SLFP to suspend defectors

The membership of SLFP defectors, including Ministers Rajitha Senaratne, M.K.D.S. Gunawardane and Hirunika Premachandra, contesting for general election from the UNP would be suspended today, SLFP Media Coordinator Thilanga Sumathipala said.

Video: Contraband worth Rs.10mn seized by Customs

The staff of Customs Revenue Task Force today seized seven wooden boxes with illicit cigarettes, shoes, deodorant bottles and eye liners worth more than Rs.10million, Customs Spokesperson Lesley Gamini said.

Urgent SLFP CC meeting today

A special meeting of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee would be held today at party head office, sources said.   

EU to observe Parliamentary Elections in SL

Following an invitation from the Sri Lanka authorities, the European Union has today started the deployment of an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Sri Lanka to observe the Parliamentary Elections scheduled for 17 August 2015.

Video: Be cruel to be kind: Keep Mahinda out - Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who kicked off the election campaign of the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) in Kandy this evening requested the people to have pity on former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and his loyalists and stop them from coming into parliament.

Muthuhettigama ready to work with Geetha

UPFA candidate Nishantha Muthuhettigama said today he was ready to cooperate with Southern Provincial Councillor Geetha Kumarasinghe and carry out his election campaign in a peaceful manner despite certain incidents which had happened in the past.

Refusing nominations to a few won’t eradicate drugs: Geetha

Southern Provincial Councillor Geetha Kumarasinghe said today the drug menace in the country could not be eliminated by refusing nominations to a few MPs charged with involvement in drug trafficking.

Litro gas reduces prices from tonight

Litro Gas Lanka Limited (LGLL) today announced that the price of a 12.5 Kg Litro gas cylinder would be reduced by Rs. 100 from midnight today.

Audio: Will remain neutral, won't back MR: Maithri

President Maithripala Sirisena said he would remain neutral at the general election and won’t back former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He said that he is against Mr. Rajapaksa and that there are many seniors he could appoint as Prime Minister in the event the SLFP wins at the general elections. He said that irrespective of the party that comes to power, he wants those who could carry his pledges forward to be elected. President Sirisena sai

Kurunegala will be MR's Waterloo: Akila Viraj

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, who leads the UNP's Kurunegala district team, vowed to defeat former president Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kurunegala similar to that of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was considered invincible but was defeated at Waterloo.

Video: UPFA claims easy win

The UPFA said today it would win easily at the general election because the 6.2 million who voted for President Sirisena at the presidential election would not vote for the UNFGG though 5.8 million who voted for Mahinda Rajapaksa would do so.

Audio: BJP calls for unity among party leaders

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa should not treat each other as enemies when contesting the general elections, Bodu Jana Peramuna (BJP) Leader and BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera said today.

Video: Several displaced politicians join UNFGG: JVP

The newly formed United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) is made up of several politicians who were displaced in the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena deciding to nominate Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today.

CSK, RR suspended from IPL for two years

Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have been suspended from the Indian Premier League for two years with regards to the spot-fixing scandal, the Justice Lodha panel said in its verdict on Tuesday.

Ex-CJ's son Shaveen contesting as an independent

Former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake's son Shaveen is contesting the upcoming general election from the Colombo District as an independent candidate under the 'flashlight symbol'.

Aussie cows off loaded at Rajapaksa Port

A large stock of Australian cows was off loaded at the Magampura, Hambantota Mahinda Rajapaksa Port today. The stock of farm animals, 1250 in total, was handed over to the State farm at Ridiyagama, Ambalantota.

Justice Abrew’s FR Petition withdrawn

The Fundamental Rights Petition filed by Supreme Court Judge Sarath De Abrew was withdrawn today, after Counsel informed court that there was no danger of imminent arrest of the judge.

Prasanna, wife released on bail

Western Provincial Council Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and his wife were granted bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate when they were appeared in court today on charges of threatening a businessman demanding money and accepting a part of the amount.  

Ex-LTTErs to contest Jaffna

A group of rehabilitated LTTE combatants will contest the August 17th General Elections as an independent group for the Jaffna District.

UNP would secure a landslide victory: Wijeyadasa

The United National Party (UNP) said today they would secure a landslide victory at the parliamentary election similar to the UNP election victory in 1977.

UPFA, UNP national lists announced

The national lists of the UNP and UPFA were announced by the respective parties today after handing over party nominations lists at district secretariats.

Will continue the January 8 struggle: Patali

United National Front for Good Governance General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka said today they would decide independently in a future parliament though contesting on the United National Party (UNP) ticket.

Kamal steps back to allow space for crossovers

Popular Actor Kaml Addararachchi said today he decided not to contest at the general elections so as to make way for those who crossed over to the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) considering the latest political developments.

No speech by MS today

President’s Media Division today rejected reports that President Maithripala Sirisena would make a special speech later today.

Objections against Dullas, Manoj over-ruled

Objections filed against UPFA Matara District team leader Dullas Alahapperuma and candidate Manoj Sirisena, were rejected by Returning Officer E.A.C. Vidanagamachchi a short while ago.

MR leads UPFA Kurunegala list

UPFA Kurunegala nominations list with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the team leader was handed over to the Kurunegala District Secretariat this morning.

Nominations lists for Colombo

Political parties today handed over their nominations lists to District Secretariats and the lists of mainstream political parties contesting for Colombo District are as follows.

No UPFA nominations to Duminda, Sajin, Mervyn and Sarana

Former UPFA Parliamentarians Duminda Silva, Sajin de Vass Gunawardene, Mervyn Silva and Sarana Gunawardena were not given nominations for the forthcoming General Election, United Peoples' Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary Susil Premajayantha said today.

Susil hospitalised and discharged

UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha had been admitted to a private hospital in Colombo last night due to a sudden illness and had been discharged this morning.

Full-face helmets: Stay order on ban extended

The Appeal Court today extended the interim order issued staying the operation of the police circular banning the use of full-face helmets, until September 2.