Discussions on General Election underway

Discussions about holding the next General Election have begun, with the Election Commission getting ready to organise the polls once the Parliament is dissolved.

Lakshman Nipunaarchchi to replace AKD in Parliament

NPP member Lakshman Nipunaarchchi who is next in the list after Anura Kumara Dissanayake will fill the vacancy in parliament, NPP executive member General Secretary Tilvin Silva said yesterday.

Presidential Election 2024 Sri Lanka decides today

Sri Lankans will go to the polls today to elect the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka to run the country for a period of five years. The presidential poll holds significance this time since it is the first election to be conducted after the country went through its worst-ever economic crisis since 2022.

Agreement in principle on commercial debt restructuring is a game changer: Economist

In reference to Sri Lanka agreeing in principle on the restructuring of commercial debts (ISB), Chairman of Advocata Institute Murtaza Jafferjee said it was a game changer on the path to debt sustainability.

Pre-election panic buying in country’s main vegetable market in Peliyagoda

Panic buying was reported at Manning Market in Peliyagoda yesterday during the eve of the presidential poll 2024 with people hurriedly buying stuff such as vegetables sufficient enough in anticipation of disruption to normalcy in the post-election period.

Electronic voting for Sri Lanka in future Russian Election Commission chief offers insights

Chairman of the Election Commission of Russia Shevchenko Evgenii who is part of an election monitoring mission in Sri Lanka offered insights on electronic voting to be adopted in Sri Lanka instead of paper ballots.

Archaeologists translate stone inscriptions from 1st century BC

An ancient lithic inscription found at the Dimbulagala Namal Pokuna is shedding new light on Sri Lanka’s socio-political and religious history during the pre-Christian era in the kingdom of Anuradhapura.

Grade 5 Scholarship answer scripts paper marking suspended due to ongoing investigations: Ministry

The scrutiny of answer scripts of the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination has been suspended due to ongoing investigations into the leak of the first paper in Anuradhapura, Education Ministry Secretary J.M.Thilaka Jayasundara said.

Unidentified pest harms coconut cultivation in Anuradhapura

Coconut cultivation in the Anuradhapura District has been affected by an unidentified pest, much to the anxiety of the coconut smallholders.

Sri Lanka’s path to economic growth through commercial diplomacy

Ambassador Laksitha Ratnayake, a career diplomat with 26 years’ experience compiled his book titled, “Foreign Policy and Commercial Diplomacy in the Economic Development of Sri Lanka (1948-2020).”

Fuonunr ed down in Kalubowila, Tangalle, Midigama and Nikaweratiya

Initial investigations have revealed that four shooting incidents reported in several areas of the country within a few hours are linked to underworld and personal disputes.

SJB says report on agreement on commercial creditors an act of influencing voters

Lawyers’ Collective member Shiyan Punchihewa, in a letter addressed to Chairman Election Commission Saman Ratnayake has informed that the report issued by the government on the agreement with external commercial creditors is an attempt to influence voters.

National Security Council discusses security for Presidential Election

The National Security Council, chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, held a meeting yesterday (19) at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss preparations for the 2024 Presidential election. According to the President’s Media Division (PMD),

SL Reform Organization makes complaint to EC

The Sri Lanka Reform Organization has made a complaint against an online media organization to the Election Commission. The complaint is with regard to the organization carrying an extract of a news item by an Indian Newspaper which quotes opinion polls favouring certain presidential candidates which the organization claims is in violation of the Presidential Election Act No 15 of 1981.

Sri lanka out of bankruptcy soon

Whilst revealing that the government has managed to strike a deal with the international sovereign bond (ISB) holders on debt restructuring, independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said Sri Lanka will be out of bankruptcy soon.

Ranil, AKD marriage will end on Sept. 21st

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa who wound up his campaign for the presidential election said the deal between Anura Dissanayake and Ranil Wickremesinghe will end on september 21st.

Will protect dignity of people who vote for NPP

Claiming that people, who voted to form governments so far, were humiliated by the rulers, National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday pledged to protect the dignity of the people who vote to bring in National People’s Power (NPP) government.

I do not make false promises, will not allow any child to starve

“I do not make empty promises, and I will ensure that no child in this country goes hungry. My focus is on making the right decisions to advance the nation, while guaranteeing that every citizen has access to adequate daily meals,” stated Namal Rajapaksa, the Presidential candidate, during the final election rally of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) in Mathugama yesterday.

Election Commission offers online access to polling cards

Ahead of the Presidential election, the Election Commission has launched an online system enabling voters to access their polling cards.

SL sees drop in polls-related complaints this time: EC

The Election Commission has announced a significant drop in the complaints related to the upcoming presidential election.

Booze during polls only for top star class tourists

Sale of alcoholic beverages during the election weekend has been prohibited by order of the Excise Chief, except for the tourists residing in top star class hotels and boutique villas countrywide, the department announced yesterday.

JVP - FSP clash shuts down Jayawardenepura University

The Sri Jayewardenepura University which was temporarily closed following a clash reportedly between two groups of students of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), is to be re-opened after the Presidential Election.

Muthiyangana Rajamaha Vihara tusker falls to death in abandoned pit

Muthiyangana Rajamaha Vihara tusker “Madhu” had fallen into an abandoned pit covered with a concrete slab in a home garden in Hasalaka in Mahiyangana and died on Thursday evening.

Controller General of Immigration and Emigration faces contempt charges over controversial visa deal

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an order to file a rule containing contempt of court charges against the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Ilukpitiya, for failing to implement the Court’s order, which had suspended a Cabinet decision granting approval related to online and expatriate visa operations in Sri Lanka.

Father assaulted, daughter abused, suspect arrested

An elderly man of Ekiriya in Madolsima Police area had been assaulted with a mammoty and his 15-year-old daughter sexually abused by an individual of the area.

China ready to expand ties with Sri Lanka under new Govt. after presidential polls

Says came forward to develop Hambantota Port after India, US declined to do it

Public buildings turned into campaign hubs: Schools and buildings misused- TISL

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) reported widespread misuse of public property including state-owned grounds, government offices, buildings, and schools.

Colonial injustice corrected, Henry Pedris pardoned after 109 years

Pedris was court-martialed and sentenced to death without the right to appeal

BASL President tenders resignation

President’s Counsel Kaushalya Nawaratne has resigned as President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) with immediate effect, sources said.

SJB indulging in cheap politics: Ruwan

Says country needs economic stability