By: Isuru Parakrama
September 21, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) Presidential Candidate Namal Rajapaksa has reportedly cast his vote at the Medamulana D.A. Rajapaksa Vidyalaya in Medamulana, Weeraketiya.
Presidential Candidate RW casts vote at Colombo Uni
By: Isuru Parakrama
September 21, Colombo (LNW): Independent Presidential Candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly cast his vote at the College House polling centre at the University of Colombo.
Bus Services Increased to Facilitate Voters on Election Day
September 21, Colombo (LNW)The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has announced that additional buses will be deployed today (21) to accommodate people traveling to their hometowns to cast their votes in the presidential election.
LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne urged passengers to arrive early in the morning to ensure timely travel to their destinations.
In parallel, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Chairman Lalith de Alwis stated that 3,300 SLTB buses will be in operation today to support voter mobility across the country.
Voters urged to carry approved ID for SL’s Presidential Election
September 21, Colombo (LNW): As the Presidential Election 2024 approaches, Sri Lanka’s Election Commission has outlined the specific forms of identification required for eligible voters to cast their ballots.
A total of nine accepted forms of identification have been approved for use at polling stations on election day.
The accepted identification documents are as follows:
- National Identity Card (NIC)
- Valid Passport
- Valid Driving Licence
- Public Service Retirement Identity Card
- Elders’ Identity Card
- Identification Cards provided to clergy
- Official confirmation letter containing NIC information
- Temporary ID card issued by the Election Commission for disabled individuals
- Temporary ID card issued by the Election Commission for others
Saman Sri Ratnayake, the Commissioner General of Elections, elaborated on the correct procedure for marking votes. Voters may use the familiar ‘X’ mark to indicate their chosen candidate, which remains the standard for the commission.
Additionally, the Arabic numeral ‘1’ is also acceptable for marking the vote.
Mr. Ratnayake further explained that voters are entitled to indicate their preferences by marking their first, second, and third choices using the Arabic numerals ‘1’, ‘2’, and ‘3’.
However, any other form of marking will render the vote invalid. The second and third preferences are optional, but he encouraged voters to exercise this right if they wish to do so.
Moreover, he stressed that mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside polling stations to ensure the integrity of the voting process.
The Election Commission has taken additional measures to ensure the election is conducted in a smooth and orderly manner, with clear instructions for voters and polling officials alike.
With these guidelines in place, voters are reminded to carry their accepted ID and carefully follow the procedures for casting their vote, reinforcing the importance of transparency and fairness in the democratic process.
SL’s 2024 Presidential Election kicks off with record number of candidates
September 21, Colombo (LNW): Voting in Sri Lanka’s highly anticipated 2024 Presidential Election commenced this morning (21), with polls open across the nation.
Citizens will be casting their votes at 13,421 polling stations, which will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., marking a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape.
This year’s election has set a historic milestone with a record-breaking 38 candidates vying for the presidency, the highest number of contenders in Sri Lanka’s electoral history.
A total of 17,140,354 registered voters are eligible to participate, with Gampaha District leading with 1,881,129 registered voters, followed by Colombo District with 1,765,351 voters, and Kurunegala District with 1,417,226.
The Northern Province, which includes Jaffna and Kilinochchi, has 899,268 voters, demonstrating a diverse electorate across the island.
Reports have shown large numbers of citizens gathering at key transport hubs, including Colombo Central Bus Station, Fort Railway Station, and the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre, as many travelled to their hometowns yesterday to ensure they could cast their votes.
These scenes reflect the importance attached to this election, where voters hope to influence the future direction of the country.
In a show of international scrutiny and support, several teams of election observers from global bodies, including the European Union (EU) and Commonwealth, have been stationed across all nine provinces.
Their presence is expected to help ensure the election is conducted fairly and transparently.
With a record number of candidates and the largest voter turnout in recent history expected, this election represents a defining moment in Sri Lanka’s democratic journey.
Voters are tasked with electing the nation’s ninth executive president, with their choices carrying weighty implications for the island’s future political and economic trajectory.
Arundhati Roy to publish first memoir
Booker prize-winning author of The God of Small Things will reflect on her life and complex relationship with her late mother in ‘radically honest’ book
The Booker prize-winning Indian author Arundhati Roy will publish her first memoir next September.
In the book, titled Mother Mary Comes to Me, Roy will reflect on her complex relationship with her mother and her life from childhood to the present, moving from Kerala to Delhi. “Heart-smashed” by her mother Mary’s death in September 2022, and “more than a little ashamed” by the intensity of her response, Roy began to write the memoir, said Penguin publishing imprint Hamish Hamilton, “to make sense of her feelings about the mother she ran from at age 18”.
“I have been writing this book all my life,” said Roy. “Perhaps a mother like mine deserved a writer like me as a daughter. Equally, perhaps a writer like me deserved a mother like her. Even more than a daughter mourning the passing of her mother, I mourn her as a writer who has lost her most enthralling subject”.
Roy won the 1997 Booker prize for her debut novel, The God of Small Things. Her second novel, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, was published in 2017 and longlisted for the Booker. She has also written several nonfiction books including The Architecture of Modern Empire, My Seditious Heart and Azadi.
