By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has announced that the preference numbers for candidates contesting the forthcoming general election will be made public by tomorrow (16).

A spokesperson for the commission confirmed that the necessary information has already been collected from all districts and is currently undergoing the verification process.

Once the verification is complete, the preference numbers will be submitted back to the respective district secretaries for final approval.

The commission is working diligently to finalise the issuance of these numbers between today and tomorrow to ensure that all procedural timelines are met ahead of the election.

In addition to this, a meeting between representatives of political parties and the Election Commission has been scheduled for this morning.

The gathering will serve as a platform to discuss key matters related to the upcoming parliamentary election, with a particular focus on the maximum expenditure allowed per candidate.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of Mrs Pathirage Sandhya Kumuduni Rajapakse as Sri Lanka’s new Government Analyst.

This decision was made following the retirement of Mrs Deepika Seneviratne, who concluded her service on October 11, 2024.

Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath announced the appointment during the Cabinet press briefing held this (15) morning, emphasising that the decision aligns with the seniority protocols within the Sri Lanka Scientific Service.

Rajapakse, who previously held the position of Additional Government Analyst, has been recognised as next in line among special grade officers, solidifying her eligibility for this crucial role.

Her appointment was proposed by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who also serves as the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, Local Government, and Labour.

This appointment comes at a significant time, as the Government Analyst’s Department plays a vital role in handling forensic and scientific evidence pertaining to investigations pivotal to law enforcement and the judicial system of the island nation.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): The Chairman and members of Sri Lanka’s University Grants Commission (UGC) have collectively stepped down from their positions.

Their resignations were submitted to the President on Monday (15), reportedly following a request from the Presidential Secretariat urging them to vacate their roles.

Amongst those resigning were Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunga, who held the position of Chairman, and Senior Professor Chandana P. Udawatte, the UGC’s Vice Chairman.

The commissioners, appointed alongside them in 2020, also submitted their resignation letters to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, officially relinquishing their duties.

This move has drawn attention as the current UGC members were originally set to serve until March 2025.

Their early departure raises questions about the future direction of Sri Lanka’s higher education sector, particularly in a period where the education system faces numerous challenges, including ongoing student demands for reforms and the need for strengthened university autonomy.

Whilst the exact nature of decisions behind the Presidential Secretariat’s request for their resignation remains undisclosed, it has stirred speculation regarding potential shifts in the leadership of the country’s higher education governance.

With this sudden change in leadership, it remains to be seen how the government’s strategy will evolve in addressing the academic landscape and the ongoing demands for higher education reform.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s health authorities have raised concerns over a possible surge in dengue fever cases as the ongoing rainy season creates ideal conditions for mosquito breeding.

The monsoon weather, which has worsened waterlogging in many areas, is contributing to an increase in dengue-carrying mosquitoes, prompting officials to urge the public to take preventative measures.

Consultant Community Physician at the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU), Dr Anoja Dheerasinghe, revealed that a total of 40,657 dengue cases have been recorded across the country in 2024, with 1,247 of those reported in October alone.

Alarmingly, the NDCU also confirmed 20 dengue-related fatalities this year.

“The current weather patterns significantly elevate the risk of dengue mosquito breeding,” Dr Dheerasinghe remarked, emphasising that most cases have been reported from the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts.

Other areas experiencing heightened infection rates include Kandy, Ratnapura, Matara, Galle, and Matale, reflecting the widespread nature of the threat.

Health officials are forecasting a further rise in cases if swift action is not taken to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

The public is being urged to ensure that potential breeding sites, particularly in waterlogged environments such as stagnant pools or discarded containers, are eradicated.

Failure to address these issues could exacerbate the dengue crisis, straining healthcare resources and endangering lives, particularly in high-risk districts.

In response to the growing concern, local authorities are ramping up awareness campaigns and community-level interventions to tackle mosquito breeding.

Residents are being encouraged to actively participate in cleanliness drives and maintain vigilance to prevent a potential dengue epidemic from taking hold.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): Minister Vijitha Herath has announced that a new shipment of passports will arrive in Sri Lanka next Saturday, with distribution set to commence on Monday (21).

This update follows a press briefing held today (15), where key decisions from the latest Cabinet meeting were outlined.

The Minister also addressed the legal complications surrounding the country’s e-passport system.

