News

Veteran Sri Lankan traditional dancer, choreographer and teacher, Deshamanya Dr. Vajira Chitrasena has passed away at the age of 92.

Vajira and her husband Chitrasena are known for their close bond with India and for their contributions in strengthening the ties between the two countries in the field of arts.

She made her debut as soloist in the role of Prakriti in the ballet ‘Chandali’ in 1952.

Her rise to stardom was coupled with unswerving discipline and dedication both as teacher, performer and choreographer, even as she illumined her husband’s career.

She was announced as an honorable recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award for her achievement in arts in January 2020 and the award was given by Indian President Ram Nath Govind during the Padma Awards Investiture Ceremony which was held on 8 November 2021.

(adaderana.lk)

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

President Anura Dissanayake has appointed new secretaries for two key ministries.

Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha has been appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.

Meanwhile, former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ravi Senaviratne has been appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security.

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.

Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumara has been appointed as the new Presidential Secretary by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

This announcement was made by the Department of Government Information following President Dissanayake's swearing-in as the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka.

In related news, the Parliament has notified the Election Commission of a vacancy in the 9th Parliament.

This vacancy arises from President Dissanayake's resignation from his position as a Member of Parliament for the Colombo Electoral District, following his assumption of the presidential office.

The notification to the Election Commission was issued by the Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera.

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.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn-in as ninth executive president of Sri Lanka at a ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo this morning (23).

He took his oaths before chief justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.

The new president, in his inauguration speech, said he would be committed to the maximum to safeguarding democracy.

Dissanayake also said that he was not a magician, but an average citizen, who knows things and also there are things unknown to him.

My objective is to take better decisions by using what I know and gathering what I don’t know, he said.

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.

Prime minister Dinesh Gunawardena has tendered his resignation to the president.

He has tendered his letter of resignation to president Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Gunawardena has stated in the relevant letter that as the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka has been elected in the presidential election held on September 21, he will resign from his position in accordance with Article 47 (2) of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Gunawardena has also congratulated the newly elected President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, following his victory in the presidential election last night.

“I respectfully offer my congratulations to you for being elected as the 9th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the Presidential election held on 21st September 2024.

“I hope that you as the President will be able to provide welfare to the people by continuing the work we have done to recover and lift the country and the countrymen from the difficult and challenging situation that Sri Lanka has faced,” he said in a message.

(adaderana.lk)

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.

In a special address, President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his deep gratitude to the people of Sri Lanka for the mandate granted during the 21st presidential election. He acknowledged that, in accordance with the will of the people, the leadership of the country should now be passed on to President Anura Dissanayake.

President Wickremesinghe extended his sincere thanks to all those who supported him during his tenure. He reflected on his role as a caretaker, stating that he had guided “the beloved child of Sri Lanka” across significant challenges, symbolized by the “Vine Bridge,” and expressed his confidence that under President Dissanayake’s leadership, the journey will continue safely and successfully.

The full transcript of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s speech is shown below;

“Ayubowan!

Dear Citizens,

The people of the country have given their decision at this Presidential Election held on 21st September 2024. Therefore, we must respect their decision and act according to that mandate to ensure the functioning of the country.

Two years ago, I took over a bankrupt country and a collapsed economy at an extremely turbulent time.

I accepted the challenge at a time when no one else had the courage to face it.

I successfully completed the responsibility that history put upon my shoulders.

I was able to rescue my motherland from bankruptcy within a short period of two years.

I believe this to be the most important thing I could do for my country during my political career.

Inflation was 70% when I took over the country, but I could reduce it to 0.5% during my time as the President.

I increased the Foreign Reserve, which was at USD 20 Million when I came to power, to USD 5.7 Billion.

I was able to ensure that the Sri Lankan Rupee which was 380 against the US Dollar, came down to a strong and solid amount of 300.

Also, when I took over, the economic growth of the country was negative 7.3% (- 7.3%). But I was able to increase it to positive 2.3% (2.3%). I am happy and proud about it.

I believe that the future generation of the country will give the proper assessment for my historical political role, the way it deserves.

I am aware that my place in history as the ruler of this country will be decided not today, but in future.

I followed the right path and saved people from hunger and sorrow. I hope that the new President will also follow the right path and put an end to the remaining issues that the people are facing.

I was eventually able to carry the dear child called Sri Lanka along a long distance safely – on the dangerous rope bridge.

Close to the very end of the rope bridge, people have decided to handover the dear child called Sri Lanka to President Anura Dissanayake.

Mr. President, here I handover to you with much love, the dear child called Sri Lanka, whom we both love very dearly. I wish that you will be able to carry this child away from the bridge to the other bank, even safer than the way I carried the child.

I will be devoted to serving my motherland with or without power, with or without a post or powers, for the rest of my life.

I wish to thank everyone who supported me, who did not support me, and all the citizens of the country during my time as President. Thank you.”

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)