Category: Local News

General Election 2015 concludes peacefully

Polling for Sri Lanka’s General Election 2015 ended peacefully today with over 70% turnout recorded in most electoral districts.



Sri Lankans go to polls in ‘referendum’ on Rajapaksa comeback

Sri Lankans went to the polls on Monday to elect a new parliament in what amounts to a referendum on ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s comeback bid, with the reformist alliance that swept him from power seeking a stronger mandate.



Vote early – EC

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya urged all voters to visit polling stations as early as possible today (17) to cast their vote with a valid ID.



Sri Lanka Deploys Thousands of Police on Election Eve

Sri Lanka deployed thousands of police today in stepped up security on the eve of a general election after the campaign was hit by sporadic violence that claimed four lives.



Ranil sure of GSP+ restoration

A United National Front (UNF) Government will ensure that Sri Lanka receives the GSP+ concession again, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.



Whatever Sri Lanka’s election result, China’s back in business

Work on a landmark Chinese-backed waterfront development in Colombo could resume after next Monday’s general election in Sri Lanka, even if Beijing’s preferred candidate for prime minister, ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is defeated.



Susil, Anura expelled from SLFP

Susil Premajayantha and Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, who were removed from their respective general secretary posts of the SLFP and UPFA, had also been expelled from the membership of the SLFP.



President sacks Anura and Susil; appoints Duminda and Vishwa

The Colombo District Court today issued an enjoining order preventing Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and Susil Premajayantha from acting and discharging duties as the General Secretaries of the SLFP and UPFA respectively until August 28, 2015.



Rajapaksa sends reply to President Sirisena

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today responded to the letter from President Maithripala Sirisena, with a letter of his own.



Central bank switches to public bond auctions after scandal

Sri Lanka’s central bank has formally announced that it will issue all treasury bonds by public auction, and no longer by direct placement, responding days before a parliamentary election to criticism of a controversial offering in February.



Court lifts Gota’s travel ban

Three persons including former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who had been banned by Court from travelling abroad due to investigations being carried out in connection with the floating armoury in the Galle Harbour, were yesterday allowed permission



Maithri sends hard-hitting letter to Mahinda Rajapaksa

In a hard-hitting letter to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, President Maithripala Sirisena said that even if the UPFA wins the general election, Mahinda Rajapaksa won’t be appointed Prime Minister



Vote for any animal but not betel leaf: CBK

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike said the people could vote for any animal and not for the betel leaf symbol or the hand symbol at the forthcoming general elections if they wanted to save the country from corrupt individuals.



MRIA to be used as a paddy store?

Sri Lanka’s second international airport, a pet project of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his hometown built at a cost of USD 210 million, could be used as a temporary paddy storage facility, officials said on Wednesday.



Chandrika batting for UNP has no effect – UPFA

UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha yesterday accused former President and ex- Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Leader Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga of working for the UNP.



I could not even get Matara Post Office painted – Sanath

As the Deputy Minister of Post in the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, I could not even get the buildings of the Matara Post Office painted