Category: News

Sri Lanka has seen dramatic reversal in their views of the country’s direction following the September 21 presidential election, according to a poll by the Institute for Health Policy (IHP), an independent pollster.

The IHP said in a statement on Thursday October 24 that its Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) poll for September had shown that a net 43 percent of the public had thought the country was heading in the wrong direction. This reversed after the election, with a net 5 percent of Sri Lankans polled saying that the country was headed in the right direction in the last ten days of the month, the highest level since SLOTS started tracking this in April 2022.

​​Overall, during September, an average of 21 percent of adults thought the country was heading in the right direction versus 54 percent who thought the country was heading in the wrong direction, the institute said.

“In the period before elections on September 21, 16 percent thought the country was heading in the right direction, and this increased to 41 percent after the polls, whilst 59 percent thought the country was heading in the wrong direction before elections, falling to 36 percent after.

“This dramatic turnaround in opinion occurred immediately after the election on 21 September. SLOTS did not conduct interviews during 22-23 September, but the change in sentiment was clear and detectable immediately from 24 September when the survey resumed,” said IHP.

According to the institute, the improvement in the public’s views about the country’s direction was broad-based and across all demographics. The biggest improvements were seen in the poorest adults (+77 percent), and in younger adults (18-29 years +74 percent, 30–44 years +77 percent), Sinhala (+75 percent) and Muslim (+74 percent) respondents. The only demographic where net opinion on the country’s direction did not increase into positive territory was the richest third of Sri Lankans, in which a net 6 percent thought the country was heading in the wrong direction.

“The big change in views in Sri Lanka meant that Sri Lankans went from being amongst the pessimistic nations when thinking about the direction of the country to being the amongst the most positive after the elections. Before September 2024, when excluding ‘no opinion’ responses for comparability with other countries, over 90 percent of Sri Lankans believed the country was on the wrong track. In a global IPSOS poll of 29 countries1, an average of 61 percent of adults thought their country was heading in the wrong direction, according to September estimates. By comparison, 79 percent of Sri Lankans held this view before the election (during September 1–September 20), a figure only better than South Korea and Japan, but far behind other South Asian countries tracked. After the election, this percentage dropped to 32 percent (68 percent in the right direction) moving Sri Lanka into the top three countries with positive outlooks.”

The United Kingdom has updated its travel advice on Sri Lanka following the US travel warning on Arugam Bay.

In its update the UK Foreign Office published the travel warning issued by the US.

“The US Embassy received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area. Due to the serious risk posed by this threat, the Embassy imposed a travel restriction on Embassy personnel for Arugam Bay effective immediately and until further notice. U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice.”

US citizens have been advised to report all suspicious activity and emergencies to local authorities (119), always maintain vigilance and be aware of their surroundings, trust their gut, and if a situation doesn’t feel right, get out of it.

Americans have also been advised to always have some form of communication on them (i.e. cell phone) and monitor local media for news and updates.

The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has arrested two individuals suspected of planning an attack on Israeli nationals in Sri Lanka. In response, security has been intensified at the popular eastern surfing resort of Arugam Bay, where foreign tourists, particularly Israelis, were believed to be targeted.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya revealed that intelligence about a possible attack surfaced on 7 October. Since then, the National Security Council, led by the President, has held frequent meetings to address the threat. As a result, special security measures were implemented, particularly in the eastern regions of the country.

The IGP said they had information about two individuals who were planning the attack and one had been in Iraq.

Police spokesman Deputy Inspector General Nihal Thalduwa confirmed that around 500 police and Special Task Force personnel have been deployed in the Arugam Bay and Pottuvil areas to enhance safety and prevent any potential threats.

The US Embassy in Colombo yesterday (23) issued a warning, citing credible information about a potential attack in Arugam Bay, and advising US citizens to avoid the area until further notice. Similarly, the Russian Embassy and the UK have cautioned their citizens to stay vigilant and avoid large gatherings.

Police have pledged to safeguard all foreign nationals, with DIG Thalduwa stating, “Given the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, we are coordinating with intelligence services to ensure the safety of tourists.”

A hotline (1997) has been set up for tourists to report any suspicious activities.

Growing Israeli presence in the Southern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka has put Sri Lanka in a spotlight with local intelligence agencies being informed of a possible threat from Islamic extremists several weeks ago, senior defense sources told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

Last year, several local nationals from Weligama, Mirissa and Arugam Bay had been voicing concerns over Israeli nationals settling in those areas, overstaying their visas and running unlawful businesses. In an on the ground investigation done by Daily Mirror, locals said that they were often threatened by these Israelis when questioned and these nationals also never allowed locals to enter their parties and business establishments.

The community just grew over time with no concrete measures taken by the authorities and due to the recent developments in the Middle East, the threat from Islamic extremism grew in the region.

As a result, several weeks ago, Sri Lanka’s intelligence was informed of a possible threat in the East and South which was frequented by Israeli nationals and westerners which prompted security to be beefed up in the area along with intelligence officers being stationed on ground. The elite STF officers had taken control of the security situation and continue to be stationed to date. It was learnt that STF had also kept bomb squads standby for any emergency.

Then, just before the Presidential Election, local intelligence received the second threat alert by foreign intelligence. But the heightened security remained in place and all measures were taken.

However, the matter took a turn for the worse when the US Embassy in Sri Lanka yesterday morning issued a travel advisory against its nationals from travelling to Arugam Bay until further notice.

In its travel advisory, the US Embassy said it had received credible information on a potential attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area and as a precaution, the Embassy had imposed an immediate travel restriction on its personnel to Arugam Bay until further notice.

“U.S. citizens are strongly advised to avoid the area during this time. The Embassy encourages individuals to report any suspicious activity or emergencies to local authorities by calling 119,” the Embassy said.

