November 11, Colombo (LNW): With Sri Lankans casting their ballots for the 2024 Parliamentary Election, early voter turnout figures reveal varied participation across the island, with polling continuing at 13,421 centres nationwide.
Returning Officers have reported initial turnout rates as of 10:00 a.m., reflecting moderate engagement in most districts.
In major regions, Colombo reported a 20 per cent turnout, with similar numbers in Kalutara, Kegalle, and Gampaha. Kandy and Anuradhapura witnessed slightly higher participation at 25 per cent, while Puttalam, Polonnaruwa, and Kurunegala each saw turnout at 22 per cent.
Some areas are seeing lower engagement: Matara reported only 10 per cent turnout by the morning, with Batticaloa close behind at 15 per cent. The northern districts of Jaffna and Vanni saw varied engagement, with Jaffna at 16 per cent and Vanni nearing 24.5 per cent. Other notable figures include Badulla at 21 per cent and Trincomalee with a turnout of 23 per cent.
The Election Commission hopes for increased participation throughout the day, urging citizens to exercise their voting rights to influence the nation’s future.
November 14, Colombo (LNW): As Sri Lankans head to the polls, the Election Commission has called on citizens to cast their votes early in the day to ensure smooth operation and avoid peak congestion.
Election Commission Chairman, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, urged voters to come prepared with valid identification documents, stressing that an official polling card is not mandatory for casting a vote.
Chairman Ratnayake assured registered voters that they can exercise their voting rights even without an official polling card, provided they bring one of several approved forms of identification.
Accepted documents include a National Identity Card (NIC), valid passport, driving licence, Public Service Retirement ID, elders’ ID, clergy ID cards, an NIC confirmation letter, and temporary ID cards issued by the Election Commission, especially for those with disabilities.
The Election Commission has also issued clear guidelines on voting procedures to minimise errors that could lead to invalid ballots. Voters may cast a single vote for either a recognised political party or an independent group, marking an ‘x’ in front of the chosen party’s symbol or the symbol and number of the independent group.
Additionally, voters may mark preferences for up to three candidates from their selected party or group by placing an ‘x’ beside the assigned numbers at the end of the ballot paper.
The Election Commission has cautioned voters against using any marks other than the specified ‘x’ when marking their ballots, as this could result in invalidation. Any ballot paper displaying votes for more than one party or group, or containing identifiable markings, will not be counted.
The commission also emphasised that the ‘x’ mark should be used exclusively for both the main vote and candidate preferences, adhering to election regulations.
In preparation for the anticipated turnout, the Election Commission encourages voters to plan ahead, follow guidelines closely, and arrive at polling stations early with appropriate identification to facilitate a seamless voting process.
November 14, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court was notified yesterday (13) that five of Sri Lanka’s largest liquor manufacturers, including W.M. Mendis & Company, collectively owe billions of rupees in unpaid excise taxes.
During a hearing on the matter, representatives from the Excise Department and the Attorney General’s office asserted that operating licences for these companies would be revoked if the dues were not settled by 30 November.
Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner General of Excise and the Attorney General, issued this warning while defending against a fundamental rights petition.
This petition, submitted by a group of 17 concerned citizens, sought the immediate suspension of the licences of several liquor producers who are allegedly defaulting on excise tax obligations.
Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Priyantha Fernando presided over the case and set a date for further review on 22 January 2025.
The petitioners, represented by Attorney Manjula Balasuriya, include Sanjaya Mahawatte and Susantha Ranjith Liyanarachchi, amongst others, who emphasised the heavy reliance of government finances on tax revenues, particularly from high-revenue industries such as liquor.
According to the petitioners, these five companies have accrued an unpaid tax debt of approximately Rs. 6 billion over several years. The excise tax, required for annual licence renewal, has reportedly gone unpaid despite regular licence renewals.
The petitioners also allege a pattern of negligence within the Excise Department, arguing that officials were aware of these outstanding dues yet continued to grant and renew licences for the involved companies.
In light of this, the petition requests the Court to instruct the Excise Department to take immediate action to collect the unpaid taxes and to ensure a report is submitted to detail the total excise dues.
Defending the companies, President’s Counsel Razik Zarook appeared in court alongside Additional Solicitor General Pulle, who represented the Attorney General’s office.
The hearing highlighted both legal and regulatory gaps within the excise licensing system, prompting further discussion on measures to close these gaps.
November 14, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankans head to the polling stations to elect members of the island nation’s tenth Parliament today (14), marking the first parliamentary election since President Anura Kumara assumed office.
This election will determine 196 of the 225 parliamentary seats through direct voting, with an additional 29 seats allocated from the National List.
