Political crossovers galore!

With the 2024 Presidential Election on the horizon, Sri Lankan political landscape is once again seeing a wave of crossovers as politicians jump ship in a desperate bid to stay afloat.

EC toughens up on candidates’ expenditure; calls for source of funds

The Election Commission has called for all the presidential candidates to provide the source of funds of how they will be funding their election campaigns and will also set a expenditure limit which each candidate can spend at the September 21 presidential poll, the Daily Mirror learns.

Visits to Sigiriya suspended

Entry into Sigiriya was suspended this afternoon by the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) after 70 local and foreign tourists were stung by wasps.

Deadline for Presidential Election cash deposits ends; 40 candidates

The window for placing cash deposits for the upcoming presidential election closed today at 12 noon.

Starlink given license to operate in Sri Lanka from August 12

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has issued a Telecommunications Service Provider License under Section 17B of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act No. 25 of 1991 as amended, to Starlink Lanka (Private) Limited for the provision of Satellite Broadband Services in Sri Lanka.

No room should be left for Bangladesh’s fate to befall Sri Lanka: Champika Ranawaka

United Republican Front (URF) leader MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said that no room should be left for the fate that befell Bangladesh to befall Sri Lanka, no matter what.

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.

The President told us not to worry’’ - Harin

Moments after the Supreme Court judgement determined that the decision to expel Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara from the SJB was legally valid, President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Harin and Manusha last morning and thanked the two for their support and requested them ’not to worry’.

Harin, Manusha lose Parliamentary seats

The Supreme Court, in two landmark judgments today, determined that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) decision to expel Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara from the party is legally valid.

SC affirms death sentence for Vaas Gunawardena and five others

The Supreme Court five-judge bench today decided to dismiss the appeal petitions filed by former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, and four police officers who challenged the Colombo High Court’s judgment to impose the death sentence and convict them of committing the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam.

’I have no competition,’ says President

In a discussion with heads and representatives of media institutions, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he has no competition as his focus is on advancing the country.

Namal Rajapaksa enters presidential race after Dhammika Perera pulls out

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organizer, Namal Rajapaksa will be named as the party’s Presidential candidate today morning following the convening of the SLPP politburo meeting, a senior source from the SLPP told Daily Mirror last evening. SLPP Founder Basil Rajapaksa confirmedto Daily Mirror that Namal will be named as the SLPP’S Presidential candidate today morning at 9 a.m. and his campaign will start immediately.

Senior citizens’ fixed deposit interest rates increased

The Cabinet has approved the proposal to raise the annual interest rates for senior citizens’ fixed deposits from 8.5% to 10%.

“No foreign country is funding me’’ “My visits to China and India were sponsored by those respective Governments” - Anura Kumara Dissanayake

National People’s Power Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) who is contesting the Presidential Election in September said in an ‘exclusive interview’ with Daily Mirror that if he wins the election, he didn’t intend to take political revenge on anyone, but would instead ensure justice is delivered regarding the corruption which has led to the economic downfall of Sri Lanka.

Election Commission refutes reports on voting at any polling station

The Election Commission categorically refuted media reports suggesting that voters will be able to cast their votes at any polling station at the upcoming Presidential election.

Bandula says he never accused RW of bond scam

Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena reiterated that he had never accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe of the Central Bank bond scam, for which the individuals appointed by him were responsible.

Intelligence services warn government on NPP’s tri-forces forum, overseas Sri Lankans a threat: Anura Kumara

The state intelligence services have warned the government in its recent report that overseas Sri Lankans and the Retired Tri-Forces Forum of the National People’s Power (NPP) have been the influential factors in the NPP’s victory, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

India seeks duty concession on cars, commercial vehicles, machinery in FTA with Sri Lanka

India is seeking customs duty concession on a number of goods including cars, commercial vehicles and machinery from Sri Lanka under a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA), talks for which are underway, an official said.

Presidential candidates double down on efforts to woo minor, minority parties

In the wake of declaration of the Presidential Elections, the main candidates, particularly President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa have doubled down on their efforts to woo various parties and individuals, particularly those representing the minority communities to strengthen their bids for presidency.

IMF urges revenue measures and spending cuts for 2025 budget

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), during its recent mission to Sri Lanka, said the 2025 budget needs to be underpinned by appropriate revenue measures and continued spending restraint.

President meets IMF team; discusses successful completion of 3rd review: Semasinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met IMF Mission Chief Peter Breuer and his team where they discussed matters involving the successful completion of the 3rd review which is crucial for the timely disbursement of the 4th tranche, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.

Dayasiri as SLFP General Secretary denies aligning with President

Hot on the heels of the Central Committee of the SLFP expressing support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the presidential election, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who claims to be the SLFP’s legitimate General Secretary categorically rejected the statement.

SLFP Central Committee expresses support for President: PMD

The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe a short while ago and expressed their unwavering support for his victory in the forthcoming presidential election, the President Media Division said.

Tussle begins to garner Parliamentarians’ support for Ranil Wickremesinghe

​Days after President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his candidacy in the September Presidential Election, 92 Parliamentarians, mostly from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) met Wickremesinghe last evening and pledged their support to him.

How will second, third preferences matter in case no candidate gets over 50%?

At every presidential election , it is a common phenomenon to see a dozen of candidates or more. Still the contest narrows down to two main candidates and the third one becomes a distant third as per the results of the previous elections.

SC decision cannot be overruled by PM or Speaker - BASL

The Supreme Court’s decisions cannot be overruled by any other forum, and neither the Prime Minister nor the Speaker have the ability to do so, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka announced today.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe officially announces candidacy

President Ranil Wickremesinghe officially announced his candidacy at the upcoming Presidential election during a rally in Galle today.

Four candidates submit deposits for Presidential Election today

Four candidates have officially submitted their cash deposits for the 2024 Presidential Election today (26).

Presidential Election on September 21, nomination on August 15

The Presidential Election would be conducted on Saturday, September 21, the Election Commission has officially proclaimed, putting an end to long speculations and debates.

Supreme Court prevents Deshabandu from functioning as IGP

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order restraining Deshabandu Tennakoon from functioning as the Inspector General of Police.