Porsche vehicle given to me originally imported ten years ago: Rosy

The Porsche vehicle, which was given to her during her tenure as Presidential Advisor, was originally imported ten years ago, Rosy Senanayake, Adviser to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

President appoints two senior economic advisors on honorary basis

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed the Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Duminda Hulangamuwa and Prof. Anil Fernando of the Sri Jayawardenapura University as Senior Advisors for Economic Affairs and Finance on honorary basis.

Only one independent candidate declared expenses thus far, No major party stated yet: EC

Only a single independent candidate of the Presidential Poll 2024 has declared his campaign finances, whereas no major party had stated their election expenses by the end of September, having nine of 21 days of the grace period to declare expenses had lapsed by yesterday, the Daily Mirror learns.

Planned cuts to former presidents’ perks face legal hurdles

The government has initiated action to review the benefits of former Presidents to be pruned according to a criterion since some curtailments require legal amendments to be enacted by the next Parliament, a top source said.

Police officers assigned to former MPs recalled

All police security personnel assigned to former Parliamentarians and Ministers have been recalled, police said.

Japan to resume 11 stalled projects in Sri Lanka

The Japanese government has pledged to resume the construction of 11 stalled projects in Sri Lanka and has promised full support for the new government’s development programme, the President Media Division (PMD) said.

World Bank pledges support to President Anura Dissanayake

The World Bank Group has expressed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and development.

Confident ties with B’desh, Sri Lanka will endure: Jaishankar

India does not seek to control every political move of neighbours, and does not expect that the political dynamics within neighbouring countries will adhere to what India may think is desirable, but Delhi is confident that fundamental realities of interdependence will ensure that relationships with neighbours remains constructive and positive, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said.

EC seeks Rs. 11 billion for general election

The sudden declaration of the general election has prompted the Election Commission to put off of the conduct of the local authorities’ election further.

UNP, SJB Talks ongoing despite obstacles

Despite SJB leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday saying that his party will not enter into an alliance with the UNP to contest the General Election, Daily Mirror learns that the talks are still ongoing to make a final decision.

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.