Polling stations across the country are open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., offering the electorate of over 17 million citizens an opportunity to shape their government.
The Election Commission has arranged 13,314 polling stations nationwide and is providing special assistance for voters with disabilities, including accessible transportation options and visual aids where necessary.
A diverse field of 8,821 candidates is contesting in this election, including 5,464 candidates representing political parties and 3,357 independents. Notable candidates include former opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and current Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
For the first time in decades, none of the Rajapaksa family members are running, marking a significant shift in the island’s political atmosphere.
Voter participation is encouraged with provisions allowing each voter to mark three preferences. The Gampaha district, with 1.9 million registered voters, is expected to send the largest number of representatives to Parliament, while Trincomalee will send the fewest.
The Election Commission has reinforced protocols to ensure a secure voting environment. Commission Chief R.M.A.L. Rathnayake emphasised that prohibited activities within polling stations include using mobile phones, taking photographs, and entering under the influence of alcohol.
Violations of these regulations could lead to penalties, and voters are reminded to present valid identification, such as a National Identity Card, Passport, or Driver’s Licence, when casting their vote.
To uphold electoral transparency and security, 5,000 observers from the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) will monitor the process, with 3,000 stationed within polling centres and an additional 2,000 conducting patrols around the premises.
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi highlighted the importance of this election in shaping Sri Lanka’s future amidst economic recovery efforts. Further, 200 observers will supervise the vote counting, which will commence after polls close at 4:00 p.m.
The Election Commission has also deployed an extensive security operation, with 90,000 police and military personnel on duty across the island. Mobile patrols will be active throughout election day, and officers have been stationed at polling centres to address any disruptions.
November 14, Colombo (LNW):The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning during thundershowers as the atmospheric conditions are favourable further for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (14).
Showers or thundershowers will occur in the most parts of the island after 2.00 p.m.
Showers or thundershowers may occur in Northern and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota district during the morning too.
Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North- western provinces and in Badulla, Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely elsewhere.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Batticaloa via Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the other sea areas around the island during the evening or night.
Winds:
Winds will be North-easterly to North-westerly or variable in direction in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed will be (25-35) kmph in the sea areas around the island.
State of Sea:
The sea areas around the islandwill be slight to moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
The Sri Lanka Parliamentary Election 2024 is held today (14) covering all electorates of the districts island-wide: The Election Commission ensures peaceful conduction of the polling procedure, with voters encouraged to exercise their right to vote correctly: Voters can vote for the political party they favour by placing an X mark in front of the party symbol, and cross up to three preferential numbers with an X mark, should they choose to: All other means of voting in the ballot paper will be accounted for as rejected votes: The voting procedure commences from 7 a.m. onwards, and will operate till 4 p.m.
As Sri Lanka holds its general election, law enforcement has deployed over 90,000 personnel nationwide for security, including 64,000 police officers and 3,200 Special Task Force members, supported by 11,000 military personnel and 12,227 Civil Security members: Extensive patrols, roadblocks, and anti-riot units are in place to ensure safety at polling stations and prevent post-election violence.
The United States lifts its security alert for Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay following cooperation with the Sri Lankan government and enhanced local security measures: The Foreign Ministry highlights swift, coordinated actions by defence and public security agencies to ensure safety for tourists and residents: The US praises Sri Lanka’s response, reinforcing the nation’s image as a secure destination ahead of the tourist season.
The Korean SME Association pledges support to advance Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector and expand employment, agreeing to provide technical aid and training for fishing industry growth: At a meeting with Sri Lankan officials, the association discussed training local workers for Korea’s fishing industry, aiming to boost employment prospects: The delegation was led by President Kim Chung Ryong.
The Railways Department announces the cancellation of at least ten train services today (14) due to a shortage of drivers and assistants, with an additional 22 services also impacted: The department warns that if recruitment issues persist, more cancellations may follow, causing further inconvenience to commuters as the shortage of train drivers and controllers remains unresolved.
The government launches an initiative allowing expatriates to obtain birth, marriage, and death certificates through seven selected embassies, including those in Kuwait, Japan, and Qatar: This pilot project, supported by an enhanced e-BMD database, will initially provide approximately 45 million records dating back to 1960: Occasional delays may occur for updated certificates.
The Colombo Stock Exchange’s All Share Price Index (ASPI) surpasses 13,000 points on November 13, marking the first time since January 2022: The index closed at 13,125.19 after a 1.05% rise, with a 136.20-point increase and a turnover of Rs.6.9 billion, signalling renewed investor interest and market momentum.
