By Ranil Dharmasena Former head of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya says only three institutions, the Election Commission (EC), the judiciary and Parliament can postpone the local council elections. The EC can postpone an election in keeping with the powers vested by the election laws, Deshapriya said.The EC had postponed elections during COVID by using […]

The distribution of school textbooks in the current years could be delayed as private printers have not been paid by the Education Ministry. Managing Director of Softwave Printing and Packaging (Pvt.) Ltd, Chamida Kariyawasam, asked for comment, told The Island that the Ministry of Education had not made any advance payment. It had not paid […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday (19) told Parliament that the Cabinet ministers had recently requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe to reveal inquiry report on May 09 attacks on Galle Face protesters and subsequent countrywide violence against mainly government politicians. Minister Ranatunga said so when National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and MP Wimal...

By Saman Indrajith Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that two members of the Elections Commission (EC) had received death threats as they were working hard to hold the local government polls. Participating in the second reading debate on Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill, Premadasa said that the two EC members had already […]

Weather forecast issued at 05.30 a.m. on 20 January 2023 by  Department of Meteorology The prevailing dry weather condition in the Eastern and Uva Provinces is expected to change during the next few days. Several spells of showers will occur in Uva province and in Ampara, Batticaloa and Hambantota districts. Mainly fair weather will prevail […]

Security forces personnel addicted to drugs must be rehabilitated urgently, Ven. Kuppiyawatte Bodananda Thera ha said.The government can obtain the assistance of civil society organisations to rehabilitate such military personnel, the thera has said. “The government must take steps to eradicate the menace of drugs. Unfortunately, a large number of security forces personnel are addicted [R...

By Rathindra Kuruwita  No one has a right to deprive citizens of their voting right, under any circumstance, Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) says. Addressing the media yesterday Hettiarachchi said the government could not postpone elections under any circumstances. “Initially, they said the local council election cost […...

By Saman Indrajith SLPP MP and law scholar Prof G. L. Peiris told Parliament yesterday that he might have to rewrite the books that he had written on constitutional law because of the violations of basic norms of democracy taking place under the incumbent regime. “Unprecedented developments are taking place in this polity. Such developments […]

By Saman Indrajith Time had come for ministers and MPs of the government to step down from their posts and say goodbye to their parasitic lives, Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday. “The government ministers and MPs are worse than leeches. You ruined our economy and destroyed this […]