News
99 percent election complaints about misuse of state power and resources
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Election Commission (EC) announced on Friday that it had already received 158 complaints of election law violations and 20 of these complaints had been filed within the 24 hours that ended at 9 am yesterday.
According to People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), 99 percent of these complaints are against the misuse of state power and resources. Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of PAFFREL, revealed that the government was in the process of recruiting 150 labourers to Lanka Mineral Sands in Pulmoddai. “We intervened, and the Election Commission halted the recruitment. However, 46 people had already been hired. These individuals were recruited after the election was declared, despite
no vacancies being available,” Hettiarachchi explained.Hettiarachchi also warned state officials that they could face severe legal consequences for their actions.
Election monitoring bodies are also closely scrutinising the use of the Waters Edge premises by President Ranil Wickremesinghe for election-related activities. Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) stated that a complaint has been lodged with the Election Commission, which has since taken a statement from the hotel’s manager.
“The manager informed the Commission that the line minister paid for the President’s meetings held there. We have filed a Right to Information (RTI) application to determine whether public funds were used to cover these expenses. If it is found that public funds were indeed used, we will pursue legal action,” Gajanayake said.
The Election Commission is also investigating a complaint regarding the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) allegedly issuing licenses to open gas stations to government supporters. Gajanayake noted: “Recently, several CPC gas stations have been transferred to individuals and companies, with some discrepancies noted. Some gas stations, previously operated by the CPC, were handed over to individuals free of charge. The President’s office is involved in this matter.”
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, at Temple Tress on the 17th of February
Dr. Georgieva, commended the Government’s efforts in stabilizing the country’s economy and in managing recent economic and natural shocks. She noted that Cyclone Ditwah had caused severe impacts, especially on economically vulnerable communities, underscoring the importance of targeted support and resilience-building measures.
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the IMF’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The PM further emphasized that real economic recovery and development must directly benefit the economically vulnerable groups and ensure inclusive growth, highlighting the need for Sri Lanka to attract quality and sustainable investments, particularly in the tourism sector.
The importance of reforming the education system to focus not only on knowledge acquisition but also on skills development and employability was also discussed
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the IMF Managing Director Andreas Bauer, Director, Asia and Pacific Department, Dr. Krishna Srinivasan Division Chief (Strategic Communications), Communications Department, Pierre Mejlak Resident Representative for Sri Lanka Dr. Martha Woldemichael, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and Deputy Governor Dr. C. Amarasekara, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution forwarded by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to relocate the Deniyaya Base Hospital after constructing a new hospital with a capacity of 300 beds at an estimated cost of Rupees 6,000 million.
The Southern Provincial Department of Health has acquired a plot of land in Handford estate which is approximately 03 kilometres away from the town for this purpose.
News
Cabinet nod to legally empower methodology for implementing the ‘Praja Shakthi’ poverty alleviation national movement
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft a bill to legally empower the implementation of ‘Praja Shakthi’ (Strength of the Community) poverty alleviation national movement
Muscular South Africa stroll into Super Eight with all-win record
Pakistan bat first, drop Shaheen Afridi in must-win encounter against Namibia
New Bangladesh sports minister wants to fast track cases against Shakib and Mortaza
Climber on trial for leaving girlfriend to die on Austria’s highest mountain
IMF MD commends government’s efforts in stabilizing the country’s economy
India look to go into Super Eight stage with all-win record
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Life style4 days agoMarriot new GM Suranga
-
Business3 days agoMinistry of Brands to launch Sri Lanka’s first off-price retail destination
-
Features4 days agoMonks’ march, in America and Sri Lanka
-
Opinion7 days agoWill computers ever be intelligent?
-
Features4 days agoThe Rise of Takaichi
-
Features4 days agoWetlands of Sri Lanka:
-
News4 days agoThailand to recruit 10,000 Lankans under new labour pact
-
News4 days agoMassive Sangha confab to address alleged injustices against monks