Indian PM Modi declares election victory

Published

11 months ago

June 4, 2024

editor

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed victory in the Indian election, though his alliance is far short of the 400 seats he set out to win.

His BJP-led alliance is leading in just under 300 seats, while opposition parties are ahead in about 230.

A party or alliance that wins more than 272 seats in the 543-member parliament can form the government.

Speaking in Delhi, he thanks voters for their mandate, and vowed to end poverty.

“We have to take a lot of decisions for the future of India,” Modi said, adding: “This relationship of trust is a big strength of the democracy.”

He ended his speech by thanking voters, who he says have given his alliance the chance to serve India for a third time.

The world’s biggest election was held in seven phases over six weeks with almost a billion people registered to vote.

(Excerpts : BBC News)

SLAF helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya during training session

Published

44 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09) into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

The incident occurred during a training exercise held as part of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces passing-out ceremony in Maduru Oya.

The aircraft was carrying ten Special Forces soldiers and two pilots at the time of the incident.

All personnel reportedly escaped without fatal injuries. Several have been hospitalised for treatment.

American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

Published

50 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

News

Heavy rains expected in the afternoon

Published

3 hours ago

May 9, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.