September 17, Colombo (LNW): International election observers, who have arrived in Sri Lanka to oversee the upcoming Presidential election, are set to meet with the Election Commission of Sri Lanka today (17).

This significant discussion is scheduled to take place at the Election Commission premises, marking the first formal interaction between the observers and the Commission ahead of the election.

Key participants in this meeting include representatives from the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG).

Both organisations have a history of promoting democratic processes and ensuring electoral integrity across Asia and the Commonwealth countries.

Their presence is seen as a crucial step in guaranteeing a transparent and fair electoral process in Sri Lanka.

Today’s meeting is part of a broader schedule for the international observers. Following the discussion, they are expected to visit various districts throughout the country to monitor the electoral activities.

Their monitoring will extend to different regions, offering a comprehensive view of the electoral process and ensuring adherence to democratic principles.

Meanwhile, local election watchdog, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), has stressed the importance of maintaining peace and order as the election date approaches.

Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of PAFFREL, called on the public to remain calm and not be swayed by misleading reports or rumours circulating during this critical period.

He emphasised the necessity of a peaceful environment to facilitate a smooth and fair voting process, urging all stakeholders to act responsibly.

With the final week of the election period underway, the engagement of both international observers and local monitoring groups underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in this electoral process.

The joint efforts of the Election Commission, international observers, and local organisations aim to ensure that the upcoming Presidential election is conducted in a manner that upholds democratic values and reflects the will of the people.

September 17, Colombo (LNW): A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has arrived in Colombo to oversee Sri Lanka’s upcoming Presidential election, marking a significant milestone as the Commonwealth’s 200th election observation since the 1980s.

With the country set to vote on 21 September, the 15-member team, deployed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, aims to ensure a transparent and democratic electoral process, following an invitation from Sri Lanka’s Election Commission.

In a statement made in Colombo, the Chairperson of the group, former President of Seychelles, Danny Faure, expressed his honour at leading the delegation for this historic occasion.

He emphasised the Commonwealth’s ongoing commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and fostering citizen participation.

“We are here as part of the Commonwealth’s full electoral cycle approach…to help strengthen democratic institutions and processes, and enable citizen participation and representation during elections,” Faure said.

The timing of Sri Lanka’s election is particularly symbolic, coinciding with the International Day of Peace. Faure highlighted this alignment, noting it as a commitment to the global pursuit of peace, mirroring the Commonwealth’s values of promoting free, democratic societies and enhancing the prosperity of all citizens.

The Observer Group’s mandate involves a comprehensive evaluation of the entire electoral process, covering the pre-election environment, the election day itself, and the post-election period.

The group’s role extends beyond merely observing; it involves engaging with various stakeholders to gain a holistic view of the election’s conduct.

Since their arrival, the team has actively participated in meetings with civil society representatives, political parties, the police, and citizen observers, aiming to gather insights into the electoral landscape.

In preparation for the main polling day, members of the support team monitored the postal voting process on 11 and 12 September in Colombo.

This early voting mechanism allows eligible voters who are unable to cast their ballots on 21 September to participate in the election.

This phase of observation provided the team with an early indication of the organisational and procedural aspects of the election.

On 19 September, observers will be deployed in small teams across various provinces, where they will assess local electoral preparations and meet with regional stakeholders.

This decentralised approach ensures a broader and more nuanced understanding of the election’s conduct at the grassroots level.

During the election, the group will observe critical aspects, including the opening of polling stations, voting procedures, the closing of polls, vote counting, and the management of results.

Their observations will culminate in an interim statement on 23 September, offering a preliminary assessment of the electoral process.

Following the election, the group will produce a comprehensive final report, which will include recommendations for enhancing future electoral processes. This report is intended to provide a framework for continuous improvement, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s democratic processes are robust and aligned with international standards.

September 17, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of showers will occur Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (17).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in Eastern and Uva provinces during the evening or night.

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

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. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the “Ranil Can” rally, emphasises Sri Lanka’s economic recovery efforts and international support from India and Japan: announces plans for Trincomalee’s development and pledges to improve living conditions: Criticising rivals for their inaction during the crisis, he urges voters to support his continued leadership, aiming to resolve ongoing economic challenges by 2025.
   
2. SJB presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa stresses the need for a leader who treats everyone equally, regardless of caste or religion: proposes boosting Sri Lanka’s tourism by learning from Malaysia, addressing local housing issues, modernising schools and hospitals, and criticises rivals for their silence on past injustices towards the Muslim community.
   
3. The National People’s Power (NPP) vows to cancel the Adani Group’s wind power project in Sri Lanka if elected in the upcoming presidential election: Candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake claims the project threatens energy sovereignty: The Adani Group faced legal challenges over environmental concerns, transparency issues, and allegations of a financially disadvantageous tariff for Sri Lanka.
   
