The government weighs whether to move a vote an account to seek parliamentary approval to seek allocations to cover expenditure during the remainder of this year or to present a fully-fledged budget after, State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe said yesterday.
A tense atmosphere prevailed at Dampura in Damanayaya in Bakamuna on Thursday night (15) when the police shot dead a wild elephant, blind in one eye, frequenting the area and loved by the people since it had not hurt anyone. Wildlife officers said the jumbo had been shot dead with a T56 rifle.
A case of mistaken identity has led to the death of an innocent young man in Kawantissapura, Sri Pura, in the Anuradhapura District, the police said. The victim, K.D. Chandana, a 26-year-old paddy farmer, was shot dead by hired gunmen who were mistakenly targeting him instead of their intended victim.
The latest decision by the Cabinet to increase the salary of public sector employees by Rs.25, 000 from 2025 could have a serious influence on the free vote of the government workers in the Presidential Election, the independent observers have complained to the Election Commission.
A few key candidates, in their meetings with the Election Commission to decide on a ceiling on campaign financing, have sought to spend as much as Rs.1,000 for a voter according to the new law whereas some others have quoted as low as 50 cents, a source said.
The first Randoli procession in Kandy Esala perahera 2024 paraded the streets of Kandy on Thursday night. Maligawa tusker Indi Raja flanked by tuskers Miyan Raja and Kotte Raja, carried the casket of Sacred Relics. The procession set off from Sri Dalada Maligawa at the auspicious hour of 6.45 pm. The crowd of spectators of the grand cultural pageant had increased when compared to the previous days.
The 78th Independence Day of India was celebrated in different parts of Sri Lanka on Thursday, August 15, 2024. The main event in Colombo was held at the India House, where High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha hoisted India’s National Flag and inspected the Guard of Honour.
With as many as 39 candidates in the presidential race , ballot paper is expected to be the longest ever with 27 inches in length and five inches in width if it is designed in a single column format, a source said .
A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking a declaration that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has violated and infringed upon the fundamental rights of citizens by failing to appoint an Acting Inspector General of Police.
Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led People’s Alliance (PA) which came into being in 1993 under the leadership of late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has been revived by a group of MPs under the leadership of MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.
The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus released a statement yesterday condemning the brutal teen gang-rape of a sixteen-year-old girl child in Thanamalwila and subsequent alleged harassment by a Judicial Medical Officer in Hambantota.
The principal , the deputy principal and two lady teachers of Thanamalwila National School who had been arrested on Tuesday (13) in connection with the alleged rape of a schoolgirl by 22 school boys were produced before Wellawaya Magistrate and Additional District Judge Chatura A Disanayake and released on personal bail in Rs.200,000 each. The four suspects were ordered to appear in court on August 22.
At least 1,000 police officers, including members of the Special Task Force, will be deployed around the Election Commission and surrounding areas on Thursday (15) to maintain security and law and order during the Presidential Election nomination submissions.
Whilst stressing that he does not intend to use his late father’s image as a cover when going on his political journey, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday said he does follow Late Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s son Lee Hsien Loong who became the premier through his own ability.
Child abuse cases have increased by 38 per cent with 4,380 complaints received during the first half of this year compared to 31,172 cases reported during the corresponding period of last year, according to the statistics from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).
As the date to accept nominations approaches, many individuals are rushing to have their names on the ballot paper at the upcoming Presidential Election. With 36 candidates placing their security deposits as of August 12, election observers opine that having more candidates is a waste of public money. As in the past, many proxy candidates have once again entered the Presidential race and concerns galore in terms of perks entitled to a Presidentia
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has made arrangements to implement a special programme to ensure peoples right to vote in case of any emergency situation that may occur during this presidential election period. September 21 is the scheduled date for the Presidential election.
Media Spokesman for Tamil National Alliance(TNA) Jaffna District MP M.A.Sumanthiran said they would consider the possibility of supporting the candidate who would accept the policy of devolution of powers, which was the major demand of the Tamil community in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
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