Category: Featured Headlines

Former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, who was summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (12), did not appear. Instead, he informed the CID that he would be available to appear between 18 and 25 November.

Chandrakanthan was summoned to provide a statement regarding allegations made in a recent Channel 4 documentary about the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks in Sri Lanka. The CID has launched an investigation following a complaint filed with the Ministry of Public Security concerning claims made by Hanzeer Azad Maulana, who was Chandrakanthan’s media secretary, in the documentary. The 2019 Easter attacks targeted Catholic churches and luxury hotels, resulting in over 260 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

According to the police spokesperson, the CID is now probing controversial statements made by several individuals featured in the documentary, which aired on 6 September 2023. The Channel 4 Dispatches investigation, titled Sri Lanka’s Easter Bombings, presents serious allegations based on testimonies from whistleblowers, including former associates of government officials, suggesting that senior government figures may have been complicit in the attacks.

The transportation of ballot boxes and officials for the 2024 general election will commence this morning.

Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake says that this process will take place in 49 centers.

He also says that officials and ballot boxes for 13,314 polling stations will take place today.

Meanwhile, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa says that a special security arrangement is in place for the transportation of ballot boxes.

This year, 8,352 candidates will be contesting the 2024 general election which is scheduled to be held on the 14th of November.

From them, 5,006 are contesting from political parties, and 3,346 are independent candidates.

The voting process for the 2024 general election will commence at 7 am tomorrow.

17,140,354 individuals have been deemed eligible to cast their votes tomorrow.

Sri Lanka is set to hold its Parliamentary Elections on 14 November 2024, selecting 225 representatives for the new Parliament. This decision follows President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s dissolution of Parliament on 24 September 2024, using powers granted by Article 70 of the Constitution, through an Extraordinary Gazette (No. 2403/13). In line with Section 10 of the Parliamentary Elections Act of 1981, this election date was scheduled, and the new Parliament is expected to convene on 21 November 2024.

The previous Parliament’s term was initially set to end in August 2025, but President Dissanayake, elected in the 2024 Presidential Election, had promised during his campaign to expedite parliamentary reforms by calling for an early election.

Election Structure and Voter Information

This election will engage over 17.1 million eligible voters across 22 multi-seat constituencies. Gampaha District has the highest number of eligible voters, at 1,881,129, while the Vanni District, with 306,081 voters, has the lowest. Voters can support a party or independent group and may also mark up to three candidates from that group. Alternatively, they may vote solely for a party or group without individual preferences.

Under Sri Lanka’s proportional representation system, 196 members will be chosen from constituencies with a minimum 5% electoral threshold, while the remaining 29 seats will be selected from a national list. Gampaha District will elect the highest number of representatives (19), while Trincomalee will elect the fewest (4).

Nomination Period and Candidates

Nominations for this election took place between 4 October and noon on 11 October 2024. A total of 8,888 candidates will contest, with 5,531 representing registered political parties and 3,357 from independent groups. Out of 788 nominations submitted, 719 were approved, while 69 were rejected. The Colombo District reported the highest number of candidates (966), while Polonnaruwa had the fewest (120). In Digamadulla, 64 out of 72 nominations were accepted, and in Nuwara Eliya, 7 nominations were rejected.

Key Figures Opt Out and Noteworthy Developments

Notably, 59 former MPs, including prominent leaders like Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Basil Rajapaksa, have opted not to contest. Public figures such as social media influencer Ashen Senarathne had their nomination rejected by the Election Commission, claiming the nomination was unauthorized. Senarathne publicly expressed dissatisfaction, indicating potential legal action, while the Election Commission has stated that any aggrieved parties may pursue legal avenues.

There were also surprises in the nominations: actress Damitha Abeyrathne was expected to run for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) from Ratnapura but was ultimately excluded from the final candidate list. Ajith Mannapperuma, a former MP, resigned from the SJB and withdrew his nomination for Gampaha shortly after his submission, citing dissatisfaction over organizational issues within the party.

Legal Challenges and Court Rulings

Several candidates filed Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions with the Supreme Court challenging nomination rejections. While the Court dismissed four out of five petitions contesting the nomination rejections, another petition filed by Priyantha Herath, a civil society leader, challenged the constitutionality of holding elections on 14 November. This petition, which named government officials including the Election Commission, was also dismissed by the Supreme Court.

