MR goes to Medamulana

Outgoing President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at his hometown Medamulana around 3.00 p.m. this evening. Many people were gathered at his home to welcome him. Mr. Rajapaksa said he would not leave the country but settle in Medamulana.

​Cabraal should respond to allegations: Harsha

Commenting on Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal’s decision to resign from his post, UNP Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha De Silva today said that Mr. Cabraal should answer to the financial allegations during his tenure before resigning.

Cabraal resigns

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal speaking to the Daily Mirror a short while ago said he submitted his resignation from the post ofCentral Bank Governor.

​TNA congratulates Maithri

“Yanna Nona Yanna” - MR’s astrologer

Despite astrologer Sumanadasa Abeygunawardena predicting that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will win the January 8 election, it was Opposition Presidential Candidate MaithripalaSirisena, who won the presidency at Thursday’s election.  

​TN parties hail Sri Lanka results

Political parties in Tamil Nadu on Friday hailed the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa in the presidential elections in Sri Lanka.

Video: Final farewell

EC declares Maithree as new President

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya officially declared Maithripala Sirisena as the new President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka a short while ago.

Video: Ranil briefs media

US keen to work with SL Prez-elect Sirisena

The US looks forward to working with Sri Lankan president-elect Maithripala Sirisena, Secretary of State John Kerry today said, as he commended outgoing President Mahinda Rajapaksa for accepting the election results.

New President not to be sworn in before Chief Justice?

President elect Maithripala Sirisena is set to be sworn in before, a senior Judge of the Supreme Court and not before Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, legal sources close to Mr. Sirisena told Daily Mirror.

Maithri takes oath as President

NDF candidate Maithripala Sirisena was sworn in as the 6th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka before Supreme Court Judge K. Sripawan at the Independence Square in Colombo, a short while ago.    

MR congratulates MS

President Mahinda Rajapaksa phoned Maithripala Sirisena early this morning and congratulated him on his impending victory and inquired from the Common Candidate when he would assume duties, Presidential Spokesman Mohan Samaranayake said.

Modi congratulates Maithri

Indian Prime Minister Narendram Modi phoned Common Candidate and President-elect Maithripala Sirisena and congratulated him on his victory today following the Presidential election.

President Rajapaksa leaves Temple Trees

President Mahinda Rajapaksa left Temple Trees, after a discussion with the opposition leader this morning  assuring smooth transfer of power, Presidential Media Division said.

Maithri wins Kilinochchi polling division

Opposition Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena obtained 38856 votes (72.1%) while UPFA Presidential Candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa received 13300 votes (24.7%) in theKilinochchi pooling division in the Jaffna district.

​First result: MR wins Ratnapura postal vote

UPFA Presidential Candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa received 11,864 postal votes (56.6%) while Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena obtained 9,053 postal votes (43.2%) in the Ratnapura district.

Bishop’s resignation not related to poll: Church of England

The Archbishop of Canterbury had not sought to influence the outcome of the Sri Lankan presidential election, a media statement said today.

Video: Peaceful poll: EC

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said today’s presidential election was conducted peacefully apart from a few minor incidents reported.

Video: The most peaceful presidential poll; Police

Today’s presidential election was the most peaceful election held so far compared to the presidential polls in 2005 and 2010, the police said.

Update: High voter turnout

A high voter turnout of more than 70 % in total was reported in the poll that concluded at 4.p.m. today, returning officers said.

S.L. Gunasekara passes away

Prominent Constitutional Lawyer and former Sihala Urumaya President S.L. Gunasekara has passed away at the age of 71 at his residence in Colombo, family sources said.

50% voter turnout by 2 p.m

The voter turnout at today’s election had exceeded the 50% mark in most of the districts by 2.00 p.m, returning officers said.

Call these centres if you spot election malpractices

The Elections Department said complaints or observations with regard to the election could be submitted today to the centers investigating election complaints located in the Election Secretariat and offices of the District Returning Officers.

EC visits Rupavahini: Compels correction of news item

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya today warned the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation to immediately rectify a false news item broadcast this morning claiming that UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa had joined the government.    

Explosion in Navaladi; no injuries

Police Spokesman Ajith Rohana said there was an explosion at Navaladi in Point Pedro but that he could not confirm the cause of the explosion as further investigation was necessary.

Fake ballot papers found in Matugama

About 155 marked, fake ballot papers were found in Matugama while being transported in a cab to a polling station this morning, police said.

MR, MS cast their votes

30 – 40 % voter turnout as at 10 a.m.

A voter turnout of about 30 to 40 per cent was reported in most of the districts by 10 am  today, returning officers said.

Kerry speaks with Rajapaksa

Ahead of presidential elections, US Secretary of State John Kerry has spoken with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and expressed concern over violence in parts of the country during campaigning.