News
Landmark judgment on need to fight for clean elections
Moneragala High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake delivered a landmark judgment on Monday (13) opening a new chapter in the polls history of Sri Lanka on fighting clean elections.
Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director, PAFFREL has issued the following statement explaining the judgment: This judgment has been given in respect of a case filed by PAFFREL in collaboration with losing candidate and the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence against a candidate of one of the local government bodies in the Moneragala District for offering various kinds of bribes to voters at the last local government elections.
The judgment declared the candidate, who had purportedly won the seat by bribing the voters null and void and accordingly he was removed by order of the Court and the candidate who had secured the next highest number of votes was ordered to be appointed to fill the vacant position.
This historic ruling will serve as a deterrent to future candidates against bribing voters. Even if they continue to bribe, their election will be liable to be challenged subsequently. In addition, the need for enacting laws to limit election expenses by candidates and provision of a level playing field for all candidates in an election has been re- emphasised.
Also, it is important to note that the implementation of the Right to Information Act has paved the way for procuring the information required for this victory.
We were compelled to pursue this case in the midst of many obstacles. The two lawyers who have given their utmost commitment in this case while certain institutions that ought to have supported our endeavor had avoided their responsibility, deserve the respect and gratitude of all those who value democracy. This achievement will certainly be a source of joy to the election officials who have supported it sincerely.
Chief of Staff to the President and National Security Advisor (NSA) Sagala Ratnayaka led the Sri Lanka delegation to the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier Security Summit held in Singapore from 2 – 4 June 2023.
The highly anticipated summit commenced on 2 June with a powerful Keynote address delivered by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Throughout the event, a series of plenary sessions delved into various crucial geo-political issues, encompassing the establishment of a stable and balanced Asia Pacific, the resolution of regional tensions, the evolution of maritime security in Asia, US leadership in the Indo-Pacific, and China’s latest security initiatives, among other topics.
During the Special Session focusing on ‘Defence Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region,’ Ratnayaka delivered an impactful statement, participating alongside representatives from India, Oman, France, and the United States. He emphasized the significance of keeping big power rivalries and external conflicts out of the Indian Ocean, highlighting Sri Lanka’s efforts in the United Nations to declare the region as a zone of peace. Furthermore, he underscored the country’s contributions to preserving freedom of navigation and over flight, stressing the crucial need for constructive dialogue among all stakeholders in the Indian Ocean region to pursue shared interests.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal raised by the Minister of Health to reduce the maximum retail price of 60 medicines by 16% with effect from 15.06.2023 and review the price of medicines every three months
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Sagala Ratnayaka leads Sri Lanka delegation to 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue
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