4. The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) officially decides to endorse SJB presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming election, following a meeting in Vavuniya: Despite party leader Mavai Senathirajah’s support, some dissent exists, notably from MP S. Shritharan, who advocates for Tamil common candidate P. Ariyanethiran, criticising the Sinhalese candidates’ commitment to Tamil issues.
   
5. Ahead of the Presidential election, Sri Lankan law enforcement is authorised to use firearms if disturbances occur at polling stations: Public Security Minister Tiran Alles confirms a robust security plan, including deploying 54,000 police officers nationwide, to maintain order: Measures focus on potential unrest, safeguarding the electoral process, and ensuring secure ballot box transportation.
   
6. Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong says both China and Sri Lanka are entering crucial five-year periods, offering new cooperation opportunities: emphasises the importance of the nations’ close economic ties, including projects like Port City Colombo: notes both countries are at pivotal junctures, suggesting enhanced future collaboration.
   
7. A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) is in Colombo to observe Sri Lanka’s 21 September presidential election, marking the Commonwealth’s 200th observation since the 1980s: The 15-member group, led by Seychelles’ former President Danny Faure, aims to assess the electoral process, ensure democratic standards, and support peace: They will issue a preliminary report on 23 September.
   
8. Sri Lanka’s Election Commission warns employers to grant employees sufficient leave to vote in the upcoming Presidential election: Commissioner Saman Sri Ratnayake emphasises voting as a fundamental right, outlining specific leave guidelines based on the distance to polling stations: Legal action may be taken against non-compliant institutions, ensuring all eligible voters have fair access to the democratic process.
   
9. The All Ceylon Health Service Union accuses Dr. Saranga Alahapperuma, Chairman of Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, of making arbitrary recruitments and promotions in violation of election laws: Despite the complaints, the Election Commission has not acted: Alahapperuma defends his actions, stating that all appointments followed due processes and were approved by the Commission.
   
10. Sri Lanka Women’s ‘A’ fast bowler Malsha Shehani took 4 for 12, but Bangladesh Women’s ‘A’ secured a 10-run victory in the third T20, winning the series 3-0: Bangladesh scored 97 for 9, with Shathi Rani top-scoring at 26: Sri Lanka managed 87 for 8 in response, with Kaushani Nuthyanga and Nilakshana Sandamini contributing 21 and 22 runs, respectively.

September 16, Colombo (LNW): Ahead of the upcoming Presidential election, law enforcement officers have been authorised to use firearms if disturbances arise at polling stations.

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles disclosed this measure to Lankadeepa newspaper, emphasising the need to maintain order during the electoral process.

According to Minister Alles, police and security forces have been equipped with firearms to manage any potential unrest, signalling a firm stance on maintaining peace and stability throughout the election period.

A detailed security plan has been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the election day, as well as the subsequent period.

This plan aims to address various potential scenarios, ranging from minor disturbances to more significant threats, to preserve the integrity of the electoral process.

It also includes measures for heightened security during the critical phase of ballot box transportation, with the Police Headquarters confirming a specialised security strategy for this operation.

An extensive deployment of around 54,000 police officers is anticipated to bolster election security, marking one of the most comprehensive security efforts for an election in recent times.

These officers will be strategically stationed across the country, focusing on areas deemed sensitive or high-risk.

The deployment plan also includes rapid response units prepared to tackle any incidents swiftly, minimising disruption and ensuring voter safety.

September 16, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has issued a stern warning to both public and private employers who fail to grant their employees sufficient leave to vote in the forthcoming Presidential election.

Commissioner General of the Election Commission, Saman Sri Ratnayake, revealed that legal action could be pursued against institutions that exhibit negligence over this obligation, highlighting the act as a potential violation of fundamental rights.

Ratnayake emphasised that voting is a basic democratic right that must be upheld. He urged employers across all sectors to facilitate their employees’ right to participate in the electoral process, stressing that denying this right could lead to legal repercussions.

“Voting is a fundamental right,” he stated, “and all institutions must ensure that employees are given adequate leave to exercise their franchise.”

He also appealed to officials in both public and private sectors to actively support this initiative. Furthermore, Ratnayake called on trade unions to broaden their advocacy beyond just wage increases.

He urged them to champion the cause of workers’ voting rights, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to cast their vote without hindrance.

In line with these directives, the Election Commission has laid out specific guidelines regarding the amount of leave employees are entitled to, depending on the distance between their workplace and the designated polling station.

These measures aim to accommodate the varying distances that voters may need to travel, ensuring fair access for all citizens.

The guidelines are as follows:

• Half a day’s leave for those whose polling station is within a 40-kilometre radius of their workplace.
• One day’s leave for distances ranging between 40 to 100 kilometres.
• One and a half days’ leave for distances between 100 to 150 kilometres.
• Two days’ leave for distances exceeding 150 kilometres.

These provisions are designed to address the varying geographical challenges faced by voters, particularly in more remote or less accessible areas.

The Election Commission guarantees that all eligible voters have a fair chance to participate in the democratic process, regardless of their location.