The new Board of Directors of Sri Lanka’s Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), chaired by Dr. Hans Wijeyasuriya, held its inaugural meeting on 13 November: The board, comprising notable industry leaders, aims to advance the country’s digital economy: Key members include experts in digital governance, software engineering, and digital transformation, focusing on enhancing national competitiveness and economic growth through technology initiatives.
Supreme Court has been notified that the Excise Department plans to suspend the licences of five liquor manufacturers, including W.M. Mendis & Co., if they fail to settle outstanding VAT dues by November 30, 2024: This action, relayed by the Attorney General, is part of the Excise Department’s tax collection efforts.
Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) National Long-Term Rating at ‘BB+(lka)’ with a stable outlook, aligning it with Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating due to high government support: Fitch expects CEB’s costs to decrease with falling interest rates and recent tariff cuts, though restructuring efforts to divide its operations face potential risks dependent on the upcoming election.
November 13, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, recently met with Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL), at his office in Riyadh to discuss strengthening ties between Sri Lanka and the MWL.
During the meeting, Dr. Al-Issa warmly welcomed Ambassador Ajwad and reminisced about his 2019 visit to Sri Lanka, where he engaged with government officials and civil society leaders. He underscored the historic relationship between Sri Lanka, once known to the Islamic world as “Serandip,” and the broader Arab community. Dr. Al-Issa conveyed the MWL’s interest in deepening collaboration with Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Ajwad expressed his gratitude for the MWL’s long-standing support to Sri Lanka and praised its commitment to fostering mutual understanding across religions and cultures. He commended Dr. Al-Issa’s leadership in promoting global social harmony, unity, and coexistence.
Dr. Al-Issa, recognized worldwide for his dedication to moderate Islam, has been instrumental in fostering partnerships across communities, religions, and nations. As head of the Intellectual Warfare Center, affiliated with the Saudi Defense Ministry, he leads efforts to counter extremist ideology. In 2019, Dr. Al-Issa was awarded Sri Lanka’s Order of Peace for his role in advancing interfaith harmony.
Accompanying Ambassador Ajwad was Mohamed Anas, Minister and Head of Chancery at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh.
November 13, Colombo (LNW): International Election Observers (IEO) in Sri Lanka emphasized that a peaceful election process across the island is essential for ensuring a free and fair Parliamentary election. Speaking at a joint press conference in Colombo yesterday (12), IEO representatives from ten countries expressed optimism for both a peaceful election day and post-election period.
The observers highlighted their comprehensive monitoring efforts, covering election campaigns, the voting process, ballot box transportation and return, vote counting, and post-election developments. While they praised the peaceful nature of Sri Lanka’s recent Presidential election, they expressed some concerns about the role of social media, noting potential issues that could impact the election’s fairness.
The IEOs are carefully examining Sri Lanka’s election laws, regulations, and ordinances to assess their effectiveness in promoting a free and impartial election. Additionally, they are monitoring complaints related to election violence and evaluating the responses of relevant authorities.
On election day, the IEOs will closely observe the activities at polling stations and the conduct of voters and candidates. Their monitoring will extend to ten key districts, including Trincomalee, Matale, Polonnaruwa, Colombo, Matara, Nuwara Eliya, Jaffna, Badulla, Gampaha, and Kalutara.
November 13, Colombo (LNW): The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) has accelerated its initiative to educate first-time voters aged 18 and above on the importance of participating in the electoral process. To reach this demographic effectively, CaFFE is conducting ten workshops in each of the districts of Ampara, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Matara, and Ratnapura.
In early November, CaFFE organized a two-day residential training program for twelve master trainers—two representatives from each of the targeted districts. These trainers were guided by Attorney Jagath Liyanarachchi, an expert in Election Laws, and are now tasked with updating and educating first-time voters in their respective areas ahead of the November 14 poll. This program aims to empower new voters with the knowledge needed to understand and exercise their voting rights responsibly.
November 13, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally requested that the United States Embassy in Colombo lift its current travel advisory, which advises US citizens against visiting the popular tourist zone of Arugam Bay. This advisory, issued on October 23, cited reliable intelligence indicating a possible attack targeting tourist areas, prompting other countries, including the UK, Canada, and Israel, to issue similar warnings.
In response, Sri Lanka’s Police and Public Security Ministry stated that comprehensive security measures have been in place since October 7, focusing on tourist areas, including the coastline, with additional efforts to ensure the safety of foreign nationals, particularly Israeli citizens. Heightened security operations have already resulted in the arrest of six suspects tied to potential threats, and investigations are ongoing.
Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha visited the Eastern Province, specifically assessing the security situation in Arugam Bay on Sunday (10). He affirmed that the area’s security has been strengthened to protect both local and international visitors, underscoring Sri Lanka’s commitment to safe tourism.