In June, Roy was announced as the winner of the PEN Pinter prize, awarded annually to a writer who, in the words of the late playwright Harold Pinter, casts an “unflinching, unswerving” gaze on the world. This was announced two weeks after Indian authorities granted permission to prosecute the writer over comments she made about Kashmir 14 years ago.
On 14 June, Delhi’s most senior official sanctioned the prosecution of the writer under India’s stringent anti-terror laws because of a comment Roy made at an event in 2010 that the disputed region of Kashmir had never been an “integral” part of India. Hundreds of Indian academics, activists and journalists signed an open letter calling on the government to withdraw the decision.
Roy’s memoir will be published on 4 September 2025. “What an astonishing book this is – a triumph of a memoir, magically combining all the many elements of Arundhati Roy’s life and writing,” said Simon Prosser, publishing director at Hamish Hamilton. “Riveting, radiant and revelatory, it is also radically honest, frequently funny and deeply moving. Arundhati is a wonder and an inspiration – and so is this book.”
THE GUARDIAN
TISL Challenges Companies Act Amendment for Beneficial Ownership Transparency
September 21, Colombo (LNW) Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has taken legal action against a Bill amending the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007, filed in the Supreme Court on August 6, 2024. This amendment introduces a beneficial ownership register, aimed at enhancing transparency in the country’s corporate governance.
The beneficial ownership register mandates companies to disclose the identities of individuals who ultimately own or control them, thus addressing issues like corruption, conflicts of interest among public officials, money laundering, and terrorist financing. By making this information publicly accessible, the register seeks to expose hidden financial activities and illicit gains, which is vital for the implementation of laws like the forthcoming Proceeds of Crime Act.
Despite the potential benefits, TISL has raised significant concerns about the effectiveness of the register due to the Bill’s provisions. TISL argues that if the register is not universally applicable, it could create loopholes that undermine its purpose. Specific exemptions for certain companies would enable illegal activities to persist unchecked, thereby defeating the intended objectives of the beneficial ownership law.
One critical point in TISL’s petition is the exemption of offshore and overseas companies from disclosing beneficial ownership information, as outlined in Section 130A (10) of the Bill. TISL contends that this exemption encourages the creation of shell companies, which are often used for fraudulent activities like money laundering.
Moreover, it does not guarantee that these offshore companies comply with beneficial ownership registration requirements in their respective jurisdictions, further diminishing transparency and increasing the risk of conflicts of interest.
Additionally, the Bill’s provisions are seen as discriminatory, violating the fundamental right to equal protection under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. Only domestic companies would be subject to disclosure requirements, creating an unequal playing field.
TISL also criticizes Section 130D, which limits public access to beneficial ownership information. This section requires individuals to request access to details about beneficial owners, which could hinder transparency.
TISL argues that comprehensive disclosure of beneficial owners is essential for promoting fair competition and reducing corruption risks. By allowing public scrutiny, citizens, journalists, and civil society can better identify the true owners of companies, thus deterring illegal activities.
Moreover, TISL emphasizes that the Bill impairs the Right to Access Information, as enshrined in Article 14A of the Constitution. By restricting the information available to only names and ownership extent, the Bill falls short of providing meaningful access to data, thereby hindering public oversight.
Both the Civil Society Governance Diagnostic Report of Sri Lanka and the IMF-supported Governance Diagnostic Assessment advocate for a publicly accessible beneficial ownership registry. The recent Government Action Plan, stemming from the latest IMF review agreement, emphasizes the importance of implementing such a registry.
TISL’s petition seeks a determination from the Supreme Court that the Bill violates constitutional rights and requests that it be passed into law only with a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament, as required by Article 84(2). TISL has filed this petition in the public interest, with the Attorney General named as the respondent.
Sri Lanka’s BOI Hosts Investor Roundtable to Boost Economic Recovery
September 21, Colombo (LNW) The Board of Investments of Sri Lanka (BOI) recently conducted a successful investor roundtable entitled “Supporting Sri Lanka’s Recovery Through Resource Commitment.” The event, hosted at the Ministry of Investment Promotion, brought together notable investors and industry leaders from Sri Lanka and India to discuss strategic investment opportunities to aid in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
This roundtable proved to be an essential platform for promoting dialogue among key stakeholders, examining the investment potential in various sectors such as technology, tourism, financial services, and minerals. It also tackled challenges like regulatory barriers, infrastructure limitations, and the necessity for streamlined investment processes.
Prasanjith Wijayathilake, BOI Executive Director for Investment Promotion, highlighted the country’s strategic location, skilled workforce, and robust tourism revenues in his overview. He noted, “Sri Lanka’s resilience is evident in the steady inflows of foreign direct investment and worker remittances.
By addressing infrastructural gaps and ensuring policy consistency, we can further attract and retain foreign investors.”
Participants from diverse sectors shared insights and discussed ways to improve Sri Lanka’s investment portfolios. The dialogue underscored critical areas for enhancement, such as infrastructure development and increased market access.
