August 05, Colombo (LNW): Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), disclosed that around 60 complaints concerning breaches of election laws have emerged ahead of the Presidential election.
He noted that most complaints involve the misuse of state resources and power, which, despite being reported as isolated incidents, have a broader societal impact.
Issues include improper distribution of goods, controversial appointments and transfers, and the dismissal of presidents and chairpersons from various state and corporate positions.
August 05, Colombo (LNW): The deadline for submitting postal vote applications is today, August 5.
Completed forms must be delivered to District Returning Officers via the District Election Office by midnight.
Applications can be obtained free of charge from locations displaying the voters’ lists, district election offices, or the Election Commission’s website.
The Election Commission has stated that applications received after today’s deadline will be rejected, and claims circulating on social media about an extension are false.
August 05, Colombo (LNW): Despite several surveys done by various people and companies, according to several survey houses the numbers are still unclear and too early to predict. Whoever claims that they are winning, are only day dreaming.
But the key issues for the public are very clear. The public is still struggling with the Economic crisis that is causing severe hardships for the population. Prices of essential goods, including food and fuel, skyrocketed, and many are struggling to afford basic necessities. With the IMF package now in play , it may lead to a crisis if the terms and conditions are changed without the consent of the IMF. Political talk is good for the platform.
We cannot afford to allow half baked politicians to get away with political rhetoric. People’s livelihoods cannot be played around like in the Gotabaya Rajapaksa era any more. Ironically, Despite the economic mayhem and hardship the Rajapaksa Group created for the people.
The Rajapaksa family still think they are popular and people have forgotten and forgiven them for the economic mayhem they created 21-22. The other big issue for Sri Lanka is the substantial debt burden. In 2027 nearly $10 Billion has to be paid. Are we going to borrow at commercial rates to repay ? We need answers. The Ranil government is seeking international financial aid and negotiating with creditors to restructure debt.
Effective debt management is crucial to avoid default and to stabilize the economy. The President has done a good job so far to keep the ship afloat. The 3 rd issue for the public is Political Stability and Governance. Ensuring political stability and effective governance is essential for implementing reforms and maintaining public trust. Managing diverse political factions and fostering an inclusive political environment are key challenges for the country.
The abuse of state resources to provide security for half baked government officials and politicians must be stopped. People know they are paying for their joy rides. In the UK ministers use London Underground to travel. Whilst half baked government officials and military move around in Sri Lanka like their lives are at risk. The opposition leader is no better. That is why the NPP is scoring. The other issue is Social Equity and Living Standards.
Addressing public dissatisfaction due to economic hardships is important. Policies aimed at improving living standards, reducing inequalities, and mitigating social tensions are crucial for maintaining social stability. Then for the cocktail circuit men and women and those commenting on WhatsApp groups; Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection is key.
Implementing sustainable development policies, protecting natural resources, and addressing climate change impacts are significant concerns. These efforts are essential for long-term national development and environmental sustainability. If politicians like Sajith and Anura only continue to criticize without offering hard solutions they will only end up in the dustbin like Gotabaya.
These issues collectively represent the major challenges and priorities for Sri Lankan people as it navigates its economic recovery and bring sanity to the political landscape. For most Sri Lankan politicians Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies. This quote, often attributed to Groucho Marx, he succinctly captures the essence of poorly executed political maneuvering and the pitfalls of superficial governance.
August 05, Colombo (LNW): The Kandy Esala Perahera festival kicks off today with the traditional ‘Kap’ planting ceremony at the four principal Devalayas: Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini.
The ceremony is set to take place at 4:10 a.m.
Following the completion of the five internal peraheras of the Devalayas, the first Kumbal Perahera will process through the streets on August 10.
The Randoli Perahera is scheduled to start on August 15, with the grand Randoli Maha Perahera concluding the festivities on August 19.
August 05, Colombo (LNW): The National Election Commission has dismissed reports suggesting that voters will be able to cast their ballots at any polling station for the forthcoming Presidential Election.
In a statement, the Commission clarified that such claims are inaccurate and misleading.
Voters will be required to vote at their designated polling stations within their registered divisional areas, as per the electoral register.
August 05, Colombo (LNW): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has highlighted the crucial role of Sri Lanka Police and state officials in providing impartial legal protection, as mandated by Article 12 of the Constitution.
The HRCSL has announced that it will now accept complaints regarding breaches of election laws by police and other government personnel in connection with the Presidential Election.
Complaints can be lodged via telephone at 0767914696 or by fax at 0112505566.
This move aims to uphold the integrity of the electoral process. Additionally, the HRCSL has appointed specialised officers at its Head Office and regional branches to address allegations of human rights violations promptly.
The Commission has also issued new guidelines to reinforce the constitutional duties of Sri Lanka Police and state officials.
August 05, Colombo (LNW): State intelligence services have alerted the government that overseas Sri Lankans and the Retired Tri-Forces Forum of the National People’s Power (NPP) significantly contributed to the NPP’s recent successes, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday (04).
During a convention of the NPP’s tri-forces forum in Colombo, Dissanayake revealed that the intelligence report urged the government to investigate these influences.
The report indicated that the mobilisation of overseas Sri Lankans and retired military personnel has been pivotal to the NPP’s achievements, he asserted.
Dissanayake noted that the retired military personnel have played a particularly strong role in bolstering the NPP’s victory.
August 05, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena clarified his stance on the Central Bank bond scam, stating he had ‘never accused’ President Ranil Wickremesinghe of involvement.
Speaking at Arukwatta in Padukka, Gunawardena emphasised that he should not be held responsible for the malpractice of individuals appointed by him.
The Minister further stated that their support lies with the national policy introduced by Wickremesinghe, rather than Wickremesinghe himself.
“I shall not be held accountable for something bad committed by a person appointed by me. The scenario is as similar as that,” Gunawardena said. “The Presidential Candidate, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, is the only person who has developed a programme to develop the country. He’s the only one who executes such a programme by law.”
The Minister went on: “I never said on any occasion that the the Central Bank Bond Scam was committed by Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. That happened due to the individuals he had appointed.”
These remarks stand in stark contrast to his 2015 and 2018 comments as an Opposition MP, where he accused Wickremesinghe, who was serving as the Prime Minister then, and the United National Party (UNP) of orchestrating the ‘Great Bond Scam committed in broad daylight,’ a term coined by Gunawardena himself for his subsequent election campaign, and demonstrated Wickremesinghe’s attempts to cover it up.
August 05, Colombo (LNW): The first public rally for President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Presidential Election campaign will take place on August 17 at Salgado Stadium in Anuradhapura, Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe announced.
Semasinghe highlighted the President’s success in steering the country out of a socio-economic crisis and expressed that the SLPP should support him to maintain this progress.
This announcement was made during a meeting with local government representatives from the Anuradhapura District, which included former Minister S.M. Chandrasena, S.C. Muthukumarana, former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith, and SLPP Local Authority members.
August 05, Colombo (LNW): Pradeep Nilanga Dela, the Diyawadana Nilame of Kandy Dalada Maligawa, has expressed concerns about businessmen selling seats for the Kandy Esela Perahera at prices ranging from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000.
He warned that these unfair and excessive prices could severely damage the reputation of the Perahera organisers, both locally and internationally.
Neither the Sri Dalada Maligawa nor the four Devalayas are involved in this exploitation, Dela clarified.
He urged authorities to intervene, emphasising that without control, public blame might unjustly fall on the Dalada Maligawa and the Devalayas.
Dela’s comments came during a discussion at the Dalada Maligawa premises regarding the organisation of the Esala Perahera Festival.
The Diyawadana Nilame stressed that while the Perahera is managed by the Dalada Maligawa and the four Devalayas, they do not engage in the commercial sale of seats.
Complaints about unfair pricing should be directed to the Perahera Trust.
