Education State Minister vacates illegally occupied house after court order

The Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court yesterday (05) ordered that a house at the Henfold Estate in Lindula, which has been illegally occupied by State Minister of Education Aravindh Kumar since 1987 be handed over to the plantation authorities.

SLPP defectors form new alliance

A group of SLPP MPs together with several other parties yesterday formed the Podujana Eksath Nidahas Peramuna (PENP) led by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

NPP govt. to establish trade embassies in African region to find emerging markets: AKD

Claiming that the Sri Lankan market is too small for entrepreneurs and industrialists to survive in, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that an NPP government will establish trade embassies in the African region to find emerging markets there.

Presidential election is not about choosing teams: RW

In response to an allegation that he does not have a sound team to back him, independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe said a Presidential election is all about electing a person to lead the nation.

Fake postal voting results on social media: EC urged to quash

People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) urged the Election Commission to take steps to end the spread of fake postal voting results on social media.

Former Presidents would be removed from official residences

Member of the Executive Committee of Jathika Jana Balawegaya Samantha Vidyaratne said after Leader of the JJB Anura Kumara Dissanayake comes to power immediate steps would be taken to withdraw privileges granted by the government to former Presidents and their families.

A group of SLPP MPs to form new alliance

A group of SLPP MPs are to form a new alliance to contest future elections, Minister Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday.

N/E contribution towards development will increase under an SJB govt

The contribution of North and the East towards national development will increase under an SJB government, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said.

Election Commission slams salary hike as candidate promotion tactic

The Election Commission has criticized the government’s decision to increase public sector employee salaries, labeling it a clear tactic to promote a candidate.

CTU demands govt to issue circular on salary increases by Sep. 21

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) today demanded the government to release a circular before September 21 announcing the proposed salary increments of government employees, including teachers and principals.

Guidelines issued to Police for handling election-related SM violations

With the Presidential Election set for September 21, social media has become the primary platform for campaign activities and criticisms targeting candidates.

The other three candidates come with serious, troubled pasts, I do not-Namal

SLPP’s Presidential Candidate, Namal Rajapaksa said that the other three leading candidates - Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake came with serious, troubled pasts, but he was the only candidate who did not have any such allegations.

Differences brew in ITAK over decision to back Sajith Premadasa

Resentment brews within the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) over the decision by the party’s Central Committee to back Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa in the absence of some its leaders such as former MP Mavai Senathirajah and S. Sridharan. The Central Committee that met in Vavuniya on Sunday decided to back Mr. Premadasa while a section of the party insists on supporting common Tamil candidate P. Ar

Candidates who cross spending limit will lose civic rights: EC

The presidential candidates who are found to have spent more than the allowed amount per voter, which is Rs. 109, will face serious consequences, the Election Commission said.

Chinese special Unit joins CID in tackling online fraud involving Chinese nationals

In response to the surge in online financial fraud involving foreign nationals, including Chinese nationals, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has sought assistance from Chinese Special Criminal Investigation Unit officers for investigative support.

AI generated election related videos : Election Commission handicapped without tools

At the moment, the Commission does not encounter well organized misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting any specific candidate except for hate posts

India’s move to secure ties as presidential race heats up

Ahead of the presidential poll, in an apparent move to ensure that Indo-Lanka bilateral cooperation on national security is not compromised under a future government, visiting Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with four main presidential candidates - President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa, National People’s Power (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake

How to vote in 2024 Presidential Election

The Election Commission has released guidelines for voters on how they should cast their votes in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election scheduled for September 21, 2024. With more than three candidates in the race, voters will be allowed to choose their top three candidates in order of preference.

Former SL cricketer under probe over alleged misconduct towards female player in Australia

Daily Mail; Former Sri Lanka Test cricketer Dulip Samaraweera is facing a Cricket Australia probe amid allegations of serious misconduct towards a female player.

EU Election observation mission vows independent review

Says will come up with a report on electoral reforms

NPP to increase government employees’ salary every six months: Anura Kumara

Claiming that the promise to increase government employees’ salary by Rs. 25,000 is an utter lie, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday the National People’s Power (NPP) would provide government servants with salaries proportionate to the cost of living every six months.

‘One rank one pay’ system for police: Sajith

Highlighting his commitment to creating a respectable police service, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa announced yesterday that he would introduce a ‘One Rank One Pay’ system to address pay anomalies. Speaking during a rally in Nikaweratiya, Mr. Premadasa said the temporary special allowance currently given to the police by the present government would be continued under a future SJB government.

President pledges to initiate ‘Gen Z Dialogue’ to empower youth

President Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged to initiate a modern dialogue, which will be named the ‘Gen Z Dialogue,’ under which the ideologies of new generations will be used to guide the administration of the nation. “We will set up youth centres at the national, provincial, and district levels, and will entrust the responsibility of initiating the Gen Z Dialogue through the National Youth Council,” the President said while addressing the natio

Wild elephant killed, burned and buried; suspect arrested

A 47-year-old person was arrested on suspicion of killing a wild elephant and burning it in a pit, according to the Nikaweratiya Wildlife Office.

Man critically injured after liquor bottle shatters in fall

An individual under the influence of alcohol sustained serious injuries when he fell on a boulder, causing a bottle of liquor hidden in his waistband to break into pieces.

Congestion at passport office cleared up by yesterday

After days of long queues due to delays in passport issuance at the Immigration and Emigration Department in Battaramulla, the situation has drastically improved by yesterday, authorities said.

Transparency in JICA contract Special Committee finds BASL President at fault

The committee emphasised that Nawaratne, holding a position of trust, was obligated to ensure transparency in the contractual process

NCPA Chairperson warns of harmful media publicity in Thanamalwila rape case

Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and former Supreme Court Judge Kusala Weerawardene said the victim in the Thanamalwila rape case has been subjected to a serious predicament due to the publicity given to the incident. Addressing a seminar in Anuradhapura to raise awareness among media personnel on the reportage of child abuse, she pointed out that the schoolgirl involved has been placed under probation and is not allo

I will respond to allegations soon: Range Bandara

UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara yesterday said he will respond to all allegations made against him soon.

I have already started implementing my manifesto: RW

Whilst stating that he has already started to convert his election pledges into practice, incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said he had already begun a journey to create a corruption free nation.