November 14, Colombo (LNW): The United States has removed its security alert on Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay area, signaling an improvement in the country’s security situation.
This decision follows close collaboration between the U.S. and Sri Lankan governments, as well as the swift implementation of enhanced security measures in the region by Sri Lankan authorities.
This positive move holds significant implications for Sri Lanka, particularly for its tourism industry and foreign investment climate. The U.S. is a major source of international tourists to Sri Lanka, and the lifting of the security alert is expected to encourage American visitors who may have previously been deterred by concerns over safety. With the upcoming tourist season in mind, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated that Sri Lanka remains a peaceful, attractive destination for travelers.
The alert was initially issued in October when the U.S. Embassy received credible information about a potential threat to tourist sites in the Arugam Bay area, particularly linked to a rise in Israeli visitors. However, the local police later clarified that the heightened security situation stemmed from the presence of foreign nationals in the area. Following this, the U.S. Embassy reassessed the threat level and decided to rescind the advisory.
The lifting of the alert is seen as a vote of confidence in Sri Lanka’s security improvements, particularly following the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that damaged the country’s international reputation. Beyond tourism, the move is expected to boost foreign investor confidence, especially from Western nations. The removal of the alert signals a more stable environment, potentially encouraging investment in key sectors such as infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing.
Economically, Sri Lanka is grappling with significant challenges, including a deepening debt crisis. However, the improved security image may help the country regain access to international markets for loans and investment, which could ease financial pressures.
The government’s swift action in addressing the security concerns through coordinated efforts between the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Public Security, and other agencies has been vital in restoring confidence. While the removal of the alert presents an opportunity for positive growth, it also places greater responsibility on the Sri Lankan government to maintain security and stability. A failure to do so could reverse the progress made in restoring the country’s image.
Additionally, the lifting of the U.S. security alert enhances Sri Lanka’s diplomatic relations with the U.S., improving the country’s standing on the global stage. However, this development may also have implications for Sri Lanka’s relations with other regional powers like China and India, as shifts in security and diplomatic policies could influence its position in the broader geopolitical landscape.
November 14, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police have reported the unfortunate deaths of a police officer and two civil officials who were on duty for the ongoing election.
At a briefing, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa conveyed that the individuals suffered sudden health issues this morning while deployed at various polling sites.
Among the deceased is a 33-year-old police officer stationed at a school in Urumpirai, Kopai, who is suspected to have passed away from a heart attack.
In another incident, a 48-year-old woman serving as the Polling Station Chief at Siri Sadhaham Bhikshu Aramaye in Kesbewa fell ill and later died after being admitted to Piliyandala Hospital. She was a resident of Payagala.
Additionally, a 57-year-old male polling centre staff member in Kobeigane similarly experienced a sudden illness, resulting in his passing while on duty.
DIG Thalduwa stated that post-mortem examinations would be carried out to confirm the causes of death, although initial indications suggest heart attacks in each case.
November 14, Colombo (LNW): Voter turnout for Sri Lanka’s 2024 Parliamentary Election remains steady as citizens cast their ballots at 13,421 polling stations nationwide.
As of 2:00 pm, Returning Officers reported varying turnout levels across districts, reflecting active civic participation.
Preliminary figures indicate notable turnout in several areas, with Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Mannar, and Matale leading at 55 per cent.
Gampaha and Kurunegala each report a turnout of 52 per cent, while Kegalle, Trincomalee, Badulla, and Polonnaruwa have each recorded a 50% turnout or above.
Meanwhile, moderate participation is seen in districts such as Kalutara (45 per cent), Hambantota (47 per cent), and Kandy (47 per cent).
Jaffna and Puttalam report lower figures, with turnouts at 42 per cent and 41 per cent, respectively. Digamadulla reflects the day’s lowest turnout so far at 40 per cent.
November 14, Colombo (LNW): Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-Western, North-Central and Southern Provinces and in Mannar and Vavuniya Districts, the National Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology said in a statement.
There may be temporary localised strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning activity, the statement read.
The public is advised to;
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees;
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms;
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms;
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc. and;
Beware of fallen trees and power lines
The Department also urged the public to contact the local disaster management authorities for emergency assistance.
November 14, Colombo (LNW): Voter turnout for Sri Lanka’s 2024 General Election has already surpassed 40 per cent in several districts by noon on election day, reports indicate.
Across the island, citizens are casting their ballots in what is expected to be a pivotal vote for the nation’s political landscape.
The Election Commission released updated turnout figures at midday, revealing particularly strong participation in districts such as Trincomalee with a notable 45 per cent turnout, followed closely by Badulla at 41 per cent, Gampaha and Anuradhapura both reaching 40 per cent, and Ampara with 37 per cent.
Voter participation is also steadily building in other regions, with turnout reaching 35 per cent in Ratnapura, 34 per cent in Matara, and 32 per cent in Kegalle and Batticaloa.