How to Vote in the 2024 General Election

The official polling cards for the 2024 General Election are ready. According to the Department of Posts, 97% of these cards have been distributed. Voters who have not received their polling cards can visit their local post office during working hours to collect them, a service available until election day.

For added convenience, the Election Commission has introduced an online system allowing voters to access their polling cards. Voters can view their cards via the ‘Online Registration’ option on the official Election Commission website.

The Election Commission clarified that voters who have not received their official polling cards can still vote at designated polling centers using a valid form of identification. Acceptable IDs include:

• National Identity Card (old or new)
• Valid passport
• Driver’s license
• State service pensioner’s ID
• Clergy identification issued by the government
• Elders’ identity card
• Temporary identity card issued by the Election Commission for people with disabilities

Service identity cards issued by state ministries, departments, and similar agencies will not be accepted.

To prevent double voting, each voter’s left index finger will be marked with an indelible sign. If a voter’s left index finger is unavailable, the mark will be applied to another suitable finger.

Ballot Paper Format

Ballot papers in the Polonnaruwa, Monaragala, and Kalutara Districts will be in a single-column format, while those for other districts will use a two-column layout. A specimen ballot paper for each district will be provided with the official poll card distributed to each household.

Voters should use only a cross mark (‘X’) when voting and marking preferences. This measure, implemented to prevent confusion, follows similar efforts during the recent 2024 Presidential Election.

Campaign Finance Monitoring and Spending Limits

In a significant step toward transparency, the Election Commission announced campaign finance limits for political parties, independent groups, and individual candidates in accordance with the Election Expenditure Regulation Act No. 03 of 2023. These guidelines are expected to curb excessive spending and encourage a level playing field.

The Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, stated that the counting of votes for the general election will commence at 4.15 p.m. on November 14.

He made these remarks during a special press briefing held today (12) at the Department of Government Information, where he provided updates on the general election.

Ratnayake also informed that the results from polling areas and district-level results will be released to the media only after being re-checked and approved by the Election Commission. Thus, he urged everyone to refrain from releasing unofficial election results.

“Arrangements have been made to begin counting postal votes at 4.15 p.m. on November 14. The counting of regular votes will start after receiving the ballot boxes from the respective polling stations at around 7.15 p.m., following the completion of the official procedures. Afterwards, arrangements will be made to release the results to the media. Until then, everyone is requested to refrain from releasing unofficial results,” he said.

Ratnayake also shared details about the vote-counting process, which will be carried out in three phases:

“The counting of votes takes place in three stages. First, the votes in each box are counted. Then, the votes received by each recognized political party and independent group are counted. At the end of that process, the number of MPs that can be elected from each party or group is calculated according to the votes, followed by the counting of preferential votes received by each candidate. After that, the candidates from these parties and groups will be elected for the position of MP based on the highest number of votes they received,” he explained.

The candidates from the parties and independent groups will be elected to the position of MP based on the highest number of votes they have obtained, according to the Election Commission chairman.

The inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament, with 196 members elected by public vote and 29 members entering through the national list, is scheduled to commence on November 21.

A total of 225 members of parliament will be elected in the upcoming general election on November 14.

A series of special proceedings expected to take place on that day, including the appointment of Speaker, the Parliament of Sri Lanka said in a statement.

On the first day, the primary responsibilities within the Chamber are entrusted to the Secretary-General of Parliament.

Members of parliament are not assigned specific seating arrangements on this day and are allowed to sit in any seat of their choice.

The full outline of the day’s proceedings is reproduced below:

First day of the new Parliament

The upcoming general election to elect Members of Parliament for the Tenth Parliament is scheduled for November 14. Through this election, a total of 225 Members of Parliament will be elected, comprising 196 members elected by public vote and 29 members entering through the national list.

The inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament, comprising of members through this process, is scheduled to commence on November 21, as per the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2403/13 dated 2024.09.24 issued by the President.

The first day of Parliament’s inaugural session holds particular significance due to the series of special proceedings expected to take place on that day.

On the first day, the primary responsibilities within the Chamber are entrusted to the Secretary-General of Parliament. Members of Parliament are not assigned specific seating arrangements on this day and are allowed to sit in any seat of their choice. Following the placement of the mace in the Chamber, the Secretary-General will present to Parliament, as the first business of the day, the Extraordinary Gazette Notification issued by the President, which specifies the date and time for the convening of Parliament.

