By: Isuru Parakrama

November 14, Colombo (LNW): As Sri Lankans head to the polls, the Election Commission has called on citizens to cast their votes early in the day to ensure smooth operation and avoid peak congestion.

Election Commission Chairman, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, urged voters to come prepared with valid identification documents, stressing that an official polling card is not mandatory for casting a vote.

Chairman Ratnayake assured registered voters that they can exercise their voting rights even without an official polling card, provided they bring one of several approved forms of identification.

Accepted documents include a National Identity Card (NIC), valid passport, driving licence, Public Service Retirement ID, elders’ ID, clergy ID cards, an NIC confirmation letter, and temporary ID cards issued by the Election Commission, especially for those with disabilities.

The Election Commission has also issued clear guidelines on voting procedures to minimise errors that could lead to invalid ballots. Voters may cast a single vote for either a recognised political party or an independent group, marking an ‘x’ in front of the chosen party’s symbol or the symbol and number of the independent group.

Additionally, voters may mark preferences for up to three candidates from their selected party or group by placing an ‘x’ beside the assigned numbers at the end of the ballot paper.

The Election Commission has cautioned voters against using any marks other than the specified ‘x’ when marking their ballots, as this could result in invalidation. Any ballot paper displaying votes for more than one party or group, or containing identifiable markings, will not be counted.

The commission also emphasised that the ‘x’ mark should be used exclusively for both the main vote and candidate preferences, adhering to election regulations.

In preparation for the anticipated turnout, the Election Commission encourages voters to plan ahead, follow guidelines closely, and arrive at polling stations early with appropriate identification to facilitate a seamless voting process.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 14, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court was notified yesterday (13) that five of Sri Lanka’s largest liquor manufacturers, including W.M. Mendis & Company, collectively owe billions of rupees in unpaid excise taxes.

During a hearing on the matter, representatives from the Excise Department and the Attorney General’s office asserted that operating licences for these companies would be revoked if the dues were not settled by 30 November.

Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner General of Excise and the Attorney General, issued this warning while defending against a fundamental rights petition.

This petition, submitted by a group of 17 concerned citizens, sought the immediate suspension of the licences of several liquor producers who are allegedly defaulting on excise tax obligations.

Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Priyantha Fernando presided over the case and set a date for further review on 22 January 2025.

The petitioners, represented by Attorney Manjula Balasuriya, include Sanjaya Mahawatte and Susantha Ranjith Liyanarachchi, amongst others, who emphasised the heavy reliance of government finances on tax revenues, particularly from high-revenue industries such as liquor.

According to the petitioners, these five companies have accrued an unpaid tax debt of approximately Rs. 6 billion over several years. The excise tax, required for annual licence renewal, has reportedly gone unpaid despite regular licence renewals.

The petitioners also allege a pattern of negligence within the Excise Department, arguing that officials were aware of these outstanding dues yet continued to grant and renew licences for the involved companies.

In light of this, the petition requests the Court to instruct the Excise Department to take immediate action to collect the unpaid taxes and to ensure a report is submitted to detail the total excise dues.

Defending the companies, President’s Counsel Razik Zarook appeared in court alongside Additional Solicitor General Pulle, who represented the Attorney General’s office.

The hearing highlighted both legal and regulatory gaps within the excise licensing system, prompting further discussion on measures to close these gaps.

November 14, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankans head to the polling stations to elect members of the island nation’s tenth Parliament today (14), marking the first parliamentary election since President Anura Kumara assumed office.

This election will determine 196 of the 225 parliamentary seats through direct voting, with an additional 29 seats allocated from the National List. 

Polling stations across the country are open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., offering the electorate of over 17 million citizens an opportunity to shape their government. 

The Election Commission has arranged 13,314 polling stations nationwide and is providing special assistance for voters with disabilities, including accessible transportation options and visual aids where necessary.

A diverse field of 8,821 candidates is contesting in this election, including 5,464 candidates representing political parties and 3,357 independents. Notable candidates include former opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and current Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. 

For the first time in decades, none of the Rajapaksa family members are running, marking a significant shift in the island’s political atmosphere.

Voter participation is encouraged with provisions allowing each voter to mark three preferences. The Gampaha district, with 1.9 million registered voters, is expected to send the largest number of representatives to Parliament, while Trincomalee will send the fewest.

