General election on November 14

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued a Gazette Extraordinary dissolving Parliament tonight.

Anura Kumara to take oaths as president tomorrow

After the Election Commission announces the NPP presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the winner of the 2024 presidential election later today, Daily Mirror learns that Dissanayake will take oaths as the new president at a simple ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat tomorrow morning (23).

Anura Kumara likely to be sworn in as President later on Sunday: NPP

NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake could be sworn in as the new President later today if the final announcement declaring him as the winner is made by the Elections Commission on time, a party source told Daily Mirror.

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.

Presidential Election: Eleven rallies today

Around 11 election rallies are to be held before the campaign deadline for the Presidential Election which ends midnight today.

This could be the last democratic election in Sri Lanka-Patali

United Republican Front (URF) Leader MP Patali Champika Ranawaka who is backing Presidential Candidate and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa fears whether this will be the last democratic election that will be conducted in Sri Lanka.

SJB organizer assaults person who refused handbill

An individual who had refused a handbill distributed by the SJB to support Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa has been allegedly threatened and assaulted by Nawalapitiya SJB organiser Sasanga Sampath Sanjeewa.

Sri Lanka not out of the woods yet, says IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned that while Sri Lanka has made notable progress in its economic recovery, the nation is still vulnerable and must work to protect the hard-earned gains it has achieved so far, the President’s Media Division said.

SJB indulging in cheap politics: Ruwan

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is practising cheap politics by hurling a false allegation that there is a political deal between independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe and National People’s Power (NPP) Candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

Cabinet approves changes to Personal Income Tax

The Cabinet has approved changes to the Personal Income Tax (PIT) structure, which will take effect in April 2025, according to the President’s Media Division.

EC bars voters from carrying mobile phones into polling stations

Following the release of the image of a marked postal ballot paper to social media, the Election Commission has decided to bar voters from carrying their mobile phones inside polling stations at the presidential poll on September 21, an official said today.

Some 80 SLPP MPs to leave country due to RW’s actions: Mujibur

Around 80 SLPP MPs have booked tickets to leave the country because of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s action of promoting NPP candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake, SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said.

Minister Tiran Alles claims ’mafia’ operating behind passport queue

Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles accused a ’mafia’ of operating behind the recent long queues for passports at the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Elon Musk’s Starlink launch withheld till Presidential Election is over

Sri Lanka’s plan to set up operations of Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, has been withheld till the Presidential Election is over because of some clearance pending with the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, a top source said.

Ruwan predicts another Presidential election in two years if Ranil loses

Sri Lanka will have to go for another Presidential election in two years time if Ranil Wickremesinghe loses the Presidential election this month, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

UAE declares visa amnesty, Lankans urged to rectify residency status or return to Sri Lanka

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has launched a two-month amnesty scheme starting from September 1, 2024 which provides an opportunity for individuals to correct their visa status or return to their home countries without incurring fines or facing entry bans.

SLPP defectors form new alliance

A group of SLPP MPs together with several other parties today formed the Podujana Eksath Nidahas Peramuna (PENP) led by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

Anura will overcome Sajith this year and become opposition leader: Ranil

The National People’s Power (NPP) Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake will surpass Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa at this year’s presidential polls and become the main opposition leader later this year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe believes.

RW asks SJB, NPP to withdraw proposals on public sector salaries

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the National People’s Power (NPP) should retract the proposals in their policy statements regarding increasing the public servants’ salaries, as this task has already been accomplished, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Government behind the release of viral video clip, says Marikkar

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S. M. Marikkar today said that the viral video clip showing him having a discussion with President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been released by associates of the President himself.

Mujibur rule out RW and SP reconciliation

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman today ruled out a possible political marriage between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa before the Presidential election.

The other three candidates come with serious, troubled pasts, I do not-Namal

SLPP’s Presidential Candidate, Namal Rajapaksa said that the other three leading candidates - Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake came with serious, troubled pasts, but he was the only candidate who did not have any such allegations.

How to vote in 2024 Presidential Election

The Election Commission has released guidelines for voters on how they should cast their votes in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election scheduled for September 21, 2024.

India’s move to secure ties as presidential race heats up

Ahead of the presidential poll, in an apparent move to ensure that Indo-Lanka bilateral cooperation on national security is not compromised under a future government, visiting Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with four main presidential candidates - President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa, National People’s Power (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Not been informed of removal: Range Bandara

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said today that he has not been informed of his removal by the party leadership.

Range Bandara removed from UNP General Secretary post

The United National Party (UNP) is set to replace its General Secretary, Palitha Range Bandara, a top source said.

President vows to appoint committee to expedite laws against corruption

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he will appoint a committee to look into matters regarding the enactment of new laws against corruption.

Petition challenging RW’s eligibility for Presidential poll rejected

The Supreme Court rejected a petition challenging President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s eligibility to run in the Presidential election, which was based on claims of failure to appoint the Acting IGP and judges to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Complaint against AKD lodged with Bribery Commission

A complaint has been lodged against the Presidential candidate of the National People’s Power (NPP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over the possession of a house.