November 14, Colombo (LNW): The postal voting results of Ratnapura District are as follows;

National Peoples Power (NPP): 24,776 (79.4%)
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB): 2,969 (9.51%)
New Democratic Front (NDF): 1,528 (4.9%)
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP): 1,031 (3.3%)

November 14, Colombo (LNW): The first postal voting result of the 2024 Parliamentary Election has been released.

Accordingly, the postal vote results of Galle district are as follows;

National Peoples Power (NPP): 32,296 (79.08%)
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB): 3,523 (8.63%)
New Democratic Front (NDF): 1,964 (4.81%)
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP): 1,846 (4.52%)

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 14, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake described this year’s Parliamentary Election as the most peaceful and democratic election in Sri Lanka’s history.

The President made this remark, in response to reporters after casting his vote this (14) afternoon.

“This campaign has been the most democratic and peaceful election in Sri Lankan history, which stands as a testament to the maturity of our citizens and their commitment to democracy,” Dissanayake said.

Expressing confidence in a favourable outcome for his party, the National People’s Power (NPP), Dissanayake emphasised the importance of responsible celebration, urging all political supporters to respect one another regardless of the election result.

“We are seeking a strong mandate to form a resilient parliament, and I am confident that the people’s support will reflect that. However, I urge everyone to celebrate our victory, if achieved, in a manner that upholds peace and respects all other political affiliations,” he stated.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 14, Colombo (LNW): Following the conclusion of Sri Lanka’s 2024 General Election, the Election Commission has confirmed that vote counting will commence from 7:15 pm onwards once ballot boxes reach the designated counting centres.

Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake made the announcement in a public statement, detailing the structured release of results.

Results will be shared in three stages. First, initial outcomes will be published at the constituency level, followed by district-level results.

The third phase will involve declaring the number of parliamentary seats allocated to each political party and independent group.

Preference vote counting, determining the individual MPs for each party, will begin at each centre once these main results are available.

However, the Commission clarified that only preference votes of parties and groups that have secured seats will be counted.

Representatives of other groups not qualifying for parliamentary seats will be asked to leave the counting centres at that stage, ensuring a streamlined process as the final preference tallies are determined.

November 14, Colombo (LNW): The ballot boxes containing postal votes were transported to the vote counting centre in Polgolla Adarsha Vidyalaya in Kandy.

These ballot boxes were assembled and sent under heightened security from the Kandy District Secretariat, and the counting of votes began at about 5 p.m. this evening.

The number of registered postal votes in the Kandy District amounts to 57,951, amongst which the number of accepted votes are 57,092.

The casting of postal votes, accordingly, is at 99 per cent, said Kandy District Returning Officer Chandana Tennakoon.

Overall, 738,050 voters were deemed eligible for postal voting in this year’s Parliamentary Election. The casting of postal votes was carried out on October 30, November 01, 04, 07 and 08.

Courtesy: Nadeeka Daya Bandara (Kandy)

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 14, Colombo (LNW): The 2024 General Election in Sri Lanka officially closed this evening, with polling stations across the country operating from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Voters visited 13,421 polling centres to elect representatives for the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka, marking a significant event in the nation’s democratic process.

This election determines the composition of the new 225-member Parliament, with 196 seats decided by public vote and an additional 29 seats allocated through the National List, which allows political parties to nominate members based on overall vote shares.

The inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament is scheduled to open on November 21, 2024 at 10:00 am, when newly elected representatives will take their seats to address the country’s legislative agenda for the coming term.

The voter turnout in each district following the conclusion of the election is elaborated below:

Colombo: 65%
Nuwara Eliya: 68%
Kurunegala: 64%
Batticaloa: 61%,
Matara: 64%
Puttalam: 56%
Anuradhapura: 65%
Badulla: 66%
Mannar: 70%
Trincomalee: 67%
Mullativu: 63%
Kegalle: 64%
Polonnaruwa: 65%
Ratnapura: 65%

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 14, Colombo (LNW): The National Election Commission has called on all media outlets and social media users to refrain from releasing unofficial election results before the commission’s formal announcements.

In a recent statement, the Commission stressed the importance of following established guidelines to ensure accuracy and maintain public trust during the election period.

This request follows a Gazette notification issued on September 25, which outlines strict media protocols for election coverage.

The Election Commission has reminded all platforms—print, broadcast, digital, and social media—to strictly adhere to these regulations.

The guidelines aim to prevent misinformation and maintain public order as vote counts are tallied and results prepared for official release.

By: Staff Writer

November 14, Colombo (LNW): National Security Council Israel lowers threat level for Arugam Bay area from 4 to 2, after suspects arrested in connection to IRGC plot to kill Israelis Israeli authorities Wednesday eased a travel warning for Sri Lanka on Wednesday, some three weeks after cautioning tourists at a popular beach town of an imminent terrorist threat.

