August 12, Colombo (LNW): MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has formalised his candidacy for the upcoming Presidential Election.
The nomination papers were signed today (11) at the JVP headquarters, witnessed by key NPP figures, including General Secretaries Nihal Abeysinghe (NPP) and Tylvin Silva (JVP).
The Presidential Election is scheduled for 21 September.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s inspirational captain, Chamari Athapaththu, has claimed the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for July 2024, outshining India’s Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma.
Athapaththu’s stellar performance led Sri Lanka to their first-ever Women’s Asia Cup title, defeating seven-time champions India.
This marks her third such accolade, tying her with West Indies’ Hayley Matthews, behind only Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner.
Reflecting on her achievement, Athapaththu expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted its significance as an inspiration for aspiring female cricketers.
Under her leadership, Sri Lanka has achieved historic milestones, including their inaugural T20I series victories over England and South Africa.
July 2024 was particularly remarkable for Athapaththu, who played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s unbeaten run in the Women’s Asia Cup.
Despite a slow start against Bangladesh, she delivered a career-best 119* against Malaysia and followed it up with crucial fifties against Pakistan and India in the knockout stages.
Her all-round contributions, including three key wickets, further solidified her impact in Sri Lanka’s historic triumph.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has reported a significant influx of complaints related to the upcoming Presidential election.
Between 31 July and 11 August, a total of 337 complaints were lodged, encompassing various violations of election laws, including one instance of violence and seven other types of infractions.
The National Centre for Election Complaint Management received 220 of these complaints, while 117 were recorded by the District Centres for Election Complaint Management, according to a media release from the Commission.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): Pensioners in Sri Lanka will receive an additional Rs. 6,000 with their October payments, comprising a Rs. 3,000 interim allowance for October and Rs. 3,000 in arrears from September, announced Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
This follows a Cabinet-approved proposal presented by the President.
The Rs. 3,000 interim allowance will continue monthly until salary anomalies are addressed, adding to the Rs. 2,500 extra payment already provided in April.
The Finance Ministry has granted formal approval, and the Public Administration Ministry is expected to issue a circular to facilitate the disbursement.
However, the Election Commission objected to the allowance being distributed in September due to the election announcement.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has unveiled an unprecedented initiative granting residents of line rooms the right to live in villages, with the government reclaiming land from plantation companies by terminating lease agreements.
During a meeting with the Nuwara Eliya business community on August 10, the President announced plans to provide land rights, assist in housing development, and create public amenities such as playgrounds for these residents.
He was also briefed on the challenges facing local businesses and reviewed regional development proposals.
The Nuwara Eliya business community expressed strong support for President Wickremesinghe, backing his efforts to guide the nation out of its economic crisis and pledging their endorsement in the upcoming Presidential Election.
President Wickremesinghe also met with scholars and professionals from the district, who stressed the importance of continuing the country’s economic recovery and supported his re-election.
The President announced plans for a conference early next year to address social justice issues for Tamil communities in the hill country, with a forthcoming Social Justice Commission set to investigate these concerns.
Various issues and proposals were presented by school principals and professionals during the meeting, and MP Vadivel Suresh highlighted the President’s significant contributions to the plantation community.
The meeting was attended by prominent local figures, including former MP K.K. Piyadasa and Hindu Priest Committee Chairman Rev. Velu Suviswara Sharma.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): The Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) has raised concerns over a significant increase in the bid for the Basnagoda Reservoir construction project.
The contractor’s bid of Rs. 2,093 million was raised by Rs. 254 million, reaching Rs. 2,347 million, based on recommendations from the Technical Evaluation Committee.
CoPA questioned the Irrigation Department’s payment processes, which reportedly did not comply with government financial regulations.
The committee highlighted that previous recommendations to rectify these procedures had not been implemented, prompting further scrutiny.
Additionally, CoPA examined irregularities involving 1,177 cheques worth Rs. 352.4 million issued in 2022, including issues with a Divisional Assistant improperly cashing payments.
The officials present admitted to calculation errors and double entries, assuring that corrective measures had been taken.
The Committee also discussed the Ging Nilwala project, which received an advance of 4.35% of the estimated cost, despite the project not commencing as planned.
The meeting was chaired by State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna and attended by several Members of Parliament.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated against the US Dollar at various commercial banks on 12 August, reflecting a positive shift compared to the previous week.
Peoples Bank reported a drop in the Dollar’s buying rate from Rs. 295.27 to Rs. 294.44, and the selling rate from Rs. 305.87 to Rs. 305.
Similarly, Commercial Bank noted a decline in buying and selling rates from Rs. 294.95 to Rs. 294.21 and from Rs. 304.75 to Rs. 304, respectively.
At Sampath Bank, rates also decreased, with the buying rate dropping from Rs. 296 to Rs. 295.50, and the selling rate from Rs. 305 to Rs. 304.50.
August 11, Colombo (LNW): Grama Niladhari Officers have initiated a week-long protest from 12 August to 19 August, expressing dissatisfaction with a recently issued Gazette notification concerning their constitutional framework.
The officers will abstain from duties on 12 and 13 August, and a silent protest is planned in front of the Ministry of Public Administration.
Nandana Ranasinghe, Co-President of the Grama Niladhari Officers’ Alliance, stated that the protest stems from the exclusion of their proposals in the final Gazette.
August 11, Colombo (LNW): Minister Ali Sabry has been appointed as the new Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms, officially taking oaths before President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
This appointment adds to his current role as Foreign Minister. Sabry assumes these responsibilities following the resignation of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who stepped down from his positions to participate in the forthcoming Presidential Election.
The reshuffle comes as part of a broader adjustment within the cabinet, ensuring continuity in key governmental functions.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): The National Election Commission has announced enhanced security protocols ahead of the upcoming Presidential Election nominations.
On 15 August, a special security detail will be deployed at the Commission’s office, involving 1,500 personnel from various law enforcement agencies, including the Police and the Special Task Force.
To manage the nomination process, the Police will introduce a specific vehicle permit system, categorised into A, B, and C, strictly for Presidential candidates and their two accompanying signatories.
Additionally, arrangements will be made to deploy police motorcycles to assist candidates facing traffic delays, ensuring they reach the Commission on time.
Separate areas near the Election Commission will be designated for the supporters of each candidate.
These measures were finalised after a meeting involving officials from the Election Commission, the Ministry of Public Security, the Police, and the Air Force.
