The Executive Director of the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections [CaFFE] Manas Makeen said that the Elpitiya PS election was peaceful but lacked the enthusiasm.

Galle District Returning Officer W A Dharmasiri confirmed that the voter turnout was around 63%. when the poll ended at 4.00pm

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the European Union (EU) Delegation, led by EU Ambassador H.E. Carmen Moreno, on Friday (25) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The President updated the EU Delegation about Sri Lanka’s current security situation, highlighting recent measures taken to improve safety of tourists and residents. He assured that security protocols in key tourist areas are strengthened with more law enforcement and emergency services deployed.

The European Union is a critical partner for Sri Lanka, serving as its second-largest export and tourist market, and third-largest import market.

The EU Delegation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in expanding its market access, enhancing employment opportunities within the EU, and boosting tourism. Additionally, the EU pledged support for knowledge exchange and implementing new mechanisms in education, social protection, and anti-corruption efforts.

The Delegation emphasized the EU’s commitment to strengthening key sectors, including vocational education, maritime, investment, and the peace and reconciliation process. They also assured close collaboration to advance these shared priorities.

The Delegation commended Sri Lanka on the peaceful conduct of the recent Presidential Election..

The EU Delegation included  Felix Neumann, Ambassador of Germany;  Damiano Francovigh, Ambassador of Italy; . Steluta Arhire, Ambassador of Romania; and Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Marie-Noelle Duris of France and Mr. Iwams Rutjens of the Netherlands.

By A.J.A. Abeynayake

The Colombo Magistrates’ Court was left with no alternative but to release individuals accused of corruption if the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) failed to follow court directives and continued to act dismissively, said Colombo Chief Magistrate Adithya Patabendige yesterday (25).

Magistrate Patabendige addressed those remarks to Asitha Anthony, Assistant Director General of CIABOC.

The Chief Magistrate noted that the court had previously instructed CIABOC to amend a charge sheet against a suspect because the same charge had been filed on two separate occasions. That directive had been issued after the court carefully reviewed the charge sheet and considered preliminary objections raised. If the CIABOC persisted in such high-handed manner, the court would release the suspects, he warned.

Magistrate Patabendige emphasised that the court had instructed the prosecution to amend charges when it became evident that the case could not proceed as it stood. He added that the prosecution was traditionally obliged to make the recommended amendments.

Former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Priyath Wickrama, along with R. Sanjaya Kumara Chandrasekera and Nihal Keppetipola, has been charged by CIABOC for allegedly causing a loss of Rs. 65 million to the government by employing 319 Ports Authority staff for election-related work during the 2015 Presidential Election. The case is scheduled to be heard again on 8 November 2024.