News
Historic victory for NPP

First party to win 2/3 majority under PR
Wins 21 out of 22 electoral districts
Highest percent of valid votes obtained by a political party
Highest number of votes polled by a party
By Rathindra Kuruwita
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s National People’s Power (NPP) swept the 14 November general election, securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament with 6,863,186 votes (61.56) and 159 seats. This is the first time a political party has obtained a two-thirds majority under the proportional representation electoral system.
The NPP won 21 out of 22 electoral districts––Digamadulla, Gampaha, Colombo, Kandy, Puttalam, Jaffna, Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Anuradhapura, Vanni, Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Trincomalee, Badulla, Moneragala, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, Galle, and Matara electoral districts. Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) won the Batticaloa district.
This is the largest number of seats ever obtained by a single party since the parliamentary seat count was increased to 225. This is also the highest percent of valid votes obtained by a political party in a parliamentary election in the country . Previously this record was held by United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in 2010 (60.33 percent).
The NPP also secured the highest number of electorates a party had won in a general election (152), breaking a record by UPFA in 2010 (136).
NPP won the highest number of electoral districts––21––breaking a record by UPFA in 2010 (19).
NPP also secured the highest number of votes by a party, breaking the SLPP’s 6,853,960 in 2020.
The election results also marked a setback for Opposition political parties. Sajith Premadasa’s SJB won 40 seats with 1,968,716 votes, down sharply from the 4.3 million votes it garnered in September’s presidential election. The SLPP was reduced to just three seats and 350,429 votes—a stunning fall from its 59 percent landslide victory in 2020. Ranil Wickremesinghe’s New Democratic Front (NDF) obtained only five seats with 500,835 votes, a significant decline from his 2.2 million votes in the presidential election. The ITAK won eight seats with 257,813 votes.
“One of the most remarkable aspects of this was NPP winning most of the North and East. This was a shock to many. This marks a new chapter in our political history,” Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director, Institute of Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) told The Island.
A large number of prominent MPs failed to retain their seats. These include Manusha Nanayakkara, Harin Fernando, Kanchana Wijesekera, Johnston Fernando, Ramesh Pathirana, and Mahinda Amaraweera. SJB stalwart Eran Wickramaratne, too, failed to enter Parliament. Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake, too, failed to win, while Dilith Jayaweera’s Sarvajana Balaya secured a single National List seat.
News
Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.
The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.
The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.
Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.
The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.
News
Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

By Saman Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.
“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”
Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.
“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”
Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.
News
SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.
The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.
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