By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission (EC) has introduced an online service for Sri Lankans who have not received their official polling cards by post, allowing them to download a copy ahead of the parliamentary elections on Thursday (14).

Voters who have yet to receive their polling cards can easily obtain a digital version by visiting the Election Commission’s e-services website at https://eservices.elections.gov.lk.

This new feature aims to streamline access, ensuring that every eligible voter has the necessary documentation for Election Day.

The EC outlined a straightforward process for obtaining the polling card online. To begin, voters should:

1. Visit the EC’s e-services site and select ‘Voter Registration Details Search’.
2. Enter their National Identity Card (NIC) number and Administration District.
3. Choose the option for ‘Voter Registration Details for Parliamentary Election 2024’ to view their voter details.
4. Input their mobile phone number below the voter registration information.
5. Select ‘Download the official polling card’, which will generate a print-ready copy.

Once these steps are completed, voters will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) via SMS, which must be entered to finalise and print the polling card.

The Election Commission emphasised that possessing an official polling card is not mandatory for voting.

Voters registered for the 2024 election can simply bring a valid NIC to their assigned polling station and cast their vote by verifying their identity.

This initiative reflects the EC’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive and accessible voting process, especially for those facing postal delays.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): To ensure a secure environment for the upcoming general election, approximately 64,000 police officers will be deployed nationwide from today (12), Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa disclosed.

This deployment covers security needs across all constituencies, with officers stationed at polling stations and prepared to remain on duty throughout election day, November 14, and beyond if necessary.

In preparation for the vote, 13,383 polling stations have been set up across the country, slightly exceeding the number of constituencies, which totals 13,314.

Nearly 3,200 Special Task Force (STF) officers are on active duty, enhancing the primary deployment with specialised support, according to DIG Thalduwa.

He added that around 12,227 police personnel are also directly involved in election-specific operations, with the overall number of police officers engaged in election security estimated to reach 70,000.

Furthermore, approximately 11,000 army personnel will be stationed at strategic points across the country, focusing on high-risk areas that require additional security.

These troops will provide reinforcement where police officers have been re-assigned for election duty.

“Army officers are on standby and ready to assist if the need arises,” DIG Thalduwa emphasised, underscoring the scale of the security operation.

November 12, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Meteorology has forecast the formation of a low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal today (12), which is expected to create favourable conditions for afternoon thundershowers across most of Sri Lanka starting tomorrow (13), the Department of Meteorology said.

For today, residents in the Northern Province should anticipate several spells of showers, while other regions could experience showers or thundershowers in the evening or night.

Areas in the Eastern, Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern provinces may see significant rainfall, with some locations potentially receiving over 50mm.

Additionally, misty conditions are expected in the morning across parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and Uva provinces, along with the Galle and Matara districts.

The public is advised to take precautions against temporary strong winds and lightning that may accompany these storms.

For sea conditions, thundershowers are expected in areas off the coast from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai, with potential showers in other coastal waters during the evening or night.

Winds around the island will generally be north-westerly or variable, with speeds of 25-35 km/h. Whilst seas are anticipated to be slight to moderate, temporarily strong gusty winds and rough seas may occur during thundershowers.

The Department advises those in affected areas to exercise caution and take steps to minimise potential damage from strong winds and lightning.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): The Maligakanda Magistrate Court directed authorities to record statements from 18 senior officials of the previous government, including former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

This order is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of substandard drug procurement approved by the former Cabinet under emergency measures in 2022.

The directive came after Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama requested permission to question former high-ranking officials regarding the approval of nearly 200 controversial medicinal drugs through an emergency procurement process.

This investigation aims to clarify the decision-making processes that led to the purchase of these potentially unsafe medications.

The list of former Cabinet Ministers required to provide statements includes Nimal Siripala de Silva, Douglas Devananda, Susil Premajayantha, Bandula Gunawardhana, Mahinda Amaraweera, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Harin Fernando, Ramesh Pathirana, Prasanna Ranatunga, Vidura Wickremenayake, Kanchana Wijesekera, Naseer Ahmed, Roshan Ranasinghe, Tiran Alles, Nalin Fernando, and Jagath Pushpa Kumara.

