Election monitors slam govt. over misuse of state resources

With the Presidential Election around the corner, the government has come under fire over the misuse of public funds, including the use of government properties for election campaigns.

Sri Lanka on alert amid global rise in Monkeypox cases: Allays immediate threat

In the wake of the recent global upsurge in monkeypox cases, Sri Lanka has ramped up its vigilance, according to local health authorities.

Migration, low fertility, ageing population- poses demographic challenges to Sri Lanka

Migration - along with low fertility rate and ageing population - adds another layer of complexity to Sri Lanka’s demographic crisis,an expert said.

Sri Lanka hit by atmospheric disturbance: Bad weather likely to affect election campaigning during the first week

The first week of campaigning of the Presidential Election is likely to be affected by adverse weather conditions as heavy showers are expected during the coming days due to atmospheric disturbances developing in the vicinity of Sri Lanka.

Don’t use National and Buddhist flags for Election propaganda –Polls Chief and Election Monitors

Commissioner of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake urged political parties and the public not to disrespect the national flag by using it for election campaigns.

Sri Lanka responds to Australian court’s verdict on diplomat’s domestic worker case

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka said that its attention has been drawn to the recent media reports regarding a judgement given by the Australian Federal Court in a case against the former Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canberra.

The Elephant still rules!

The Elephant may have been replaced by the Gas Cylinder in politics, but in real life the majestic Elephant still attracts the crowds.

Live births decline 20 per cent between pre-and post-pandemic era, deaths increase

The number of live births has dropped by 20 per cent between the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic period and the deaths increased by 30 per cent, an expert said

Vote on account before presidential poll or fully-fledged budget after- Govt. weighs options

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.

Sweet Deception: White sugar made brown

2,500 empty bags, stock of colouring, equipment and tools seized

Maithri abandons Wijeyadasa, says won’t support any candidate

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has withdrawn his support for presidential candidate Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as he announced yesterday that he will not stand for any candidate.

Peaceful wild elephant shot dead by police, sparking outrage

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.

Contract killing gone wrong Innocent farmer shot dead in mistaken identity

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.

PAFFREL complains to EC over Rs.25,000 pay hike for public servants

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.

Wide disparities in election spending limits Key candidates seek to spend Rs.1,000 a voter, lesser-known 50 cents

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.

Majestically caparisoned! Randoli Perahera begins

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.

India’s 78th Independence Day celebrated in Sri Lanka

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.

Presidential race begins...

Candidates contesting the forthcoming Presidential Election submitted their nomination papers yesterday morning at the Election Commission in Rajagiriya. A total of 39 out of the 40 candidates who placed their deposits submitted their nominations.

Presidential election: Ballot paper to be the longest if designed in single column format

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 .

Genocide allegation: Sri Lanka locks horns with Canada once again

Sri Lanka, once again, protested with the Canadian authorities over the plan to construct a ‘Tamil genocide monument’ in the area called Brampton in Canada, Daily Mirror learns.

Top contenders to receive enhanced security

Despite the presence of a large number of candidates in the Presidential Election, only the key contenders will receive enhanced security during their campaigns, based on threat assessments, a top official told the Daily Mirror.

Delayed appointment of IGP: Petition filed against President

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.

People’s Alliance, with its original chair symbol, revived to back President

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.

Thanamalawila Gang rape a violation of UN child rights convention

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.

Thanamalwila Gang rape: Principal , deputy principal, two teachers booked

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.

Tight security measures in place for nominations

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.

Sajith vows to forge his own path in politics, cites Lee Hsien Loong as an inspiration

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.

Alarming rise in child abuse cases, NCPA data reveals

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).

Rajitha pledges support to RW

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rajitha Senaratne who did a political somersault yesterday said he shifted sides and decided to support incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe because of his love for the nation.

I am not overly concerned about my security: Anura Kumara

Claiming that he was not overly concerned about his security, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday that anyone has the right to contest in elections and engage in election campaigns.