As Sri Lanka approaches its 2024 presidential election, the importance of a robust digital advertising strategy cannot be overstated. While social media platforms have become a popular choice for political campaigns, it is essential to recognize the significant role that open web platforms play in creating a strong share of voice. The open web offers unique advantages, particularly in reaching diverse audiences and ensuring a broad and impactful presence in the digital sphere.

Web Audience Perception and Share of Voice

According to social listening stats (source: Locobuzz) derived from web audience data and show the performance of SJB with 146.6k total mentions and 6.7k average mentions per day, NPP with 180k total social mentions and 8.2k average mentions per day and current president Ranil Wickramasinghe with total social mentions 114.1k and average 5.2k mentions per day who are the main candidates in the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka 2024.

Beyond Walled Gardens: The Open Web Advantage

Social media platforms, often referred to as “walled gardens,” provide a controlled environment for advertising where content is primarily viewed by users within the platform. While these platforms offer targeted advertising, they also come with limitations, including restricted access to broader audiences and data. In contrast, the open web encompasses a vast network of websites, news portals, and blogs, offering a more comprehensive reach. Advertising on open web platforms allows campaigns to engage with a diverse and extensive audience, ensuring that their message is not confined to the echo chambers often found on social media.

Aggregated Local Audiences and Language Support

One of the significant benefits of using a local open web platform for digital advertising in Sri Lanka’s 2024 presidential election is the ability to aggregate local audiences on a common platform. By leveraging local websites and news portals, campaigns can ensure that their message reaches a broad spectrum of the electorate, including those who may not be active on social media. This is particularly important in a country like Sri Lanka, where internet usage patterns vary across regions and demographics.

In addition, a local open web platform offers robust support for local language advertising, a crucial factor in a multilingual nation. By delivering ads in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, campaigns can effectively communicate with voters in their preferred language, enhancing the impact of their message. This level of localization is often more challenging to achieve on social media platforms, where language options and audience segmentation can be limited.

The Strategic Importance of Open Web Advertising

As political campaigns strategize for the 2024 presidential election, it is essential to prioritize a strong presence on open web platforms. By doing so, they can achieve a balanced digital advertising strategy that goes beyond the confines of social media and taps into the full potential of the internet. 

Therefore, the advertising arms of the candidates in presidential election battle in Sri Lanka should embrace the cutting edge features of local open platforms which offer a powerful means of reaching a wide and diverse audience, fostering trust through credible placements, and ensuring that the campaign message resonates across different languages and regions.

October 25, Colombo (LNW): The Australian Government has donated a Royal Australian Air Force Beechcraft King Air 350 surveillance aircraft to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on a gratis basis. This aircraft will bolster SLAF’s maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts to ensure a peaceful and secure Indian Ocean region.

The SLAF noted that this donation highlights the strong partnership between Australia and Sri Lanka, reinforcing their shared commitment to combating human smuggling and enhancing regional stability.

1. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stated that the government has taken all necessary measures in response to recent intelligence reports and assures the security of all citizens. The President made these remarks while addressing a public meeting held in Puttalam
2. Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath says that the travel advisories issued by several foreign countries for Sri Lanka could be lifted within the next two to three days.Minister Herath stated this during a special press conference held in Colombo, to brief on the steps taken following information received on possible attacks targeting foreign tourists in Sri Lanka.
3. The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said it submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to reduce electricity tariffs. According to the CEB, the proposal has been formulated based on the current pricing formula. The PUCSL will review the proposal and, upon approval, will announce the percentage reductions in electricity tariffs.
4. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa has criticized the current government’s inability to control the rising cost of living. He emphasized that the government’s mismanagement of economic policies has led to shortages of food and other essential items, making it difficult for the public to afford basic necessities.
5. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya engaged in a discussion with the heads of Sri Lanka’s defence forces at the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo today. Chief of Defense Staff, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, and Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera participated in the meeting.
6. The Supreme Court has ordered for the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed seeking an order preventing the release of the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination results and the cut-off marks, to be taken up for consideration on November 18. The petitioners have requested the Supreme Court through their FR petition that an order be issued invalidating question paper 01 of the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination of which certain questions are alleged to have been leaked, and that the exam be held again.
7. The National Election Commission has announced the finger-marking process of voters at the upcoming 2024 General Election. Issuing a statement, the Election Commission said that the Index finger on the left hand will be marked for the Parliamentary Election.
8. High Court Judge Sujeewa Nishshanka is set to issue a ruling on the 29th of November on whether or not to release two defendants without calling for evidence from the plaintiff, namely Former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and Former Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation Mohammad Tasim Mohammad Rumi.
9. The Australian Government provided a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance aircraft, Beechcraft King Air 350, to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on a gratis basis. The aircraft will expand SLAF’s aerial maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and contribute to Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts in maintaining a peaceful and secure Indian Ocean region.
10. Reshan Algama, who made a stunning comeback to claim victory by four strokes at the PRIMA Sunrise Bread Hambantota Regional Junior Golf Championship, propelled him to the top of Sri Lanka’s amateur golf rankings. The 16-year-old climbed an impressive 75 places in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) to become Sri Lanka’s highest-ranked golfer, now positioned at 535th in the world. Reshan Algama has had an outstanding year in junior golf, displaying his talent in multiple tournaments.

October 25, Colombo (LNW): India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the scholars and monks in Colombo for participating in the celebration organized by the Indian High Commission in Colombo to mark the Indian Government’s recognition of Pali as a Classical Language. In a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Modi shared his appreciation, saying, “Glad that the Indian Government’s decision of conferring Classical Language status on Pali has ignited a spirit of joy among those who believe in the thoughts of Bhagwan Buddha. Grateful to the scholars and monks from different nations who took part in this programme in Colombo.”

The celebration, held on Wednesday (23) at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural arm of the Indian High Commission, featured a panel discussion on “Pali as a Classical Language.” India’s Deputy High Commissioner, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, attended the event, with Ranjith Ariyaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, National Integration, Social Security, and Mass Media, serving as the Chief Guest. Dr. Ven. Kirinde Assaji Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, delivered the inaugural address, followed by a panel discussion involving prominent scholars.

The panel included experts such as Prof. Anand Singh from the Central University of South Bihar, Bodhgaya (via video presentation), and several renowned Sri Lankan scholars: Ven. Prof. Miriswaththe Wimalagnana Thera, Ven. Prof. Gonadeniye Pannarathana Thera, Ven. Dr. Deniyaye Pannaloka Buddharakkitha Thera, and Ven. Dr. M. Sugathasiri Thera. The Sri Lankan scholars praised the Indian Government’s decision, emphasizing it as a significant milestone in India’s commitment to preserving and promoting Buddhist heritage and culture.

October 25, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission (EC) has issued a statement regarding the finger marking process for the upcoming Parliamentary Election on November 14. EC Chairman R. M. A. L. Rathnayake announced that voters will have their left index finger marked, instead of the usual left little finger, during the 2024 Parliamentary Election.

For voters who do not have a left index finger, the marking will be done on the thumb or any other finger on the right hand. This adjustment, made under Section 38(3)(b) of the Parliamentary Elections Act 1 of 1981, aims to prevent confusion, as the left little finger was already marked for the 2024 Presidential Election. Additionally, the left thumb will be used for marking at the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Election, scheduled for tomorrow (26).

In related news, Elections Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake stated that the expenditure reports of the candidates who ran for the 2024 Presidential Election have been made public as of yesterday (24). The income and expenditure reports of the 35 candidates who submitted them on time will be available for public viewing at all District Secretariat offices nationwide.

October 25, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in Puttalam, Mannar, Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of the island during the evening or night.

Strong winds about (40-45)kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.