The court also ruled to extend the detention of Sudath Janaka, a supplier allegedly involved in distributing the substandard drugs, until November 25.

Janaka’s continued detention underscores the severity with which the judiciary is treating the case as it seeks accountability in what has become a significant public health concern.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) has issued a stark warning regarding a rise in the trafficking of Sri Lankans from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Myanmar, where they are forced into labour at cyber scam centres.

Information from trusted sources has revealed that these trafficking operations are specifically targeting Sri Lankans, especially young IT professionals, under the guise of lucrative overseas job offers.

According to recent investigations, traffickers use deceptive recruitment tactics, often promising high-salaried IT roles in foreign countries.

Once candidates arrive in locations such as Dubai for purported job interviews, they are coerced into travelling onward to Myanmar.

At these destinations, they face not only illegal confinement but also psychological and physical abuse, including reports of severe methods such as electrocution.

The NAHTTF has repeatedly cautioned the public about the dangers of recruitment schemes targeting vulnerable job seekers for cyber scam operations.

Sri Lankan nationals are urged to avoid travelling abroad on visit visas, particularly through unauthorised channels, which violate the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act.

In light of these developments, the NAHTTF has outlined a series of urgent precautions and steps for the public:

• Seek employment abroad only through safe, legal migration routes authorised by official channels.
• Remain vigilant for signs of trafficking or dubious recruitment activities, and report them.
• Protect at-risk individuals by notifying relevant authorities if they know Sri Lankan nationals abroad who might be in danger, as well as their families or friends back home.

For those wishing to report suspected trafficking activities, the NAHTTF offers confidential reporting via their hotline at 0112102570 or 076 844 7700, or by email at [email protected].

The task force assures the public that all information shared will be handled discreetly to protect the identity of informants.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally requested the U.S. Embassy to withdraw a security alert advising American citizens to avoid Arugam Bay due to a potential threat, a ministry spokesperson confirmed yesterday (11).

The alert, issued on October 23, urged U.S. nationals to steer clear of the popular tourist destination, citing credible intelligence of an attack targeting tourist areas.

The Embassy also restricted travel for its own staff to Arugam Bay until further notice.

Following the U.S. announcement, Israel’s National Security Council issued a similar warning for Israeli nationals, advising them to vacate certain tourist areas in southern Sri Lanka, including Arugam Bay and beaches along the southern and western coasts.

This alert, based on reports of a potential terrorist threat, prompted widespread concern among international visitors and tourism stakeholders.

Heightened security efforts have also led to the arrest of six individuals in connection with potential security risks.

According to a spokesperson, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has since appealed to the U.S. Embassy to reconsider and remove the advisory, following these proactive steps to ensure safety.

During a recent television programme, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake confirmed that the government had received intel on a potential attack two weeks prior to the U.S.’ announcement and actions had already been taken since to heighten security in the area, despite the move not being accounted for public record then.

To further assess the security landscape, Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha visited the Eastern Province on November 10, concentrating on Arugam Bay.

During his visit, the Defence Secretary met with senior local military and police officials for a detailed briefing on current security protocols.

He instructed officials on targeted measures to strengthen protection in Arugam Bay and other high-traffic tourist spots across Sri Lanka.

When questioned about cooperation between the Sri Lankan government and U.S. authorities, a U.S. Embassy spokesperson confirmed close collaboration on security matters, underscoring the joint commitment to public safety and the wellbeing of tourists.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry remains hopeful that recent security efforts will provide reassurance to international visitors and lead to a swift lifting of travel restrictions on Arugam Bay, restoring confidence in one of Sri Lanka’s prime tourist destinations.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): In preparation for the parliamentary election on November 14, all schools will be handed over to respective Grama Niladhari officers today (12), once classes conclude, according to the Ministry of Education.

