The Election Commission has called on all candidates who contested the just concluded 2025 Local Government (LG) Elections to submit their campaign income and expenditure reports by May 28, in line with the Election Expenditure Regulation Act No. 03 of 2023 although there are no penalties for non-compliance.

Candidates are required to file their disclosures with the Returning Officers of their respective electoral districts. Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake stated that the measure aims to promote trans parency and accountability in the electoral process.

However, Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies(IRES) Executive Director Manjula Gajanayake expressed concern over the lack of enforcement mechanisms, warning that the absence of penalties could undermine the effectiveness of the law.

By Ranil Dharmasena

In view of the upcoming Vesak festival, all liquor outlets, bars, taverns, meat stalls, butcheries, horse race betting centres, casinos, and clubs will be closed for three days from tomorrow (May 12), the Ministry of Public Administration announced.

The closures, effective on May 12, 13, and 14, are part of the official Vesak Week (May 10–16), declared by Cabinet decision. A circular has been issued to relevant authorities, confirming the nationwide observance, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Aloka Bandara said.

The Vesak Week of 2025 (Year 2569 in Buddhist Calender) is marked from May 10 to May 16, as a per a Cabinet decision. The decision has been conveyed to the Secretaries to the President, Prime Minister and Ministers and heads of statutory bodies, Bandara said adding that a circular has been issued on the closure of aforementioned places.

Excise Commissioner General Udaya Kumara said that liquor sales will be strictly prohibited during the three days. Restaurants and tourist hotels have been instructed not to serve alcohol to guests.

An Excise Department official noted the ban is typically in place for two days but has been extended by an extra day this year to coincide with the State Vesak Festival.Liquor license holders have been warned to comply, while the public is urged to report violations via hotline 1913 or 011-2877688.

By Chaminda Silva

Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj told parliament on Thursday that justice cannot be served through social media in reference to a teen suicide over sexual harassment.

She said was responding to queries raised by Colombo District Opposition MP Mano Ganesan of government failure to probe mystery surrounding the death of a 16-year-old school girl alleged to have committed suicide after suffering prolonged emotional trauma allegedly caused by sexual abuse at school and the subsequent mishandling of the incident

Minister Paulraj said that she requested the parents of the Grade 10 student—who reportedly died by suicide following an alleged sexual assault by a teacher—to file a formal complaint with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), and that no complaint has yet been filed.

Ganesan questioned whether government action had been delayed because the owner of the tuition center—where the student was allegedly verbally abused again after the incident—is affiliated with the NPP.

Paulraj said “We have obtained a JMO [Judicial Medical Officer] report on this alleged incident of sexual assault to the girl in question. I asked the parents of that child to make a formal complaint with the National Child Protection Authority. I even asked them to come and meet me with a petition, but they have not come forward so far.”

“Justice cannot be served through social media”, she said.