​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. 

​Expressways toll free until 6 pm

​Voting begins for Presidential election

Voting for the Presidential election began this morning at 7 and the voting will conclude at 4 pm today.

SLT denies that election results could be cooked

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT) today categorically denied an item published on a website alleging that those who know the SLT terminal line password could alter the results of today’s presidential election.

Govt. concerned over ‘misplaced’ UN statement

The Government had expressed its concern over the recent remarks of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General of the United Nations recalling the Secretary-General’s call to the Government to ensure that the forthcoming Presidential elections were peaceful and inclusive, a media release said today.

Police stern on spurious vehicles

Vehicles not possessing proper registration would be taken into custody on sight and action would be taken against the driver of the vehicle, the Police said today.

200 monkeys stranded in reservoir

A troupe of about 200 monkeys was stranded in an islet in the middle of the Lunugamwehera reservoir for three weeks after the water level was increased.

12 dead in 'terrorist' attack at Paris paper

Heavily armed gunmen shouting Islamist slogans stormed a Paris satirical newspaper office Wednesday and shot dead at least 12 people in the deadliest attack in France in four decades.

Vehicle transporting ballot boxes collides with lorry in Watawala

A jeep belonging to the Agricultural Department that was transporting ballot boxes and election staff from the Gemini College counting centre to a polling station at Minuwandeniya in Ginigathhena collided with a lorry at Watawala causing minor injuries to four officials including the SPO.

Dimuth, Sachithra replace Kusal, Mendis

Sri Lanka hopes their strike bowler Lasith Malinga recovers fully from the ankle surgery in time for the 2015 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand/Australia next month as he was provisionally included in the 15-man squad.

Kahawatta shooting: one dead

One of the victims of the Kahawatte shooting incident had succumbed to injuries early today, sources said.

This is how you vote

Don’t use your pen

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has instructed that marking of ballot papers should be done only with the pens provided at the polling centres.

Video: Maximum power against violence: EC

Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya today said the Police could use maximum power to stop any forceful act that could be carried out by any persons at polling stations during tomorrow’s Presidential election.

Journalist assaulted

A journalist attached to the Wijeya Newspaper Group had been assaulted and his Media Accreditation Card taken last night, after one of his colleagues had got into an argument regarding the impending Presidential Election.

No liquor shops tomorrow

Liquor shops would be kept closed   tomorrow and the day after in view of the Presidential Election, Excise Commissioner General Wasantha Hapuarachchi said.

Tail section of AirAsia flight found

The tail of AirAsia Flight 8501 has been found in the Java Sea, the head of Indonesia's search and rescue agency said Wednesday.