News

Vijitha breaks Harini’s record

Published

6 months ago

November 16, 2024

editor

National People’s Power (NPP) Gampaha District Team Leader Vijitha Herath has received the highest number of preference votes in the history of Sri Lanka’s parliamentary polls with an unprecedented 716,715 votes polled at the 2024 General Election.

Accordingly, this is the highest number of preferential votes gained by a candidate in the General Election in Sri Lanka’s history and shatters a record set earlier today by fellow NPP candidate and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, when the preferential votes results of the Colombo District were announced.

She had received a staggering 655,289 votes in total and in doing so had set a new record for the most preference votes received by a candidate in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election history.

She had broken the record for the highest number of preference votes obtained by a parliamentary candidate which was held by former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who polled 527,364 votes in the 2020 General Election after contesting from the Kurunegala District.

However, Herath has now surpassed that record when the results of the Gampaha District was released this evening (15) showing that he has polled a total of 716,715 preference votes.

NPP had secured 16 seats in the Gampaha District compared to the SJB’s 3 seats which were won by Harshana Rajakaruna, Kavinda Jayawardena and Amila Prasad.

National People’s Power (16 Seats)

1. Vijitha Herath – 716,715
2. Anil Jayantha – 162,433,
3. Mahinda Jayasinghe – 137,315
4. Krishantha Abeysena – 121,825
5. Muneer Mulafar – 109,815
6. Ashoka Ranwala – 109,332
7. Dharmappriya Wijesinghe – 83,061
8. Ruwan Mapalagama – 78,673
9. Lasith Bashana – 74,058
10. Prageeth Maduranga – 70,887
11. Champika Hettiarachchi – 70,373
12. Ruwanthilake Jayakodi – 68,210
13. Hemali Weerasekara – 66,737
14. Upali Abeywickrama – 60,595
15. Stephani Fernando – 57,634
16. Chaminda Lalith Kumara – 53,451

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (3 Seats)

1. Harshana Rajakaruna – 67,004
2. Kavinda Jayawardena – 37,595
3. Amila Prasad – 23,699

News

12-hr water cut in several areas of Colombo

Published

20 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 12-hour water cut from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday (May 25) in several areas, including Colombo, due to essential maintenance work at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant.

Due to this, the public is urged to make prior arrangements and store an adequate supply of water to avoid inconvenience during the period of the suspension.

Accordingly, the water cut will affect the following areas:

Colombo 01 to Colombo 15
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Kaduwela
Battaramulla
Kolonnawa
Kotikawatta
Mulleriyawa
IDH (Infectious Diseases Hospital) area
Maharagama
Dehiwala
Mount Lavinia
Ratmalana and Moratuwa

News

Investigations underway to arrest 20 criminals hiding overseas

Published

21 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Public Security states that investigations are underway to arrest 20 members of major organized crime gangs currently hiding overseas.

Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Interpol has already issued red notices for their arrest and that the countries where these criminals are hiding have been identified.

He added that investigations into the group have been expanded in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the new government came to power, 11 members of organized crime gangs hiding abroad have been brought back to the island and produced before courts.

Meanwhile, operations to arrest members of organized crime gangs involved in various criminal activities, including murder and drug trafficking, within the country are also ongoing.

The Minister added that the Police Special Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are jointly conducting investigations into the allegations against them.

News

Ex-Minister Duminda Dissanayake arrested

Published

21 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

Former Minister and Anuradhapura District Organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) – Duminda Dissanayake, has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the discovery of a gold-colored T-56 assault rifle at a luxury apartment complex in Havelock Town, Wellawatte.

The firearm, found earlier this week, led to the arrest of 03 suspects, based on information revealed during interrogations conducted in connection with the incident.