September 21, Colombo (LNW): Monday, September 23, 2024 has been declared a special holiday, Secretary of the Ministry of State Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Pradeep Yasaratne said.
The statement was confirmed by a press release issued by the Department of Government Information.
September 21, Colombo (LNW): As the polls closed at 4:00 p.m. for the 2024 Presidential Election, the Election Commission has released district-level voter turnout percentages, showcasing a strong response from the electorate across several regions.
The figures indicate robust participation, with certain districts recording notably high turnout rates, underscoring the significance of this pivotal election.
According to official data, voter turnout at the close of polling is as follows:
Earlier reports revealed that by 2:00 p.m., voter turnout had already exceeded 60 per cent, demonstrating a steady and committed response from voters.
In certain districts such as Nuwara-Eliya and Gampaha, turnout rates soared to 80 per cent, reflecting a particularly strong engagement in these areas.
Colombo, the country’s bustling capital, also saw a respectable 75 per cent turnout by the time polling stations closed.
The high participation rate in rural districts like Monaragala and Polonnaruwa highlights the widespread interest in this year’s presidential election, which features the largest number of candidates in Sri Lankan history.
Conversely, Kilinochchi, in the Northern Province, recorded a relatively lower turnout at 68 per cent, though it remains a significant number given the region’s complex political landscape.
With counting now underway, the focus shifts to the results, which are expected to be revealed before midnight today (21).
September 21, Colombo (LNW) A total of 164 election law violations have been reported today during the 2024 Presidential Election, according to the election monitoring body People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL). Out of these, 109 violations have been confirmed, while 55 remain unconfirmed.
The reported violations include attacks on political party or candidate offices, illegal election propaganda, maintaining unauthorized party offices, influencing voters, irregularities related to ballot papers, and attempts at impersonation or illegal voting.
Despite these incidents, both PAFFREL and the National Election Commission Chairman have stated that the 2024 Presidential Election has been largely peaceful, with no major incidents of election law violations recorded.
September 21, Colombo (LNW): Voting in Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election concluded at 4:00 PM today, with nearly 17,140,354 voters casting their ballots at 13,421 polling stations across the country.
The National Election Commission announced that the first results, starting with the postal votes, are expected to be released before midnight tonight. The Commission also aims to complete announcing the full election results, including any preferential vote counts, by tomorrow (September 22).
September 21, Colombo (LNW): A 44-year-old resident of Thelwatte, Hikkaduwa, has been arrested for taking a photograph of his ballot paper at the polling station of Thelwatta Sumanarama Temple in Meetiyagoda. Galle District Returning Officer W. A. Dharmasiri stated that the individual was apprehended by police while casting his vote and photographing it.
Bringing and using mobile phones inside polling stations, counting stations, and result announcement stations is strictly prohibited, and this incident highlights the importance of adhering to these regulations to maintain the integrity of the election process.
September 21, Colombo (LNW)Tobias Pierlings, Director and Head of Division for South Asia and Southeast Asia at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, along with a delegation from the German Embassy in Sri Lanka, visited the Hambantota International Port (HIP) last week to explore potential business opportunities and assess the port’s capabilities.
Bindu Ranasinghe, Deputy General Manager of Commercial and Marketing at HIPG, briefed the delegation on the port’s recent advancements, highlighting growth in RORO, bulk, oil and gas cargoes, and the expansion of container operations aligned with the development of the industrial zone.
“This visit allowed the German delegation to experience firsthand the ongoing developments at the Hambantota International Port. We discussed future opportunities for German businesses, including our planned expansions and significant investments in various sectors, including container operations,” said Ranasinghe. The discussions also touched on HIP’s rapid development as a commercial hub and the expansion of the cruise sector, which has opened new business avenues for associated industries. The Deputy General Manager also noted the growth in local employment at the port, which has nearly tripled since HIPG took over.
The German delegation included Olaf Malchow, Deputy Head of Mission Counselor at the German Embassy in Colombo; Marie Antonia von Schönburg, Chief Delegate of the Delegation for German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka; Dharini Daluwatte, Advisor for Trade, Development, and Political Affairs; and Malintha Gajanayake, Head of Corporate Affairs and Export Promotions.
The visitors were given a comprehensive overview of the port’s state-of-the-art facilities and a panoramic view of the entire complex from the 12th floor of HIP’s flagship Maritime Center Building.
Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election is in full swing, with voting underway at 13,421 polling stations across the country. A total of 17,140,354 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this historic election, which features a record 38 candidates.
As of 2 PM, the voter turnout percentages reported by District Returning Officers are as follows:
Nuwara Eliya has reported the highest voter turnout at 70%, while Jaffna has the lowest so far at 49%. Voting will continue until 4 PM today, with officials expecting a strong turnout across the island.
By: Isuru Parakrama
September 21, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has reported a significant rise in the number of complaints related to the 2024 Presidential Election.
The total number of complaints has now reached 5,551, according to an official statement, indicating a growing trend in grievances, and heightened concerns over the electoral process now that the voting is in motion.
In the past 24 hours alone, 337 fresh complaints were lodged, with the overwhelming majority — 336 — pertaining to violations of election laws.
This surge underscores the intensity of the electoral climate and the challenges faced by authorities in ensuring compliance with regulations.
Despite the rise in complaints, the Election Commission has taken swift action, successfully resolving 4,929 of the reported cases to date.
The spike in complaints comes amidst an already tense environment, as Sri Lanka prepares for one of its most competitive presidential elections in history.
The Election Commission is working closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate claims of misconduct, with a focus on ensuring that voters are able to exercise their democratic rights free from undue influence or illegal activity.
September 21, Colombo (LNW) The second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation successfully took place in New Delhi, India, from September 11–12, 2024, following an initial offer made at the first Ministerial Conference in Beijing, China, in 2018.
Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), highlighted the rapid growth of the Asia Pacific region, stating, “We are expecting 4.5 billion passengers this year, which will grow to 11.5 billion passengers by 2050. Asia Pacific is a beacon of this growth.”
The conference addressed key challenges such as infrastructure development, sustainability, and workforce development, while promoting greater collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Sri Lanka was represented by AVM Sagara Kotakadeniya (Retd.), the Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer, who delivered a statement affirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to the development of civil aviation on behalf of the Minister of Ports, Shipping & Civil Aviation. Avanthi Senarathne, Vice Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services, also participated as a member of the Sri Lankan delegation.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, graced the event as the chief guest, underscoring the significance of the conference for regional and global aviation development.
September 21, Colombo (LNW): Former Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga announced yesterday that Sri Lanka’s rapid exit from bankruptcy, achieved through strategic debt restructuring within just two and a half years after an unprecedented economic crisis, stands as a model for other nations facing similar challenges.
The government has successfully restructured debt in three different ways, enabling the repayment of a total of US$ 84 billion. Additionally, Dr. Samaratunga highlighted that Sri Lanka has secured restructuring and concessions for debt amounting to US$ 17.5 billion.
To safeguard against future economic downturns, the former Secretary emphasized that the government has enacted five key legislative measures. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act was introduced to regulate money printing, while the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act of 2024 aims to prevent the misuse of public funds for political purposes.
The Fiscal Responsible Management Act has also been enacted to ensure disciplined fiscal policies. Moreover, the Public Debt Management (PDM) Act of 2024 was introduced to enforce strict guidelines for the government in managing credit facilities responsibly, irrespective of the political party in power.
