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Home » NewsElpitiya: Mega interest in mini election
In view of the November 16 presidential poll, there was interest in Friday’s election to the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha in the South. National Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya escorted by Special Task Forces personnel, also visited the Elpitiya area after the polls on an inspection tour. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna won the election. Pic [...]
Sirisena’s neutrality denies him role in SLPP-led alliance
President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to stay “neutral” at November 16 presidential election may deny him any office in the Sri Lanka People’s Alliance which is fielding former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as its candidate. This is whilst President Sirisena’s own party — the Sri Lanka Freedom Party — is extending unconditional support to the SLPA. [...]
Lanka strongly attacks UN over peacekeeping troop reduction
Sri Lanka this week levelled stinging criticism at the UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPO) over its unilateral decision to reduce deployments of Sri Lankan troops on missions under its command. Calling it “a matter of questionable procedure”, Kshenuka Senewiratne, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, said Sri Lanka had experienced [...]
Assault on state counsel; 12 years RI for father, son gets suspended jail term
A man found guilty of assaulting a state prosecutor and holding him hostage was sentenced to 12 years rigorous imprisonment by the Gampaha High Court this week. His teenage son, who was also found guilty of the same charge, was sentenced to four years R.I. suspended for five years. Gampaha High Court Judge Khema Swarnadhipathi, [...]
Three state banks to fund part of Central Expressway
In the absence of foreign investments for sections of the Central Expressway project, the Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Ministry of Highways and Road Development to obtain a loan of Rs 60 billion from three state banks. Approval has been granted to obtain funding from the People’s Bank, the National Savings Bank and [...]
Record number of candidates: NEC seeks additional Rs. 1.2 bn for poll
The National Elections Commission has sought the release of an additional Rs 1.2 billion over the Rs 4.5 billion as Presidential election expenses, Commission sources said. This is in views of the anticipated increase of expenses due to the additional candidates contesting the election. A record 35 candidates are contesting the November 16 poll. It [...]
Granting bail to suspended IGP, Def. Sec: HC rules Magistrate overstepped her authority
In issuing an order to grant bail to former Defence Ministry Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and the suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara, the Colombo Chief Magistrate had overstepped her authority and acted outside her jurisdiction, the Colombo High Court has ruled. Colombo High Court Judge Vikum Kaluarachchi made the observation in his ruling [...]
Rupavahini Corp. under Defence Ministry illegal, say FR petitions
Two Fundamental Rights petitions have sought a Supreme Court order nullifying the President’s gazette notification to bring the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). One petition has been filed by civil society activists Ven. Dambara Amila Thera and Prof. Chandraguptha Thenuwara, while the other is by United National Party parliamentarian [...]
Cabinet approves Ports Ministry’s Rs 300m request for Galle Face upgrade
Just days after the Lanka Electricity Co. (Pvt) Ltd rejected a Power & Energy Ministry attempt to suck out Rs 375 million of its funds, for a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, to develop Mihintale, Cabinet has passed a Ports Ministry request to draw Rs 300 million from Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) on a [...]
SLPP sweeps Elpitiya with SLFP rubbing it in by joining forces
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) swept to an overwhelming victory at the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) Election held on Friday (11), winning all 17 Wards and securing 17 of the 29 seats in the local body. Five main political parties, namely the SLPP, United National Party (UNP), United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Janatha Vimukthi [...]
RTI Com. takes note of Vedda chief’s advice
Adivasi (Vedda) community leader Uruwarige Wannilaththo’s has warned about the Right to Information Act being abused to settle personal grievances. His warning was included in a statement the Right to Information Commission issued to mark International Day for the Universal Access to Information. The Adivasi leader warning came when he addressed a meeting of senior [...]
Most crowded presidential poll: Problems galore, voter confusion feared
The record number of candidates contesting the 2019 Presidential Election has resulted in the budget for the election skyrocketing way beyond initial estimates, leaving a string of other complications, including more air time on state TV and radio and additional security arrangements. This has also compelled election officials to take additional measures to ensure the [...]
Sajith pledges to restore the dignity of poverty stricken people and the working class
The New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa launched his election campaign at the Galle Face Green on Thursday, with his main pledges being to implement widespread measures to uplift the lives of the people living in rural areas and the working class. The ruling United National Party (UNP) and the United National Front [...]
Gotabaya promises to release security forces personnel now in custody
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) launched its presidential election campaign from Anuradhapura with its candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa making a string of pledges including concessions to farmers and relief for those in debt. These are likely to have a series of financial implications. After religious events in Anuradhapura the rally began around 3.00 p.m. at [...]
Jaffna International airport opening: NEC sends warning signal over political air
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has warned politicians taking part in the opening of Jaffna International Airport, in Palaly, on October 17, not to use the occasion to take political advantage. Jaffna Assistant Elections Commissioner R.C. Amalaraj said, as the election date had been announced, it would be a violation of election laws, if any [...]
Lakvijaya power plant to shut 1 of 3 units for three-months maintenance
One of Lakvijaya coal power plant’s 3 units will be shut down for 3 months for a scheduled maintenance, engineers confirmed. “The maintenance was delayed for several months because the 300 MW it generated was essential to the national grid,” said Susantha Perera, Additional General Manager (Transmission). He also said that, the 100 days it [...]
We will give the change that young people yearn for: Ajantha Perera
The only woman candidate at the upcoming Presidential Election, Dr. Ajantha Perera, who is contesting under the Socialist Party of Sri Lanka (SPSL) says the party is aiming at winning the hearts of the youth who are looking for a change. She says many young people are disillusioned with the major parties and are looking [...]
