SLT denies that election results could be cooked

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT) today categorically denied an item published on a website alleging that those who know the SLT terminal line password could alter the results of today’s presidential election.

Govt. concerned over ‘misplaced’ UN statement

The Government had expressed its concern over the recent remarks of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General of the United Nations recalling the Secretary-General’s call to the Government to ensure that the forthcoming Presidential elections were peaceful and inclusive, a media release said today.

Police stern on spurious vehicles

Vehicles not possessing proper registration would be taken into custody on sight and action would be taken against the driver of the vehicle, the Police said today.

200 monkeys stranded in reservoir

A troupe of about 200 monkeys was stranded in an islet in the middle of the Lunugamwehera reservoir for three weeks after the water level was increased.

12 dead in 'terrorist' attack at Paris paper

Heavily armed gunmen shouting Islamist slogans stormed a Paris satirical newspaper office Wednesday and shot dead at least 12 people in the deadliest attack in France in four decades.

Vehicle transporting ballot boxes collides with lorry in Watawala

A jeep belonging to the Agricultural Department that was transporting ballot boxes and election staff from the Gemini College counting centre to a polling station at Minuwandeniya in Ginigathhena collided with a lorry at Watawala causing minor injuries to four officials including the SPO.

Dimuth, Sachithra replace Kusal, Mendis

Sri Lanka hopes their strike bowler Lasith Malinga recovers fully from the ankle surgery in time for the 2015 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand/Australia next month as he was provisionally included in the 15-man squad.

Kahawatta shooting: one dead

One of the victims of the Kahawatte shooting incident had succumbed to injuries early today, sources said.

Don’t use your pen

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has instructed that marking of ballot papers should be done only with the pens provided at the polling centres.

Video: Maximum power against violence: EC

Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya today said the Police could use maximum power to stop any forceful act that could be carried out by any persons at polling stations during tomorrow’s Presidential election.

Journalist assaulted

A journalist attached to the Wijeya Newspaper Group had been assaulted and his Media Accreditation Card taken last night, after one of his colleagues had got into an argument regarding the impending Presidential Election.

No liquor shops tomorrow

Liquor shops would be kept closed   tomorrow and the day after in view of the Presidential Election, Excise Commissioner General Wasantha Hapuarachchi said.

Tail section of AirAsia flight found

The tail of AirAsia Flight 8501 has been found in the Java Sea, the head of Indonesia's search and rescue agency said Wednesday.

Schools closed for Pope’s visit

Several schools in the Western Province will be closed from January 11-15 in order to provide accommodation for security personnel assigned for the Pope’s visit from January 13 to 15, Western Province Education Ministry said.

Rs. 6,662 mn worth heroin seized during last two yrs

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana yesterday said they have seized 662 kg of heroin worth Rs. 6,662 million during the last two years arresting 46,771 persons connected with drug trafficking.

Pope will arrive here on Jan.13

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka yesterday called for a peaceful post-election environment to enable a smooth papal visit next week.

Champika meets Sumithra Peiris

JHU General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka has met Sumithra Peiris this morning and explained that the confusion over photos of Lester James Peiris and KP was unintentional, JHU sources said.

Rise in major incidents of election violence: CMEV

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) said yesterday there had been a rise in major incidents of election violence between November 20 and January 5 whereas the number of incidents of election violence seemed to have dropped when compared to the previous elections.

Maldives-SL on goodwill gesture

The Maldivian government decides to handover Lankans in the Maldives to the Sri Lankan government on a goodwill gesture, Foreign Ministry spokesman Satya Rodrigo said.

Video: Cops to get T56 for the election: Police

The Police Department said today 66,100 police personnel have been deployed for election duties and that they will be each armed with a T56 weapon.

Chennai bound AirAsia flight diverted to Colombo

An AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chennai, Tamil Naduwas diverted to Colombo, Sri Lankadue to thick fog engulfing the airport in the south Indian city today, Indian media reports said.

First group of Indian workers return from SL-India

The first batch of Indian workers, who were involved in a labour dispute with a Sri Lankan company, on Tuesday returned from Sri Lanka, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said

UN Chief calls for reconciliation

The United Nations on Monday said the recent presidential election-related events in Sri Lanka has made UN Chief Ban Ki-moon’s call for reconciliation and political dialogue that much more important.

Indian workers held in SL to be repatriated today

All the 77 Indian nationals, who were alleged to have been illegally held by Bhuwalka Steel Private Ltd, an Indian company operating in Sri Lanka, will be repatriated to India by Tuesday, an Indian High Commission spokesperson told the Express.

Man who set himself on fire dies

The 72-year-old man who set himself on fire near the Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo yesterday has succumbed to his injuries last night, the police said.

Mahanayakes urge free and fair poll

The Chief Incumbents of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters have forwarded a joint memorandum to Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya and  IGP N.K. Ilangakoon requesting  them to ensure a free and fair Presidential Election without  violence. 

I will win by huge margin: Mahinda

While expressing confidence that he would win Thursday’s Presidential Election by a huge margin, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that he would dedicate his third term for the future generation and make Sri Lanka a prosperous, safe and beautiful country for the unborn Sri Lankan child. 

New govt. in 48 hours: Maithri

Winding up his presidential election campaign, opposition common candidate Maithripala Sirisena today said Sri Lanka will see a new government in 48 hours.

EC warns of re-poll in case of violence

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Desapriya said today election violence appeared to be increasing and warned that he would have to call for re-polling in areas where such violence continued unabated.

Kurunegala Bishop plans to resign

The Anglican Bishop of Kurunegala, the Rt. Revd. Shantha Francis said today that he would resign from his position as he, being a Tamil, was under pressure   from Tamil Diaspora groups to toe their line.