- President Ranil Wickremesinghe cautioned the public against making the “mistake” of transferring a “recovering patient”, who was in critical condition, to the care of an “unqualified doctor” after receiving emergency treatment, on September 21. He emphasized that, just as a doctor’s license can be revoked by the Sri Lanka Medical Council for refusing to treat a patient, the public should reject politicians who abandoned their duty to revive the country’s economy in 2022.
- SJB presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, addressing a rally, pledged to provide targeted fuel subsidies to essential workers, including farmers, fishermen, three-wheeler drivers and school van/bus operators. He emphasized that this support would only be directed to those in need, rejecting any provision of subsidies to wealthier citizens.
- Presidential candidate of the National People’s Power (NPP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has warned of the possibility of attempts by certain elements to engage in conspiracies in the next couple of days, ahead of the country’s presidential election. He stated that it is up to them to expose that and to request their supporters not to get involved in any such conflict in any way, as well as to urge the police and the armed forces to prevent the spread of such things through the powers vested in them if any conflict occurs.
- The Postal Department says that the distribution of around 97% of the official polling cards for the 2024 presidential election has already been completed thus far. If any voter has not received their official polling cards as of now, they can visit their local post office with their National Identity Card (NIC) after September 18 to verify their identity and obtain their polling card.
- The Commissioner General of Examinations Amit Jayasundara says that investigations are to be held today into an incident where three questions similar to those on the Grade 5 Scholarship exam paper had allegedly been posted online via a model exam paper. He stated that if investigations uncover that the questions have in fact been leaked, these questions would be disregarded during the paper marking process.
- The distribution of ballot boxes of the Presidential Election to returning officers, has been completed. The Election Commission said that ballot boxes have been issued for 13,421 polling stations across the island. Each polling station receives one ballot box.
- The final election rallies are set to take place today across Colombo and outstations. Sajith Premadasa will hold his rally in Panchikawatte, while Anura Kumara Dissanayake will address supporters in Nugegoda. Namal Rajapaksa’s last rally is scheduled in Piliyandala, and Dilith Jayaweera will conclude his campaign in Kottawa.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated the Western Automobile Assembly Private Limited (WAA) vehicle assembly plant in Kuliyapitiya, marking a significant milestone in the country’s automotive industry. This $27 million facility is now the largest vehicle assembly plant in South Asia, according to the President’s Media Division.
- Sri Lanka Police says that video footage related to past incidents that had occurred at various times in various parts of the country are once again being circulated on social media these days from time to time. Police Media Spokesperson’s Office stated that videos such as those showing certain vehicles traveling towards the Katunayake Airport being searched by various individuals and videos taken during curfews imposed in the past are currently being reshared.
- Sri Lanka Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya has confirmed several changes to the national team’s lineup, particularly in the batting order, ahead of the upcoming Test in Galle. Kamindu Mendis, who has been performing consistently, will receive a well-deserved promotion to the number five position. Kusal Mendis will move down to number seven and will keep wickets.
