1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe holds discussions with Bishop Harold Anthony Perera and Catholic leaders at the President’s House on key national issues: addresses educational reforms, the Easter Sunday attack investigation, environmental concerns, and the Church’s societal role: The constructive dialogue focused on collaboration, with the President reaffirming commitment to justice, sustainability, and economic resilience amidst ongoing challenges.
   
2. Opposition Leader and SJB Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa says under a SJB-rule a special commission will be appointed to revise the salaries entitled to public servants to match the cost of living and its recommendations will be implemented: asserts the basic salary of the public service will be increased by 24% from January, 2025: adds the minimum wage entitled to public servants, which is Rs. 17,800, will be increased to Rs. 25,000, thereby increasing the minimum salary of a public servant up to Rs. 57,500.
   
3. NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake announces an NPP government would bring in a foreign investor to manage Sri Lanka Telecom, though it opposes selling the company: cites the need for specialised management due to the sector’s rapid technological changes and plans to send 200 students abroad annually to enhance local expertise.
   
4. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera praises President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership, crediting him for economic recovery and stable governance amid challenges: notes Wickremesinghe’s growing public approval, predicting broad cross-party support in upcoming elections: also emphasises crucial economic measures like salary hikes and retirement benefits, viewing them as indicators of future growth under the President’s leadership.
   
5. As of 21 August, the Election Commission of Sri Lanka has received 901 complaints regarding the upcoming Presidential election: These reports primarily address violations of electoral laws, with concerns escalating in recent weeks: The complaints include incidents ranging from alleged irregularities in campaigning to acts of intimidation: The commission’s efforts focus on ensuring a transparent election amidst heightened public scrutiny.
   
6. The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) flags a fraudulent website imitating the National Election Commission’s platform, falsely promoting job offers for the 2024 Presidential Election: The phishing site, detected on 9 August and taken down by 12 August, sought to collect personal data: Although removed, authorities warn the public to verify information and remain cautious against similar scams.
   
7. The National Election Commission invites election observers from 12 countries, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Maldives, as well as Commonwealth and Asian Election Observation Network representatives, to oversee Sri Lanka’s 2024 Presidential Election: EU observers are already in place: Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake emphasised these observers will ensure transparency and democratic integrity throughout the electoral process.
   
8. This week, NPP Presidential Candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake will unveil his election manifesto on Monday at 10:00 AM at the Monarch Imperial Hotel in Colombo: SJB Contender Sajith Premadasa will reveal his manifesto on Wednesday, with details forthcoming: Additionally, the UNP will hold a meeting on 25 August at 2:00 PM to endorse Ranil Wickremesinghe as ‘an independent’ candidate for the 2024 Presidential Election.
   
9. The Postal Department will receive a vital shipment of registered postal vote ballot papers tomorrow (26) for the 2024 presidential election: Distribution of official polling cards begins on 3 September, with 8 September set as a special delivery day: Staff leave is cancelled until the election concludes, ensuring smooth operations: Over 712,000 postal vote applications have been approved, with voting scheduled for early September.
   
10. Kamindu Mendis scored his third Test century, guiding Sri Lanka to 291-6 and a 169-run lead over England by lunch on Day 4 of the first Test at Old Trafford: Mendis (101) and Dinesh Chandimal (62) formed an unbeaten 101-run partnership, taking control despite a rain delay: England struggled, missing injured pacer Mark Wood.

August 25, Colombo (LNW): The Postal Department will receive a crucial shipment of reserved packets containing registered postal vote ballot papers for the 2024 presidential election tomorrow (26).

This marks a significant step in the preparation for the electoral process.

Official polling cards for the upcoming Presidential Election will begin distribution on 3 September. Additionally, 8 September has been set aside as a special day for the distribution of these cards.

In related news, Deputy Postmaster General Rajitha Ranasinghe announced that all postal staff leave has been cancelled with immediate effect until the conclusion of the election.

This measure is to ensure the efficient management of election-related duties. Employees needing leave for essential reasons must seek approval from the Deputy Postmaster General of their respective province.

The Presidential Election is slated for 21 September, with postal voting scheduled for 4, 5, and 6 September.

The 4th is designated for postal votes from District Secretariats, Election Offices, and the Police. Additionally, 11 and 12 September have been reserved as supplementary dates for postal voters who missed the initial voting period.

Election Commissioner Saman Sri Ratnayake has reported that 736,589 postal vote applications were received for this election.

Of these, 24,268 were rejected, leaving 712,321 applicants eligible for postal voting.

August 25, Colombo (LNW): This week, two prominent presidential hopefuls are set to reveal their election manifestos.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), will present his manifesto on Monday in Colombo. The event will take place at 10:00 AM at the Monarch Imperial Hotel in Thalawathugoda, confirmed an NPP spokesperson.

On Wednesday (28 August) Sajith Premadasa, the Opposition Leader and candidate from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), will disclose his manifesto. The exact time and venue for this event in Colombo will be announced shortly, according to Sujeeva Senasinghe, head of SJB’s election operations.