The Election Commission has reinforced protocols to ensure a secure voting environment. Commission Chief R.M.A.L. Rathnayake emphasised that prohibited activities within polling stations include using mobile phones, taking photographs, and entering under the influence of alcohol. 

Violations of these regulations could lead to penalties, and voters are reminded to present valid identification, such as a National Identity Card, Passport, or Driver’s Licence, when casting their vote.

To uphold electoral transparency and security, 5,000 observers from the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) will monitor the process, with 3,000 stationed within polling centres and an additional 2,000 conducting patrols around the premises. 

PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi highlighted the importance of this election in shaping Sri Lanka’s future amidst economic recovery efforts. Further, 200 observers will supervise the vote counting, which will commence after polls close at 4:00 p.m.

The Election Commission has also deployed an extensive security operation, with 90,000 police and military personnel on duty across the island. Mobile patrols will be active throughout election day, and officers have been stationed at polling centres to address any disruptions.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 14, Colombo (LNW): The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning during thundershowers as the atmospheric conditions are favourable further for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (14).

Showers or thundershowers will occur in the most parts of the island after 2.00 p.m.

Showers or thundershowers may occur in Northern and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota district during the morning too.

Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North- western provinces and in Badulla, Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely elsewhere.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

1. The Sri Lanka Parliamentary Election 2024 is held today (14) covering all electorates of the districts island-wide: The Election Commission ensures peaceful conduction of the polling procedure, with voters encouraged to exercise their right to vote correctly: Voters can vote for the political party they favour by placing an X mark in front of the party symbol, and cross up to three preferential numbers with an X mark, should they choose to: All other means of voting in the ballot paper will be accounted for as rejected votes: The voting procedure commences from 7 a.m. onwards, and will operate till 4 p.m.
   
2. As Sri Lanka holds its general election, law enforcement has deployed over 90,000 personnel nationwide for security, including 64,000 police officers and 3,200 Special Task Force members, supported by 11,000 military personnel and 12,227 Civil Security members: Extensive patrols, roadblocks, and anti-riot units are in place to ensure safety at polling stations and prevent post-election violence.
   
3. The United States lifts its security alert for Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay following cooperation with the Sri Lankan government and enhanced local security measures: The Foreign Ministry highlights swift, coordinated actions by defence and public security agencies to ensure safety for tourists and residents: The US praises Sri Lanka’s response, reinforcing the nation’s image as a secure destination ahead of the tourist season.
   
4. The Korean SME Association pledges support to advance Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector and expand employment, agreeing to provide technical aid and training for fishing industry growth: At a meeting with Sri Lankan officials, the association discussed training local workers for Korea’s fishing industry, aiming to boost employment prospects: The delegation was led by President Kim Chung Ryong.
   
5. The Railways Department announces the cancellation of at least ten train services today (14) due to a shortage of drivers and assistants, with an additional 22 services also impacted: The department warns that if recruitment issues persist, more cancellations may follow, causing further inconvenience to commuters as the shortage of train drivers and controllers remains unresolved.
   
6. The government launches an initiative allowing expatriates to obtain birth, marriage, and death certificates through seven selected embassies, including those in Kuwait, Japan, and Qatar: This pilot project, supported by an enhanced e-BMD database, will initially provide approximately 45 million records dating back to 1960: Occasional delays may occur for updated certificates.
   
7. The Colombo Stock Exchange’s All Share Price Index (ASPI) surpasses 13,000 points on November 13, marking the first time since January 2022: The index closed at 13,125.19 after a 1.05% rise, with a 136.20-point increase and a turnover of Rs.6.9 billion, signalling renewed investor interest and market momentum.
   
8. The new Board of Directors of Sri Lanka’s Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), chaired by Dr. Hans Wijeyasuriya, held its inaugural meeting on 13 November: The board, comprising notable industry leaders, aims to advance the country’s digital economy: Key members include experts in digital governance, software engineering, and digital transformation, focusing on enhancing national competitiveness and economic growth through technology initiatives.
   
