Election chief censors state TV ahead of polls

Election Commission has said it will censor the political coverage of a state-owned TV station after accusing it of bias against the former president’s brother, who is running in the country’s upcoming presidential election, the AFP reported.

US$40m OPEC Fund loan finances key highway in Sri Lanka

The OPEC Fund for International Development, OFID, has signed a US$40 million loan agreement with Sri Lanka to co-finance the rehabilitation of an 18 km section of the A017 highway in the southern region of the country, the Emirates News Agency reported.

Sajith writes to Gota on debate

New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said he had written to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa challenging to a presidential debate.

Sivajilingam quits TNA, TELO

Refusing to resign as the presidential candidate, former TNA parliamentarian and Northern Provincial Councilor M.K. Sivajilingam has decided to resign from the TNA and the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO).

Four faculties of Rajarata Uni. closed indefinitely

Four faculties of the Rajarata University have been closed indefinitely due to a viral fever that has spread among students.

10 Indian fishermen arrested in SL waters

Ten Indian fishermen along with two fishing trawlers were arrested by the Navy for poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters yesterday.

17 women among 100 arrested at an FB party in Dehiwala

A total of one hundred persons, including 17 females, were arrested during a raid on a party organised through Facebook at a beach hotel in Dehiwala last night, police said.

Three arrested for taking photograph of ballot papers

Three persons including two teachers were arrested for taking photographs of their postal voting ballot papers during the postal voting process yesterday, police said.

Police deny media report

Police Headquarters denied media reports that the election commission had asked the police to consider summoning the wife and son of former Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) Director Ravi Vidyalankara after the presidential election.

Poll Cards - Tomorrow is a special delivery day: DPMG

Tomorrow is a special delivery day for polling cards for those who have not received their cards by post, Deputy Postmaster General (Operations) D.A.R.K. Ranasinghe said.

Nugegoda flyover temporarily closed for renovations

Nugegoda flyover on the High-Level Road has been temporarily closed for traffic due to the ongoing renovation works, Police Media said.

Summon wife, son of ex FCID Director after polls: EC informs police

The Elections Commission has informed the Acting Police Chief to consider summoning the wife and son of former Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) Director Ravi Vidyalankara after the Presidential Election.

IMF approves disbursement of US$164M for SL

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Sixth Review of Sri Lanka’s economic performance under the programme supported by an extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and approved a disbursement of SDR 118.5 million (about US$164 million).

Mangala challenges MR: Show any clause detrimental to country in MCC

Referring to the statement made by opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa over his concerns regarding the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday challenged the opposition leader to show whether the content of the MCC was detrimental to the country.

I will decide who becomes PM: Sajith

New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said yesterday that it was he who would decide who the prime minister would be after he assumes office as the president next month.

We’ll continue the projects launched by the Govt: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday the Democratic National Front (DNF) was committed to carrying forward the development projects initiated by the government during the past five years.

I’ll be responsible for all communities: Gota

SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa said if elected president, he would hold himself responsible for all the communities in the country and not just a single community.

I’ll initiate Earth Science University: Sajith

New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said today he would initiate an earth science university under his government to teach subjects related to the environment, wildlife conservation and climate change.

Muslims are with Gotabaya today: Ali Sabry

‘The Rajapaksas are the most closest to the Muslims among the present lot of political leaders in the country and Muslims are equally with Gotabaya Rajapaksa today, Ali Sabry PC said.

FR seeks stay order on MCC, SOFA, ACSA with US

A fundamental rights petition was filed in the Supreme Court today seeking an order staying the signing of the MCC, SOFA and ACSA agreements with the US.

Veteran actress Chandra Kaluarachchi passes away

Veteran actress Chandra Kaluarachchi has passed away at the age of 76 at her residence this evening, Sri Lanka Singers Association (SLASA) President Janaka Wickramasinghe said.

No statement issued by Cardinal on MCC

The Cardinal’s office yesterday rejected the reports that the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has issued a statement over the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) pact.

Country’s Prez should rise above party politics: CBC

While saying that the citizens of the country should discern wisely and courageously on the choice of the presidential candidate, the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) of Sri Lanka said the President of the country should rise above party politics.

Three arrested with 25,000 kgs of refuse tea

Special Task Force personnel arrested three men and seized 25,000 kgs of refuse tea from a factory at Uswetakeiyawa today while being prepared to be exported, police said

Record statements from Sri Ranga & submit extracts: AG to police

Noting the inaction of the police, the Attorney General has instructed the Acting IGP to record statements from Sri Ranga and former DIG Amarasiri Senaratne and submit complete extracts of the investigation within three days, the Attorney General’s Coordinating Officer said.

Parliament have time to review MCC pact once it’s signed: US

The parliament will have ample opportunity to review the MCC grant assistance agreement once it is signed, the US Embassy today said.

PNB gets robots to inspect drugs at BIA

The Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) attached to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today conducted drugs and narcotics inspections with the use of two robots for the first time in police history.

Agreement to form DNF signed

The agreement for the formation of the Democratic National Front (DNF) was today signed by several political parties including the United National Party (UNP), the ’Api Sri Lanka movement’ led by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and several other civil society groups.

Jaffna-Chennai air services from Nov.10: CAA

Commercial air services between Jaffna International Airport (JAF) and Chennai International Airport (MAA) will commence from November 10, the Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority said.

14 Lankans nabbed with gold jewellery worth more than Rs.30mn

Fourteen Sri Lankan passengers were arrested with gold Jewellery worth more than Rs.30million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning while attempting to smuggle them into the country, Customs Additional Director General media spokesman Sunil Jayarathne said.