Premadasa’s manifesto is expected to address key areas such as education, agriculture, digital transformation, health, entrepreneurship, and the cooperative sector.

In addition, today (25) the United National Party (UNP) will convene a special meeting at its headquarters in Sirikotha, starting at 2:00 PM. This conference, chaired by party leader and presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe, aims to secure endorsement for his candidacy in the 2024 Presidential Election, where he will run as an ‘independent’ candidate.

August 25, Colombo (LNW): In a recent public address in Tissamaharama, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, Mahinda Amaraweera, commended President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership, attributing his successes to resilient governance during a challenging period.

Highlighting the economic recovery and strategic IMF-aligned decisions, Amaraweera noted Wickremesinghe’s ability to stabilise the nation.

He stressed that the President’s competence has reshaped public opinion positively, even amidst ongoing political challenges.

The minister further forecasted widespread support across party lines, driven by the growing consensus on the President’s effectiveness, predicting a strong electoral performance.

Amaraweera also addressed economic concerns, such as increasing public servants’ salaries and expanding retirement benefits, arguing these measures are crucial despite the ongoing crisis.

He emphasised that such progress under adverse conditions is a sign of significant future national growth.

The event also saw local leaders reaffirming their commitment to ensuring President Wickremesinghe’s victory, reflecting a broad coalition uniting diverse factions in support of the President’s re-election.

August 25, Colombo (LNW): The National Election Commission has announced that representatives from 12 countries have been invited to observe Sri Lanka’s upcoming 2024 Presidential Election.

The observers will include officials from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Maldives. Additionally, Commonwealth election observers and delegates from the Asian Election Observation Network will also participate.

The European Union (EU) has already dispatched election observers to Sri Lanka.

The Commission’s Chairman, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, stated that the international observers will monitor all election-related activities, including the voting process.

These observers are expected to deliver a comprehensive report post-election. This initiative aims to ensure transparency and uphold democratic standards during the election.

The presence of diverse international observers signals Sri Lanka’s intent to demonstrate credibility in its electoral process amidst a politically charged environment.

August 25, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has raised concerns regarding a fraudulent website mimicking the official National Election Commission’s platform and falsely advertising job opportunities related to the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election.

The deceptive website, which uses the national emblem and Election Commission’s branding, was identified as a phishing site designed to extract personal data from unsuspecting individuals.

SLCERT advised the public to remain cautious, urging them to verify such claims before sharing sensitive information.

The phishing website was first detected on 9 August, hosted on a US-based Google server. Authorities acted swiftly, leading to its removal by Google LLC on 12 August after intervention by SLCERT.

Although the site has been taken down, the Computer Crime Investigation Division (CCID) is continuing its probe, seeking to uncover the identity of those responsible.

Collaboration between the Election Commission, SLCERT, and the CCID was instrumental in promptly eliminating the threat.

However, concerns remain over similar fraudulent activities, with the public being urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious sites or job offers.

The authorities also stressed the importance of verifying the legitimacy of such websites and offers through official channels.

August 25, Colombo (LNW): The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has initiated measures to freeze around 900 bank accounts linked to tax defaulters as part of an effort to recover outstanding taxes.

This action was revealed by the Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka.

The move follows substantial revenue losses totalling nearly Rs. 2 trillion, stemming from tax exemptions amounting to Rs. 978 billion and inefficiencies in collecting over Rs. 1 trillion from major revenue agencies.

Despite these challenges, the IRD, alongside Sri Lanka Customs and the Excise Department, has managed to gather Rs. 1,680.2 billion during the first half of the year—representing 44 per cent of the government’s revenue target.

However, the collection system still faces significant issues, including the issuance of Tax Identification Numbers (TINs). Although around 13 million individuals qualify as taxpayers, only 5 million have received TINs.

The authorities plan to issue TINs to the remaining eligible population by year-end, but the integration of these numbers with other government systems, like driving licences, remains a challenge.

Regarding Sri Lanka Customs, MP Ranawaka highlighted systemic invoicing problems, such as under-invoicing, over-invoicing, and ghost invoicing, which obstruct efficient tax collection.

Additionally, the continued use of a temporary import scheme for 65 per cent of goods, especially food items, has contributed to an annual loss of approximately US$ 4 billion—exceeding the country’s balance of payments deficit.

The Excise Department has reported Rs. 7.9 billion in uncollected taxes, primarily from ten distilleries.

Although repeated warnings have been issued to revoke their licenses and recover these dues, the department claims it lacks the authority to act without direct orders from the Ministry of Finance.

August 25, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Transport has rolled out a digital ticketing system for train passengers, accessible through the Pravesha platform at pravesha.lk.

Commuters can now easily purchase second and third class tickets online using debit or credit cards.

After completing the transaction, a QR code is sent via SMS or email, valid only on the specified date.

Although seat reservations are yet to be included, travellers can buy tickets up to a week in advance through this platform.

This initiative marks a significant step in modernising the nation’s railway services, offering greater convenience and reducing queues at stations.