No outsider will interfere in Sri Lanka polls this time: Basil

No international actor will try to interfere in Sri Lanka’s approaching presidential election said Basil Rajapaksa, chief strategist of his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidential bid.

Malaysian police detect financial transactions to activate LTTE

Malaysian police today disclosed financial transactions involving a huge sum of money had been carried out, believed to activate the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) group in the country.

Over 75 per cent voter turnout at Elpitiya PS polls

The voter turnout of the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election was recorded as over 75 per cent at the conclusion of the election, Galle District Returning Officer Somarathna Vidanapathirana said.

Sajith to cash in SF's war wisdom to combat terrorism

The UNF-led alliance will give highest possible responsibilities to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, its presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said addressing his maiden election rally in Colombo today.

Majority of UNFF members to support Sajith: Maithri

More than 80 per cent of local government members of the United National Freedom Front (UNFF) led by Uva Province Governor Maithri Gunarathne have expressed their solidarity with United National Front (UNF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa.

Grade-5 scholarship results released

The grade five scholarship examination results have been released a short while ago, Commissioner General of Examinations B. Sanath Pujitha said.

Cardinal asks for security, following fresh concerns

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had asked for security for catholic institutions to ensure the safety of devotees and others who come to such places following fresh concerns on the security.

CA dismisses petition against Gota

The three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda (President/CA), Arjuna Obeysekara and Mahinda Samayawardena today unanimously decided to dismiss the writ petition filed against former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship status after hearing all parties over almost four days of continued court proceedings at the Court of Appeal.

Petitioners' counsel apologises for naming fmr president as mister

At the onset of the today’s argument, Counsel Suren Fernando appearing for the petitioners addressed the court on the fact of citing former president Mahinda Rajapaksa in the petition as mister while in the same petition Minister Vajira Abeywardena is addressed as honourable.

Declare presidential poll gazette illegal; petition

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court today requesting to issue a writ order declaring the gazette notification to call for the presidential election was illegal.

Forced to pay Rs.549mn to Liverpool Navigation

Former Chairman of Lanka Sathosa, Kiran Atapattu yesterday told the Presidential Commission that Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and his public relations officer Abdullah pressurised him to make an illegal payment of Rs.549 million to Liverpool Navigation (Pvt) Limited in July 2015.

Allegedly threatening lift operator: IGP Pujith released

IGP Pujith Jayasundara, who was arrested this morning for allegedly threatening and intimidating a lift operator at the police headquarters in 2017, was released on bail by Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayaka this afternoon.

IGP Pujith Jayasundara arrested

IGP Pujith Jayasundara, who was sent on compulsory leave, was arrested by the CID today for allegedly threatening and intimidating a lift operator at the police headquarters in 2017.

UNF leaders formally agree to contest polls under swan symbol

The leaders of the political parties aligned with the United National Party (UNP) met yesterday with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and officially endorsed the decision to contest the presidential elections as a front, under the ‘swan’ symbol, Daily Mirror learns.

Sajith not a challenge: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said Minister Sajith Premadasa was not a challenge to them at the presidential election and asked how a person who could not even win the Tissamaharama electorate and Hambantota, could win the entire country.

Conduct UNP campaign in a disciplined manner: Ranil

In the wake of MP Hesha Vithnage’s statement that the SLPP’s presidential candidate will have to wear a jumper if UNP candidate Sajith Premadasa is elected president of this country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today instructed UNP seniors to make sure that the UNP campaign was carried out in a decent and disciplined manner.

UNP to nominate Sajith as candidate on conditions

There was general agreement among the seniors of the United National Party (UNP) to nominate Minister Sajith Premadasa as the presidential candidate but on certain conditions to be stipulated in writing, Daily Mirror learns. The UNP seniors backing both Party Leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mr.Premadasa met on Tuesday (24) to work out some arrangement to agree on candidacy.

Sirikotha ready to make announcement on Thursday

UNP headquarters Sirikotha is being prepared for the working committee meeting on Thursday, September 26 to select its presidential candidate.

SL Ambassador to China clarifies on Lotus Tower Project

Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku today issued a clarification regarding the Lotus Tower project allegations.

Sajith faction says no to abolishing executive presidency

The UNP group led by Minister Sajith Premadasa has informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that they are against any move to abolish the executive presidency before the presidential election is held.

Former DG of TRC Anusha Pelpita rejects President’s claim

Rejecting as baseless the claim made by President Maithripala Sirisena that the government had incurred a loss of Rs. 2 billion due to a Chinese company that had received the amount as advance payment being nonexistent by 2016, former Director-General of Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Anusha Pelpita said yesterday that no amount of money had been paid to ALIT, the Company that was mentioned by the President in his speech.

Lotus Tower declared open

The Lotus Tower, South Asia’s largest tower, was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago. USD 104 million has been spent for construction of the tower and eighty per cent of the cost has been funded by the EXIM Bank of China.

Sajith and UNF decide not to drag the issue

UNF leaders and UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa had decided to end the present deadlock on the nominee issue for the candidacy for the upcoming presidential election this week, Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader Mano Ganesan said today.

UNP disciplinary committee recommends to suspend Ajith, Sujeewa

The UNP disciplinary committee headed by Minister Tilak Marapana has recommended the suspension of party membership of ministers Sujeewa Senasinghe and Ajith P. Perera, Daily Mirror learns.

UNF to name Prez candidate next week

The UNF will announce its presidential candidate next week, Public Administration and Management Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.

Meeting between PM and Sajith tomorrow?

A meeting scheduled for tomorrow between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister Sajith Premadasa hangs in the balance due to tension between the two factions of their party.

I will contest no matter what : Sajith

“I will contest for the presidential elections no matter what. I will not take a step back even by a millimeter in this regard,” said UNP deputy leader Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa.

Picking up the right team essential to speed up development: Gota

Development and investment can be fast-tracked by picking the right team to deliver the promises of a new government, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate nominee Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday.

UNP Govt. will devolve more powers to PCs: PM

The United National Party (UNP) led alliance will seek a fresh mandate at the next parliamentary elections to devolve more powers to provincial councils, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Two killed, many fall sick in healing meeting

A 39-year-old woman and a 78-year-old man had died and 18 others were hospitalised due to illness during a spiritual healing program in Horowpathana, Anuradhapura, the police said.