Schools across the country will be closed from tomorrow, 13 November, to facilitate election arrangements, with plans to reopen on Monday, 18 November.

The Ministry of Education made the announcement last Friday, emphasising that schools would serve as key venues for polling activities.

Education Ministry Secretary J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara has advised Zonal Education Directors and school principals to make desks, chairs, and assembly halls available to support election operations.

The Election Commission has also been notified, alongside Provincial Education Secretaries, Provincial and Zonal Education Directors, and other relevant bodies, to ensure coordinated efforts across districts.

Jayasundara highlighted that schools designated as vote-counting centres should stay closed only for the specific durations necessary to complete the counting process, in line with guidance from the Election Commission Chairman.

This arrangement reflects a collaborative effort between the Education Ministry and election authorities to manage polling logistics while minimising disruption to students.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): The Presidential Secretariat hosted a high-level meeting yesterday (11) to explore potential relief strategies for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) grappling with financial challenges, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

Led by Senior Additional Secretary to the President for Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr G.N.R.D. Aponsu, the session gathered officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (Guarantee) Limited to discuss urgent support measures.

The talks primarily addressed the mounting financial pressures on SMEs, particularly those struggling under heavy loan burdens.

To temporarily alleviate these pressures, debt recovery actions under the Parate law have been suspended for SMEs, though this grace period is set to conclude on 15 December.

Attendees reviewed options for sustaining and potentially expanding relief measures before the deadline, recognising the need for ongoing support in these challenging economic conditions.

Participants explored how the banking sector could offer additional assistance to SMEs, with a focus on stimulating productivity and economic resilience.

One key outcome of the meeting was the decision to prepare a detailed report on SME loans, which will assess current financial exposures and serve as a foundation for designing future support measures.

This initiative underscores a commitment to providing tailored financial interventions for SMEs, a sector crucial to the national economy.

Discussions also centred on the feasibility of further extending the suspension of debt recovery under the Parate law, with the Central Bank and several commercial banks involved in evaluating the necessary measures.

Several senior officials participated, including Mrs R.R.S. De Silva Jayathilake, Director of Bank Supervision at the Central Bank, and Mr A.M.A.D. Amarakoon, Senior Assistant Director at the Central Bank. Representatives from the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association were also in attendance, including Mr Indrajith Boyagoda, Secretary General, Mr Dilshan Rodrigo, CEO of Union Bank, Mr Manoj Akmeemana, Senior Deputy General Manager of Sampath Bank, and Mr Sampath Perera, Deputy General Manager of Bank of Ceylon. Other attendees included Mr Nalin Samaranayake, Assistant General Manager of Commercial Bank, Mr Nirosh Perera, Chief Recovery and Rehabilitation Officer at Hatton National Bank, and Mr Bingumal Thewarathanthri, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): Campaigning for the 2024 parliamentary election officially ended at midnight on November 11, ushering in a mandated “silence period” that will last until polling day on November 14.

This silence period marks a critical moment as candidates and parties await the public’s verdict, with monitoring teams and regulations poised to maintain a fair and impartial election environment for all voters.

During this period, all forms of active electioneering are prohibited, according to the Election Commission, to ensure voters can make their decisions without external influence.

However, candidates have until midnight tonight (12), to dismantle any temporary campaign offices.

Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake clarified that campaign offices currently set up across constituencies must be removed by this deadline.

Following this, each party or candidate group will be permitted only one office per constituency, a measure intended to curb last-minute campaign activities while maintaining essential logistical operations.

In addition, candidates may use their residences as their designated constituency offices, though the Election Commission has set strict guidelines forbidding any decorations or advertisements.

These rules aim to keep campaign visibility minimal and maintain a fair, unbiased environment leading up to the election.

Meanwhile, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) will deploy approximately 6,000 monitors to observe the election, ensuring transparency and adherence to electoral standards. PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi emphasised that these representatives will play a key role in upholding the integrity of the electoral process.