58,000 postal vote applications rejected: EC

A total of 58,000 applications for postal voting forwarded for the presidential election had been rejected, the Elections Commission said.

Sajin Vass Gunawardena wants SLFPers to back Sajith

One of the strongmen and confidantes of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime and former Mihin Lanka Chief Executive Officer Sajin Vaas Gunawardena called on the members and the supporters of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to work towards the victory of New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Sajith Premadasa at the presidential election.

President leaves for Japan to attend coronation ceremony

President Maithripala Sirisena left for Japan this morning to attend the coronation ceremony of the Japanese Emperor Naruhitho, which is to be held tomorrow (22).

Utilise resources in an impartial & transparent manner-SL to UN

Asserting that despite many domestic priorities Sri Lanka has discharged its obligations in paying its assessments to date, the Sri Lanka delegation to the UNGA this week called on the United Nations Secretariat to utilise the available resources received from the member states in a more effective, impartial and transparent manner, at a time when the organisation is battling its worst financial crisis.

Welgama’s house burgled

United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Kalutara District parliamentarian Kumara Welgama’s house at Kaluwamodara in Aluthgama has been burgled yesterday, Aluthgama police said.

Upcoming election would be ’Mother of all elections’: Patali Champika

Megalopolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that the November 16 Presidential Election will be a mother of all future elections to be held in the country.

Five men to challenge police detention in Malaysia over alleged LTTE links

Lawyers representing five men, including two lawmakers, will be filing habeas corpus applications to challenge their detention under Malaysia’s security laws for alleged links to a banned Sri Lankan militant group, the Straits Times reported.

BIA employee nabbed with 40 gold biscuits

An employee attached to an airport duty-free shop at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, was arrested with 40 gold biscuits worth over Rs 32 million today.

Syrian family arrived at BIA on forged passport - deported

A Syrian family who tried to enter Sri Lanka using fraudulent documents has been arrested at the BIA and deported, Immigration and Emigration Department officials said.

Elections Law violation cases exceed 1,000: EC

A total of 1,034 complaints of election law violations and violence had been reported between October 8 to 19, the Elections Commission said today.

Dutch FM commends SL’s ability to uphold free & fair election

Sri Lanka’s ability to uphold free and fair election amidst various challenges has been commended by a number of democratic countries in the world, Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Block said yesterday.

Police officer among 2 arrested with Kerala cannabis in Mannar

Two suspects including a police officer were arrested with 164.3kg of Kerala cannabis during a search conducted at a roadblock at Ilupawadawei, Mannar, the Navy said.

I’m not responsible for someone publishing my previous statements: Shavendra

Army Commander Shavendra Silva said yesterday he could not take responsibility for one of his previous statements being used in a newspaper advertisement in connection with the forthcoming presidential election.

SLPP candidate should publish his medical certificate - UNP

United National Party (UNP) MP Hector Appuhamy, at a press conference yesterday, suggested that SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa should publish his medical certificate while stating that its candidate Sajith Premadasa would do the same.

Airport officials gave green light to store paddy at Mattala Airport - Daya Gamage

Primary Industries and Social Empowerment Minister Daya Gamage informed the Presidential Commission that the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) had decided to store paddy at Mattala Airport after the airport officials had given them permission to execute this decision in 2015.

SLFP to sign MoU with Gota today

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa today, the SLPP said.

My policy is to give prominence to Buddhism and protect unitary status: Sajith

New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said yesterday his policy was to give prominence to Buddhism and to protect the unitary status of the country.

GMOA hands over its proposals to Gotabaya

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday handed over its set of twenty proposals to SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Opposition Leader’s official residence in Wijerama.

11 including 2 PS members, 1 former PS member arrested: Police

Police arrested eleven suspects including two Pradeshiya Sabha members and a former PS member so far with regards to the received complaints and election law violations, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

851 election law violation cases reported so far: EC

The Elections Commission has received a total of 851 complaints from October 8 to 17 regarding the election law violations and violent activities, the Commission said.

62 killed in mosque bombing in eastern Afghanistan

A blast in a mosque in eastern Afghanistan killed 62 people Friday, according to Attaullah Khogyani, the spokesman for Nangahar’s provincial governor. Khogyani said the blast struck worshipers gathered for Friday prayers and left 36 wounded.

LPBOA decides to support Gota

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne today said the majority of members in his association had decided to support the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Isura removed from party posts

Former Chief Minister of the Western Provincial Council Isura Devapriya has been removed from the SLFP Central Committee and Maharagama Chief Organiser post, sources said.

Do not park vehicles without anyone inside: Police

Police request public not to leave their vehicles parked alone on roadsides due to any technical failures or any other reason without keeping a person in the vehicle because if not, they should inform it to the police emergency, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Unfavourable weather conditions forecasted by Met. Dept

Heavy rainfalls which could go up to 150 mm are expected in some parts of the island during the coming days, Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Sri Ranga and five others granted bail

Former MP Sri Ranga and five others were granted bail by the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court over an accident that killed a policeman at Settikulam in 2011.

Manju Sri Arangala passes away

Opposition leader of the Western Provincial Council Manju Sri Arangala (63) passed away at a private hospital in Colombo today.

Wijeyadasa extends support to Gota

UNP MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said he would support Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the presidential election.

Three arrested with heroin in Divulapitiya

Three suspects were arrested with 30 kilograms of heroin at a house in Divulapitiya this morning, police said.

Fin. Ministry stops buying vehicles for state institutions

The Ministry of Finance has decided to suspend the purchase of vehicles for state institutions until further notice. The Ministry has also decided to stop the commencement of new projects during the remaining two months of this year and also to postpone the purchase of non essential office equipment until next year.