News
EU election monitoring mission observes focus shift to economy
ECONOMYNEXT — The European Union has observed a departure from the usual divisive rhetoric along communal lines with a notable shift of focus on the economy this presidential election, an EU election monitoring mission deployed in Colombo said.
Chief Observer Nacho Sánchez Amor a Member of the European Parliament made this observation speaking at a press conference on Friday August 30 where he announced that the EU has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for Sri Lanka’s September 21 presidential election with a core team of 10 election experts and 26 long-term observers.
The offical said the EOM commenced its activities on August 14 with the arrival of the core team, while on August 29 the mission caled up with the deployment of 26 long-term observers to all nine provinces of the island.
“The European Union deploys less than ten election observation missions per year, with each one of them being a clear testament to the importance we attach to the engagement with the country. By sending an election observation mission to Sri Lanka, the European Union is confirming the depth and fruitfulness of our partnership and unwavering support to democratic values,” said Amor.
The EU said in a statement that the EOM will observe and analyse various aspects of the electoral process such as the work of the election administration, the legal framework, the conduct of campaign, the work of media and the role of social media networks in the electoral process, as well as th eoverall space for political and civic participation. The EOM, the EU said, is assessing the extent to which elections are conducted in compliance with national law, as well as with regional and international standards Sri Lanka has signed up to. This is the seventh EU EOM deployed to Sri Lanka since 2000.
“This election is crucial to fortify democratic institutions through the ballot box. Hence it will be important that the election is conducted peacefully, in a transparent and inclusive manner and that all voters and candidates retain confidence ni the process and the outcome,” said Amor.
A Criminal Court has remanded two Sri Lankan nationals, arrested for alleged violence in Velana International Airport (VIA), in custody for 15 days in the southern Malé Atoll on Monday, the Maldivian media reported.
The incident in question took place at around 12:15 am on January 10th.
Police then said two individuals involved in the incident were taken into custody that night for questioning and released after being cautioned.
Both individuals were arrested under a court order last Sunday. They have been identified as Sri Lankan nationals, aged 46 and 43.
On Monday, the Criminal Court remanded both individuals in custody for 15 days.
The lawyers representing both of them underscored that they are employed in respectable jobs. Both of them also claimed they fought in the airport, not with the intention of committing a crime.
The World Bank has asserted that Sri Lanka’s economic growth would be slowed down in 2026 and 2027.The World Bank in its latest Global Economic Prospects – January 2026 report stated that Sri Lanka’s GDP is expected to grow by 3.5 percent in 2026 and 3.1 percent in 2027.
According to the latest WB projection, Sri Lanka’s estimated growth is 4.6 percent in 2025.
The report attributed the expected slowdown to continuing structural weaknesses in markets, lingering effects of the economic crisis, and weaker external demand driven by global uncertainty.The report projected a slowdown in growth in Sri Lanka primarily reflected inefficiencies in factor and product markets, as well as the effects of the economic crisis.
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) yesterday said that approximately 1,000 Sri Lankans would be sent to Israel for home-based nursing jobs in 2026.
According to SLBFE press release, eligible candidates include those who have completed a nursing training course at the Bureau or a registered training institution, hold an NVQ III certificate, or have at least 11 months of experience in the nursing profession. Applicants must be between 25 and 45 years old and have sat for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination. Candidates who have completed the Bureau’s English course and possess good English language skills can also apply.
Selected applicants will receive a visa valid for five years and the opportunity to earn a monthly salary of over Rs. 600,000.
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