May 09, Colombo (LNW): The Presidential Election will be held on a day between September 17 and October 16 this year, the National Election Commission said in an official statement.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe says he has started to formally implement economic stabilisation and recovery programmes for the reconstruction of the fallen country and as a result of this, the journey of economic growth has started from mid-2023: asserts economic growth is expected to be around 3% this year, and various domestic and foreign financial institutions have also made similar predictions: adds at present, the country’s inflation has dropped to 1.5% and the balance of the primary account, which was a deficit for many years, has been able to be converted into a surplus of 0.6% as a percentage of the GDP in 2023: emphasises the interest rate has fallen to the level of 10%-13% during the year.
   
2. The Election Commission has been informed of a parliamentary seat vacancy after State Minister Diana Gamage’s seat was revoked due to her British citizenship: The Supreme Court declared she didn’t meet legal requirements for an MP: Mujibur Rahman from SJB is set to fill the void: The situation sparks debate in Parliament about SJB’s legitimacy due to the Party being handed over to former members of the UNP by Gamage, but ex-EC Chief Mahinda Deshapriya clarifies there’s no issue with non-citizens forming a party.
   
3. The Colombo District Court extends the interim injunction against Maithripala Sirisena serving as SLFP Chairman until May 29, as per a plaint from Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga: The extension highlights ongoing internal strife within the SLFP: Details of the complaint remain undisclosed: Political analysts warn the outcome of the case may shape SLFP’s leadership and political influence.
   
4. Police bust a human trafficking ring aiming to deploy ex-servicemen as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine conflict: Two suspects, including a former Army Major General, were arrested: Earlier arrests were made in a similar case: The Defence Ministry warns veterans against illegal schemes after verifying reports of Sri Lankan casualties in the conflict.
   
5. A circular has been issued for government officials who couldn’t return to work due to COVID-19 travel restrictions: It outlines procedures for granting leave and mandates resignation procedures for those who didn’t follow protocol.
   
6. The Election Commission addresses concerns raised by PAFFREL regarding political involvement in government-led development projects ahead of the presidential polls: instructs the Secretary to the President to prevent politicians from participating in these initiatives: While the local authorities’ election has been declared, polling is postponed indefinitely: emphasises the need for non-political involvement in development projects to prevent politicisation: also starts logistical preparations for the upcoming presidential polls, expected after July 15 and concluding in early October.
   
7. Browns Investments acquire Liptons East African Tea Plantations, spanning Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, marking a significant milestone and solidifying its position as a top tea producer: In a meeting with the Kenyan President, Browns receives praise for its investments in Kenya, highlighting its commitment to fostering growth in Africa: This achievement reflects Sri Lanka’s leadership in the global tea industry.
   
8. A top scientist warns elevated marine heat levels in SL waters risk causing mass die-offs of coral reefs: Severe coral bleaching has been observed in the Lakshadweep Sea and the Gulf of Mannar: Dr. Arulananthan from NARA highlights the danger as temperatures reach 31 degrees Celsius, stressing that prolonged exposure could lead to significant coral mortality within a month: stresses urgent action is needed to protect coral reef ecosystems from the threat of marine heat waves.
   
9. The CoPF calls upon the Public Security Ministry and the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to address concerns about the VFS Global deal for the new visa issuance process: The move stems from criticism of the arrangement, with opposition members labelling it as a ‘monopoly’: CoPF Chief Harsha de Silva stresses the need for a thorough probe into the visa controversy: highlights the irregularity of bypassing CoPF in financial matters: The controversy arose after a passenger complained about delays and additional fees allegedly imposed by Indian companies overseeing visa processing at the BIA Airport: The Indian High Commission denied the claims: Public Security Minister Tiran Alles admits that the decision to engage VFS Global for visa processing did not undergo parliamentary scrutiny but had Cabinet approval.
   
10. Four Sri Lankan table tennis players, Chameera Ginige, Prasad Silva, Ishara Madurangi, and Bimandee Bandara, are aiming to secure spots in the Paris 2024 Olympics at the upcoming qualifying tournament in Nepal on May 12: Among them, Ginige and Bandara are the current National Champions: The anticipation in the Sri Lankan sports community is high as these athletes prepare to compete for Olympic qualification, with support from the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL) and financial assistance from the Sports Ministry.

May 09, Colombo (LNW): The Secretary-General of Parliament has officially notified the Election Commission of a vacancy in the Ninth Parliament, effective from 8th May 2024.

The above vacancy appears following the cancellation of the parliamentary seat held by MP Diana Gamage.

This information was formally communicated to the Chairman of the Election Commission in writing, in accordance with Section 64(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 01 of 1981, a press statement issued by the Communication Department of Parliament said.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (08) ruled that State Minister Diana Gamage does not meet the legal requirements to hold a parliamentary seat.

In its verdict, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court determined that Gamage, due to her dual citizenship status, is ineligible to serve as a Member of Parliament.

Meanwhile, former Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is set to be nominated to occupy the vacant parliamentary seat, according to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Gamage’s ousting brought heat within the Chambers, with ruling party members previously sitting with her questioning the legitimacy of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the political party which serves as the main Opposition in Parliament, due to it being handed over to the renegades of the United National Party (UNP) four years ago.

