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With the September 21 presidential election campaign reaching its climax next week, these enthusiastic young girls are seen reading a model ballot paper displayed on the door of the Election Commission office in Rajagiriya. Pic by Eshan Fernando
Diplomats cannot monitor polls: EC
EU observers say they haven’t ‘applied’ for accreditation The Election Commission (EC) has disallowed diplomats of European Union (EU) missions in Colombo to be part of its monitoring team during next week’s presidential election. Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake told the Sunday Times a request was turned down and the local embassy staff of the [...]
Amidst concerns, IMF team coming two weeks after polls
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation will arrive in Sri Lanka two weeks after the presidential election is concluded to make an assessment for a new staff-level agreement and review the ongoing programme. They will meet with the elected president and discuss any changes that the administration hopes to propose to the ongoing IMF programme, [...]
UNHRC resolutions against Sri Lanka likely to be ‘rolled over’
By our Diplomatic Editor The resolutions against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) are likely to be ‘rolled over’ by another year, the Sunday Times learns. The resolution, the latest being No. 56/1 of 2022, lapsed this month, and the Core Group, spearheaded by the United States, the United Kingdom, and [...]
New bill to seize proceeds of crime
Those who possess any property obtained through proceeds of crime or engage with it in any form of transaction will be considered to be committing a punishable offence under the law and can be prosecuted in the High Court. Those found guilty will face a fine of Rs 10 million and a 15-year jail term. [...]
President’s backup helicopter makes emergency landing
A backup helicopter accompanying President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s helicopter made an emergency landing in Eppawala last evening. An Air Force spokesman said the helicopter made the emergency landing after a technical defect was indicated on the lighting panel. He said the helicopter was safely landed in a paddy field and a replacement had been called in. [...]
Police investigate clash between DJP and alleged NPP supporters
Cinnamon Gardens Police investigating a clash between a group claiming to be a nationalist organisation and alleged supporters of the National People’s Power (NPP) at the National Library premises have summoned both groups today (15) for further inquiries. The clash occurred on Thursday during a public conference organised by the Deshapremi Jathika Peramuna (DJP), a [...]
Govt. to support vocational training for 50,000 youths, President says at launch of TSHE
The government plans to allocate funds to support 50,000 youths in receiving vocational training at recognised institutions, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced. Addressing the gathering at the launch of the Times School of Higher Education on Thursday at the Galle Face Hotel, the President said the government had the capability to establish such institutions to provide [...]
Bribery Commission report filed on Highways Ministry and CHEC agreement to settle outstanding dues
At least two complaints have been filed with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption against an agreement signed last week between the Highways Ministry and China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) to settle “outstanding dues” to the company amounting to Rs 7.91bn. Despite the settlement agreement having been signed on September 6, the [...]
Nawaratne resigns, Meddegoda acting president of BASL
Bar Association of Sri Lanka President Kaushalya Nawaratne PC has resigned, citing a malicious campaign to tarnish his professional and personal life. His letter of resignation was sent on Friday to the Bar Council. Mr Nawaratne’s resignation comes days after the Bar Council, the apex body of BASL, unanimously called on him to resign after [...]
Two houses seized under money laundering act
By D. G. Sugathapala The Galle Division Crime Investigation Department has seized two Rs 30 million-worth houses under the money laundering act and handed them to Akmeemana and Bope, Poddala Divisional secretaries. According to Police, the two houses had been purchased by a woman using illegally earned money. The houses in Haliwala in Akmeemana Police [...]
Excise Dept. plans special raids
The Excise Department will conduct special raids utilising its full strength during the election week. Deputy Excise Commissioner Channa Weerakkodi said the department had deployed teams to take action against those who had liquor exceeding the approved limit without permits. He said the raids were part of measures to limit pre-election violence. According to him, [...]
3,720 incidents of violations and 28 incidents of violence, says EC
The Election Commission (EC) says it has received complaints of 3,828 incidents of election law violations including 28 incidents of violence, as of Thursday. According to the summary report issued by the EC, 3,190 cases have been resolved, while 638 are to be addressed.
SC instructs contempt charges be filed against Immigration Chief
By Namini Wijedasa The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday instructed contempt of court charges to be filed against the Controller General (CG) of Immigration and Emigration for not obeying its August 2 order to restore the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system that operated before April 16. Justices P Padman Surasena (presiding), Kumudini Wickremasinghe and Achala [...]
Stamp for Victor Hettigoda
In tribute to late ayurvedic physician Victor Hettigoda, the founder of Siddhalepa and the Hettiaratchi Group of Companies, and in recognition of his contributions to the field of ayurvedic medicine, a commemorative stamp and first-day cover were unveiled at the Shangri-la on Friday (13).
I want to ask Sri Lanka to think of your future and vote for the future: Ranil
By Anthony David President Ranil Wickremesinghe, contesting as an independent candidate, has projected himself as the most suitable person to carry out economic reforms and has called on voters to vote for him to secure their own future. Amidst a busy election campaign schedule addressing rallies across the country and other meetings, President Wickremesinghe on [...]
Sajith says unfazed by challengers, focused on rebuilding country
By Prasanna Sanjeewa Tennakoon With just one week to go before the 2024 presidential election, candidates are making their final pitches to voters as they vie for the opportunity to govern Sri Lanka for the next five years. The Sunday Times sister paper Irida Lankadeepa sat down with Opposition Leader and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) [...]