An ongoing court injunction has halted any progress on the project, preventing tenders from being called for its implementation.

“Once the legal proceedings conclude, we will reassess the matter,” Minister Herath confirmed.

Despite the arrival of 750,000 new passports, Herath cautioned that the supply will likely run out in the near future.

To avoid another shortage, the government has initiated a procurement process to import additional regular passports through a formal tender procedure.

The Minister emphasised that proactive steps are being taken to ensure there are no further disruptions in passport issuance, aiming to meet the growing public demand promptly.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 15, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Northern provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya and Trincomalee districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (15).

Fairly heavy showers about 75mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Northern provinces and in Galle, Matara and Trincomalee districts.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere during the evening or night.

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:

1. UNDP Assistant Secretary General Kanni Wignaraja meets with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss governance, constitutional reforms, and Sri Lanka’s electoral system: focuses on women’s economic participation, challenges in rural financial literacy, and improving agricultural productivity: pledges support for anti-corruption efforts, reforms, and women’s empowerment, and the President highlights plans to strengthen farmers’ associations and the microfinance sector.
   
2. Former MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who is contesting the upcoming Parliamentary Election from Kurunegala District under the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya says Sri Lanka so far witnessed a Parliament under the jurisdiction of the President, and in this Election, therefore, a strong Parliament not subjugated to the Head of State must be created: emphasises that a Parliament not under a President’s shadow is a timely accurate requirement for the nation.
   
3. Sri Lanka together with 39 other nations vehemently condemns the recent attacks against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon by Israeli forces: Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath expresses deep regret over the attacks on two Sri Lankan peacekeepers in Lebanon: emphasises Sri Lanka’s concern about the Middle East crisis, calling for a Gaza ceasefire and a two-state solution: also highlights progress in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring and economic recovery efforts, supported by the IMF and World Bank.
   
4. Fathima Nada, a 14-year-old from Kattankudy, cycles to Colombo and hands a memorandum to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya: Her appeal calls for urgent action to address the rising drug crisis affecting children and youth, as well as to prevent child abuse: The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office.
   
5. The Western Province Education Director announces all schools in the Colombo Education Zone will continue to remain closed today (15) due to adverse weather: Schools in the Gampaha, Kelaniya, Kolonnawa, and Kaduwela zones will also stay closed, following the decision made on Sunday (13): These zones were closed yesterday as well due to the ongoing inclement weather.
   
6. The Colombo Magistrate Court hands down a six-month prison sentence to Director of W.M. Mendis Distilleries Arjun Aloysius along with two other executives for their failure to settle Rs. 3.5 billion in unpaid Value Added Tax (VAT): The Inland Revenue Department filed the case against the company for defaulting on tax payments owed to the government from 2016 to 2019: An appeal filed by Aloysius and Anthony Randev Dinendra John demanding the nullification of the prison sentence was rejected.
   
7. The Attorney General’s Department informs the Supreme Court that the Sri Lankan government will review the Mannar Wind Power Project involving India’s Adani Group: The review follows concerns raised by petitioners about environmental and community impacts: The Attorney General pledges to maintain the project’s status quo until a final decision is made after the general election: The Supreme Court orders any observations from the government’s end be informed before January 31, 2025.
   
8. China seeks to deepen anti-fraud law enforcement cooperation with Sri Lanka following the arrest of several foreign online fraud suspects, including Chinese nationals: The Chinese Embassy supports Sri Lankan authorities in combating telecom and online fraud, which has impacted China’s image and relations: China is committed to joint efforts with Sri Lanka to curb fraud activities targeting citizens of both nations.
   
9. SriLankan Airlines is investigating an incident on flight UL 607 from Sydney to Colombo on 21 September 2024, where the captain allegedly locked the female first officer out of the cockpit during a disagreement over a toilet break which led passengers anxious: The captain has been grounded pending the investigation: The airline is fully cooperating with authorities and emphasised its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.
   
10. Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis and England’s Tammy Beaumont have been named the ICC Players of the Month for September 2024: Mendis, awarded for his stellar Test performances, scored 451 runs in four matches, whilst Beaumont excelled in England’s short-format success: This marks Mendis’ second win, following his March 2024 accolade, and Beaumont’s second since February 2021.