Additionally, discussions included leveraging India’s proficiency in digital public infrastructure to bolster the digital economy, expanding tourism, and promoting sustainability efforts in energy efficiency and wastewater management.
BOI Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody moderated the open discussion, which aimed to create a more favorable environment for investors. “This roundtable signifies the start of ongoing dialogue that will ensure lasting collaboration between India and Sri Lanka, fostering long-term investments that will benefit both countries,” Weerakkody remarked.
Kishore Reddy, President of the India-Sri Lanka Society and Vice President of the Indian CEO’s Forum, addressed trade imbalances under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
He stressed the need to restructure current incentives to achieve a better trade balance between India and Sri Lanka. Reddy advocated for increasing tourism from India to Sri Lanka and emphasized India’s anticipated economic growth, which could greatly benefit Sri Lanka.
The roundtable also highlighted the significance of a sector-specific approach, particularly in technology and tourism, alongside the introduction of a formal mineral policy to encourage investment in Sri Lanka’s mineral sector.
Representatives from leading organizations, including Talliance, Taj Samudra, and the Geographical Survey and Minerals Bureau (GSMB), shared valuable perspectives on expanding opportunities in their respective sectors, reaffirming their dedication to Sri Lanka’s recovery.
The event concluded with a focus on establishing strategic partnerships, enhancing foreign investor engagement, and developing a long-term framework for sustained economic growth in Sri Lanka.
EU Deploys 32 Short-Term Observers for Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election
September 21, Colombo (LNW) The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) deployed 32 short-term observers across all electoral districts in Sri Lanka ahead of the presidential election. These observers will monitor the campaign silence period, election day procedures, including the opening of polling stations, voting, ballot counting, and the tabulation of results.
Inta Lase, the Deputy Chief Observer of the EU EOM for Sri Lanka’s 2024 election, emphasized the importance of the observers’ presence in all nine provinces, noting that their insights will contribute to a thorough assessment of election day. The mission’s commitment to transparency is underscored by the deployment of observers in every district counting and tabulation center.
The short-term observers, organized in multinational pairs, were thoroughly briefed on election procedures prior to deployment. Their mission follows an earlier deployment of 26 long-term observers who have been monitoring the election preparations and campaign atmosphere since August 29.
“Our goal is to provide a well-informed evaluation of the electoral process, based on both national and international standards to which Sri Lanka has committed,” Lase stated. She added that the EU EOM operates under the principles of independence, impartiality, and non-interference.
Chief Observer Nacho Sánchez Amor, a Member of the European Parliament from Spain, leads the mission. Two days after the election, on September 23, he will present the preliminary findings at a press conference in Colombo, while a comprehensive final report with recommendations will be issued after the election process concludes.
The EU EOM adheres to a code of conduct ensuring strict neutrality and non-interference, and operates in line with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, endorsed by the UN in 2005.
Sri Lanka Holds Historic Presidential Election Amid Economic Recovery Hopes
September 21, Colombo (LNW) Over 17 million Sri Lankans have the opportunity to vote today (September 21) in a pivotal presidential election, the first major poll since the country’s severe economic crisis in 2022. With a record-breaking 38 candidates contesting, this is the largest field of presidential hopefuls in the nation’s history.
A total of 17,140,354 Sri Lankans are eligible to vote, with the highest number of voters registered in the Gampaha District (1,881,129), followed by Colombo District (1,765,351), and Kurunegala District (1,417,226). The Northern Province has a combined total of 899,268 registered voters. Voting will take place at 13,421 polling stations across the island from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Voters must carry one of nine accepted forms of identification, such as the National Identity Card (NIC), a valid passport, or a temporary ID issued by the Election Commission for disabled persons. The Elections Commission has clarified that voters can mark their choice using an ‘X’ or the Arabic numeral ‘1’. Preferences can also be indicated with ‘1’, ‘2’, and ‘3’ for first, second, and third choices, respectively, but any other markings will be considered invalid.
Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake reiterated that public and private sector employees must be granted sufficient leave to vote, in compliance with legal provisions. Leave entitlements vary from half a day to two days, depending on the distance between the workplace and the polling station.
Security has been tightened, with 63,000 police officers deployed across the country. Ballot boxes were transported under heavy security from counting centers to polling stations across all 22 electoral districts.
The election coincides with International Peace Day, underlining the importance of a peaceful voting process. Domestic and international observers, including teams from the European Union and the Commonwealth, are monitoring the election in all nine provinces.
This election is seen as a critical juncture for Sri Lanka, as it follows the ‘Aragalaya’ protest movement that led to the resignations of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2022. The economic crisis, characterized by severe shortages of essentials, spiraling inflation, and a 7.3% economic contraction, forced the government to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Although the situation has improved, with inflation down to 0.5% last month and GDP expected to grow by 3% in 2024, economic recovery remains a priority for voters. The race is expected to be a three-way contest between incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the National People’s Power (NPP).
The winner is expected to be sworn in by Sunday evening or Monday and will form the new cabinet. This election is widely regarded as a defining moment for Sri Lanka as it chooses its ninth Executive President and looks to navigate its way out of economic turmoil.