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Police go all out to help EC conduct free and fair election

Published

1 year ago

2024/09/20

Thilina Walpola

DIG Nihal Thalduwa

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The police were ready to offer any assistance required by the Elections Commission (EC) to ensure a free and fair election tomorrow, DIG Nihal Thalduwa, Head of the Crime Division and Police Spokesperson, said during a media briefing yesterday (19).

Two police officers will be stationed at each polling centre.

“In centres serving a significant number of voters, we sometimes deploy three officers. All police personnel on special duties have reported to their respective stations. From 6 o’clock on Friday, mobile police units will begin patrolling polling centres and the surrounding areas,” he said.

DIG Thalduwa explained that one of the two officers deployed to each polling centre would go to the location where ballot boxes are issued.

“This officer will liaise with the Returning Officer of the polling centre and accompany them, along with the ballot box, back to the centre,” he said.

“In the meantime, the other officer will have secured the polling centre. On Saturday morning, both officers will remain on duty at the centre at all times,” he added.

DIG Thalduwa said the election process thus far has been extremely peaceful, with the police receiving only 449 complaints, of which just 140 fall under the Criminal Procedure Code. “We have had about three incidents involving serious injuries. In total, we have arrested 108 individuals and apprehended 14 vehicles for violations related to election law,” DIG Thalduwa said.

DIG Thalduwa said that election-related propaganda had ended at midnight on Wednesday (18).

As per the regulations governing presidential elections, election offices are no longer permitted after midnight on 19 September. “However, a candidate is allowed to maintain a central election office in each electoral district. Additionally, if a candidate’s residence has been used as an election office, it may continue to function. Candidates can also maintain one election office for each seat (160 seats in total), and these may remain operational until midnight on 22 September,” he said.

Canvassing had also prohibited since midnight Wednesday (18). The newly gazetted Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill from 19 July 2024 has introduced significantly higher fines for election-related offences. For example, Section 169E has been amended to increase the fine for “bribery by treating” from 200 rupees to 750,000 rupees. The fine for “bribery in connection with an election” has been raised from 500 rupees to 1 million rupees. Similarly, Section 169F has been amended to raise the fine for “undue influence at an election” from 500 rupees to 100,000 rupees, and the penalty for “personation at an election” has increased from 300 rupees to 100,000 rupees.

The police will also ensure that no intoxicated individuals enter polling centres. “There is limited time for voting, and we cannot afford to deal with disturbances caused by drunken behaviour. We urge the public not to disrupt the work of election officers, and we will take strict action if necessary,” DIG Thalduwa said.

Of the 85,000-strong Sri Lankan police force, 70,000 officers will be deployed either directly or indirectly for election duty on Saturday. “Mobile phones will not be allowed inside polling booths. A small minority of people take their phones inside and capture photos or videos, which causes numerous problems,” DIG Thalduwa said.

The police are also monitoring election watch parties where large amounts of alcohol may be consumed. “As election results are announced, some individuals might cause disruptions that could even affect national security. We will disperse such gatherings. Do not drink excessively and attempt to cause trouble,” he said.

Additionally, police are keeping a close eye on individuals who continue to promote election propaganda via social media despite the ban on such activities.

“An organised group, for example, attempted to falsely suggest that an incident from two years ago was happening in the present. They circulated a video on social media with a caption accusing one party. Despite it being clear that the event was from the past, people kept contacting the police to verify the information. Acts like this can cause unnecessary confusion and problems,” he said.

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Advisory for Heavy Rain issued for the Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

Advisory for Heavy Rain Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 08.30 a.m. on 22 February 2026 valid for the period until 08.30 a.m. 23 February 2026

Due to the influence of the low level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Therefore, general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and lightning during thundershowers

News

Matara Festival for the Arts’ inaugurated by the Prime Minister

Published

9 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

The inaugural ceremony of the Matara Festival for the Arts, featuring a wide range of creations by local and international artists, was held on February 19 at the Old High Court premises of the Matara Fort, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The festival, centred around the Old High Court premises in Matara and the auditorium of the Matara District Secretariat, will be open to the public from 20 to 23 of February. The festival will be featured by visual art exhibitions, short film screenings, Kala Pola, and a series of workshops conducted by experts.

The inaugural event was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Saroja Paulraj, along with artists, guests, and a large number of schoolchildren.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Only single MP refuses salary as Parliament details pays and allowances

Published

13 hours ago

2026/02/22

Thilina Walpola

SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilake is the only MP to forego salary and allowances, with all payments suspended following his written notification on August 20, 2025.

Only one Member of Parliament has chosen not to receive the salaries and allowances entitled to MPs, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed in Parliament last Thursday, shedding light on the financial perks enjoyed by members of the Tenth Parliament.

Speaking on Thursday (Feb. 19) in response to a question from SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, the Prime Minister outlined the full range of pay and allowances provided to parliamentarians.

According to Dr. Amarasuriya, MPs receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 54,285, an entertainment allowance of Rs. 1,000, and a driver’s allowance of Rs. 3,500—though MPs provided with a driver through the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs are not eligible for the driver’s allowance.

Additional benefits include a telephone allowance of Rs. 50,000, a transport allowance of Rs. 15,000, and an office allowance of Rs. 100,000. MPs are also paid a daily sitting allowance of Rs. 2,500 for attending parliamentary sessions, with an additional Rs. 2,500 per day for participation in parliamentary sittings and Rs. 2,500 per day as a committee allowance.

Committee meetings held on non-parliament sitting days also attract Rs. 2,500 per day.

Fuel allowances are provided based on the distance between an MP’s electoral district and Parliament. National List MPs are entitled to a monthly allocation equivalent to 419.76 litres of diesel at the market price on the first day of each month.

Despite the comprehensive benefits, only SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka has opted not to draw a salary or allowances. Dr. Amarasuriya said that in accordance with a written notification submitted by MP Wasalathilaka on August 20, 2025, payments have been suspended since that date.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that she, along with the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, committee chairs, ministers, deputy ministers, the Opposition Leader, and senior opposition whips, have all informed the Secretary-General of Parliament in writing that they will not claim the fuel allowance.

Challenging the ruling party’s voluntary pledge to forgo salaries, MP Wijesiri pointed out that all MPs except Wasalathilaka continue to receive their salaries and allowances. “On one hand you speak about the people’s mandate, which is good. But the mandate also included people who said they would voluntarily serve in this Parliament without salaries. Today we have been able to prove, Hon. Speaker, that except for one SJB MP, the other 224 Members are drawing parliamentary salaries,” he said.

The Prime Minister responded by defending the political culture and practice of allocating portions of MPs’ salaries to party funds. Referring to previous practices by the JVP and NPP, she said: “It is no secret to the country that the JVP has for a long time not personally taken MPs’ salaries or any allowances. I think the entire country knows that these go to a party fund. That is not new, nor is it something special to mention. The NPP operates in the same way. That too is not new; it is the culture of our political movement.”

When MP Wijesiri posed a supplementary question asking whether diverting salaries to party funds was an indirect method of taking care of MPs, Dr. Amarasuriya said: “There is no issue there. No question was raised; the Member made a statement. What we have seen throughout this week is an inability to understand our political culture and practice, and a clash with decisions taken by political movements that misused public funds. What is coming out is a certain mindset. That is why there is such an effort to find fault with the 159. None of these facts are new to people. He did not ask a question, so I have nothing to answer.”

The disclosures come days after the Government moved to abolish the parliamentary pension, a measure that has sparked renewed debate over MP compensation and the transparency of funds allocation.