News
National Security Council oversees election security
Armed forces to supplement police if required
By Norman Palihawadane
The 54,000-strong police force deployed nationwide, along with all members of the armed forces ordered to be on standby, will continue on alert until September 28 to ensure peace and stability during the post-election period, police headquarters sources said.
A senior police officer said that these measures were vital for maintaining order and addressing any potential unrest following the elections.
He said that directives issued during the National Security Council meeting on Thursday, chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, will guide all necessary steps to maintain peace and stability in the country during this time.
It had been discussed at the meeting that throughout the post-election period, security will primarily be managed by the Police and the STF, with the armed forces on standby to assist if needed.
Defence Ministry sources said that the Chief of Defence Staff has instructed all security force commanders to ensure that military forces are prepared to provide support upon request from the Police.
Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that 54,000 police personnel are stationed across the country to manage polling stations, oversee counting centers, facilitate the transportation of ballot boxes, and address any potential disturbances, ensuring the election proceeds smoothly.
The National Security Council convened on Thursday to discuss security arrangements for the presidential election, focusing on conducting the election independently and fairly, with full support pledged to the Election Commission to maintain law and order. Key discussions included safeguarding candidates, securing polling centers, and ensuring safety at polling stations.
During this meeting, President Wickremesinghe directed heads of security agencies to take all necessary steps to maintain peace and stability in the country during the post-election period, aiming to minimize disruption to citizens’ daily lives.
Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Viyani Gunathilake told the media that special security arrangements have been made for both the pre- and post-election periods, noting that the Election Commission considers the week following polling day as part of the election period.
Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said on Thursday that the campaigning has proceeded peacefully this time, with no major violent incidents reported.
News
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 to purchase four (04) automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport.
In addition, it is expected to extend the automated passenger clearance gates facility so far given only to the Sri Lankans
parallel to the e – passport issuance system to be introduced in the year 2027 also to the foreigners who travel to and from this country.
Furthermore, considering also the number of air passengers rapidly increasing with the fast – forwarding business and tourism field, the appropriateness to increase the total automated passenger clearance gates up to twelve (12) in number has been recognized.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to initiate the procurement and installation of 12
automated passenger clearance gates altogether with the already approved four (04) and another eight (08) automated passenger clearance gates adhering to the formal procurement procedure
Based on the observations submitted by the Task Force on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing for Terrorism, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 18.12.2024 to amend the Trust Ordinance No. 9 of 1917 including amendments proposed by the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the Trust (Amendment) Draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration
to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby, submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Action was taken to provide a fuel relief for the fuel consumers during the months of April, May and June of 2026 to redress by minimizing the impact caused to the day today life of the citizens of this country as well as the entire economy due to the price hike of petroleum fuel in the global market resulting from the war situation in the Middle East.
Government mediation is essential for minimizing the impact on the day to today life of citizens in this country due to that war situation not being ended further. Therefore, it has been planned to redress on the sale price for Auto Diesel and Industrial Diesel for a period of 03 months by the Government to provide relief to the public as well as to maintain the prices at a bearable level to the consumers without escalating the fuel prices in this country compared to the escalation of fuel prices
in the international market.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to
allocate provisions subject to the monthly limitations respectively as rupees 15 billion for the month of October, rupees 13.5 billion for the month of November and rupees 12.15 billion for the month of December to provide the said relief
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance
Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation
Establishment of a Spectrum Management and Monitoring System and a Quality of Service and Quality of Experience System for the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
Appointment of a Committee for the Restitution of Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage Held Abroad
Ten-Year National Action Plan on the Social Protection Sector (2026–2035)
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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