Ethnic polarization in voting pattern has reduced this time

At this election, an amalgam of Tamil parties fielded former Batticaloa District MP P. Ariyanethran as a common candidate, a departure from the practice of supporting a candidate fielded by any mainstream party in the south.

I hand over the dear child called Sri Lanka to President Anura kumara Dissanayake :Ranil

Outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe who vacated the President’s office and the official residence at Pajet Road said he has handed over the dear child called Sri Lanka to President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Division of UNP in 2020 led to the downfall of both RW and SP

The result of the Presidential Election 2024 would have been different if outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa had worked together, members of both camps told the Daily Mirror. However, some members of the Sajith Premadasa led Samagi Jana Balawegaya believe that had Wickremesinghe stepped aside

AKD heading to EC office to accept presidency

President-elect Anura Kumara leaves his party office last evening to attend the ceremony at the Election Commission where he was declared winner at the Presidential Election held on Saturday

Court prevents occupation of two luxury apartments bought by Keheliya’s son

The Colombo High Court yesterday issued an order preventing the occupation of two luxury apartments located in the Colpetty area, which belonged to Ramitha Rambukwella,

Main suspect in murder of SLFP organizer Sampath Gamage arrested

The main suspect wanted in connection with the murder of former SLFP Organizer for Hiniduma Electorate and businessman Sampath Gamage was arrested last morning at Weddagala in Kalawana by Athurugiriya Police.

Leakage of Grade 5 exam paper; decision after CID probe

A decision on leakage of the first paper of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination will be made soon, following investigations by the Examinations Department and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), t

MoD warns of rising human trafficking linked to cyber scam centres

Recent investigations have revealed that human traffickers are luring victims with promises of high-paying IT positions in countries like Thailand.

Soil erosion in Samanala forest range

A recent survey carried out by an environmental organization has revealed that a vast area of the Samanala forest range has been undergoing soil erosion.

Parents of year five scholarship students stage protest

A group of parents whose children sat the year five scholarship examination held recently staged a protest in front of the North Central Province Education Department against the Examination Department’s decision to exclude only the answers for three questions in the first question paper, that leaked out.

Supreme Court dismisses application to Vacate Interim Order against Deshabandu

An application made by three Buddhist monks seeking the court’s permission to intervene and vacate the interim order preventing Deshabandu Tennakoon from exercising the powers and functions of the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) was dismissed by the Supreme Court yesterday.

People’s Struggle ensures women’s rights

People’s Struggle which wound up its campaign for the Presidential Election pledged to uphold women’s rights. The party activist Sureka Samarasena said women need much more than a nutrition package.

Underworld gangster arrested with drugs

An underworld gangster wanted in connection with his involvement in drug trafficking and other criminal offences was taken into custody by Katunayake police during a raid on a house at Andiambalama area.

Schoolboy arrested for rape

A 19 year old schoolboy was arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 15 year old schoolgirl. They were students of a school in Dombagahawela.

Heavy influx of devotees at Sri Dalada Maligawa

A heavy influx of devotees was experienced on Binara full moon Poya day yesterday at Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. The Poya day programme included alms giving, Sil campaigns and meditation sessions. It was of significance that hundreds of foreign tourists had joined the religious activities

Stock of sand released by force

The racketeers including several women had waylaid and secured the release by force of a tractor load of sand seized by the wildlife officers during a raid on an illicit sand mining site in Thabbowa national park.

Environmental damage during rally

Employees of the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council expressed concern about the extensive damage caused to the environmental beauty of Nuwara Eliya town by the participants in a propaganda rally organized by the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) to support the candidacy of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Club Wasantha murder: Another suspect taken into custody

Another suspect who was taken into custody yesterday in connection with the double murder at a tattoo centre in Athurugiriya was produced before Kaduwela Acting Magistrate D.G.P. Karunaratne and detained for 48 hours for further questioning.

GMOA to launch trade union action today

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced a trade union action today(18), targeting hospitals across the country, GMOA spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said.

Presidential Election campaign ends midnight today

As the campaign period for the upcoming Presidential Election will end tonight (18) at midnight, those engaging in illegal campaigning after the given deadline could face arrest and legal action, the Election Commission warned.

Eleven rallies today

Around 11 election rallies are to be held before the campaign deadline for the Presidential Election which ends midnight today. Independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe will address rallies in Matara, Galle, Kalutara, Homagama and Maradana. The final rally will be held in Maradana. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa will participate in rallies in Galle, Beruwala and Colombo Central. His final rally will be held in front of Tower Hall.

Use of aircraft for Presidential campaigns only on payment basis: SLAF clarifies

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has clarified that it provides aircraft for Presidential candidates’ campaigns only on a payment basis, in line with standard procedures.

SLPA Seminar on Free and Fair Election

Chairman Election Commission R. M. A. L. Ratnayake speaks at a seminar organized by Sri Lanka Press Association (SLPA) under the title ’Media’s role in Free and Fair Election. SLPA President Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana, SLPA Secretary General Tilak Senanayake and Secretary International Affairs Kelum Bandara are also present.

Police Sergeant injured in collision with elephant

A police sergeant riding a motorcycle had bumped against a wild elephant moving across the road near Mahakanadarawa tank last morning and received serious injuries.

SEPTANERY Art Exhibition 2024

The ‘SEPTANERY Art Exhibition 2024’, featuring the diverse works of seven painters who explore the vitality of the natural world, will be held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery starting with an opening event on 13th September 2024 at 5.30 pm and continuing on the 14th and 15th of September.

CID questions fmr. Army Major

The suspect, a 47-year-old, is identified as a former Army Major and a resident of Kiribathgoda.

President values cap gifted to him at over Rs.100,000

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking at an election rally in Dambadeniya, said that a woman from Killinochchi presented him with a cap as a token of gratitude for his assistance with food, medicine, fuel, and essential support, expressing that its value to him exceeded Rs.100,000.

Thundershowers unprecedented during current Monsoon

The Meteorological Department issued a weather advisory yesterday warning of heavy showers above 50 mm in areas within the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

You have to be shrewd when doing politics -RW

Highlighting that one has to think correctly to ensure a bright future for the youth, independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe said one cannot be a successful politician without being shrewd.

I don’t intend to make Sri Lanka a welfare state -Sajith

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said he does not intend to make Sri Lanka a welfare state and will turn the poor into entrepreneurs. Speaking during a rally in Mawathagama, Mr. Premadasa said his new poverty alleviation programme is aimed at making the poor successful entrepreneurs.