Additional districts such as Puttalam and Kandy reported turnouts of 30 per cent or more.
Election officials have expressed optimism about voter engagement, emphasising the importance of every vote in shaping the nation’s parliamentary future.
The polls will remain open until 4 p.m., with final turnout numbers expected to highlight the overall engagement level across all regions.
Al Jazeera: Sri Lankans will cast ballots in a snap parliamentary election on Thursday, months after electing a Marxist-leaning president in the Indian island nation’s first election since the 2022 economic meltdown and political crisis.
The election was called by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who won the September election after blaming the country’s traditional ruling elite for the economic collapse that led to the country defaulting on its loans.
Dissanayake’s National People’s Power (NPP) alliance has just three seats in the outgoing parliament, but opinion polls give the bloc an edge over parties that have ruled the island nation since its independence in 1948.
Here’s a look at the significance of the elections and how they could affect Dissanayake’s political vision for the country of 22 million.
What time does the election start in Sri Lanka?
Polls open between 7am (01:30 GMT) and 4pm (10:30 GMT) local time.
How do parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka work?
An independent body called the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) oversees the election.
There are 225 seats in the unicameral parliament, and all of them are up for grabs this election. All members are elected for a five-year term. But 29 out of 225 seats are decided indirectly through a national list.
Each party or independent group contesting the election submits a list of candidates for the national list. The number of national list candidates for each party is chosen based on the number of votes they win.
Retired commissioner-general of elections, MM Mohamed, explained the process to the local publication, EconomyNext, in 2020. According to the publication, the formula applied for the number of national list candidates for a party is: the number of votes won by the party divided by the number of total votes cast, multiplied by 29.
A party needs to secure 113 seats to secure a win in the parliament.
There are 17 million registered voters out of Sri Lanka’s 22 million population, according to the ECSL.
Voting will be conducted at 13,421 polling stations across the country, according to the ECSL.
Votes are cast with paper ballots, and voters are required to show valid identification, such as a National Identity Card (NIC), passport, driving licence, senior citizens identity card, government pensioners’ identity card or identity card issued to clergy.
Police, army and other public servants who cannot cast their votes in person on election day vote through postal ballots in advance.
What’s at stake?
Dissanayake, who has been critical of the “old political guard”, has pledged to abolish the country’s executive presidency, a system under which power is largely centralised under the president. The executive presidency, which first came into existence under President JR Jayawardene in 1978, has been widely criticised in the country for years, but no political party, once in power, has scrapped it until now. The system has in recent years been blamed by critics for the country’s economic and political crises.
Dissanayake has promised to fight corruption and end austerity measures imposed by his predecessor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, as part of the bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“At stake is the ability of newly-elected President Dissanayake to pursue the ambitious agenda that won him election in September,” Alan Keenan, a senior consultant on Sri Lanka for the Belgium-based think tank International Crisis Group, told Al Jazeera.
Dissanayake’s NPP alliance would need a parliamentary majority to pass laws and requires a two-thirds majority to bring constitutional amendments.
He played an active role in the 2022 protests against former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s rule. Tens of thousands took to the streets when inflation skyrocketed and a foreign exchange crisis led to fuel and food shortages.
Rajapaksa was forced to flee, after which Ranil Wickremesinghe took over as president. He lifted the country out of bankruptcy but at a cost to the common people. Wickremesinghe’s $2.9bn IMF deal led to a rise in the cost of living for Sri Lankans.
He was also criticised for protecting the Rajapaksa family – a charge he has denied.
“The people have great expectations for ‘system change’, including holding politicians accountable for corruption. But there is also a major debate happening about the economic trajectory,” Devaka Gunawardena, a political economist and research fellow at the Social Scientists’ Association in Sri Lanka, told Al Jazeera.
“The question is whether Sri Lanka can get itself out of the debt trap while protecting people’s livelihoods, which have been devastated by the crisis and austerity,” he said.
While Dissanayake was critical of the IMF deal and campaigned to restructure the deal, he has since announced – especially after an October meeting with a visiting team from the international lender – to stick to the deal. He has, however, sought “alternative means” to the severe austerity measures introduced by Wickremesinghe, and told the IMF team that his government would aim to provide relief to those Sri Lankans who have been worst affected by increased taxes.
“This election is also about whether the NPP can consolidate its electoral gains in order to explore alternatives, such as redistribution and a shift towards local production,” Gunawardena said.
Which parties hold seats in the current Sri Lankan parliament?
In the current parliament, which was elected in 2020:
The right-wing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), also known as the Sri Lanka People’s Front of the Rajapaksa family, holds a majority with 145 of the 225 seats.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) of leader Sajith Premadasa holds 54 seats.
The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), the largest Tamil party, has 10 seats.
