News
Commissioner General of Elections defends counting process amid claims of delays and discrepancies in preferential vote count
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The process of counting votes polled at the 21 September presidential election had been complex unlike in the past, Saman Sri Rathnayake, Commissioner General of Elections, told The Island yesterday (26).
“Even the last candidate had at least one vote in each counting centre. This means we would need more time to declare result” he said.
However, Rathnayake denied claims that there had been an inordinate delay in the issuance of results. “Given how complex and sensitive this election was, we told everyone that we would do our best to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The Commissioner General of Elections told The Island that the number of rejected votes had increased compared to recent presidential elections. In 2019, there had about 135,000 rejected votes, he said. This time the number had increased to over 300,000. “This is about 2.2 percent of the votes cast,” he said.
Rathnayake said they had counted the preferential votes for the first time as regards a presidential election.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake had received 105,264 more votes in the second count. Sajith Premadasa secured 167,867 more votes in the second.
“A lot of people say that so few people have cast preferential votes. However, you must remember that the 273,141 votes came from 25 percent of the valid votes. About 10 percent have cast preferential votes. We didn’t look at 75 percent of the votes which went to the first two candidates.
Commenting on allegations that officials at some counting centres had commenced the preferential vote count on their own without waiting for instructions from the Election Commission, the Commissioner General of Elections denied such allegations.
“We authorise representatives of political parties and election monitors to stay at counting centres until the process is over. There were 1,713 counting centres. It is also obvious that counting in all those centres can’t start at the same time. Some counting centres had more ballots to count. There are about 40 officials in each counting centre. There are also representatives from each party/candidate (up to five per each). There are two representatives from the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections and Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) – these are election monitoring bodies,” he said.
By 22 September noon, the Election Commission had decided to go for a second count, Ratnayake said. “If someone had left the counting centres before the process ended, that is their problem. They have not done their duty. The Chief Counting Officer can make his or her staff stay, but he or she can’t ask representatives from parties/candidates to stay in the centre. Parties must appoint responsible people. We have other things to do than run after party agents at counting centres,” he said.The Commissioner General of Elections said that he was very disappointed at statements made by some politicians who insinuated that counting of preferential votes started in secrecy.
A meeting was held to discuss post-disaster planning and the reconstruction process, with special focus on flood-prone areas on Monday [8 th of December] at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of the Prime Minister, and attended by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the critical importance of timely and systematic information and data collection to support timely and effective decision-making on a daily basis following the post disaster situations. The Prime noted that accurate data flows are essential for guiding recovery efforts in the short and long term.
The Representatives outlined the need assessment process using RAPIDA and Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE), the UNDP’s post-crisis assessment initiated by integrating GIS technology, satellite imagery, and ground-level data, to deliver real-time, actionable insights after a crisis to helps identify affected locations, communities, infrastructure damage, debris estimates, and land use changes-providing crucial data.
The representatives of UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government and they expressed their readiness to collaborate closely and to strengthen ongoing partnerships to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of post-disaster response and reconstruction activities.
The discussion was attended by the Country Manager for World Bank Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Resident Representatives for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ms. Azusa Kubota, South Asia Director for United Nations Office for Project Services ((UNOPS), and Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary (Development) Ms Sagarika Bogahawaththa and officials from the Department of National Planning.
[Prime minister’s media division]
News
Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation
The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation has donated Rs. 250 million to the Government to support the rebuild of the country following the emergency situation caused by the Ditva cyclone.
Chairperson of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, together with the Board of Directors, handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 08 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Subsequently, a cordial discussion was held between the Foundation’s Chairperson, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The occasion was attended by the secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and representatives of the Board of Directors of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600hrs tomorrow [10th December 2025].
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Panvila, Udapalatha, Minipe, Poojapitiya, Gangawata Korale, Thumpane, Doluwa, Pathadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Harispattuwa, Akurana, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Deltota, Medadumbara, Udunuwara, Kundasale and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Aranayaka, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Mawanella and Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Ukuwela, Pallepola, Rattota, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Kegalle and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district and Nuwara Eliya, Nildandahinna, Thalawakele, Kothmale West, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha, Walapane, Kothmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Kolonna and Godakawela in the Ratnapura district have also been extended.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Balangoda, Kuruwita, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Pelmadulla, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Ayagama, Imbulpe and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
Timely and accurate data essential for effective decision making – PM
Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation
Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will resume on 12th January 2026
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