Sajith’s manifesto pledges to digitalize the nation

The manifesto of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa has pledged to bring about vast digital transformation in the country, MPs of the party said yesterday.

54,000 policemen to ensure security during the presidential election period

Some 54,000 policeman are to be deployed for duty at this year’s presidential election, Senior DIG Elections, Community Police, Tourism Asanka Karawita told a media briefing yesterday.

Kites to fly high to generate electricity: Professor Jayaratne

The Physics Department at Colombo University plans to generate sufficient electricity for home use using kites, Astronomy and Space Science Unit, Colombo University Director, Professor Chandana Jayaratne said.

23 candidates haven’t held a meeting yet

In the wake of recent reports of three presidential candidates being untraced, the Election Commission said it was not a concern to them.

FAO warns of 10-12% agriculture yield drop without climate change remedies

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) projects a 10-12% yield reduction in agriculture if measures are not taken to mitigate issues related to climate change.

Gazette issued appointing Karunarathna Paranawithana as MP

The Election Commission has issued a gazette notification declaring the appointment of Karunarathna Paranawithana as a Member of Parliament to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Thalatha Athukorala.

Police Special Task Force celebrates 40th Anniversary on Sept 1st

The Police Special Task Force (STF) will celebrate its 40th Anniversary on Sunday, September 1st to mark its War Heroes Day in several special events to be held in Colombo and outstations.

Petition challenging Ranil’s eligibility for Presidential Election dismissed

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by a lawyer seeking an order to prevent President Ranil Wickremesinghe from contesting as a candidate in the Presidential election scheduled for September 21 has been dismissed by the Supreme Court with costs.

150th anniversary of Panadura wadaya commemorated...

The closing ceremony of the 150th anniversary of the Panadura Wadaya was held at the Kularatne Hall of the Ananda Vidyalaya, Colombo yesterday.

Drug trafficker arrested at airport

A suspect involved in drug trafficking and wanted for attempting to knockdown a police STF officer at a check point was taken into custody by Immigration and Emigration officers at Katunayake airport when he arrived from Dubai on Tuesday night (27).

5-6 people die in road crashes daily : Dr. Samitha Siritunga

Five or six people lose their lives to road accidents involving vehicles daily,” Consultant and Head of the Injury Prevention Directorate of Non- Communicable Disease, Dr. Samitha Siritunga said yesterday.

Restraining oder to prevent ASP leaving country

The Immigration and Emigration authorities at Mattala and Katunayaka International Airports were ordered to prevent former ASP Sanjeewa Mahanama , suspected of shooting at the official vehicle transporting former Parliamentarian Uddika Premaratne, from leaving the country again. The restraining order on the Immigration and Emigration Department was issued by Anuradhapura Addl. District Judge and Chief Magistrate Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya.

Man arrested with mobile phones valued at 7.5 MN

A consignment of 650 mobile phones smuggled into the country by sea was seized in transit and a suspect arrested by Norochcholai police at the Karamba Navy- Police check point in the early hours of last morning.

INS Mumbai to wrap up Colombo visit with Passage Exercise

The Indian Navy’s frontline warship, INS Mumbai, is set to depart Colombo today after engaging in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with a Sri Lankan Navy ship off the coast of Colombo.

Govt. allows ex-ministers to keep two firearms: Minister

The government, citing potential future unrest in the country, announced yesterday that a new policy has been implemented allowing parliamentarians to keep two firearms after they retire from ministerial roles. Addressing the media, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana explained that parliamentarians could purchase and retain these firearms after their term as MPs end. He made this statement in response to a journalist’s question abou

Arrested due to misunderstanding

The ambulance driver of Vavuniya General Hospital and a hospital employee had been arrested on misunderstanding that they attempted to abduct a lady doctor. Investigations revealed that the doctor, under the impression that they were taking her to a lonely spot had jumped out of the ambulance.

NPP manifesto will reduce state revenue by Rs 200 billion: President

Pledges made by National People’s Power (NPP) if implemented, will reduce annual state revenue by Rs 200 billion, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Fake opinion polls galore, voters should discern fact from fiction- Deshapriya

Former Chairman of the Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya said that the difference between genuine and fake opinion polls are difficult to distinguish and therefore voters should be cautious to discern fact from fiction.

Soaring temperatures: Medical experts warn of imminent rise in skin diseases

In light of the rising temperatures in the country, medical experts warn of an impending increase in skin diseases. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Specialist Dr. Deepal Perera noted that skin problems are becoming more common among children due to rising temperatures across the country.

Laws are now in place to root out corruption: President

Whilst highlighting that eradicating corruption during the Yahapalana government was a success to some extent while there were failures at the same time, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said over the weekend that laws are now in place to rectify the shortcomings.

Diplomatic cable claiming victory for AKD: Indian High Commission spokesperson debunks it

A spokesperson for the Indian High Commission in Colombo debunked a social media report in circulation that National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to win the elections, according to an Indian diplomatic cable.

Final rites of Rukman Senanayake

The funeral of veteran Sri Lankan politician Rukman Senanayake was held at the Borella Public Cemetery. He was the grandson of the nation’s first Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake. He passed away on Saturday at the age of 76.

Sajith pledges new poverty alleviation programme

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday pledged to come up with a new poverty alleviation programme under which each poor family will be granted Rs 20,000 for empowerment. Speaking during a rally in Seruvila, Mr. Premadasa said the new programme will comprise each and every positive feature of Janasaviya, Samurdhi and Aswesuma.

Two in five women have experienced physical, sexual and emotional violence by partner: UNFPA

Two in five (or 39.8%) women have experienced physical, sexual and emotional violence by a partner in their lifetime according to the Sri Lanka National Survey on Violence against Women conducted in 2019 by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).

Pack bulls haul loads in rural Badulla where modern transportation fails

In an era where the transport sector has made giant gallops in modernization, the residents of some villages in the Wiyaluwa electorate of the Badulla District, particularly those in Angoda, Kotikarawa, Ketakella, and Nagollagama, are enduring significant hardships due to the lack of basic infrastructure, especially in terms of road access.

Issuing passports further limited due to shortage of blank passports

The Department of Immigration and Emigration said that the issuing of passports will be further limited due to a shortage of blank passports.

Anura unveils election manifesto; pledges to abolish executive presidency, enact new constitution

While unveiling the election manifesto “Rich Country and a Beautiful Life” of the National People’s Power (NPP), NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday pledged to abolish the executive presidency, enact a new constitution, punish the corrupt, uphold the rule of law and put a stop to fraud, corruption and waste. Speaking at the ceremony to launch the manifesto,

Namal scoffs at election promise of Rs.25,000 salary hike

The government is bound to serve the interests of the people of this country, not only those of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential Candidate Namal Rajapaksa said.

Club Wasantha case: Suspects detained for 72 hours

The three suspects, including a gunman taken into custody on Friday (23) in connection with the murder of businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Club Wasantha and three others were to be produced in court today after being questioned under detention order for 72 hours.

RW invites SP, AKD for a live discussion with IMF

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday invited his rival candidates Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake for a live discussion with IMF officials and see how they will react to amendments they have proposed to the agreement which Sri Lanka has signed with the donor agency.