Senior National People’s Power (NPP) member Bimal Ratnayake has denied media reports claiming that NPP candidates have been barred from seeking preferential votes.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila today signed nominations to contest the Parliamentary Election from the Colombo District under the Sarvajana Balaya.

Sri Lanka will continue to oppose the 51/1 resolution of the draft resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to be held tomorrow, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha herath said today.

Most of the senior members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are expected to enter Parliament through the national list this year, a former MP from the party said today.

The Cabinet has decided to terminate the services of officers and consultants appointed on contract basis for three projects initiated by the previous government.

The government has launched an investigation into the alleged incident of pages missing from the Special Presidential Commission into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

Health authorities express concern over the rapid increase of HIV contracted individuals in the Hambantota district this year. A medical officer of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Unit of the Hambantota District told this to the media during a medical clinic held recently in Ambalangoda area.

Sri Lanka will review a wind power plant promoted by India’s Adani group after elections, as no policy decisions will be taken on projects in the transition period, Foreign Minister Vjitha Herath said.

Claiming that permits or licenses to establish wine stores to sell liquor is not an illegal business, former MP Mano Ganesan questioned President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on the reason for holding the government from releasing the list of names and suspending the operations of these unethical wine stores.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has not asked for foreign chefs, foreign food and additional security, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

A female student from a leading international school fell to her death from the observation deck of the Lotus Tower this afternoon, Colombo, police said. Police added that a pair of shoes and a school bag were found on the deck.

Refuting reports that security personnel assigned to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had been removed, police clarified that 163 officers remain assigned to his protection. Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that preparations are underway to establish the Ex-PSD 8 Division, specifically for Wickremesinghe’s security.

The candidates contesting the forthcoming parliamentary elections are urged to submit their declaration of assets and liabilities along with their nomination papers, the Election Commission said.

A total of 77 political parties have been acknowledged as recognized political parties for the upcoming General Election. The National Election Commission has issued a Gazette notification announcing the list of recognized political parties that are eligible to contest the elections. Dated 28 September 2024, the Gazette has been issued under Section 7 (4) (b) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 01 of 1981.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the investigations into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks will be expedited, and steps will be taken to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again in the country. He assured that justice will be meted out to the victims.

The Inland Revenue Department has collected Rs. 1,417 billion in taxes by September 30, 2024, surpassing 70% of its annual goal of Rs. 2,024 billion. Commissioner General Sepalika Chandrasekara however said that some taxpayers under the self-assessment payment system still owe taxes. Accordingly, starting today, the department officials will visit these taxpayers to expedite the collection of outstanding dues.

The Finance Ministry has increased the special import levy on potatoes and big onions. The levy on potatoes will rise by Rs. 10 per kilo, while the levy on big onions will increase by Rs. 20 per kilo.

The police urge anyone with evidence or knowledge of any leaked questions from the Grade 5 scholarship exam, beyond the three already reported, to come forward by October 7, 2024.

Sri Lanka will take part in the upcoming BRICS summit from October 22-24, 2024, on the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the JVP/NPP leadership will not attend due to their focus on campaigning for the parliamentary elections.

Former MP and member of the JVP politburo, Wasantha Samarasinghe has alleged that former Minister Tiran Alles was involved in coercing deals related to passport and visa schemes.

A total of 122 independent groups have placed their cash deposits for the upcoming general elections scheduled for November 14, 2024, the Election Commission stated. The groups made their deposits between September 25 to October 04. Key districts with the highest number of deposits include Batticaloa (15), Jaffna (15), Digamadulla (11), Trincomalee (12) and Colombo (12).

DIG Dhammika Kumara has been appointed as the new Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), following the retirement of Major General Suresh Sallay, Ada Derana reported.

A part of R.A. de Mel Mawatha in the Kollupitiya Police area from St. Michael’s Roundabout to the Rotunda Roundabout along Temple Trees was opened to the public after 19 years, the Ministry of Defence said.

Numerous MPs who were in the currently dissolved Parliament have decided to opt out of politics without contesting the upcoming general election.

There has been an increase in the number of children showing symptoms of influenza and doctors advise vulnerable groups to wear masks, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said. He said symptoms like respiratory problems, cough, cold, fever, runny nose, blocked nose and sometimes vomiting may occur.

The Election Commission has halted the unlawful appointment of a new Managing Director to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) by the new government.

India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, arrived in Sri Lanka this morning for an official visit.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will likely undertake his first official overseas visit to New Delhi for discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he accepts an invitation which will be extended today by visiting Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Daily Mirror learns.

The international community should support Sri Lanka in building a peaceful, multi ethnic, green and prosperous Sri Lanka, Norwegian diplomat and former politician Erik Solheim said.

Former Minister of Transport and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardene has decided not to contest at the upcoming General elections.