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AKD’s party has already snatched 2/3rd of 160 electorates -Zuhair

Published

2 years ago

2024/09/30

NPP’s winning candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) having secured 105 electoral wins from the 160 electorates in the country’s presidential election, has snatched a 2/3rd majority of the electorates, leaving SJB’s Sajith Premadasa (SP) 49 electorates equating to 30%, North’s Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanenthiran winning six seats (3.8%), while then President Ranil Wickremesinghe had not won a single seat, former MP M. Zuhair, PC, has said.

Zuhair told The Island that though the forthcoming general elections would not be held under the first-past-the-post system but under the Proportional Representation system with a National List, AKD’s presidential election victory will boost NPP’s chances of winning.

AKD with a lead of 12 lakhs of votes, at the Presidential Election over his nearest rival SP, who polled 45 lakhs or 1/3rd of the valid votes polled, will see the elimination of RW’s UNP and a return to the two-party contest from the three cornered fight at the Presidential Election. Significantly, out of the island-wide majority of 12 lakhs of votes AKD obtained over his next rival SP, nearly nine lakhs of the lead votes had been obtained by AKD from the three districts in the Western Province, with the Gampaha district alone giving AKD a majority of 460,000 votes!

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s victory at the Presidential Election is a clear peoples’ indictment against the drowning levels of corruption, abuses of power, racism, indifference to public opinion, disrespect to judicial authority and the enacting of obnoxious laws empowering the State at the cost of the liberty of the subject.

While there is a need for a strong Opposition for the effective functioning of any democracy, SJB’s opening the “Saloon Door” for the rejected from other parties or giving prominent roles for those from its own ranks who failed to garner votes, would spell disaster for the party.

As early as 4th May 2024, close upon five months before the Presidential Elections, I said that pre-election May Day rallies have shown the Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led NPP was drawing the largest crowds, maintaining its recent trends of peoples’ support, vide Island/ Daily Mirror 4th May 2024, “Former MP M. M Zuhair bats for NPP”

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Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics

Published

17 mins ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.

The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

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Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

22 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.