What’s in store for a Presidential candidate?

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

36 presidential candidates now in the running

A total of 36 presidential candidates placed cash deposits for the upcoming Presidential Election up to yesterday.

Special disaster management programme during election period

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.

Over 50 drugs fail quality tests in 2024

A total of 51 drugs have failed quality tests so far in 2024 recording the highest number of quality failures of drugs in a year, according to the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry.

Gang rape of Thanamalwila school girl: Principal, three teachers arrested

Four suspects including a principal were arrested in connection with the rape of a 16- year- old girl by 22 schoolboys in Thanamalwila, Police said.

Presidential Election: New alliances, crossovers, strategic realignments on the cards

New alliances, crossovers and strategic realignments appear to be taking centre stage ahead of the nomination period of the Presidential Election.

20 MPs fail to submit asset declarations

At least 20 Members of Parliament have failed to submit their asset and liability statements, according to informed sources.

TNA will consider supporting candidate committed for devolution

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.

A jumbo rescue operation

A wild elephant that fell into an unprotected well in a Chena cultivation was saved yesterday by a team of officers from Galkiriyagama Wildlife Range Office and Vijithapura Wildlife Beat Office.

Teenage pregnancies on the rise in Sri Lanka: NCPA

Sri Lanka is witnessing a rise in teenage pregnancy and sexual abuse, with 28 cases reported during the first half of this year, according to the latest data from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).

Gang raping 16-year-old girl: 17 out of 22 boys arrested

Thanamalwila police on Sunday evening arrested 17 out of 22 schoolboys in connection with the alleged rape of a 16-year-old schoolgirl, and the mother of one of the boys for aiding and abetting the crime. Police said the JMO’s report is required to produce the suspects in court, but the JMO Hambantota Hospital had refused to examine them in view of the victim’s complaint to Hambantota Police. In this circumstance, the police had taken st

Two schoolboys arrested for circulating doctored nude image of teacher

The face of a young lady teacher’s photo had been grafted to a nude woman’s photo and released to social media by two 14-year-old schoolboys in a leading school in Matale, the police said.

Will Presidential Election budget of Rs 10Bn be exceeded?

The Election Commission is striving to conduct the upcoming Presidential Election within the allocated budget of Rs 10 billion, despite the number of candidates having now reached 30, said Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Ratnayake said, “It’s premature to predict whether the allocated funds will be exceeded. However, if the funds are not adequate, we will be compelled to request additional funds.”

Sri Lanka permits 12 foreign vessels this year despite research vessel ban; No Chinese ships docked

Sri Lanka has granted security clearance for at least 12 foreign vessels to dock at its ports this year, despite imposing restrictions on foreign vessels, the Daily Mirror learns. Starting January 1, 2024, Sri Lanka imposed a one-year moratorium on foreign research vessels docking in the country due to security concerns from India and the US, particularly related to frequent docking requests from advanced Chinese surveillance vessels.

SriLankan Airlines: next plan to take wings after Presidential Election

The government has put off its plans to find an alternate strategy to develop the cash strapped national career ‘SriLankan Airlines’ till the Presidential Election is over, an official said.

16-year-old girl allegedly raped by 22 schoolboys

Police began probe on a case where a 16- year- old girl in Thanamalwila had been raped by 22 schoolboys.

Let’s protect our majestic elephants

A young woman and a child sits on an elephant which is being bathed in the Ma Oya tank, Pinnawala Orphanage on the eve of World Elephant Day.

I gave up my original plan to bow out of politics: Sudarshini Fernandopulle

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)’s Gampaha District MP Sudarshini Fernandopulle yesterday said she had changed her original plan to give up politics and decided to support Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa at the coming presidential election.

Will Maithripala withdraw support to Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe?

Former President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have threatened to withdraw support to Mr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the presidential candidate.

Roshan Ranasinghe too enters the fray

Former Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe officially announced his candidacy for the presidential election last evening.

Heavy security to ensure law and order on nomination day

Special Task Force (STF) personnel are to be deployed to ensure security at the Election Commission and surrounding areas to maintain order when submissions of nominations will take place for the presidential election.

Majority of candidates enter Prez poll for petty personal gains – independent monitors

Majority of contestants who enter the Presidential Election fray do so to seek petty and personal gains such as to become famous, to support another candidate or to apply for political asylum. Scores of candidates were not even eligible to reclaim their cash deposits since 1982, an independent monitoring body opined yesterday.

EU and Commonwealth election monitors for presidential poll

European Union and Commonwealth election observers have been authorised to monitor the upcoming presidential election, the Election Commission said yesterday.

The President told us not to worry; I said Manusha and I are leaving with our “heads held high” - Harin

Despite their expulsion, both Harin and Manusha pledge to continue supporting President

Note

We were summoned before the Parliamentary Privilege Committee on July 25, on an article published on February 28, 2024, under the heading ‘SLPP Parliamentarian Accused of Land Grab in Kalpitiya’ which requested us to publish an apology immediately.

Presidential Election No more lavish spending by candidates, Rs.20 per voter or more, final decision after nominations

Presidential candidates will be barred from lavish spending for the September 21 Presidential Election because the Elections Commission is slated to introduce a ceiling on their campaign spending on each voter, according to a new law enacted this time, an official said

Graphic of the day

Graphic of the day

Replacements for Harin and Manusha only after Presidential election

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided not to appoint new MPs for the moment in place of Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara who lost their seats following their expulsion from the SJB which was upheld by the Supreme Court yesterday.

Rare disease grips Anuradhapura, fatal if untreated

The most number of Leishmaniasis patients in the country have been reported from the Anuradhapura District, a medical expert said.

SF’s operation to woo some NPPers fails, decides to contest independently

Whilst revealing that an initial discussion he had with a group of National People’s Power (NPP) members had failed due to policy differences, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday said he will contest the Presidential Election as an independent candidate.