Tally of polls-related complaints surpasses 1,000

A total of 127 fresh complaints related to the upcoming presidential election were received bringing the total number of complaints to the 1,000 mark.

Vote for wise, courageous leader: Catholic Bishops’ Conference

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka urged the voters to elect a wise and courageous leader who can bring about the long awaited system change and eradicate corruption and one who will introduce a new political culture.

Australians get ’right to disconnect’ after hours

A ’’right to disconnect’’ rule has come into effect in Australia, offering relief to people who feel forced to take calls or read messages from employers after they finish their day’s work.

Increasing demand for firecrackers during election time

The All Ceylon Fireworks Manufacturers Association (ACFMA) today claimed that there is a higher demand for fireworks in view of the 2024 Presidential election.

Nominations called for Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha elections

The Elections Commission has officially announced the timeline for the upcoming Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha elections.

Election manifesto of National People’s Power unveiled

Ahead of the upcoming presidential election, the presidential candidate of National People’s Power (NPP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake unveiled his election manifesto in Colombo a short while ago.

Times Education partners with Thai University in Industrial Tech

The College of Industrial Technology at KMUTNB and Times School of Higher Education sign MoU on academic cooperation, research, and student exchange.

Israel and Hezbollah exchange heavy fire in major escalation

Israel has said it carried out a wave of pre-emptive strikes across southern Lebanon to thwart a large-scale rocket and drone attack by Hezbollah.

Shortage of medicine restored, curruption at SPC remains: Dr. Bellana

Drastic changes have taken place in the health sector after appointing Dr. Maheepala Herath as Health Secretary and the number of patients receiving hospital care has increased, Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) president, Dr. Rukshan Bellana claimed.

Harin, Manusha in hot water if entitled vehicles used for election campaign

In the wake of controversies surrounding the recent appointment of Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara as Presidential Advisors by President Wickremesinghe, the Election Commission stated it is carefully monitoring whether the duo is abusing their privileges for election purposes.

Indian Navy’s frontline warship to arrive in Sri Lanka

Indian Navy’s frontline Warship INS Mumbai, will arrive in Colombo today on a three-day visit and it will be received ceremonially by the Sri Lanka Navy, a statement from the Indian High Commission said.

Election Commission gets tough on biased opinion polls on Presidential Candidates

Various institutions which purportedly conduct opinion polls and surveys, and publish results in a manner adversarial to some candidates and advantageous to others will come under scrutiny by the Election Commission, an official said yesterday.

Australia’s United Petroleum eyes US$ 30mn food venture in SL

Australia’s United Petroleum plans setup a food manufacturing venture in Sri Lanka with an investment of US$ 20-30 million to produce pies and other convenience food items under Australia’s iconic pie brand ‘Pie Face’.

Tourism on a tear as July income at US$ 328mn

Sri Lanka has earned a robust income of US$ 328.3 million from the tourism trade in July at a level nearly equal to what the country gets from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for six months for raising taxes of its people and corporations and perhaps on their properties and capital gains,

Trade groups urge industrial water tariff cuts

A coalition of Sri Lankan trade associations is urging authorities to reduce water tariffs for industrial users, citing the need to ease financial pressure on local industries.

Cybersecurity threat landscape constantly evolving: Kaspersky

The cybersecurity threat landscape is constantly evolving as new threat actors, technologies and threats emerge, creating an uncertain world for organisations and the public alike with potential pitfalls in even opening an email.

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.