Get to know the main contenders’ core teams
By Chandani Kirinde The three main contenders in the September 21 presidential election—Independent candidate President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition and SJB Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake—are senior parliamentarians and have in their teams both experienced politicians as well [...]
Northern youth as yet unconvinced amid joblessness
By S. Rubatheesan Most Northern voters, particularly young people, are as yet undecided whom to vote for in the presidential election next Saturday. For Sriharan Abilash, 20, of Aralay North, this will be the first time he is going to cast his vote, but he is not sure. “I’m going to wait for a couple [...]
Eastern province: Intense efforts to lure voters
In the multi-ethnic Eastern province, election propaganda adorn the regional and suburban towns. A local tea shop owner in Batticaloa noted the intensity of the campaign where posters are being pasted on top of others at midnight. Regional parties such as Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) led by Rauff Hakeem, and All Ceylon Makkal Congress [...]
Western Province: Undecided voters will be a decisive factor
By Kasun Warakapitiya and Nathara Abeywickrema As the presidential election campaigns draw to a close, the Sunday Times spoke to voters in the country’s most populous districts of Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara for their views. Many said they were undecided and still weighing the options with less than a week to go for the poll. [...]
Voters encouraged to make informed decisions
By Kevin De Alwis Election officials are encouraging Lankans to use their vote next week in what is a regarded as a decisive presidential contest. Election Commission Chairman R M A L Ratnayake said they expect a strong voter turnout. Even before the presidential election was announced, the EC launched a registration to sign up [...]
Poll cards that could not be delivered to absent residents can be collected at post offices
By Kasun Warakapitiya The Postal Department has asked the public to visit their area post offices to obtain their poll cards as delivering to houses has ended. Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara said that they were able to distribute 14.5 million (85 percent) of poll cards by Friday morning, and had a remainder of 2.5 million [...]
Physicians on quest to have zero dengue deaths in SL
National Guideline on the Management of Dengue 2024 to be launched at 57th Anniversary Annual Academic Sessions of the CCP on Thursday By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Almost all homes in densely-populated areas of the country experience worry over the scourge of dengue. Now physicians are on a mission to ease these fears by making dengue deaths [...]
A more inclusive election
By Dilushi Wijesinghe A new system has been introduced for visually impaired voters to cast their votes in the upcoming election. Facilitated by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the USAID will provide financial support. The system was piloted in the 2020 parliamentary election in Nuwara Eliya. “The pilot ballot was a plastic tactile [...]
No photos and videos of polling, EC takes strict stance on violations
By Ishu Bandara The Election Commission has said no one is allowed to take photographs or carry a camera into polling or counting stations, unless special permission is obtained. Special permission will be granted to candidates casting their votes, allowing them to take photos after obtaining a permission letter from the relevant district election office. [...]
The NPP will bring about a new political culture: AKD
By Chandani Kirinde As he enters the final lap of a punishing election campaign schedule, National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake took a few questions from the Sunday Times on his hopes to build a better country and move ahead with the times while allaying fears of violence if he wins Saturday’s [...]
All measures in place to ensure peaceful poll, even in the furthest polling booth in Padaviya
Of the 22 divisional secretariat divisions in this district, threats from wild elephants exist in 21 and special measures have been adopted to avoid an untoward incident, Anuradhapura District Secretary G.R. Wimalasooriya told the Sunday Times. “We want to make sure that the 636 polling centres and 95 counting centres function efficiently,” he said. While [...]
In Anuradhapura district, rival supporters contest ‘we’re ahead’ claims
Anthony David reporting from Anuradhapura On a sunny day in November 2019, Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa was sworn in by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the sacred Ruwanweli Maha Seya here. It was built by King Dutugemunu, who, according to historical records, was a brave ruler and defeated King Elara at war. In his first address [...]
The hills are alive with campaigns with estate sector to play key role
By Sandun Jayawardena in Kandy With over 2.2 million registered voters spread across its three districts, the Central Province is a major battleground for candidates contesting the upcoming election. The estate community is likely to play a vital role in electing the ultimate victor in the province and various political parties in the estate sector [...]
Proxies in it for the free ride
By Minaza Hassan Of the 38 candidates in the presidential election, most are confined to a list of names and their only contribution seems to be unnecessarily using administrative resources. They are neither active contestants nor campaigning or sharing their policies. “Only 15 candidates appear to be actively campaigning, and out of the rest, some [...]
Votes for late presidential candidate invalid
Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake told FactSeeker that any votes cast for late presidential candidate Mohammed Ilyas would be considered invalid. With the vacancy created by the demise of Mr Ilyas on August 22, FactSeeker observed questions regarding the process for filling his vacancy. Mr Ratnayake said the Election Commission had informed the [...]
Jockeying for advantage in big battleground
By Karuwalagaswewa Jayaratna and Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe The North Western Province is a big stomping ground for politicians casting their eyes for votes in the presidential election. The Puttalam district was where the SLPP candidate, former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa secured a lead in the 2019 presidential election, obtaining 50.8% of the vote versus the New [...]
New railway track opening postponed
The Railways Department has postponed indefinitely the opening ceremony of the new Maho-Anuradhapura railway line after the Election Commission intervened on a complaint by the Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union (LOEU). The union said the project had not been completed to be declared open. - Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara