News
Five million undecided voters waiting to hear economic policies of presidential candidates: Charitha Herath
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Five million undecided voters are waiting to hear the economic policies of the presidential candidates who will be running for President in October 2024, Member of Parliament Dr. Charitha Herath of Nidahas Janatha Sabawa (Freedom People’s Congress) told the media yesterday.
Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka sometime between September and October 2024 according to the Constitution of Sri Lanka where voters will elect a President for a term of five years. Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe is eligible to run for re-election although he himself has not announced that he would be running. However, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB), representing the Opposition have already become the two front runners in the contest.
In this backdrop, MP Dr. Charitha Herath, who has had a background in university teaching and multiple academic disciplines whose stock in trade is more logic than rhetoric said that there are millions of voters who are keen to weigh on the economic policies of all presidential candidates.
“We know that the government and Pohottuwa (Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna) are very closely related like the two sides of the same coin. We don’t agree with their economic policies. The SJB has an economic programme. The JJB is still going out announcing various concepts but they have still not publicised a proper economic programme of their own.
The leftist political parties are in discussions to come up with their economic policies, and if they announce one, there will be four optional economic programmes for the people to consider. We know the economic programme agreed between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Pohottuwa. Freedom People’s Congress doesn’t agree with that, and we want to discuss further on other economic policies once they are formally announced. Our party has not closed negotiations with anyone. What we can say right now is; five million voters still remain undecided and they are waiting to hear from all candidates about their economic policies before they decide to cast their votes,” he said.
As per the constitutional election laws, Sri Lankans are to witness the swearing-in of their new president in exactly 174 days.
Meanwhile, according to SJB MP Nalin Bandara, the much expected debate between SJB and JJB on their economic policies should take place in not more than three weeks if they work out the modalities to make it a reality instead of an illusion.
A number of television stations have already expressed their willingness to telecast this debate as it is tipped to be the most sought after political television braodcast.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). 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 INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
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