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).

Profood Propack & Agbiz 2024

The food industry exhibition, organized by the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) and Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS), is taking place at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition and Convention Centre, Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Over 800 polls-related complaints reported

A total of 836 complaints related to the upcoming Presidential election have been received by the Election Commission as of this evening.

Customs seize Rs. 212Mn worth Hashish sent from Italy

A large quantity of the cannabis variety Hashish worth over Rs. 212 million, which had been sent from Italy through a courier service, was seized by the Sri Lanka Customs today.

14 killed as Indian bus falls into river in Nepal

At least 14 people have died after a bus carrying passengers from India fell into a river in Nepal, officials have said.

'AERO BASH 2024' kicks off in Trincomalee

The ’’AERO BASH 2024’’ educational, technical, and trade exhibition commenced on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy China Bay.

Bangladeshi cricket star Shakib Al Hasan named in murder case

Bangladeshi cricket star and ousted lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan has landed in big trouble as a murder case has been filed against him in Dhaka, according to local media reports.

Anura Kumara demands Rs.2 Bn as damages from Hakeem

National People’s Power Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake has sent a letter of demand claiming Rs. 2 billion as damages from Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Parliamentarian Rauff Hakeem for allegedly making a defamatory statement in Kattankudi on August 19, 2024.

Anura must probe Ranil’s assets declaration as first task: Handunnetti

Claiming that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had declared his assets and liabilities in a decietful manner, NPP politburo member Sunil Handunnetti said today that Anura Kumara Dissanayake must investigate into Ranil Wickremesinghe’s assets and liabilities as the first task after assuming office as the President.

Ranil among lowest earning Presidential candidates: Assets declaration reveals

Assets and liabilities declared by Presidential candidates contesting the 2024 Presidential election revealed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is earning a monthly earnings of Rs.177,316, which is the lowest among the leading candidates.

Caution urged on imported scales and measuring equipment in local market

The Measurement Units, Standards & Services Department yesterday warned consumers to be cautious when purchasing scales and measuring instrument from the open market.

Angajan Ramanathan, Sarathi Dushmantha join Ranil

Senior Vice President of the SLFP, Angajan Ramanathan and former acting General Secretary of the SLFP, Sarathi Dushmantha officially pledged their support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential election, former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

Namal Rajapaksa calls for collective effort to build brighter future

While acknowledging past mistakes, SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa emphasised the need for a collective effort to build a better future for all.

Ruwan briefs visiting U.S. official

Senior advisor to President Ranil Wickremesinghe on climate change Ruwan Wijewardene, in his meeting with Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn and U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, briefed that Sri Lanka is grappling with issues such as medical wastes from neighbouring countries.

Water tariffs revision announced

A special gazette announcement was issued announcing the reduced water tariffs, effective from last night (August 21).