Israel and the United States have recently relaxed travel advisories for Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay, following the arrest of several individuals linked to an Iranian plot to target Israelis.

The National Security Council of Israel, which issues travel alerts, downgraded its threat level for Arugam Bay from a “highly credible” level four to a more moderate level two, signifying a less immediate risk.

This change came just weeks after Israel had warned of a potential terrorist attack in the area, a popular destination for Israeli tourists.

The heightened warning had initially extended across the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka, including the towns of Hikkaduwa and Arugam Bay, which is known for its surfing spots favored by Israeli travelers.

However, the rest of the island was downgraded from level three (moderate threat) to level two, indicating that the overall danger had diminished.

The shift in the security situation follows a breakthrough in the investigation of an alleged plot orchestrated by Farhad Shakeri, an Afghan national recruited by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In an affidavit filed in U.S. federal court, Shakeri reportedly told the FBI that he and an accomplice had been instructed to carry out a mass shooting targeting Israelis at Arugam Bay.

 Shakeri claimed the attack was planned for the region, known for its Israeli surfing community. His accomplice, one of several individuals arrested by Sri Lankan authorities, was alleged to have provided weapons for the attack.

Following these developments, Sri Lankan authorities, with assistance from local security forces, ramped up safety measures in Arugam Bay and surrounding areas. The government had already made security improvements after receiving warnings from international sources.

On October 23, Israel had advised its nationals to leave the area immediately, citing the threat of terrorist attacks targeting Israeli citizens. Travelers were encouraged to avoid identifying themselves as Israelis and to stay in more secure areas like the capital, Colombo.

Despite the easing of the advisory, Israel’s National Security Council continued to caution Israeli citizens to remain vigilant. The Council’s guidance included warnings against wearing symbols of Israel or Judaism while traveling in Sri Lanka, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region, particularly following the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. This conflict has sparked protests and demonstrations across Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist country, where some local Muslim groups have shown solidarity with Palestinian causes.

By: Staff Writer

November 14, Colombo (LNW): The United States has removed its security alert on Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay area, signaling an improvement in the country’s security situation.

This decision follows close collaboration between the U.S. and Sri Lankan governments, as well as the swift implementation of enhanced security measures in the region by Sri Lankan authorities.

This positive move holds significant implications for Sri Lanka, particularly for its tourism industry and foreign investment climate. The U.S. is a major source of international tourists to Sri Lanka, and the lifting of the security alert is expected to encourage American visitors who may have previously been deterred by concerns over safety. With the upcoming tourist season in mind, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated that Sri Lanka remains a peaceful, attractive destination for travelers.

The alert was initially issued in October when the U.S. Embassy received credible information about a potential threat to tourist sites in the Arugam Bay area, particularly linked to a rise in Israeli visitors. However, the local police later clarified that the heightened security situation stemmed from the presence of foreign nationals in the area. Following this, the U.S. Embassy reassessed the threat level and decided to rescind the advisory.

The lifting of the alert is seen as a vote of confidence in Sri Lanka’s security improvements, particularly following the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that damaged the country’s international reputation. Beyond tourism, the move is expected to boost foreign investor confidence, especially from Western nations. The removal of the alert signals a more stable environment, potentially encouraging investment in key sectors such as infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing.

Economically, Sri Lanka is grappling with significant challenges, including a deepening debt crisis. However, the improved security image may help the country regain access to international markets for loans and investment, which could ease financial pressures.

The government’s swift action in addressing the security concerns through coordinated efforts between the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Public Security, and other agencies has been vital in restoring confidence. While the removal of the alert presents an opportunity for positive growth, it also places greater responsibility on the Sri Lankan government to maintain security and stability. A failure to do so could reverse the progress made in restoring the country’s image.

Additionally, the lifting of the U.S. security alert enhances Sri Lanka’s diplomatic relations with the U.S., improving the country’s standing on the global stage. However, this development may also have implications for Sri Lanka’s relations with other regional powers like China and India, as shifts in security and diplomatic policies could influence its position in the broader geopolitical landscape.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 14, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police have reported the unfortunate deaths of a police officer and two civil officials who were on duty for the ongoing election.

At a briefing, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa conveyed that the individuals suffered sudden health issues this morning while deployed at various polling sites.

Among the deceased is a 33-year-old police officer stationed at a school in Urumpirai, Kopai, who is suspected to have passed away from a heart attack.

In another incident, a 48-year-old woman serving as the Polling Station Chief at Siri Sadhaham Bhikshu Aramaye in Kesbewa fell ill and later died after being admitted to Piliyandala Hospital. She was a resident of Payagala.

Additionally, a 57-year-old male polling centre staff member in Kobeigane similarly experienced a sudden illness, resulting in his passing while on duty.

DIG Thalduwa stated that post-mortem examinations would be carried out to confirm the causes of death, although initial indications suggest heart attacks in each case.