President Sirisena launches several new projects

President Maithripala Sirisena donated Rs. 1 million, Rs. 2 million and Rs. 2.5million to 69 families with twins, triplets and quintuplets at the President’s House yesterday for the future welfare of these children.

34 incidents observed over social media - ITSSL

The Information Technology Society of Sri Lanka (ITSSL) today said it had observed 34 election propaganda activities over social media, carried out by both the two main presidential candidates and others, since the closing of campaigns on Wednesday, November 13, 2019.

Individuals whose phones ring in polling centres will be arrested: Police

The police said today that voters would be arrested if their mobile phones rang inside polling stations, disrupting officials on duty. Therefore, the police said it would be advisable for voters not to carry mobile phones inside polling stations.

Tranquil atmosphere created for people to cast vote: PMD

A serene environment has been created throughout the country for voters to cast their votes freely at the Presidential Election tomorrow, the President’s Media Division said.

No wheat flour price hike: Ministry

The price of wheat flour has not been changed or revised and any retailer selling flour at an increased price will be raided, the Industry and Commerce Minister said.

Mickey Arthur likely to become Sri Lanka’s next head coach

Mickey Arthur is likely to become Sri Lanka’s next head coach despite Chandika Hathurusingha not having been officially been fired yet.

Flight diverted to Mattala due to bad weather

A SriLankan flight which was scheduled to land at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this afternoon was diverted to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) due to the adverse weather conditions, the MRIA duty manager said.

58 false ballot papers found in van in Hambantota

A driver of a van who arrived at the Tzu Chi National School in Hambantota to transport ballot papers was taken into custody today after fifty eight fake ballot papers were found in the van, the Hambantota Police said.

Letter on presidential election survey false: Police

The letter circulating on social media, which is alleged to have been issued by the State Intelligence Services and addressed to the President, about a survey carried out by intelligence services on the presidential election is false, the police said today.

Wheat flour price hike illegal: Harsha

The wheat flour price increase announced by wheat flour dealers is illegal and politically motivated, Convener of the Cabinet Committee on Cost of Living, Non-Cabinet Minister Dr Harsha De Silva said today.

50 officials on election duty hospitalised due to food poisoning

At least 50 officials, who were on election duty at the Royal College, were admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo today due to food poisoning, hospital sources said.

I opted to remain neutral paving way for free and fair poll: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said today a free and fair election was being held in the country for the first time in its history because he had decided to remain neutral.

DRP issues over 200,000 temporary NICs for election

The Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) had issued more than 200,000 temporary National Identity Cards (NICs) and handed them over to the Elections Commission by yesterday, DRP Commissioner General Viyani Gunathilaka said.

O/L exam to commence on Dec.2 at 4,987 centres

The Examination Department today announced the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination-2019 would commence on December 2.

Highway bus fares to be reduced from tomorrow

National Transport Commission (NTC) has decided to reduce the expressway bus fares by Rs.10 and Rs. 20 from tomorrow.

Aussie pleads guilty over framing Lankan with fake terror notebook

The older brother of Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and dishonestly influencing a public official after police accused him of creating a fake terror plot to frame another man.

EC to introduce three queues at polling stations

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday that three queues would be set up for the first time at polling stations with more than 2,500 registered voters this time.

Rains expected in coming days

Fairly heavy falls about 75 to 100 mm can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Western provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts in the coming days, Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Total cost of 2019 presidential poll might reach Rs. 7. 5 bn: EC

Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya commenting on the election expenses said he was worried that it was possible that the total cost of the 2019 presidential poll could reach Rs. 7.5 billion and lawmakers must think of a strategy to prevent pseudo or fake candidates with ulterior motives contesting the presidential election.

Media banned from taking pics of leaders while voting

Photographers and videographers of print and electronic covering state and private media institutions will not be permitted to take pictures when top political leaders come to polling stations to vote on Saturday, Information Director-General Nalaka Kaluwewa said.

Aircraft Navigation Facility Charges on foreign flights up by 57% after 38 years: Minister

The Transport Ministry has decided to increase Aircraft Navigation Facility Charges on foreign flights by 57 per cent after 38 years to be implemented from February next year, Transport Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said today.

DMC cautions CEA to be alert on smog levels

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has cautioned the Central Environment Authority (CEA) to be watchful on the SMOG levels in Sri Lanka’s atmosphere and to inform them if it reaches alarming levels.

Ahimsa contests US District Court decision

Slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge’s daughter, Ahimsa and her legal team filed a notice of appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday, contesting the United States District Court’s decision to grant former Sri Lankan Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa immunity for the suit related to the assassination of her father, San Francisco based The Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA) said.

FB removes 3.2 bn fake accounts, million child abuse posts

Facebook Inc. removed 3.2 billion fake accounts between April and September this year, along with millions of posts depicting child abuse and suicide, according to its latest content moderation report released on Wednesday.

3,821 election law violation cases reported so far: EC

The Elections Commission has received a total of 3,821 complaints from October 8 to November 13 regarding election law violations and violent activities, the Commission said.

‘Please give me another chance’ - Shramantha

In an open letter, Shramantha Jude Jayamaha, who was convicted over the Royal Park murder and released on a presidential pardon recently, requested society to give him another chance.

Jayathma among ‘TIME’s 100 Next’

Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Youth Envoy, has been named as one of the rising stars in TIME magazine’s 100 Next List among many other influencers including Awkwafina, Camila Cabello, Lily Singh and Carlos Alvarado Quesada, the President of Costa Rica.

Test cricket returns to Pakistan after a decade as SL agree for Test series

After a decade of Test cricket’s exile from Pakistan soil, it’s set to mark its return as Sri Lanka have agreed to tour the nation for a two-match Test series in December.

All Govt. schools to be closed tomorrow

All government schools countrywide would be closed tomorrow (15) ahead of the Presidential Election which will be held on Saturday (16), the Education Ministry announced

Colombo air quality unhealthy today

Sensitive people have been advised to be mindful of the unhealthy air quality engulfed in the Colombo area today, National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Air Quality Unit Senior Scientist H.D.S. Premasiri said.