11 including 2 PS members, 1 former PS member arrested: Police

Police arrested eleven suspects including two Pradeshiya Sabha members and a former PS member so far with regards to the received complaints and election law violations, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

851 election law violation cases reported so far: EC

The Elections Commission has received a total of 851 complaints from October 8 to 17 regarding the election law violations and violent activities, the Commission said.

62 killed in mosque bombing in eastern Afghanistan

A blast in a mosque in eastern Afghanistan killed 62 people Friday, according to Attaullah Khogyani, the spokesman for Nangahar’s provincial governor. Khogyani said the blast struck worshipers gathered for Friday prayers and left 36 wounded.

LPBOA decides to support Gota

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne today said the majority of members in his association had decided to support the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Isura removed from party posts

Former Chief Minister of the Western Provincial Council Isura Devapriya has been removed from the SLFP Central Committee and Maharagama Chief Organiser post, sources said.

Do not park vehicles without anyone inside: Police

Police request public not to leave their vehicles parked alone on roadsides due to any technical failures or any other reason without keeping a person in the vehicle because if not, they should inform it to the police emergency, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Unfavourable weather conditions forecasted by Met. Dept

Heavy rainfalls which could go up to 150 mm are expected in some parts of the island during the coming days, Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Sri Ranga and five others granted bail

Former MP Sri Ranga and five others were granted bail by the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court over an accident that killed a policeman at Settikulam in 2011.

Manju Sri Arangala passes away

Opposition leader of the Western Provincial Council Manju Sri Arangala (63) passed away at a private hospital in Colombo today.

Wijeyadasa extends support to Gota

UNP MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said he would support Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the presidential election.

Three arrested with heroin in Divulapitiya

Three suspects were arrested with 30 kilograms of heroin at a house in Divulapitiya this morning, police said.

Fin. Ministry stops buying vehicles for state institutions

The Ministry of Finance has decided to suspend the purchase of vehicles for state institutions until further notice. The Ministry has also decided to stop the commencement of new projects during the remaining two months of this year and also to postpone the purchase of non essential office equipment until next year.

MoU signed between SLPP and CWC

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) in order to work in tandem for the upcoming presidential election.

Gold deposits found in Seruwawila: GSMB

Geological surveys conducted recently have revealed a gold deposit of 100 sq. kilometres buried in an area centring Seruwawila, Geological Survey and Mine Bureau (GSMB) Chairman Asela Iddawela said.

Carbon Tax to be abolished: Mangala

The Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera indicated at a press briefing yesterday, that the proposal for abolishing the carbon tax would be presented to parliament on October 23.

Will govern together with SLFP like brothers: Gota

While thanking the SLFP for supporting him at the presidential election, SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday pledged that he would steer his future government with the SLFP like brothers working hand in hand.

Govt. to present vote on account for Rs. 1,474 bn

The government will present a vote on account in parliament on October 23 to allocate government expenses for the first quarter of next year, the Speaker’s Office said yesterday.

UNF-led alliance will reform Sri Lanka: PM

The UNF-led alliance will reform Sri Lanka completely if its candidate wins the presidential election and then wins general election securing a sufficient majority, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Under what law war victory cannot be campaigned? Bandula

Opposition MP Dr. Bandula Gunawardana today asked under what laws the Elections Commission has said that it was prohibited to use war victory and slogans in the election campaigns.

Aussie politician settles defamation dispute with SL student

Australian politician Mark Latham has settled a defamation suit with a Sri Lankan student at the University of NSW he accused of plotting to kill senior federal MPs, the Sydney Morning Herald said today.

Not afraid of int’l pressure: Sajith

UNF led alliance’s presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa today said he is not afraid of any international power and is ready to face the allegations which are being made by the international community against Sri Lanka.

SLPP says not aware of advertisement

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today said it was not aware of the recent newspaper advertisement which said several army officers had pledged their support to SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa at this year’s presidential election.

Sajith has no deals with opposition: Hirunika

UNF led alliance presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa does not have deals with the opposition as some others in the government do, UNP MP Hirunika Premachnadra said today.

Senadhipathi remanded till November 8

Avant-Garde Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd Chairman Nissanka Senadhipthi who was arrested upon his arrival from Singapore was remanded till November 8 by the Special Trial-at-Bar today.

Future President will also be powerful: Patali

While stressing that the 19th Amendment arbitrarily crippled the powers of the President, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said the future president would still be powerful.

Four tourists arrested over ATM scam

Four foreigners had been arrested in Mirissa for attempting to steal data from ATM machines, police said.

UNP MP Shantha Abeysekara re-remanded

UNP Puttalam District MP Shantha Sisira Kumara Abeysekara was further remanded till November 5 by the Chilaw High Court today for violating bail conditions over an incident in 2004.

Four arrested with heroin

Four suspects including an employee of the Dehiwala Zoo were arrested by the STF with 683 grams of heroin and cash worth Rs. 2 million in Dehiwala last night, police said.

Palaly Int’l Airport opens today, flights from Nov.1: Ministry

The Palaly Airport which had been upgraded to Sri Lanka’s third international airport would be opened today with flights operating from November 1, the Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry said. A spokesman from the Ministry said construction of the project had already been completed.

NEC Chief warns about fielding ’puppet’ candidates

Chairman of Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday warned that he will reveal the names of presidential candidates who field ’puppet’ candidates in order to get more facilities than they are entitled to during elections.