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A total of 736,589 applications have been received for postal voting in the forthcoming Presidential Election, the National Election Commission announced.

As per the Election Commission, among the postal voting applications, 24,268 have been rejected.

The Election Commission further said that, however, 712,321 persons are eligible for postal voting in the 2024 Presidential Election.

Postal voting for the upcoming Presidential Polls will be conducted on 04, 05, and 06 September.

Meanwhile, 11 and 12 September have been allocated as additional dates for those unable to cast their postal votes.

The 2024 Presidential Election is scheduled for September 21. A total of 39 candidates will contest the Presidential Election.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of strengthening economic cooperation and regional integration from Japan to India, with a special focus on deepening ties with India. The President made these remarks while addressing the Head of State Session of the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit, held under the theme “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future.”

Speaking from the President’s House in Anuradhapura virtually yesterday (17), President Wickremesinghe highlighted Sri Lanka’s strategic commitment to expanding economic partnerships across Asia, particularly through the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). The President noted that as the Bay of Bengal region emerges as a hub of economic growth, the significance of BIMSTEC continues to rise. Sri Lanka, as a member, seeks closer economic integration with India and is exploring economic cooperation agreements extending from Japan to India.

The conference, chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, brought together heads of state from various countries. During his address, President Wickremesinghe praised India’s efforts to strengthen the Global South, acknowledging that the West can no longer maintain its dominance in global leadership. He lauded the Voice of the Global South Summit as a crucial platform for fostering consensus on challenges facing developing nations.

Reflecting on Indo-Sri Lankan relations, the President emphasized the “Vision” statement shared between the two nations, which celebrates their historical cooperation and lays the foundation for future collaboration. He expressed optimism that this vision will lead to stronger integration between Sri Lanka and India across various sectors.

President Wickremesinghe also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the people of India for their support during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis. The President acknowledged that India’s assistance played a vital role in helping Sri Lanka navigate the challenges of the past two years and emerge from bankruptcy.

President Wickremesinghe further elaborated,

“Your Excellencies, Sri Lanka thanks India for hosting the third virtual seminar on Voices of the Global South. This series enables us to engage with each other to understand our different viewpoints while also helping us arrive at a common stance on many issues confronting the South. We have reached a point where the West can no longer dominate global leadership and, furthermore, has become part of the problem. Ukraine and Gaza are prime examples, which I will not address as they have already been discussed by previous speakers. In this context, we must appreciate India’s efforts to strengthen the Global South.

Your Excellencies, let me speak a few words about my country. Sri Lanka has reached agreements with the Official Creditor Countries, the Export-Import Bank of China, the IMF, the World Bank, and the ADB to emerge from bankruptcy. At this stage, I must acknowledge the generosity of Prime Minister Modi and India, whose contributions made it possible for us to survive the two years of bankruptcy, which imposed a heavy burden on our people. The Vision Statement agreed upon by both our countries outlines the path for closer relations, emphasizing our 2,000-year history of cooperation. This will ultimately lead to deeper integration between our nations across many sectors.

We will be finalizing the Comprehensive Economic and Technological Agreement. We will also inaugurate connectivity in power, transport, and land, and we will focus on the development of Trincomalee Harbour, among other projects we have agreed upon. These efforts will help us upgrade our knowledge and technology, enabling us to move towards a digital economy. I must express my gratitude to India for the assistance it has provided.

I must also mention the Bay of Bengal, which is becoming a growth centre, with BIMSTEC gaining increasing importance. As a member of BIMSTEC, Sri Lanka, with its close economic integration with India, seeks membership in the RCEP, aiming to establish economic cooperation agreements from Japan to India. We recognize the Bay of Bengal as essential for the development of our economies.

Given that many of the topics I intended to address have already been covered by previous speakers, I would only like to mention that the post-1989 era, started with the collapse of the Soviet Union, which was dominated by such views as the clash of civilization and the end of history, which highlighted the dominance of the Western system, has now coming to an end. This summit, along with similar gatherings, the expansion of BRICS, and the expansion of the G20, will pave the way for a new order where the Global South will leave a lasting legacy. I must thank India, which, since its independence, has worked to unite Afro-Asian countries and for the role it continues to play in forging closer unity among all of us. Thank you.” (PMD)

The world’s longest stamp, measuring 205 mm and symbolizing the historic Sri Dalada Perahera in Kandy, was released by the Postal Department of Sri Lanka on Tuesday (20).

The commemorative stamp was presented to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, according to the President’s Media Division.