Gamage, being a British citizen, as proven before Court of Law, does not fill the requirement to serve as an MP in the Parliament of Sri Lanka, hence the argument brought against the existence of the SJB and the MPs serving the Party by several Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) members due to her contribution to the now Premadasa-led party.

Members of the ruling party SLPP argued in Parliament that there is likelihood that the legitimacy of the SJB could be challenged before Court of Law.

However, Mahinda Deshapriya, former Chief of the Election Commission, clarified that there is no legal impediment for non-citizens to establish a political party in Sri Lanka.

He emphasised that Sri Lankan law specifically prohibits non-citizens from holding a seat in Parliament or contesting Sri Lankan elections, as well as from participating in the voting process, but Gamage did not endorse the nomination papers of the SJB and had never served as the general secretary of the ‘Ape Jathika Peramuna‘, the SJB’s predecessor name.

May 09, Colombo (LNW): A recent circular has been released concerning the approval of leave for government officials who departed the country during the COVID-19 pandemic but were unable to return due to ongoing travel restrictions.

The circular was issued by the Secretary of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government.

It delineates the procedures for managing the leave status of officials unable to resume work as scheduled due to pandemic-related circumstances.

The circular provides guidance to Secretaries of Ministries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, and Department Heads on the protocol for approving both unpaid and paid leave for government employees unable to report back to work on or before their designated return dates due to COVID-19, in accordance with the Establishment Code.

Additionally, the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration has mandated the initiation of resignation procedures for any government officials who have failed to report to duty without obtaining formal leave approval.

May 09, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo District Court has extended the interim injunction preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from acting as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) until May 29.

The decision came in as the court reviewed a plaint submitted by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on the matter.

The injunction was initially issued on April 04 and serves as a temporary restraint against Sirisena from carrying out any duties associated with his position within the SLFP.

The extension of this injunction underscores the ongoing legal battle surrounding Sirisena’s role within the party.

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, a key figure within the SLFP, initiated legal action against Sirisena’s chairmanship, leading to the court’s intervention.

The details of Kumaratunga’s complaint and the specific grounds for the injunction extension have not been disclosed publicly.

The legal proceedings reflect internal strife within the SLFP. Sirisena, who served as the country’s President from 2015 to 2019, assumed the chairmanship of the SLFP following his tenure in office.

However, disputes over leadership and party direction have evidently led to legal recourse.

The extension of the injunction until May 29 suggests that the court requires additional time to deliberate on the matter and reach a conclusive decision.

Until then, Sirisena remains barred from exercising his role as the SLFP Chairman, pending further legal proceedings.

Sirisena recently came under the public’s microscope following his controversial remarks on the Easter Sunday carnage, a series of suicide bomb attacks which took away more than 270 lives on April 21, 2019, claiming that he has knowledge on the mastermind behind the attacks.

The outcome of this case holds significance not only for the internal dynamics of the SLFP but also for the broader political landscape in Sri Lanka.

The resolution of this legal dispute may impact the party’s direction, leadership structure, and influence within the country’s political sphere.

May 09, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police have dismantled a human trafficking operation aimed at deploying Sri Lankan ex-servicemen as mercenaries in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) apprehended two individuals, including a former Army Major General believed to be the mastermind, and a Sergeant Major who assisted him.

The suspects, aged 67 and 50 and residing in Kurunegala, were detained by the CID’s Human Trafficking and Maritime Crime Investigation Division.

Earlier, the CID had arrested two individuals, including another Army Major General, in connection with a similar human trafficking ring.

These individuals are currently in remand custody following court proceedings.

The Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka has verified reports that retired war veterans from the country have been casualties in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, having been misled into joining mercenary groups.

According to the Defence Ministry, these veterans fell victim to fraudulent foreign employment agents promising enlistment in foreign armies, lucrative salaries, citizenship, and other incentives.

The Defence Ministry has issued a stern advisory urging Sri Lankan war veterans to avoid falling prey to illegal schemes and endangering their lives by joining foreign mercenary outfits.

May 09, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission (EC) has taken a firm stance against political involvement in government-led development initiatives ahead of the presidential election, following a complaint from the local poll observer group People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).

In response to concerns raised by PAFFREL regarding the potential exploitation of development projects for political gain, the EC convened on Tuesday (07) to address the issue.

Following their meeting, the EC sent a letter to the Secretary to the President, Saman Ekanayake, instructing against the participation of politicians in development project implementations.

EC Chairman R.M.A.L Ratnayake clarified that while the local authorities’ election has been declared, polling has been indefinitely postponed.

In light of this, the EC urged the government to ensure that development projects proceed without political involvement, especially in the backdrop of the pending presidential election.

However, Ratnayake emphasised that the EC does not possess the authority to halt development projects altogether.

Instead, they have advocated for the exclusive participation of bureaucrats in such projects to prevent politicisation.

Simultaneously, the EC has begun logistical preparations for the upcoming presidential election, expected to be declared after July 15 and concluded in early October.