Subsequently, in accordance with Article 64 (1) of the Constitution and Standing Orders 4, 5, and 6 of Parliament, the Speaker is elected by vote, followed by the administration of the official affirmation or oath of office by the Speaker. Thereafter, Members of Parliament take their official affirmation or oath, and the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of Committees are elected by vote.

Electing the Speaker

Any Member of Parliament may be appointed as the Speaker. However, prior to nominating a member for the position, it is essential to confirm that the Member is willing to accept the appointment. The election of the Speaker must proceed based solely on the nominations made by Members, without allowing any debate on the matter.

At this stage, the Secretary-General informs the House that the Speaker must be appointed first. When a member rises to propose a name, the Secretary-General directs the House’s attention to that Member’s nomination. After one name has been proposed, the Secretary-General must ask if there are any other nominations. If no other nominations are presented, that Member is duly elected as Speaker.

It is a long-standing tradition for the two Members who formally proposed and seconded the name of the Speaker to escort the elected Member to the Speaker’s chair, holding them by the arms. The Speaker then takes their official affirmation or oath of office before the Secretary-General. Before taking their seat, it is customary for the newly appointed Speaker to briefly thank the House for the appointment.

Congratulatory remarks are then offered by both the government and opposition representatives, after which the Speaker delivers a statement of thanks. Following this, the remaining Members proceed to take their official affirmation or oath before the Speaker.

When the names of two Members are proposed for the position of Speaker, a secret ballot is conducted. There are two instances in parliamentary procedure when a secret ballot is held: during the election of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Deputy Chairperson of Committees, and also when Parliament elects a President.

During the ballot, a continuous five-minute Quorum Bell shall signal Members to prepare. The Secretary-General then distributes ballot papers to each Member, who must write the name of their chosen candidate and sign the paper. Members then fold the ballot paper discreetly and place it in the ballot box.

The authority to determine the voting method and to conduct the count rests solely with the Secretary-General, who tallies the votes at the Table of Parliament. After counting, the Secretary-General announces the result to the House. If a ballot paper lacks the Member’s signature, it is deemed invalid.

If three Members are proposed for the position of Speaker and no candidate secures an absolute majority in the vote, the candidate with the least number of votes shall be eliminated, and a new round of voting is conducted. The candidate who then receives the majority of votes is elected as Speaker.

Similarly, in instances where multiple Members are proposed, successive rounds of voting are held, eliminating the candidate with the least votes each time, until one candidate secures an absolute majority. At any point, if a candidate achieves an absolute majority, they are immediately elected as Speaker.

In cases where three Members stand for election and two of them receive an equal number of votes, the Secretary-General has the authority to eliminate one of the tied candidates by drawing lots. Following this, a vote is held between the remaining candidate and the candidate with the highest votes, and the Speaker is selected based on the results.

If there is a vote between two candidates and both receive an equal number of votes, a re-vote is conducted. Should there still be a tie after this second vote, the Secretary-General has the authority to select the Speaker by drawing lots. The Secretary-General has full discretion to determine the procedure for drawing lots.

Following the conclusion of a vote, the corresponding ballot papers must be kept under the custody of the Secretary-General for a period of one month. After this period, they should be destroyed in accordance with the directive from Parliament, and a report of this destruction must be submitted to Parliament.

All Members of Parliament elected must sign the Member roll after taking their oath or affirmation on the first day. The Speaker signs first, followed by the Prime Minister as a tradition, after which the other Members affix their signatures. This signed record is maintained as a highly secure document in accordance with established protocols.

When the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of Committees are to be elected, the Speaker, having already been appointed, conducts all notifications and voting procedures. After nominations for the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson are made, the Speaker will ask the House if there are any further nominations. If none are forthcoming, the nominated Members are elected to their respective positions.

Should a vote be necessary, the procedure followed will mirror that of the election of the Speaker, with the notable difference that the voting will be conducted by the Speaker instead of the Secretary-General.

After these activities are completed, Parliament will be adjourned. Typically, the adjournment will be until the next scheduled parliamentary day.

However, according to Article 33 of the Constitution, if the President addresses Parliament on that day to present government policy statement, the House will be temporarily suspended at the end of these initial proceedings. When Parliament reconvenes, the President will preside over the House and present the government policy statement.

Following the policy statement the President will then adjourn Parliament until the next scheduled day.