9. Supreme Court has been notified that the Excise Department plans to suspend the licences of five liquor manufacturers, including W.M. Mendis & Co., if they fail to settle outstanding VAT dues by November 30, 2024: This action, relayed by the Attorney General, is part of the Excise Department’s tax collection efforts.
   
10. Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) National Long-Term Rating at ‘BB+(lka)’ with a stable outlook, aligning it with Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating due to high government support: Fitch expects CEB’s costs to decrease with falling interest rates and recent tariff cuts, though restructuring efforts to divide its operations face potential risks dependent on the upcoming election.

November 13, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, recently met with Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL), at his office in Riyadh to discuss strengthening ties between Sri Lanka and the MWL.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Issa warmly welcomed Ambassador Ajwad and reminisced about his 2019 visit to Sri Lanka, where he engaged with government officials and civil society leaders. He underscored the historic relationship between Sri Lanka, once known to the Islamic world as “Serandip,” and the broader Arab community. Dr. Al-Issa conveyed the MWL’s interest in deepening collaboration with Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Ajwad expressed his gratitude for the MWL’s long-standing support to Sri Lanka and praised its commitment to fostering mutual understanding across religions and cultures. He commended Dr. Al-Issa’s leadership in promoting global social harmony, unity, and coexistence.

Dr. Al-Issa, recognized worldwide for his dedication to moderate Islam, has been instrumental in fostering partnerships across communities, religions, and nations. As head of the Intellectual Warfare Center, affiliated with the Saudi Defense Ministry, he leads efforts to counter extremist ideology. In 2019, Dr. Al-Issa was awarded Sri Lanka’s Order of Peace for his role in advancing interfaith harmony.

Accompanying Ambassador Ajwad was Mohamed Anas, Minister and Head of Chancery at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh.

November 13, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s export ties with the UAE remain robust, with a diverse range of goods fueling the trade flow between the two nations. 

The UAE is considered one of Sri Lanka’s key trade partners in the Middle East, and the export of goods from Sri Lanka to the UAE has seen consistent growth in recent years.

A major highlight of Sri Lanka’s exports to the UAE is Ceylon Tea, which continues to be one of the most important products in the region. 

In addition to tea, Sri Lanka exports a variety of other goods including spices like cinnamon, pepper, and cardamom, which are highly sought after in the UAE market. Other notable exports include Rubber and Rubber Products, Seafood, Gemstones, Jewelry, and Coconut Products.

The UAE also acts as a major re-export hub for Sri Lankan apparel and textiles. Sri Lankan garments and textiles, including both ready-made garments and fabrics, hold a significant presence in the UAE market.

Coconut-based products such as coconut oil, copra, and other coconut derivatives are also key exports from Sri Lanka to the UAE, contributing to the range of Sri Lankan goods available in the region.

In a recent development, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and Northern Emirates supported the brand launch of ‘Naturalz,’ a new venture by NRS Group of Companies, which took place on November 5th at the Pullman Hotel in Deira, Dubai. 

Naturalz introduced a diverse array of premium Sri Lankan products, including fresh fruit pulps, spices, bottled fresh fruits, condiments, and a signature line of ice creams made from Sri Lankan fresh fruit pulp.

The brand also plays a key role in importing perishable items from Sri Lanka to the UAE, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and king coconuts, in addition to processed foods like jackfruit. T

he ice cream range, made exclusively from Sri Lankan fruit pulp, is produced in a state-of-the-art, solar-powered facility in Sharjah, which adheres to the highest sustainability standards and ensures that all ice cream products are free from preservatives and additives.

During the launch event, Consul General Alexi Gunasekera emphasized the importance of diversifying Sri Lanka’s export offerings by focusing on value-added products, rather than depending solely on traditional exports and raw materials. 

He noted that initiatives like Naturalz are in line with Sri Lanka’s inclusive development strategy, which supports the value chain from farm to consumer. 

The Consul General also encouraged Sri Lankan professionals residing in the UAE to explore similar partnerships that promote mutual growth and reinforce the economic ties between Sri Lanka and the UAE, further supporting the government’s broader economic development goals.

 Attendees at the launch event had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of authentic Sri Lankan flavors, including fresh king coconut and fruit juices, desserts made with Sri Lankan fruit pulps, as well as savory items like cutlets, pizza, and pastries made from processed jackfruit.