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.

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.