News

Election free and fair save some instances of misuse of state assets – PAFFREL

Published

2 years ago

2024/09/23

Thilina Walpola

Rohana Hettiarachchi

Prez poll 2024:

PAFFREL (Peoeple’s Action for Free and Fair Elections) said that although the IGP’s post had been vacant since July, the police and the Election Commission had ensured an environment conducive for a free and fair presidential election.

The country’s largest election monitoring body, in a statement issued soon after the conclusion of voting at the Sept. 21 presidential election, said that though there had been incidents in some parts of the country, they didn’t have a bearing on the polling.

About 17,140,354 people were eligible to vote at this election. Executive Director of PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi said that the election had been peaceful, thanks to the efforts of the Election Commission (EC) and the participation of different stakeholders, including election observation organizations.

The text of PAFFREL statement: “The EC played a vital role from the pre-election period to the polling date to ensure a free and fair election. Sri Lanka Police cooperated with the relevant entities to preserve law and order effectively and impartially throughout the process even in the situation of non-availability of an Inspector General of Police (IGP). PAFFREL appreciates the ECSL and Sri Lanka Police for ensuring a reduction of the violation of election laws, ensuring less violence and protecting the citizen’s right to vote. It is the citizens with their deep commitment to democracy who deserve the ultimate appreciation for today’s peaceful election.

A sizable portion of the polling stations were covered by PAFFREL, with the active participation of more than 4,000 election observers.

PAFFREL has received 164 complaints (109 confirmed and 55 unconfirmed) during the Election Day. Among these, 161 complaints were in violation of election laws including illegal election propaganda and attempts to influence the voters.

Several incidents of violation of election laws were reported from Yatiyantota in Kegalle, Devinuwara, Athulugoda in Galle, Gampaha, Nattandiya, Kuliyapitiya, Matara, Weligama, Bentara-Elpitiya, Balangoda, Kolonnawa, Rathgama, Kiribathgoda, Minuwangoda, Kotte, Ranpokunagama in Nittambuwa, and Kongaha Mawatha in Galle. These incidents ranged from illegal election propaganda on Election Day to transportation of voters. There were five incidents of violence which are counted as intimidation, threats, and assaults reported from Naula in Matale, Meddekanda, Bandarawela, Beragama in Matara, and Maussawa in Patha Hewahata. Nevertheless, there were no incidents or situations during the Election Day that have had a significant impact on the polling.

Unfortunately, incidents and complaints on abuse of state power, resources, and employees from the pre-election period to the polling day were significant in the Presidential Election 2024 compared to Presidential Election in 2019. This was brought on by the prevailing economic crisis, the ambiguity caused by the fact that the incumbent President was also a candidate, and the attempts of the government members, who sought to influence voters using state power.

As noted by the Mobile Observers, Long Term Observers, and Stationary Observers deployed by PAFFREL on the polling day, there were very few malpractices in polling stations. In addition to providing sufficient security by Sri Lankan Police, adequate facilities were also provided for People with Disabilities at the polling stations with some exceptions. PAFFREL has observed some accessibility issues especially in some areas of the country and calls on ECSL to take corrective measures at polling stations in the future. No serious incidents were reported on illegal election campaigns in the vicinity of polling stations, public gatherings, intimidation, and influencing and transportation of voters.

The Presidential Election 2024 saw several positive measures taken by the authorities who were directly involved with the conduct of the election process. However, the election related violence and abuse of state power, resources, and employees were less compared to Presidential Elections in 2015 and 2019. Efforts and processes which attempted to convince and manipulate voters on race, religion, ethnicity towards an election in an ethnically polarized society did not appear much. Even though digital and cyber based violence and violation of election laws were reported, hate speech on candidates and their ideologies and campaigns were not significant compared to previous elections.

Social media platforms were extensively utilized for the election campaigns in support of candidates, and citizens also were much involved and enthusiastic in the elections campaigns through social media channels. However, there were attempts made to spread fear among voters by propagating unsubstantiated allegations against some candidates. There has been a greater use of social media this election than in previous elections. The ECSL’s monitoring initiatives in this regard were crucial and PAFFREL in collaboration with the Hashtag Generation supports such initiatives.

From the pre-election period to the polling day, PAFFREL continued the election observation with 40 District Coordinators, 25 Field Coordinators, 3000 Stationary Observers, 716 Mobile Team Observers, 160 Long Term Observers, 40 Campaign Finance Observers, and 25 Election Dispute Resolution Center Observers. PAFFREL continues to make interventions to ensure the democratic essence of elections. PAFFREL appeals to all citizens, political actors and authorities to be vigilant and stay calm in the postelection period.”

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News

Current El Niño Status in Sri Lanka

Published

7 hours ago

2026/07/16

Priyan

At present, El Niño conditions have developed and are classified as being at a weak level. Forecasts indicate a 63% probability of a very strong El Niño event developing during the period from November 2026 to January 2027. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is approximately a one-third probability that El Niño will remain below a very strong intensity.

Typical Climatic Conditions Associated with El Niño
Based on analyses of past El Niño events that occurred between 1950 and 2025:
• Rainfall during July and August may be below normal, particularly in the dry zone areas.
• From October onward, rainfall is generally expected to be above normal.
• If a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) develops, enhanced rainfall conditions may continue until December.

