Tamil actor Vijay unveiled the representative flag for his political party Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam today. Tamil superstar Vijay on Thursday unveiled the flag and symbol for his political party Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam. Vijay will hoisted the flag at the Panaiyur party office and release an official song for the political party as well.

SJB MP Thalatha Athukorala announced that she will resign from the Parliamentary seat. She told this in Parliament while making a special statement. Announcing her decision, Ms. Athukorala said she opposed the decision of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to form the SJB. She said Premadasa has committed political suicide.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) national list MP Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana, has been appointed as the Non-Cabinet Minister of Development Projects with effect from today.

The tally of dengue cases recorded for 2024 has topped the 35,000 mark, according to the National Dengue Control Unit. As of August 20, a total of 35,375 cases have been reported in 2024, with the highest number being from the Colombo district, which stood at 8,599.

USS Okane of the United States Navy arrived at the port of Colombo on a replenishment visit today (21 August 2024). The Sri Lanka Navy warmly welcomed the ship upon its arrival.

Bandula Lal Bandarigoda was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today. He was sworn in to fill the vacancy created after former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara lost his Parliamentary seat.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Karunadasa Kodithuwakku has declared support for Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader MP Sajith Premadasa in the 2024 Presidential Election. Announcing his decision, MP Karunadasa Kodithuwakku crossed over to the Opposition side in Parliament today. Karunadasa Kodithuwakku represented the Matara District for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.

Three patients who were subjected to permanent loss of sight due to the use of ‘Prednisolone Acetatean' eye drops used after cataract surgeries at a government hospital, filed lawsuits before the Colombo District Court today claiming Rs.300 million from former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and ten others for the damage caused to their eyes and possible threats to their lives.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has reported a net profit after taxes in the April- June quarter of this year. According to the CEB, the net profit was reported after paying Rs. 34.53 billion in taxes.

The National Election Commission has received 35 complaints in the last 24 hours ending at 04:30 pm on Monday. All complaints were related to violations of election laws, the Election Commission said in a statement.

A total of 736,589 applications have been received for postal voting at the 2024 Presidential election, and a total of 24,268 applications among them have been rejected, Commissioner General Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said. Addressing the media, he said a total of 712,321 applicants are eligible for postal voting. The Commission is expecting a maximum of 800,000 applications for postal voting.

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) says the party will announce which candidate it will support in the 2024 Presidential Election after the candidates unveil their policy statements. The Central Committee of ITAK convened in Vavuniya on Sunday (Aug 18), with all its members attending the meeting.

SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa has officially accepted the invitation extended by the Daily Mirror and Lankadeepa for a live presidential debate with the main contenders ahead of the Presidential Election on September 21.

A group of election observers from the European Union and the Commonwealth have arrived in Sri Lanka to monitor the September 21 presidential election, Election Commission officials said on Sunday. They are here at the invitation of Sri Lanka’s Election Commission.

While raising serious concerns over the incumbent government for deliberately violating the election law, the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has informed the Election Commission regarding the appointment of two Presidential advisors by the President.

USS Spruance of the United States Navy arrived at the port of Colombo on a replenishment visit today. USS Spruance, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer stretching 160 meters in length, is operated by a crew of 338 personnel. The ship is under the command of Commander Thomas Adams. Following the completion of replenishments, she is scheduled to depart the island on 20th August.

Former Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara have been appointed as Presidential advisors by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as per the power vested with him under Article 41(1) of the Constitution.

Appointment of former Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara as Presidential advisors is in violation of election laws, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

A Chinese navy training ship will embark on an ocean-going voyage to enhance the professional capabilities of midshipmen and conduct naval exchanges with other countries, Defence Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang told a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.

The United States' Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Jennifer R. Littlejohn, is set to embark on a crucial tour of South Asia from August 17 to August 31. Her visit will encompass key destinations including Colombo, Sri Lanka; Chennai and New Delhi, India; and Malé, Maldives.

More than Rs 200 million worth ongoing development projects secured by All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader and Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen in six districts have been put on hold with immediate effect following directives issued by the Presidential Secretariat.

The Sri Lankan cadet officer, who passed out from Britain’s prestigious Sandhurst Military Academy last week, has gone missing, according to Defence Ministry sources. Mohammed Aneek was among 209 officers who passed out after 44 weeks of intense training. He was scheduled to return home this week after the passing out parade but missed the scheduled flight.

The total expenditure for the presidential election by the main parties is projected to exceed Rs 30 billion this year, according to estimates from election monitoring organisations. Based on current conditions, including advertising costs, it is estimated that parties will need to spend around Rs 400 per voter. As a result, each political party or candidate may need to allocate at least Rs 7 billion for their election campaign.

The police have decided to arrest voters who violate election rules and present them in court without offering police bail. This measure aims to prevent any potential bias that could arise from the provision of police bail. The police have decided to give severe punishments especially to those who violate the election rules.

National People’s Power (NPP) Politburo member Sunil Handunneththi said that no candidate is a challenge to his party and that the party had been preparing for the Presidential Election since two years ago.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summoned the Canadian High Commissioner yesterday to formally protest the laying of the foundation stone for a so-called Tamil Genocide Monument at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton, Canada on August 14.

The number of live births has dropped by 20 per cent between the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic period and the deaths increased by 30 per cent, an expert said

A total of 519 complaints related to the upcoming Presidential election have been received by the Election Commission as of yesterday evening. The Commission said that the complaints were received during the period from July 31 to August 16.