More than two-thirds of new parliament are first-timers

The new Parliament will see 160 fresh MPs who have been elected for the very first time as people have given the green light to only around 37 members who represented House from 2020 to return.

Sumanthiran who lost in Jaffna refuses nomination on National List

Former Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) MP for the Jaffna district M.A. Sumanthiran who lost his parliamentary seat has refused to be nominated on the National List.

ITAK nominates defeated Padmanathan through national list

Illankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) decided to nominate Dr. Padmanathan Sathiyalingam to Parliament thorugh the national list.

Travel restriction on Arugam Bay lifted due to reduced risks:US Embassy

Affirming that the travel restriction on Arugam Bay was rescinded due to reduced risks, a spokesperson for the U.S.embassy said it strongly values partnership with the Sri Lankan government and the law enforcement agencies whose collaboration had been essential to neutralize such threats and ensure safety of Sri Lankans and visitors from around the world .

Secrecy of ballot compromised by layout of polling stations – ANFREL raise concerns

Commending Sri Lankan voters for their commitment to democracy as demonstrated by their participation in the 2024 Parliamentary Elections, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) raised serious concerns about the secrecy of the ballot compromised by the layout of the polling stations.

SJB will survive tremors: Madduma Bandara

Whilst stating that the party can withstand any tremor or adverse situation, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday said it will go along with its present leader Sajith Premadasa and thus make a claim for the opposition leader’s post.

A clean sweep for NPP

In what appeared to be an election outcome with numerous firsts, the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) swept the polls securing more than two-thirds majority, an achievement considered impossible under the current electoral system of proportional representation so far.

Several senior ministers of previous government defeated

A number of long-standing MPs who served as ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers have been voted out by constituents at their respective electoral districts.

NPP’s attractive policies weaned people away from other parties: SJB

Whilst highlighting that attractive incentives offered by the National People’s Power (NPP) had led to the defeat of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), its General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara yesterday said electoral setbacks are a common phenomenon in Sri Lankan politics.

SLPP stand for values of its supporters:Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will uphold the values of its supporters and those who voted for the party, its National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa said yesterday.

49 parties, 282 independent groups in the fray, but only 13 of them secure parliamentary representation

Only 12 recognised political parties and one independent group out of the 49 parties and one independent group out of 282 independent groups that were in the fray have managed to obtain representation in Parliament as per the results of this year’s General Election, according to the data put out by the Government Information Department.

Thai woman smuggling Kush on election night stopped at BIA

A female Thai national who tried to enter the country through airport green channel with 22 kilos of Kush worth over Rs.186 million in baggage on the election night was intercepted by Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Will not misuse excessive power given by the people: NPP

Claiming that it is a huge challenge to keep the trust placed by the people on the National People’s Power (NPP), NPP member Tilvin Silva said yesterday the NPP government will make sure that the excessive power given to the NPP will not be misused and is committed to use it for the benefit of the people and to uphold democratic rights of the people.

Indian High Commissioner congratulates President on electoral victory

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and congratulated him on his party’s electoral victory at the General Election.

NPP heading for clear parliamentary majority

The National People’s Power ( NPP) led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is heading for a clear parliamentary majority according to results issued by the time this edition went to press last night .

Parliamentary election complaints reduced by 44 percent compared to Aug. 2020

The Parliamentary election related complaints have reduced by 44 per cent since the previous election which was held in August 2020. The Parliamentary election held in August 2020 reported 8,683 complaints whereas the parliamentary elections held in November 2024 reported 3,822 complaints.

Over 50 arrested on election day for violating laws, including two candidates

Over 50 individuals, including two candidates contesting in the General Election, have been arrested on election day for violating various election laws. Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that the candidates were arrested in the Kalpitiya and Vavuniya areas.

Police officer, two election officials die while on duty on election day

Three individuals, including a police officer and two election officials, have died suddenly while on duty during election day, November 14.

Ballot boxes are taken out to polling stations from the distribution centre at D.S. Senanayake College in Colombo.

Ballot boxes are taken out to polling stations from the distribution centre at D.S. Senanayake College in Colombo.

EC gets tough with filming polling-related activities

The Election Commission (EC) has advised the public to refrain from photographing or filming any polling-related activities and uploading such images or videos on social media.

Special Election Joint Disaster Operating Unit to respond to any emergency during polling day

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) and the Election Commission are implementing a special joint mechanism to manage disruptions during election week, the DMC announced yesterday.

Police, military on high alert for today’s General Election

As the country prepares for today’s general election, law enforcement authorities have mobilized a massive security operation to ensure a peaceful and orderly process.

Political controversy erupts over exam questions on NPP

Controversy surrounds the education authorities setting a mid-year test paper on General Knowledge with questions on the electoral performance of the National People’s Power (NPP) and its appointments as the governing party.

Selfies from trains ends in disaster

A Korean tourist who had attempted to take a selfie from a moving train ended in disaster.

Not paying tax arrears of Rs.8.5Bn: Five leading liquor manufacturers to face licence cancellation by Nov 30th

Five leading liquor manufacturers including W. M. Mendis and Co. Limited will face imminent risk of losing its liquor production licence, if an accumulated tax arrears of Rs.8.5 billion is not settled by November 30th, the Daily Mirror learns.

General Election: Number of seats won by parties to be announced by Friday, preferential votes by Saturday

With all arrangements set for the 2024 Parliamentary Election tomorrow, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake said the number of seats won by each party contesting the election will be announced by Friday, while preferential votes by Saturday.

Politicians and officials ordered to hand over firearms issued to them by December 30

The Ministry of Defence has issued a directive to former Members of Parliament, Members of Provincial Councils, political party leaders, and former government officials to return any firearms issued to them by the Police or Army.

Fresh CID probe into Easter Sunday attacks: Good but should not drag on - Catholic Church

Commenting on the move by the CID to carry out a probe on the information revealed by the Channel 4 documentary on the Easter Sunday attacks, the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka said it is a welcome move but stressed that it should not drag on.

Are we going to clean the dirt and create an L board Parliament? :Ranil

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe who wound up the New Democratic Front (NDF) campaign for the general election said the people of Sri Lanka should decide whether they want to sweep away the dirt and end up with an L board government and a Parliament.

Sri Lanka will receive IMF third tranche by end of February: President

Claiming that the debt restructuring process will be completed by December this year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed confidence that Sri Lanka will receive the third tranche under the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) by the end of January or early February next year.