Election manifesto of Gotabaya Rajapaksa launched

The manifesto of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa has launched a short while ago at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre.

I’ll downsize cabinet to 20: Mahesh Senanayake

Former Army Commander and National People’s Party presidential candidate Gen. Mahesh Senanayake said he would bring the cabinet to 20 under his government.

MR vows to stop drug influx to villages and punish smugglers

SLPP Leader and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today pledged to prevent the influx of drugs into villages and assured to take action against drug smugglers when the SLPP comes to power.

IUSF protest tear-gassed

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesting Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) students at the Lotus Roundabout in Colombo a short while ago, police said.

Fatal accident in Puttalam leaves three dead

A man, a woman and a child had been killed while another eight were injured after a van veered off the road and crashed into a tree at the 4th Mile Post on the Puttalam - Anuradhapura Road this afternoon, the police said.

One killed, 42 injured in head-on collision in Minneriya

One passenger was killed while 42 others were injured when two buses collided head-on at the Muwan Palassa area in Minneriya last night, police said.

Hakeem clarifies on media reports

Minister Rauff Hakeem yesterday rejected allegations that he had connections with the terrorists involved in the Easter Sunday attack as reported in media.

PSC blames State Intelligence Service on failure to act

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that probed the Easter Sunday attack says the State Intelligence Service (SIS) is to be blamed most for its failure to act upon prior warnings.

Can’t develop country without empowering small sector industrialists: PM

I increased the capacity of the army to 0.2mn during the war - SF

SL’s location in the Indian Ocean plays strategic importance: Ruwan

Minister of Media and State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene today said that the Indian Ocean region (IOR) maritime domain and its affairs have become one of the crucial factors that decide and influence present, as well as future maritime affairs.

NPP agrees with Tamil parties on several proposals

The National People’s Power (NPP) said today it agreed with some of the 13 proposals submitted by Tamil political parties to be given to candidates contesting the forthcoming presidential election. Some of them included abolishing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and release of lands occupied by the army.

Won’t give in to any condition demanded by TNA: MR

Leader of both the SLPP and the Opposition, Mahinda Rajapaksa said today they were not ready to give in to any condition set by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

Sajin Vass Gunawardena wants SLFPers to back Sajith

One of the strongmen and confidantes of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime and former Mihin Lanka Chief Executive Officer Sajin Vaas Gunawardena called on the members and the supporters of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to work towards the victory of New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Sajith Premadasa at the presidential election.

Welgama’s house burgled

United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Kalutara District parliamentarian Kumara Welgama’s house at Kaluwamodara in Aluthgama has been burgled yesterday, Aluthgama police said.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

STF busts refuse tea racket: Three nabbed with over 14 MT of refuse tea

A large consignment of over 14,000 kg of refuse tea was seized by the STF during a raid at Kandegoda in Ambalangoda today.

Sajith held only one public day in four years: Wimal

While saying that the simplicity of NDF presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa was not genuine, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa said Sajith had held only one public day during the past four and half years as a minister.

Mattakkuliya car owner removes car, ends panic

The owner of the unidentified car that had created some panic in the Mattakkuliya area this morning had been identified and had removed the vehicle, the police said.

Can’t recognize UNHRC resolution on SL: Gota

SLPP presidential candidate and former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today said though he would work with the UN and human rights organisations in resolving contentious issues he could not recognize the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka because it was ‘illegal’.

No issue with SF being in-charge of national security: Mahesh

It was good to handover responsibilities relating to national security to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, National Peoples Movement (NPM) presidential candidate and former Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake said.

Don’t give in to conspiracies of foes

SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today their political camp should not give in to conspiracies of political opponents.

Elpitiya mirrors opinion of all communities: SLPP

The results of the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) election reflected not only the opinion of the Sinhalese but also of the Tamils and Muslims countrywide, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today.