Sectors Requiring Attention
• Appropriate measures should be taken for water resource management during July and August.
• Increased rainfall expected from October onward may lead to floods and landslides, requiring preparedness and close monitoring. The forecasts are important for sectors such as, Agriculture /Water management /Livestock /Health /Energy /Other climate-sensitive sectors
• Attention should be paid to official information issued by the Department of Meteorology.

Actions by the Department of Meteorology
The Department of Meteorology continuously monitors the evolving situation and issues:
• Weekly and monthly seasonal forecasts and Monthly analyses of rainfall data to monitor meteorological drought conditions.
As weather conditions are influenced not only by El Niño but also by other climatic factors, updated forecasts and advisories are regularly shared with relevant stakeholder organizations (Irrigation/ Water Management Committee /Department of Agriculture/National Building Research Institute/Disaster Management Centre (DMC)/Ministry of Health /Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation…etc). The Department also provides technical support to the committee established through a Cabinet decision to address climate-related impacts. The Department’s monthly rainfall outlook for July to September 2026 is attached

Monthly Rainfall Forecasts for July, August and September 2026
Month Rainfall forecast
July 2026

During July 2026, there is a higher probability of having near normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces. The remainder of the country is expected to experience below normal rainfall.

August 2026

There is a higher probability of having below normal rainfall across most parts of the country during month of August 2026.

September 2026

There is a possibility of above-normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces, while near-normal rainfall is expected in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Below-normal rainfall is likely in the remaining areas during September 2026.

Note: These long-range forecasts may change due to strong day-to-day atmospheric variability associated with the movement of weather systems such as atmospheric disturbances, low-pressure areas, and depressions, as well as intra-seasonal oscillations such as the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). Therefore, in addition to the weekly and monthly forecasts, it is important to pay attention to the Department’s official announcements, weather advisories and warnings, as well as the daily weather forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology.

News

Govt. move to extend retirement ages of top judges: Opp. complains to UN

Published

8 hours ago

2026/07/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Prof. Peiris addresses the media outside the UN compound in Colombo on Thursday on the controversial government move to extend the retirement ages of Superior Court judges, while former MPs Thalatha Atukorale, Dr Suren Raghavan and Premanath C. Dolawatta look on.

Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (15) briefed the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo, Marc-André Franche, on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s move to extend the retirement ages of the superior court judges and the delay in filling the vacancies in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Prof. Peiris, the convenor of the People’s Joint Opposition, led the delegation that included UNP General Secretary and former Minister Thalatha Atukorale, former UPFA National List parliamentarian Suren Raghavan and ex- SLPP MP Premnath C. Dolawatta.

Having met the top official here, Prof. Peiris briefed the media on their decision to bring the developing situation to the notice of the UN.

Referring to the opposition of the legal fraternity to the NPP government’s plan, Prof. Peiris emphasised that the civil society, too, had opposed the politically motivated initiative.

Prof. Peiris said that instead of addressing the burning issues affecting the public, the government was creating new problems.

News

Dengue surge pushes hospitals to the brink as cases near 70,000

Published

8 hours ago

2026/07/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

A week-long crackdown to begin in 11 districts

Hospitals are coming under mounting pressure as the country’s dengue epidemic gathers pace, with nearly 70,000 infections and 48 deaths reported so far this year, prompting health authorities to launch an intensive week-long mosquito control campaign in 11 districts.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said 69,951 dengue cases had been reported by July 13, with 14,572 new infections recorded during the first 13 days of July alone. June saw the highest monthly caseload of the year, underlining the rapid spread of the mosquito-borne disease during the southwest monsoon.

Acting Director of the NDCU, Dr. Kapila Kannangara, warned that the hospital system was facing severe congestion due to the unprecedented influx of dengue patients.

“We are seeing an alarming increase in admissions. Hospitals are under tremendous pressure, and public cooperation is essential to bring the outbreak under control,” he said, announcing that a special one-week dengue control programme would be implemented across 11 high-risk districts.

Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions as high-risk dengue zones. Public Health Inspectors will conduct inspections, eliminate mosquito breeding sites and initiate legal action against those maintaining mosquito-infested premises.

The Western Province continues to account for the largest share of infections, with Gampaha and Colombo among the worst-affected districts. Several hospitals are already operating beyond capacity as the number of admissions continues to climb.

Health officials attributed the surge to intermittent rains, poor waste disposal, stagnant water collections and inadequate community participation in vector control programmes.

The Ministry of Health has appealed to local authorities, schools, workplaces, religious institutions and households to inspect their premises regularly, clear blocked drains and roof gutters, cover water storage containers and remove discarded tyres, cans, bottles and other containers capable of collecting rainwater.

Medical experts urged the public not to ignore symptoms such as persistent fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding manifestations, stressing that early medical treatment is critical in preventing severe dengue and deaths.

Officials emphasised that eliminating mosquito breeding sites remains the single most effective way of controlling dengue, warning that unless communities actively participate, the outbreak could worsen during the ongoing rainy season.

With daily case numbers continuing to rise and hospitals struggling to cope, health authorities said the coming weeks would be crucial in determining whether the country can curb one of its worst dengue outbreaks in recent years.

By Ifham Nizam