September 05, Colombo (LNW): A new political alliance, the ‘Podujana Eksath Nidahas Peramuna,’ has been officially formed by members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) who have pledged their support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the 2024 Presidential Election.

The alliance is led by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, with Minister Ramesh Pathirane serving as the party’s Secretary.

The unveiling of this new political entity took place at a formal event in Colombo, where several MPs from the SLPP joined forces under a common platform.

The event also witnessed the signing of a collective agreement, symbolising their unified commitment to backing Wickremesinghe’s candidacy in the upcoming election.

This newly established alliance marks a significant shift in the political landscape, as it aligns key SLPP figures behind Wickremesinghe, who continues to navigate a complex political and economic environment.

By bringing together various factions under one banner, the ‘Podujana Eksath Nidahas Peramuna’ aims to create a broader base of support for the President, consolidating his position ahead of the crucial election.

September 05, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has appealed to all employers, both in the public and private sectors, to ensure their employees are given time off to cast their vote in the upcoming 2024 Presidential election.

Public sector employees, as per the Establishments Code, are entitled to special paid leave.

Although there is no specific legal requirement for private sector employers, the Commission emphasised the importance of granting leave to ensure everyone has the opportunity to vote.

Leave allowances vary based on the distance between an employee’s workplace and their designated polling station.

For those residing less than 40 kilometres away, half a day’s leave is recommended.

If the distance is between 40 and 100 kilometres, a full day’s leave should be granted.

For employees travelling between 100 and 150 kilometres, they are entitled to one and a half days, while two days’ leave should be provided for distances exceeding 150 kilometres.

To access the leave, employees must submit a written request to their employer.

Employers, in turn, must ensure adequate leave is provided and that a notice detailing who has been granted leave and for how long is clearly displayed at the workplace.

This measure aims to promote maximum voter participation, ensuring that logistical barriers do not prevent citizens from exercising their democratic right.

September 05, Colombo (LNW): Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga has declared her decision to stay neutral in the upcoming 2024 Presidential election, despite several candidates reportedly seeking her support.

Addressing recent media speculation, Kumaratunga clarified that while she had been linked to endorsing various contenders, she will not back any candidate in this election.

Her statement urged voters to carefully evaluate their choices, emphasising the importance of considering candidates’ proposed policies and the methods they intend to implement.

Kumaratunga highlighted that voters should prioritise a candidate’s commitment to abolishing the Executive Presidency and focus on key policy areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture—particularly in supporting small farmers—small and medium enterprises, as well as industries like plantations, international trade, and tourism.

In addition to these sectors, she stressed the necessity of diversified industries and exports to strengthen the economy.

She further called on voters to demand assurances of honest governance and transparency from candidates, noting that corruption must be eradicated.

Kumaratunga emphasised the importance of appointing individuals of high integrity and qualification to prominent government positions, ensuring proper execution of promised policies.

September 05, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka and France have formalised a bilateral agreement to create a Regional Centre for Maritime Studies in Sri Lanka, according to the nation’s Foreign Ministry.

This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

The agreement was signed by General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, and Marie-Noëlle Duris, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the French Embassy in Colombo, during a ceremony at the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday.

The new Regional Centre for Maritime Studies is set to become a Centre of Excellence, focusing on academic and training collaborations.

Its primary objectives include enhancing maritime safety and security, conserving the marine environment, and addressing marine pollution in the Indian Ocean.

Additionally, the Centre will play a key role in advancing research and practical solutions for maritime challenges, fostering cooperation between regional and global stakeholders.

The establishment of this Centre underlines the growing importance of the Indian Ocean as a strategic hub for maritime activities and environmental preservation.

Through this collaboration, Sri Lanka aims to further position itself as a leader in maritime studies, while France strengthens its engagement in the region.

The partnership also signals a broader commitment to sustainable marine practices and enhanced maritime governance, addressing critical concerns such as pollution and climate change.

This agreement represents a significant stride in regional diplomacy and underscores the shared priorities of Sri Lanka and France in maintaining maritime stability and environmental stewardship in the Indian Ocean.

September 05, Colombo (LNW): Amid ongoing discussions about the potential abolition of Sri Lanka’s executive presidency, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has signalled that the matter will be deferred to the next Parliament.

His priority, he stressed, lies in reviving the country’s struggling economy, which he views as more urgent than immediate governance reforms.

Speaking at a public “Ask Me Anything” session held at a prominent Colombo hotel, Wickremesinghe noted that the debate over abolishing the executive presidency has been ongoing for decades, but during that time, the economy had been overlooked.

In his address, Wickremesinghe remarked, “The executive presidency has been debated for 20-30 years, but the real focus should have been on the economy. For me, the economy comes first, governance second.”

The President expressed satisfaction in observing that the current presidential election has been centred on economic issues rather than divisive factors such as race, religion, or caste.

“For once, we are seeing an election that unites us over the shared challenge of economic hardship. Everyone’s pockets have been affected equally,” he said.

Wickremesinghe also outlined the government’s efforts to address social disparities, citing new measures aimed at improving protections for women and children.

“We have introduced women’s and children’s desks at every police station to address issues like domestic violence, but there is still much more to be done,” he added.

Whilst economic recovery takes precedence, Wickremesinghe acknowledged that several key reforms, including the Economic Transition Bill and the Public Finance Management Bill, remain unfinished, despite their repeated inclusion in prior government and IMF programmes.

Addressing the ongoing negotiations with International Sovereign Bond (ISB) holders, the President dispelled rumours of an impending ultimatum, clarifying that discussions would only continue after the presidential election scheduled for 21 September.

“There is no mid-September deadline. Talks with bondholders will resume once the election is concluded,” he stated, without revealing further details.

On the topic of passport issuance delays, Wickremesinghe admitted that the current crisis is the government’s responsibility. He affirmed that the move towards implementing e-passports was a key part of the strategy to modernise the system and reduce the ongoing backlog, offering a glimpse of the future of Sri Lanka’s public services amidst its broader economic reforms.