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LG polls free and fair;Voter turnout low: Election monitors

Published

8 months ago

2025/05/7

The countrywide Local Government (LG) election concluded at 4 pm yesterday (06) without serious incidents.

Voting began at 7 am at 13,759 polling centres. Over 17.1 mn people were eligible to vote at the third election since the presidential poll held last September

At the closing of voting, PAFFREL said that during the day they received 78 confirmed cases of polls-related offences including 38 cases of carrying out illegal propaganda and 25 complaints regarding influencing voters.

There had been altogether 38 unconfirmed cases, mostly of carrying out illegal propaganda and influencing voters, PAFFREL said.

The previous LG poll was held in February 2018 during the Yahapalana administration.

Voter turnout passed 50% in most districts with Kalutara recording – 61%, Colombo – 52%, Galle – 63%, Vavuniya – 60%, Digamadulla – 63%, Trincomalee – 67%, Nuwara-Eliya – 60%, Mullaitivu – 60%, Mannar – 70%, Badulla – 60%, Anuradhapura – 60%, Polonnaruwa – 64%, Moneragala – 61%, Kegalle – 58%, Matara – 58%, Matale- 62%, Rathnapura – 60%, Batticaloa – 61%, Kilinochchi – 60%, Puttalam – 55%

Having exercised her franchise at the polling booth at Samurdhi Building, Mirihana, Premier Dr. Harini Amarasuriya responded to allegations that at the final meeting at Moratuwa she influenced NPP supporters to campaign during the 72 hour ‘silence period.’

Premier Amarasuriya said that if her comments were deemed to have violated election laws she would accept any action taken by the Election

Commission. The law must be applied equally – whether to a citizen or the Prime Minister,” Dr. Amarasuriya said.

At the onset of the campaign President Anura Kumara Dissanayake caused controversy when he declared that government funds would be made available only to local authorities won by the NPP. Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Rathnayake is on record as having said that the Election Commission wrote to President Dissanayake regarding his statement.

Polls monitors said that the LG election, like the presidential and parliamentary polls, was peaceful. Political parties and polls monitors said that contrary to earlier assertions, the mini polls attracted a significant number of voters. The northern vote is comparatively higher than the rest of the country, they said.

The ruling NPP, the main Opposition SJB, the SLPP and UNP were the main contestants.

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Festival advance for government officers to be increased

Published

5 hours ago

2026/01/13

Priyan

In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).

Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .

News

Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/13

Priyan

As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.

• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,

• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.

• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.

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Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/13

Priyan

The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.

According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.

The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.