Campaign cost of political parties amounts to Rs. 514 Mn for two weeks: CMEV

A report released by the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) yesterday estimated that a total of Rs. 514 million has been spent by political parties for their general election campaigning for two weeks starting from July 2.

Gammanpila pledges one plant for each preferential vote received

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila today pledged to plant one plant for each preferential vote he would receive at the upcoming General Election.

Use your vote to safeguard your future: Ranil

People will have to think and decide as to who will safeguard their future on August 5 when they go to vote, former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

PM confident of two-thirds majority at polls for SLPP

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today expressed confidence that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) would be able to secure a two-thirds majority at the upcoming general elections, solidifying the presidential election victory of the party.

Take action on illegal motorcycle processions: EC informs police

Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said today that the commission has informed police to take stern action on illegal motorcycle processions reported in Puttalam.

LPL set for August 28 start

The inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 tournament will be played from August 28 to September 20 subsequent to approval from the Health Ministry, a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) official said today.

17 inmates at Senapura test positive for COVID-19

Seventeen more inmates at the Senapura Quarantine Centre and five Sri Lankans arrived from Qatar have tested positive for COVID-19 increasing the total cases in the country to 2,804 today, the Government Information Department said.

Govt. allocates Rs.10,400 Mn to purchase paddy during Yala season

The Treasury has provided funds up to Rs.10,400 million to purchase paddy during Yala season at the price of Rs. 50 per kilo, the Finance Ministry said.

220 persons at Galle Prison subjected to PCR tests

After an inmate of Galle Prison was tested positive for COVID-19 at Senapura Quarantine Centre, 200 inmates and 20 officers at the prison had been subjected to PCR tests today.

SC judge recuses from hearing Bathiudeen’s FR petition

Supreme Court Judge Priyantha Jayawardena today recused himself from hearing the Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

Two hotline numbers to inform on drug rackets and other crimes

Two special hot-line numbers 1917 and 1997 have been introduced by the Sri Lanka Police to provide information on crimes and toxic narcotics, Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratna said.

Buddhist Sunday Schools to reopen next month

Buddhist Sunday Schools would be reopened under health guidelines from next month, the Government Information Department said.

No mobile voting for those in quarantine

The previously scheduled mobile postal voting programme for those in quarantine centres would not be carried out as planned, National Elections Commission said.

Won’t summon Anura & Shani until CA case ends: PCoI

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on Political Victimization has informed the Court of Appeal today that it will not summon JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and former CID director Shani Abeysekara until the Court of Appeal case comes to a conclusion.

Remanded child abuse teacher is TV reality show set designer

The suspect arrested on charges of sexually abusing underage boys had been identified as a set designer for a children’s reality show on television in addition to being an English teacher.

Fire breaks out at two-storey building in Battaramulla

A fire broke out at a two-storey building which housed a showroom of a famous home appliance chain in Battaramulla, the fire brigade said.

Rishad appears before CID

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) branch at Iratta Periyakulam in Vavuniya to give a statement in connection with the investigations into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

Indian impersonating a doctor arrested at a maternity ward

Police have arrested an Indian national who tried to enter the maternity ward of the Wathupitiwala Hospital, claiming to be a doctor yesterday.

Ravi arrives at CID

Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to give a statement with regard to the Central Bank bond scam, Police said.

Wild Elephant dies after been hit by luxury bus

A Wild Elephant roaming along the Udawalawe-Monaragala main road was accidentally hit by a luxury bus plying from Colombo to Ampara.

Military to provide security for counting centres

The military will be deployed within a radius of one kilometre of each counting centre after polling on August 5 to provide security, an official said.

Easter Sunday ’’Suicide Bomber wife still at large’’

The Easter Sunday suicide bomber Mohamed Hasthun‘s spouse Pulasthini Rajendran alias Sarah Jesmine had stayed with the mastermind of the attack Zahran Hashim’s wife Abdul Cader Fathima Kadia from February to April 26, 2019, and that Fathima was well aware of Pulasthini’s whereabouts, Rajaratnam Kavitha the mother of Pulasthini, Rajaratnam said while giving evidence to the PCoI probing the Easter Sunday attacks.

MS believed that there was no threat to National Security- P.B. Abeykoon

Former President Maithripala Sirisena believed that there was no threat to the National Security, and he may have thought that postponing the National Security Council (NSC) meetings would not be a problem, former Secretary to the President P. B. Abeykoon informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks on Friday.

Relations appeal for justice over suspicious death of Miss Sri Lanka 1962

Tony Hawke, the brother of former Miss Sri Lanka -1962 Jennifer Ingleton seek public assistance over the suspicious death of Miss Jennifer Ingelton.

SL performs first pediatric liver transplant successfully

Sri Lanka’s first pediatric liver transplant has been successfully performed at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, hospital sources said.

Sangakkara backs Ganguly for ICC top post

Sri Lanka cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara has backed Sourav Ganguly for the ICC chairman’s post, saying the BCCI president’s “astute cricket brain” and vast experience as an administrator make him a “very suitable” candidate for the role.

Escaped Covid-19 patient transferred to Kandakadu Hospital

The Covid-19 patient, who was apprehended after being escaped from the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), was transferred to the Kandakadu Quarantine Centre Hospital, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

North Korea on alert over ’first suspected coronavirus case’

North Korea has reported what it describes as the country’s first suspected case of coronavirus.

39 street racers arrested for unauthorized racing in Piliyandala

At least 39 alleged street racers were arrested along with 27 motorcycles for unauthorized racing along the Piliyandala-Kesbewa bypass road last night.

Two arrested with narcotics pills worth Rs. 10mn

Two suspects have been arrested with 5,600 narcotic pills and heroin which has a street value of Rs. 10 million during a raid near a 5-star hotel in Colombo, Police said.