News

Australia votes in national election

Published

12 hours ago

May 3, 2025

editor

Australia goes into elections as 18 million voters will determine who the next prime minister will be.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of the left-leaning Australian Labor Party is seeking re-election and his challenger is Peter Dutton of the conservative Liberal-National coalition.

Cost of living is the main election issue. Voters are also concerned about the affordability of health care and housing.

Donald Trump also looms over the vote as Australia, whose people value “mateship” of friendship and loyalty, is not spared from the US president’s tariffs.

There’s a record 111 overseas voting locations across 83 countries this year, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The largest hubs of Australians abroad are in Berlin, Hong Kong, London and New York.

Official results can take days or even weeks to come, but as soon as polls close, the Australian Electoral Commission will start releasing unofficial preliminary results, which historically indicates who will form the next government.

(Agencies)

News

Liquor stores closed on election day

Published

11 hours ago

May 3, 2025

editor

Liquor stores islandwide will be closed on Tuesday, May 06 in view of the Local Government elections.

Excise Chief U.L. Udaya Kumara announced that retail liquor outlets will remain closed during the period between Monday, May 05 closing time to opening time on Wednesday, May 07.

However, this ruling is exempted for in-house guests of all Tourist Board approved hotels and boutique villas.

News

Police to look into threats faced by 2 journos

Published

12 hours ago

May 3, 2025

editor

Police are investigating alleged underworld threats faced by two well known journalists, reports say.

Complaints have been made that senior journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama, who hosts Hiru Channel programs and runs the YouTube channel ‘Talk with Chamuditha’ is facing threats from the notorious “Dehi Bale’s” group while M. Chamika, who of the “Neth FM Balumgala” programme is facing threats from underworld kingpin – Kanjipani Imran.

Following complaints made to the Ministries of Defence and Public Security, an investigation has been initiated on the instructions of the Acting IGP – SDIG Priyantha Weerasuriya.

News

Campaigning for LG polls ends tonight

Published

12 hours ago

May 3, 2025

editor

Campaigning for the local government elections will conclude at midnight tonight (May 03), as per Election Commission’s directives that all campaigning must end 48 hours before the polls.

The elections are scheduled to be held on May 06.