People in the North will receive their lands within two years : PM

The lands which belong to the individuals in the North will be handed over to them within the first two years of the future administration led by New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, the government assured over the weekend.

Seven nabbed with 224kg of heroin during naval raid

Seven suspects believed to be fishermen were arrested by the navy in the seas off Galle with 224 kilos of heroin which has a street value of more than a staggering Rs. 2 billion, the navy said.

Security personnel will not be used as domestic servants : Sajith

National Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa said yesterday that he will not allow security personnel to be used by members of royal families as their domestic servants when he assumes office as president.

Will end poverty and gap between have and have-nots: Gota

SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday pledged to end poverty and the gap between the have and have-nots as stipulated in his manifesto if elected president.

No agreement with any political party in North: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the UNP led-alliance has not signed any covert or overt agreement with any party in the north.

ITAK throws its weight behind Sajith

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), the dominant party of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), decided today to support National Democratic Front’s presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, a party official said today.

New President should eliminate poverty: presidential candidate Liyanage

Whoever emerges as the new president, his priority should be to eliminate poverty and hunger, Sri Lanka Labour Party presidential candidate A.S.P. Liyanage said.

Chandrika split the party and I formed a new party: MR

’’I protected the Sri Lanka Freedom Party when Chandrika split the party and I formed a new political party. She should act wisely at this political situation,’’ said the Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

Allegations of police misconduct against LTTE detainees baseless: Malaysian IGP

Allegations of police misconduct against individuals detained on suspicion of involvement in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are baseless and irresponsible, Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said.

Election chief censors state TV ahead of polls

Election Commission has said it will censor the political coverage of a state-owned TV station after accusing it of bias against the former president’s brother, who is running in the country’s upcoming presidential election, the AFP reported.

US$40m OPEC Fund loan finances key highway in Sri Lanka

The OPEC Fund for International Development, OFID, has signed a US$40 million loan agreement with Sri Lanka to co-finance the rehabilitation of an 18 km section of the A017 highway in the southern region of the country, the Emirates News Agency reported.

Sajith writes to Gota on debate

New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said he had written to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa challenging to a presidential debate.

Sivajilingam quits TNA, TELO

Refusing to resign as the presidential candidate, former TNA parliamentarian and Northern Provincial Councilor M.K. Sivajilingam has decided to resign from the TNA and the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO).

Four faculties of Rajarata Uni. closed indefinitely

Four faculties of the Rajarata University have been closed indefinitely due to a viral fever that has spread among students.

10 Indian fishermen arrested in SL waters

Ten Indian fishermen along with two fishing trawlers were arrested by the Navy for poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters yesterday.

17 women among 100 arrested at an FB party in Dehiwala

A total of one hundred persons, including 17 females, were arrested during a raid on a party organised through Facebook at a beach hotel in Dehiwala last night, police said.

Three arrested for taking photograph of ballot papers

Three persons including two teachers were arrested for taking photographs of their postal voting ballot papers during the postal voting process yesterday, police said.

Police deny media report

Police Headquarters denied media reports that the election commission had asked the police to consider summoning the wife and son of former Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) Director Ravi Vidyalankara after the presidential election.

Poll Cards - Tomorrow is a special delivery day: DPMG

Tomorrow is a special delivery day for polling cards for those who have not received their cards by post, Deputy Postmaster General (Operations) D.A.R.K. Ranasinghe said.

Nugegoda flyover temporarily closed for renovations

Nugegoda flyover on the High-Level Road has been temporarily closed for traffic due to the ongoing renovation works, Police Media said.

Summon wife, son of ex FCID Director after polls: EC informs police

The Elections Commission has informed the Acting Police Chief to consider summoning the wife and son of former Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) Director Ravi Vidyalankara after the Presidential Election.

IMF approves disbursement of US$164M for SL

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Sixth Review of Sri Lanka’s economic performance under the programme supported by an extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and approved a disbursement of SDR 118.5 million (about US$164 million).

Mangala challenges MR: Show any clause detrimental to country in MCC

Referring to the statement made by opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa over his concerns regarding the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday challenged the opposition leader to show whether the content of the MCC was detrimental to the country.

I will decide who becomes PM: Sajith

New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said yesterday that it was he who would decide who the prime minister would be after he assumes office as the president next month.

We’ll continue the projects launched by the Govt: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday the Democratic National Front (DNF) was committed to carrying forward the development projects initiated by the government during the past five years.

I’ll be responsible for all communities: Gota

SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa said if elected president, he would hold himself responsible for all the communities in the country and not just a single community.

I’ll initiate Earth Science University: Sajith

New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said today he would initiate an earth science university under his government to teach subjects related to the environment, wildlife conservation and climate change.

Muslims are with Gotabaya today: Ali Sabry

‘The Rajapaksas are the most closest to the Muslims among the present lot of political leaders in the country and Muslims are equally with Gotabaya Rajapaksa today, Ali Sabry PC said.

FR seeks stay order on MCC, SOFA, ACSA with US

A fundamental rights petition was filed in the Supreme Court today seeking an order staying the signing of the MCC, SOFA and ACSA agreements with the US.

Veteran actress Chandra Kaluarachchi passes away

Veteran actress Chandra Kaluarachchi has passed away at the age of 76 at her residence this evening, Sri Lanka Singers Association (SLASA) President Janaka Wickramasinghe said.