News
Election commission sets spending limits for candidates and parties
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Election Commission (EC) yesterday announced the spending limits for candidates and political parties contesting the upcoming general election on 14 November.
The EC has said a candidate running for the Colombo District can spend up to Rs 5,750,000. A political party is permitted to spend Rs 79,493,756, while a national list candidate can allocate Rs. 34,698 rupees.
In the Gampaha District, a candidate may spend Rs. 5,643,387 , while a political party can spend 81,735,055 rupees, and a national list candidate 35,677 rupees.
Candidates in the Kalutara District have a spending limit of 4,140,787 rupees, political parties can spend 43,694,249 rupees, and national list candidates can allocate 19,072 rupees.
For the Kandy District, candidates are allowed to spend Rs. 5,146,444 each political parties Rs 50,825,081 each, and national list candidates Rs 22,185 each.
A candidate contesting from the Matale District can spend 3,450,678 rupees, political parties 18,173,570 rupees, and national list candidates 7,933 rupees.
In Nuwara Eliya District, the spending limits are 3,631,752 rupees for candidates, 26,299,937 rupees for political parties, and 11,480 rupees for national list candidates.
Candidates for the Galle District can spend Rs 4,922,238 each, political parties Rs 38,885,683 each and national list candidates Rs 16,973 each.
In Matara District, candidates can spend 4,487,585 rupees, political parties 29,543,265 rupees, and national list candidates 12,895 rupees.
Candidates in the Hambantota District are permitted to spend 3,469,460 rupees each, political parties 22,840,614 rupees each, and national list candidates 9,970 rupees each.
For the Jaffna District, the spending limits are 3,954,580 rupees for candidates, 23,430,887 rupees for political parties, and 10,227 rupees for national list candidates.
Candidates in the Vanni District can spend 1,673,243 rupees, political parties 9,913,964 rupees, and national list candidates 4,327 rupees.
In the Batticaloa District, candidates can spend 3,709,910 rupees, political parties 19,538,857 rupees, and national list candidates 8,529 rupees.
Candidates in the Digamadulla District can spend 3,765,829 rupees each, political parties 24,791,707 rupees each, and national list candidates 10,821 rupees each.
In the Trincomalee District, candidates are allowed to spend 3,114,118 rupees, political parties 14,350,893 rupees, and national list candidates 6,264 rupees.
Candidates in the Kurunegala District can spend 5,054,773 rupees each, political parties 59,899,057 rupees each, and national list candidates 26,145 rupees each.
In the Puttalam District, candidates can spend 3,945,838 rupees, political parties 28,574,441 rupees, and national list candidates 12,472 rupees.
For the Anuradhapura District, candidates are allowed to spend 4,080,241 rupees each, political parties 32,233,904 rupees each, and national list candidates 14,070 rupees each.
A candidate contesting from the Polonnaruwa District can spend 2,871,894 rupees, political parties 15,125,308 rupees, and a national list candidate 6,602 rupees.
In the Badulla District, candidates can spend 3,846,457 rupees, political parties 30,387,013 rupees, and national list candidates 13,264 rupees.
Candidates in the Moneragala District can spend 2,921,217 rupees each, political parties 17,343,763 rupees each, and national list candidates 7,570 rupees each.
In the Ratnapura District, candidates are permitted to spend 4,354,755 rupees each, political parties 40,136,329 rupees each, and national list candidates 17,519 rupees each.
Candidates contesting the Kegalle District are allowed to spend 3,831,959 rupees each, political parties 34,272,475 rupees each, and national list candidates 13,214 rupees each.
Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake, explained those limits were calculated based on several factors, including population size, population density, and land area. “A candidate is allowed to spend 60 per cent of the total amount, the party can allocate 39.5 per cent, while national list candidates can spend the remaining 0.5 per cent,” he clarified.
Ratnayake also announced that opinion polls will be banned during the parliamentary election period. “This is more of an ethical issue than a legal one. Most of these polls are not scientifically conducted, and they tend to influence public opinion,” he stated.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
-
Features3 days agoSAITM Graduates Overcome Adversity, Excel Despite Challenges
-
Business6 days agoJohn Keells Properties and MullenLowe unveil “Minutes Away”
-
News3 days agoDestined to be pope:Brother says Leo XIV always wanted to be a priest
-
Sports3 days agoASBC Asian U22 and Youth Boxing Championships from Monday
-
Foreign News4 days agoMexico sues Google over ‘Gulf of America’ name change
-
Opinion6 days agoRatmalana: An international airport without modern navigational and landing aids
-
Opinion3 days agoDrs. Navaratnam’s consultation fee three rupees NOT Rs. 300
-
Features2 days agoChampioning Geckos, Conservation, and Cross-Disciplinary Research in Sri Lanka