News

National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been elected as the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka.

The election commission formally announced on Sunday (September 22) NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the winner of the 2024 Presidential Election.

The commission said on its website that Mr. Dissanayake, 55, won the presidency with 42.31% of the vote at Saturday’s (September 21) election, pushing opposition leader Sajith Premadasa to second place and incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe to a distant third.

It was a strong showing for Dissanayake, who won just over 3% of votes in a previous presidential election in 2019, and suggests voters are fatigued with the old political guard, which has been accused of pushing Sri Lanka toward economic instability.

Mr. Dissanayake is due to be sworn in on Monday (September 23), according to unconfirmed repors.

In a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) after the release of results concluded, Dissanayake said:

“The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true. This achievement is not the result of any single person’s work, but the collective effort of hundreds of thousands of you. Your commitment has brought us this far, and for that, I am deeply grateful. This victory belongs to all of us.

“Our journey here has been paved by the sacrifices of so many who gave their sweat, tears, and even their lives for this cause. Their sacrifices are not forgotten. We hold the scepter of their hopes and struggles, knowing the responsibility it carries. The millions of eyes filled with hope and expectation push us forward, and together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history.

“This dream can only be realized with a fresh start. The unity of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and all Sri Lankans is the bedrock of this new beginning. The New Renaissance we seek will rise from this shared strength and vision.

“Let us join hands and shape this future together!,” he said.

A record 38 contenders vied for Sri Lanka’s presidency in Saturday’s vote. For the first time in the country’s history, election officials counted the second-preference votes after no candidate secured 50 percent.

The election commission made the announcement after a second vote count, the first in the country’s history.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa finished second while incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe came third and was eliminated after the first round.

56-year-old Anura Kumar Dissanayake was elected to the office of the president after winning almost eight million votes.

The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader’s campaign was built on sweeping reforms, tackling corruption and ensuring economic relief.

In short, Dissanayake offered a political revolution through the ballot.

Dissanayake hails from Thambuttegama, in the North Central District of Anuradhapura.

In his own words, “an aspirational youth who wanted to change the world.” The son of “working class parents” as he describes himself, Dissanayake attended two public schools in his hometown, and was the first student from Thambuttegama to enter university.

His involvement with student politics saw him join the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in 1987 and soon he was fully absorbed in JVP politics.

Dissanayake entered the University of Peradeniya but had to leave as threats mounted. In 1992, he got himself transferred to the University of Kelaniya and graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Dissanayake has been steadfast in his criticism of cronyism, nepotism, concentration of power and corruption.

In parliament and outside, Dissanayake has been a strong anti-corruption voice demanding accountability.

His promise to overhaul the system, end family rule, introduce financial reforms and improve governance structures resonated with the protesting masses.

adaderana.lk

The National Security Council of Sri Lanka has met and discussed ensuring security for the 2024 presidential election and maintaining law and order during the post-election period.

The National Security Council, chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, met today (19) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. 

They discussed ensuring security for the 2024 presidential election, supporting the Election Commission, securing candidates and polling stations and maintaining law and order post-election without disrupting daily life, the President’s Media Division said. 

President Wickremesinghe has also instructed the heads of the security agencies to take all necessary steps to maintain law and order in the country without disrupting the daily lives of the people during the post-election period, the PMD said.

Curfew has been imposed islandwide with effect from 10.00 p.m. tonight (21) until 06.00 a.m. tomorrow (22).

This decision has been taken by the incumbent President Ranil Wickramasinghe in view of the release of the results of the 2024 Presidential Election tonight.

The relevant Gazette notification has been issued by the President under the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40) Curfew Order under Section 16.

The Colombo High Court has issued an order preventing the use of two luxury apartments in Colpetty purchased by Ramith Rambukwella, the son of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

The said two luxury apartments in the Colpetty area have reportedly been purchased by Ramith Rambukwella for Rs. 80 million and Rs. 65 million.

The Colombo High Court issued an order preventing the use of the two luxury apartments after considering a request by the Bribery Commission.

The government has declared September 23 (Monday) as a special public holiday, in view of the post-presidential election period.

This was communicated in a special statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Vino Noharathalingam, the Tamil National Alliance MP for Vanni District who represents Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi (ITAK), announced his support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election, citing strong backing from the northern population, President Ranil Wickramasinghe’s campaign said in a statement.

At a press conference held today (18) at the President’s Political Office in Flower Road,Colombo, Noharathalingam emphasized that he is honoring the will of the majority, stating, “The people of the North have decided to support President Ranil.”

Addressing the media personnel further, MP Noharathalingam stated;Political and economic stability is crucial for the country. President Ranil Wickremesinghe successfully guided us through an economic crisis, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has emphasized the need to maintain this hard-won stability. To sustain the progress made, it is essential for the current president to serve at least one more term.