Dissanayake’s NPP has only three seats.
Other smaller parties hold the remaining 13 seats.
Dissanayake dissolved this parliament on September 24 this year.
Which party is expected to win the parliament?
Political analysts predict that Dissanayake’s NPP would win a majority, having gained popularity since the presidential election.
“The NPP is almost certain to do well – the only question is how well. Most observers – and the limited polls available – suggest they will win a majority,” Keenan, from the International Crisis Group, said.
The NPP’s win in the presidential election was a result of the fact that “the entire political class has been discredited by the economic crisis and the resulting struggle that ousted Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022,” Gunawardena from the Social Scientists’ Association in Sri Lanka said.
“The NPP is the clear frontrunner, insofar as it has capitalised on popular frustration. Meanwhile, the SJB will probably remain the main opposition. But other establishment parties such as the SLPP are likely headed towards another electoral wipeout,” he said.
Rajni Gamage, a research fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, said that the opposition is not likely to do well.
“Despite coming runner-up in the presidential election, the former main Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya [SJB], is unlikely to perform well this election,” she told Al Jazeera, adding that the NPP has portrayed SJB and other parties as being part of the “old political guard”.
“As a result, their relative experience in governance does not appear to give them an edge over the relatively inexperienced NPP,” Gamage said.
What do opinion polls say?
In a press release on Monday, pollster Institute for Health Policy (IHP) said that their poll had suffered an increased amount of response bias because respondents were over-reporting their support for the NPP.
The IHP still released estimates based on polling data but warned that there is likely a large margin of error associated with it.
According to the estimates, the support at the end of October or early November for the NPP was 53 percent of all adults. This is followed by the SJB with 26 percent of support, National Democratic Front (NDF) with 9 percent, SLPP with 7 percent and the ITAK with 2 percent.
Before IHP reported this bias, the last survey data from August showed NPP and SJB neck-and-neck, with the SJB at 29 percent and NPP at 28 percent. This was followed by the SLPP with 19 percent of the support.
When will results be released?
The final numbers are likely to be known a day or two after the polling. Results were announced within two days of polling in 2020.
A total of 2,034 vote-counting centres have been set up for this parliamentary election.
Why is this election critical for Dissanayake?
While Dissanayake can pass executive orders, he needs the support of the parliament to pass laws.
Gunawardena said that the question is whether there will be forces in the new parliament that can hold the NPP accountable for its promises to the people.
Keenan from the International Crisis Group says NPP is “less certain, and less likely, to win the two-thirds majority needed to change the constitution – one of Dissanayake’s campaign pledges”.
In previous elections, the votes of ethnic minorities, including the Tamil, Moor, Muslim and Burgher communities, have been critical. Dissanayake would need political support from these groups.
In the past, Dissanayake backed the Rajapaksa government’s war against the Tamil Tigers. The decades of armed rebellion by the Tamil rebels was crushed in 2009 under President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Rajapaksa’s brother.
Gunawardena said this election will “measure the support of non-elite constituencies for the broader coalition represented by Dissanayake, especially among working people and sections of the middle class immiserated by the crisis”.
“There will be a strong yearning for Dissanayake to back up rhetoric with reforms.”
November 14, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Railways Department has announced the cancellation of 33 train services today, as significant staff shortages among drivers and driver assistants have impacted operations.
The cancellations began this morning with ten scheduled services unable to depart due to drivers and assistants not reporting for duty, the department confirmed.
The disruption is expected to affect a further 23 train journeys throughout the day.
Services affected include 13 trains on the main line, eight on the coastal line, six on the Puttalam line, and another six on the Kelani Valley line.
The cancellations are likely to impact passengers across multiple routes, with limited options available during the day.
Officials from the Railways Department have not clarified the reason for the staffing shortage but are working to manage the reduced service to minimise inconvenience.
November 14, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is set to announce the first results of its 2024 parliamentary elections around 10 p.m. tonight, according to Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake.
The voting process, which began early at 7 a.m., is ongoing at 13,314 polling centres across the country and will conclude by 4 p.m.
Ratnayake emphasised that the initial counting of postal votes is expected to start by 5 p.m., with results dependent on the efficiency and timeliness of individual counting centres.
This election sees 8,888 candidates competing for seats in the new Parliament, representing a broad spectrum of political parties and independent groups.
Over 17 million registered voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots, a figure indicating a potential high turnout despite some challenges.
Evening weather conditions, in particular, may impact voters’ ability to reach polling stations in the later hours.
Election authorities are preparing for an intense round of counting and hope to ensure accurate results despite the anticipated challenges.
November 14, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) indicates slight appreciation against the US Dollar today (14) in comparison to yesterday, as per the official exchange rates released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Accordingly, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 287.72 from Rs. 287.95, and the selling price to Rs. 296.72 from Rs. 297.22.
