to manage Sri Lanka Telecom: Anura Kumara

A National People’s Power (NPP) government is ready to bring in a foreign investor to manage Sri Lanka Telecom, NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Emergency situation declared in Israel for next 48 hours

Israel has declared an emergency for the next 48 hours amid the country’s escalating tensions with Lebanon, according to The Times of Israel.

President accepted challenge of leading bankrupt country without constitutional guidance

President Ranil Wickremesinghe accepted the challenge even when there is no reference in the Constitution as to what should be done when the country becomes bankrupt, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

SpaceX will return stranded astronauts next year

Two Nasa astronauts who have been stuck in space for over two months will return to Earth in February 2025 with SpaceX.

Indian Navy’s frontline Warship INS Mumbai to arrive in Colombo on three-day visit

Indian Navy’s frontline Warship INS Mumbai, will arrive Colombo on August 26, 2024 on a three-day visit, Indian High Commission in Colombo said.

Fuel train derails at Maradana; trains delayed

A fuel train bound from Galle to Maradana derailed at the Maradana Railway Station this morning affecting train services, the Railways Department said.

Every tax payer to get SMS on tax update under NPP government: Anura Kumara

A National People’s Power (NPP) government will collect reasonable tax in a transparent manner and every tax payer will be informed of the taxes paid and how it is utilised by the end of every year through an SMS, NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

D.S. Senanayake’s grandson Rukman Senanayake passes away

Grandson of Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake, UNP stalwart and former Cabinet Minister Rukman Senanayake passed away today at the age of 76, family sources said.

Giving lifeblood to people not a violation of human rights: President

Giving life blood and easing their suffering is not a violation of human rights, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Cardboard ballot boxes, instead of wooden boxes, this time

Only ballot boxes made of cardboard will be used at the presidential poll on September 21, instead of traditional wooden boxes, and the election authorities are currently in the process of making them, an official said.

45 Indian trawlers seized with 333 Indian fishermen within this year: Navy

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a total of 45 Indian trawlers and 333 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters so far in 2024 and handed them over to the authorities for legal proceedings.

Rest day returns as Sri Lanka announce schedule for New Zealand Test series

The schedule for Sri Lanka’s upcoming Test series has been confirmed, with the opening match set to be played across six days

India batter announces retirement from all cricket

India batter Shikhar Dhawan has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Saturday, 24 August.

Digambaram unmoved over brawl with MP Velu Kumar

Referring to his recent episode with MP Velu Kumar at a political talk show telecast over a private TV channel, MP P. Digambaram said he got annoyed with the former as he was making false allegations.

Campaign financing report must be submitted 21 days post-election: EC

All the presidential candidates are required to submit the campaign financing report outlining the income and expenditure within 21 days after the Presidential Election and in the event of a failure to do so, they will have to face legal action, Chairman of the Elections Commission Saman Sri Rathnayake said yesterday.

Stamp fair...

A stamp fair organized by the All Ceylon Philately and Numismatics Association was launched today (23) at the Philatelic Bureau premises and will continue until Sunday (25). Visitors will have the unique opportunity to purchase valuable stamps, including the world’s longest stamp, at the exhibition. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

15 MOH areas flagged as high-risk zones due to rise in dengue cases: NDCU

Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a rise in dengue cases, with the latest data from the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) indicating 35,118 cases reported up to the 33rd week of 2024, an increase from 30,575 cases recorded during the corresponding period of 2023.

LG poll possible only after presidential poll: Election Commission

Close on the heels of the Supreme Court’s direction to conduct elections to the local authorities as early as possible, the Election Commission said it would be possible only after the conclusion of the Presidential Election.

Dinesh Chandimal Injured

Sri Lanka’s middle-order batsman, Dinesh Chandimal, was injured while batting in the 2nd innings after receiving a nasty blow from Mark Wood’s thunderous delivery.

Transshipment volumes fall for third month as Colombo Port faces new competition

The transshipment volumes declined for the third straight month, bringing to a four-month low in July this year, as the Colombo Port started to see competition from the newly operationalised Adani’s Vizhinjam Port located in South India.

Credit Information Bureau expands credit report accessibility

The Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka (CRIB), the nation’s primary credit information authority, announced it is broadening the digital accessibility of credit scores and reports through strategic collaborations with banking and financial institutions.

Namal says being Mahinda’s son shouldn’t disqualify him from being a politician

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s Presidential Election candidate, Namal Rajapaksa, responded to nepotism allegations against the party, asserting that having a politician as a parent shouldn’t disqualify someone from pursuing a political career.

Will treat Sinhalese, Muslims, Tamils equally: Ranil

Whilst stating that he will treat all ethnic groups in the country equally if elected President next month, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told the people in the eastern city of Akkaraipattu to think of the nation when voting at the Presidential election.

Transport associations pledge support to President

Ten transport associations, including the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), have pledged their support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the 2024 Presidential election.

Gunman linked to ’Club Wasantha’ murder arrested

A suspected gunman allegedly involved in the recent murder of two individuals including businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera alias ‘Club Wasantha’ in the Athurugiriya area, has been apprehended in Dehiwala by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID).