News

“EC worked through AG to defeat moves to put off prez poll”

Published

2 years ago

2024/07/17

Election Commission Chairman R. M. A. L. Rathnayake stressing a point during yesterday's media briefing at the Election Secretariat, Rajagiriya. Rathnayake is flanked by Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake (on his right) and M.A.P.C. Perera, both members of the Commission. (Pic by Jude Denzil Pathiraja).

…denies meeting President Wickremesinghe

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Chairman of the Elections Commission R.M.A.L. Rathnayake yesterday (16) said that the EC couldn’t interfere with the right of those representing the legal profession or any other from seeking to thwart the scheduled presidential elections.

Rathnayake said so in response to The Island query whether the EC would seek a dialogue with those seeking to sabotage the presidential election at the behest of some individuals and political parties. He said the EC had, through the Attorney General, made the required submissions before the Supreme Court to defeat the moves aimed at delaying the presidential election.

Rathnayake called a special media briefing in the wake of the dismissal of petitions filed by businessman C.D. Lenawa and Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri by the Supreme Court, which also ordered the two petitioners to pay Rs 100,000 and Rs 500,000, respectively, as costs. Rathnayake was flanked by EC members H. M. T. D. Herath, Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake, M.A.P.C. Perera, Ms Anusuya Shamuganathan and Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Rathnayake.

Pointing out that both petitioners sought to halt the presidential election process, Rathnayake disclosed that the EC discussed the issue at hand with the Attorney General at length.

The EC declared that having overcome the legal challenges, the independent body was proceeding with the work to hold the election, according to the laid down schedule. The EC emphasised that between July 17 (today) and 31, the EC would announce the date of the presidential election. At the onset of the briefing, Rathnayake said that the election would be definitely held between Sept. 17 and Oct. 16.

Responding to another query, the EC Chairman denied President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent claim that members of the EC had met him.

Over 17 million people would be eligible to vote at the election, Ratnayake said, adding that the EC was in the process of working out arrangements with relevant officials, including the IGP, Post Master General and the Government Printer.

Asked whether sufficient funds had been made available to meet the rising cost of material and services, Rathnayake said that the 2015 presidential election cost the taxpayer Rs 2.7 bn, in 2019 the expenditure went up to Rs 4.4 bn and in terms of the latest estimates, the government has already allocated Rs 10 bn.

Rathnayake admitted that they still lacked a mechanism to prevent dual citizens from handing over nominations as contestants. When pressed for an answer, Rathnayake said that the EC didn’t have the time and space to decide on candidates’ citizenship status during the two and half hours allocated to accept nominations.

Commenting on the social media coverage of the forthcoming poll, Rathnayake urged the media to be cautious and responsible in their reportage. The EC Chairman said that the media and other interested parties shouldn’t make an issue over the EC not making the announcement relating to the presidential election on July 17, the day it received authority, constitutionally to do so. Rathnayake said the EC could delay making the announcement till August 20 and work accordingly to hold the poll between Sept 17 and Oct 16.

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Latest News

Sun directly overhead Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon today (05)

Published

33 mins ago

2026/09/5

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is
overhead today (05) are Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon

News

Namal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

Namal Rajapaksa being brought to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was yesterday remanded until September 18 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with an investigation into the controversial SriLankan Airlines Airbus aircraft transaction.

Rajapaksa appeared before the CIABOC at around 9.15 am yesterday to record a statement after being summoned over the transaction. He was taken into custody following several hours of questioning and subsequently produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

The investigation centres on allegations surrounding the acquisition of six Airbus A330 and eight A350 aircraft by SriLankan Airlines in 2013, in connection with an alleged USD 2 million bribe.

Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena and his wife, Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, had previously been named in connection with the alleged bribery.

Chandrasena was arrested on March 12 as part of an investigation launched by the CIABOC under the Anti-Corruption Act and was subsequently released on bail. He was later found dead on May 8 while on bail, with police suspecting that his death was a suicide.

Open warrants have been issued for the arrest of Wijenayake, who is named as the second suspect, and Shamindra Rajapaksa, named as the third suspect, in the case pending before the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the Airbus transaction.

The investigation has also received assistance from Airbus, with a delegation from the company’s parent group in France visiting Sri Lanka during the first week of August. The delegation provided statements and other assistance to the CIABOC as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Rajapaksa’s arrest and remand yesterday mark a further development in the widening investigation into the controversial aircraft deal.

News

Dengue cases surpass 96,000 this year

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

The number of dengue cases reported in Sri Lanka this year has risen to 96,040, with 72 deaths recorded so far, according to the National Dengue Control Unit.

The Unit said 10,155 cases were reported in August alone, highlighting the continuing spread of the disease across several parts of the country.

The Western Province has recorded the highest number of cases at 50,760, followed by the Southern Province with 13,931, the Central Province with 8,788 and the Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,910.

At district level, Gampaha has reported the highest number of cases at 20,444, followed by Colombo with 19,008.

Kandy has recorded 7,043 cases, while Kalutara and Matara have reported 6,181 and 6,154 cases,a respectively.

The National Dengue Control Unit said 50 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas across the country have been identified as high-risk areas for dengue.

Health authorities have continued to urge the public to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding, particularly in areas where a high incidence of dengue has been reported.