We have completed half of this marathon; changing leadership now would mean starting over. If President Wickremesinghe is given another opportunity, he can effectively carry us the rest of the way.

The National Election Commission has informed that it is mandatory to provide leave for employees of private and public institutions to cast their ballots in the 2024 Presidential Election that will be held tomorrow.

Issuing a statement, the Election Commission said it had previously announced that leave must be provided for employees of state and private entities, especially factories, private-owned stores, and hotels for the election.

Stating that, however, it has received reports of some state and private entities refusing to grant leave for their employees, the Election Commission advised such entities to adhere to the Election Law and grant the mandatory leave.

The 2024 Presidential Election will be conducted tomorrow (Sep 21) in which 38 candidates are set to contest.

National People’s Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that his party was initially doubtful of receiving support from the North and East of Sri Lanka.

“Initially we were doubtful. We thought we would only get the support of the South,” Dissanayake said, adding this support was not sufficient to achieve the party’s political goals.

“We held rallies in areas like Ninthavur, Samanthurai, Akkaraipattu and Sainthamaruthu, where we received support from the Muslim communities just like this,” he said addressing an NPP rally in Kalutara.

“For the first time, we have a political movement where we can make the same statement in the North, East and the South,” Dissanayake said.

The Ministry of Education has announced that marking of the Grade 05 Scholarship Examination answer scripts will be temporarily suspended until the investigation into the exam paper leak is completed.

Education Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara told the media today, that paper marking will be temporarily halted until the conclusion of the investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Thilaka Jayasundara said that the Ministry together with the Examinations Department will take a final decision after taking into consideration the preliminary probe reports of the Examination Department and the CID in this regard.

The Education Ministry Secretary noted that if the investigations prove that the question paper had been leaked, then there was a possibility for the Scholarship Examination to be held again, but such a decision will only be taken based on the findings of the ongoing probes.

She revealed that the President and Education Minister have instructed the Education and Exam Department officials to act on the recommendations and findings of the two probes.

Thilaka Jayasundara added that based on the investigation findings stringent action will be taken against those involved in the alleged leak of the examination paper.

The Grade 05 Scholarship Examination was held last Sunday (Sep 15), but questions similar to those on paper one of the exam had been provided at a tuition class a few days prior to the exam and had also been circulated on social media.

Several parents had notified the Education Ministry in this regard after which probes were launched by the Examination Department and the CID into the matter.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced that it will distribute the uniforms necessary for 4.3 million school students and all the needed robes (Sivuru) for 825 ‘Pirivens’ for the upcoming 2025 school term.

Accordingly, the school uniforms and robes are to be distributed before January 20, when the 2025 new school term begins.

The school uniforms have been donated by the Chinese government, following discussions between the Education Minister, the Chinese Ambassador, and other relevant officials of the Chinese government.

According to the announcement, all school uniforms are being provided free of charge and will result in the government saving around Rs. 7 billion.

The Chinese government has confirmed that Sri Lanka will receive the first consignment of uniforms on November 13, the second on November 21, and the third on December 20.

Founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and former Minister Basil Rajapaksa left for Dubai from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning (20), the airport Duty Manager said.

He left for Dubai on Emirates Airlines (EK-649) at 03.05 a.m.

He had reportedly paid USD 206 for access to this plane and had obtained the facility at the 'Gold Route' terminal in the BIA.

Sources at the airport said that Basil Rajapaksa will first go to Dubai and then leave for the USA from there, and that he always uses this flight route to leave for the United States of America.

(dailymirror.lk)

Independent Presidential Candidate and President, Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that IMF representatives are scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in two weeks to disburse the next instalment of funds, as outlined in the agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the International Monetary Fund.

The President emphasized that on September 21, the public will have to decide whether to approve changes to the IMF agreement, which could result in losing the financial concessions currently on offer.

President Wickremesinghe made these statements while speaking at the "Ranil Can" (Ranil ta Puluwan) victory rally held at the Kalutara Public Stadium today (18).

“I ask the people if they can trust leaders who abandon their responsibilities at the first sign of trouble. Today, we have managed to steer our economy, which was once sinking like the Titanic, back on course. Now, the choice is whether to change the captain and alter our course while the ship is docked," he said.

"Currently, Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake are preparing to reverse the progress we have made. In two weeks, representatives from the International Monetary Fund will arrive in Sri Lanka to provide the next installment of funding. If we decide to alter the agreement, the IMF will withhold the funds, potentially leading to another economic collapse. It is up to the people to decide if we want to risk this."

"Anura Kumara Dissanayake has acknowledged that the economy has improved under my leadership and suggested that the current system might need to continue. Yet, he claims he will step down in a year and a half if he fails to make progress. I question why he seeks to take over if he is not prepared to lead effectively. Sajith and Anura have demonstrated that they are not capable of leading this country forward," elaborated Wickremesinghe.