(PMD)

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (17) dared both Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake to reveal as to where they had been hiding

instead of coming forward to save the people as they were suffering without fuel, gas and electricity.

He demanded both explained as to why they fled in the face of the country and the people in dire straits.

The president was addressing his inaugural election rally at Salgadu grounds in Anuradhapura.

Wickremesinghe noted that he has successfully addressed the shortage of those commodities by now.

It was the responsibility of the opposition leader as well as other leaders in the opposition to accept the challenge if a government resigns, he added.

Former Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara have been appointed as Presidential advisors by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, with immediate effect.

Harin Fernando has been appointed as advisor on sports, lands and tourism affairs while Manusha Nanayakakara has been appointed as advisor on labour and foreign employment

The daily news reports that these appointments have been made in accordance with the powers assigned to the President as per Article 41(1) of the Constitution.

Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara earlier lost their MP and Ministerial positions after the Supreme Court upheld the SJB’s decision to expel the duo from the party.

Exceeding the campaign expenditure limit will result in even the president-elect losing the position, warned election commissioner general Saman Sri Ratnayake yesterday (16).

Speaking at a related workshop in Colombo, he said the regulation of the expenses are not being done as expected by the law.

He also said voters should not be allowed to become mere consumers at the election.

Approximately 35,000 schoolchildren have visited various educational landmarks around Colombo, including the President’s House, over the past two years.

The educational landmarks include the Presidential Secretariat in the Old Parliament Building, Harbour City, the Central Bank, the Parliament, and the Lotus Tower.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), this unprecedented initiative was launched under the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, guided by the Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, and led by the Tri-Force Security Coordination Office of the Presidential secretariat. The program was a collaborative effort involving the Parliament of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Education, and the National Youth Services Council.

During this educational field trip, students were able to view documentaries and artefacts that highlight significant milestones in Sri Lanka’s democratic history. They also had the unique opportunity to interact with the President, the Secretary to the President and Chief of the Presidential Staff and Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Sagala Ratnayaka.

Students from over 160 schools across the island, including those from remote areas far from Colombo, have joined this field trip, and the program is ongoing.

Additionally, at the President’s invitation, several sessions of the Student Parliament and Youth Parliament have been held in the Chamber Hall of the Old Parliament, located in the Presidential Secretariat. The goal is to enhance students’ leadership skills by giving them a deeper understanding of the state governance system. Lectures were conducted to educate students on the themes of administration and the roles within government.

The session was chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, with Speaker to the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, several Ministers, the Secretary General of the Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera, and Parliament staff also participated.

Prevailing showery condition are expected to continue in the south-western part of the island due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka.

A future National People's Power (NPP) government will remove the VAT on medicines, school items and food items through its first budget, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday (17).

Speaking at the NPP inaugural rally in Tangalle, he said a simplified tax system will be introduced while steps will be taken to recover defaulted tax by businessmen such as liquor manufacturers.

"We will remove the VAT on medicines and medical tests. The VAT on school items and supplementary reading books will be removed while steps will be taken to remove the VAT on food items as well. We will do this from the first budget under the NPP government," he said.

Dissanayake said the NPP has to take over a country which has collapsed in all sectors and that the NPP government will rescue the country with determination.

He said the NPP will not take revenge from anyone and added that however, action will be taken against wrong doers and those responsible for fraud and corruption.

"We will stop fraud and corruption and take over stolen assets," he said.

(Daily Mirror)

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed Justice R. M. Sobitha Rajakaruna as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.

Court of Appeal Justice Rajakaruna took oaths this morning (16) before the President at the Presidential Secretariat.

This appointment will remain in effect until the return of Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, the President of the Court of Appeal, who is currently abroad.

Secretary to the President Mr. Saman Ekanayake was also present during the swearing-in ceremony.

Nandana Ranasinghe, co-chairman of the Grama Niladhari Professional Association, announced today (18) that the work-to-rule action and the black protest week initiated by Grama Niladhari officers will conclude at midnight. They will resume providing their usual services until the presidential election is completed.

He mentioned that since Grama Niladhari officers have now become election officers, they will pause their professional activities to deliver public services effectively, adhering strictly to election laws as neutral and impartial peace officers.

He further expressed his intention to engage in discussions with the new president to address ongoing professional issues. If these issues cannot be resolved through dialogue, he warned that they may resort to professional actions once again.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Batticaloa District MP Ali Zahir Moulana has met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and assured his support at the upcoming Presidential Election.

The Deputy Leader of the SLMC has met with President Wickremesinghe at his political office on Flower Road, Colombo this afternoon (16).