SLFP not “swallowed up” by the SLPP – Prof. Rohana Luxman
With President Maithripala Sirisena choosing to remain neutral during the run up to the Presidential Election, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which he heads, this week appointed Prof. Rohana Luxman Piyadasa as its Acting Chairman, until the conclusion of the November 16 poll. In an interview with the Sunday Times, shortly after the SLFP [...]
Election Commission receives 269 complaints
The Election Commission Office for complaints said that it had received 269 complaints related to election violations and violence following the nominations on Monday. The office said that as of Friday (10) there had been five incidence of election violence and 262 complaints relating to violation of election laws. The District Election Complaints Management Centre [...]
Law & Order enforced equally, regardless of wealth, power, title, says JVP Leader
JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake presidential candidate under National People’s Power, vowed to ensure social justice and Law & Order, is enforced equally, regardless of wealth, power, and title. Mr Dissanayake contesting under the ‘Compass’ symbol, was addressing his maiden election campaign rally from his birthplace in Thambuththegama. He said their symbol indicates leading the [...]
Strong plea to address ‘blind spot’ in humanitarian efforts
Minding the mind as vital as water, food and shelter, urges Dutch Minister The commitment to the mind was loud and clear, sent forth with passion from the very heart of the Netherlands, gathering momentum and being echoed and re-echoed from different parts of the world. Even though the thousands, nay the millions caught [...]
Australia dives in to help Sri Lanka prevent drowning fatalities
Australia has increased its commitment towards assisting Sri Lanka prevent drowning fatalities, the second most common cause of accidental death after road accidents. Sri Lanka, which recently won the bid to host the 2021 World Conference on Drowning Prevention, counted 825 drowning deaths last year. That is 2.2 fatalities per day. The numbers point to [...]
Residents suffer as Water’s Edge garbage dump grows
Whilst controversy over the smelly Aruwakkalu garbage dump continues, another major garbage dump is taking shape in the heart of Kotte — the administrative capital of Sri Lanka. Piles of rubbish — food waste, broken furniture, empty beer cans and fish cans are in the pile that is building up at one end of the [...]
Rare liver transplant at A’pura Teaching Hospital
The first successful cadaveric liver transplant – that means from a brain dead donor – was done by a team led by Dr Joel Arudchelvam, Consultant Vascular and Transplant surgeon at the Teaching Hospital in Anura-dhapura. Dr Arudchelvam said the recipient, a 43-year-old male who had cirrhosis, was doing well and had gone home without [...]
Young researchers explain sights and sounds of Lankan bats
As fans celebrated well-loved cartoon character Batman’s 80th birthday worldwide, two young Sri Lankan researchers say bats are master pathfinders and get at their prey by using echolocation which involves emitting sound and then analysing the reflected sonar signal captured through special sensors. The Sunday Times met the two researchers at the Association of Tropical [...]
Future of Independence of the judiciary will be determined by political developments
It is hardly necessary to argue the importance of the independence of the judiciary in a democracy. The integrity and independence of the judiciary is the surest safeguard for the citizen who seeks justice, whether it is in resolving a dispute between himself and a fellow citizen or, in protecting himself against the excesses of [...]
Alarm over decline in Anuradhapura Orchid population; call to protect native beauties
The Anuradhapura orchid – Vanda Tessellata — is Sri Lanka’s most heavily traded indigenous orchid species but over the past two decades its population has been on the decline, an expert has raised alarm. “This orchid type is popular and their different colourations make them attractive. So, there is considerably a large demand for the [...]
Presidential candidates throw in their hats for the top job
A record number of 35 candidates, backed by their party supporters, turned up on Monday (7) at the Elections Secretariat at Sarana Mawatha, Rajagiriya, under heavy security, to hand over their nominations for the Presidential Election on November 16. More than 1,800 Policemen and STF personnel were on duty, while some of them were seen [...]
Indian HC highlights Indo-Sri Lanka scientific tradition
The High Commissioner of India, His Excellency Taranjit Singh Sandhu participated at the inaugural ceremony of RESCON2019 -The Annual Research Congress of the Post Graduate Institute of Sciences (PGIS) at the University of Peradeniya as Chief Guest this week. Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Parakrama Karunaratne was Guest of Honour. Professor Alan Lyons [...]
Calves missing after train kills she-elephant
Wildlife department officials are searching for two elephants calves which fled to the nearby forest after the 25-year-old mother was killed by a train. A senior wildlife department official said the incident occurred at Piliyarandi in Welikanda on Thursday night when the Minagaya train collided with the she-elephant who was moving across the rail tracks. [...]
Pick of the Pix
Pix by Amila Gamage, Priyantha Wickramarachchi, Ishanka Sunimal and Hiran Priyankara.
English teacher’s death raises questions; body found in Victoria reservoir
The death of a young English teacher has sent shock waves across her hometown Gampola and raised questions over unprotected drains that have become death traps to unsuspecting pedestrians. As usual, on October 1, after completing her work at a school in Hatton, 27-year-old Chandima Nisansala set off for home in Gampola town with her [...]
Gone to the dogs
Staff and patients of General Hospital -Nagoda have complained of stray dogs roaming the hospital premises at all hours of the day and night. Stray dogs freely roam the wards, clinics and passages of the hospital, resulting in the spread of germs. Patients, visitors and staff alike are in quandary as to how the problem [...]