It also recommended keeping communication devices, such as cell phones, handy and monitoring local media for updates.

Following this advisory, Australia, Russia, New Zealand and UK updated their advisories, according to the US statement. The Russian Embassy in Colombo urged its citizens to remain vigilant and avoid large crowds in the region.

Meanwhile, Israel’s national security council called on Israelis on Wednesday to immediately leave some tourist areas in southern Sri Lanka over the threat of a possible terrorist attack. The agency said the warning pertained to the area of Arugam Bay and beaches in the south and west of Sri Lanka, and stemmed from “current information about a terrorist threat focused on tourist areas and beaches”.

With the winter season being a peak tourism season in Sri Lanka, the industry did not take the news well. A leading hotelier told Daily Mirror that while these advisories were for a particular area, it would react as a blanket advisory for several tourist spots.

Soon after these international advisories, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa told the media that several reports had been received over the past few days regarding potential threats to Israeli tourists in the Arugam Bay area.

Thalduwa said that the Arugam Bay and Pottuvil areas had been popular among Israeli tourists, particularly due to surfing events. The Police Spokesman said that considering the potential threats, the Senior DIG of the Eastern Province had implemented preliminary measures to prevent any incidents. Sources said that the Police had taken security measures over the threats prior to the US embassy issuing the advisory.

“Police have set up roadblocks and conducted vehicle checks in the area over the past few days. Currently, special joint security measures are being enforced by the Police, Special Task Force (STF), and the tri-forces,” Thalduwa said.

The Daily Mirror learns that a building in Arugam Bay, which had been converted into a “Chabad House” by the Israeli nationals had also caused a stir in the area. A Chabad House is a place of worship for Israeli nationals.

SJB Candidate for the Matara District, Rehan Jayawickreme told the Daily Mirror that in recent weeks police had put up road blocks, protecting the areas where the Israeli businesses were located and questioned why the authorities were not questioning them over their unlawful stay in the country.

Jayawickreme said he had been alerting the authorities for years over the growing Israeli businesses but no action had been taken. “Due to these Israeli nationals unlawfully staying here, Sri Lanka will soon become a battleground like elsewhere,” Jayawickreme said.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of an influx of foreign tourists during the upcoming tourism season and considering the conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, Police are implementing a special security programme to ensure the safety of foreign tourists, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security.

The Police Tourism Division will be strengthened, with special instructions set to be issued by Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya to all police stations.

Tourists are encouraged to report any security concerns to the Sri Lanka Police hotline at 1997.

Police also urged hotel owners and tourism staff to take proactive measures to protect tourists and their belongings while maintaining heightened vigilance against potential threats.

The recent Presidential Election brought about both praise and controversy. While the Presidential Election was one of the most peaceful and well-organised Elections in history, certain issues emerged along the way. A few officials from Government agencies were removed for allegedly engaging in political activities, and there were concerns about an alleged premature counting of preferential votes. Despite these issues, election observers, both local and international, commended the Election Commission’s (EC) efforts, for several steps such as promoting accessibility for disabled voters and ensuring fairness.

In an interview with The Daily Morning, the EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake discussed the challenges faced during the Presidential Election and the ongoing preparations for the Parliamentary (General) Elections set for 14 November.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

At the beginning of the Presidential Election, some officials were removed from Election duties for allegedly supporting political parties. After the Election, there were allegations that some officials started counting the preferential votes before receiving instructions from the EC. What were these allegations about?

When the Presidential Election approached, it was reported that officials in some districts were involved in political activities. These officials were not part of the EC but were from other Government agencies involved in the Election process. We then removed them from Election duties. No accusations were made against EC officers. After the Election, it was alleged that some officials began counting preferential votes before receiving our instructions. We instructed the counting of preferential votes after we had received and tabulated the results from all the districts. We discussed this with the representatives of all political parties present at the EC. It was also claimed that the counting of preferential votes started before the results of some districts were out, but, that was not the case. There was a delay in the media reporting of the last few results. Since no candidate received 50% of the votes, we instructed the officials to count preferential votes. Some political party representatives had left certain counting centres by that time. However, representatives were present in others. We had also advised that everyone should stay until the counting was completed. Despite all of this, the counting of preferential votes was conducted correctly without any issues.

A significant number of people did not have enough knowledge about marking preferential votes. Do people have enough understanding about it this time?

A: In the Election, preference marking is done with the digits 1, 2, and 3. This has been the practice in every Presidential Election, and hence not a new feature. We made efforts to inform the public through the media and district-level initiatives. We also displayed large advertisements at each polling station explaining how to vote and mark the preferences. It is possible that the rural people may not have fully understood this, but, we informed the public of the matter through the media on many occasions. We have not received special reports about issues with preference marking. There won’t be a problem with marking preferences in the Parliamentary Election, which requires marking with crosses. Voters can mark ‘X’ in front of the party/group, and ‘Xs’ atop numbered boxes. This time too, we will inform the people about how to cast their vote when the Election is close.

Have there been any complaints with regard to any misconduct on the part of EC officials during the Presidential Election?

No complaints were received against any of our officers during the Election period. All officers performed their responsibilities impartially and correctly.

Is there statistical information on first-time voters in the Election?

We cannot obtain information specifically about first-time voters. We only get general voting data. Our system does not separate information by gender or age. However, 76,019 newly registered voters were there, and I believe that the majority of them voted. It isn’t possible to provide more detailed information.

The visually-impaired persons was given the opportunity to vote in the election. Was the programme successful? Were disabled persons provided with adequate opportunities to vote?

We created a system for the visually impaired to vote. It was not Braille. We tried using a Braille system, but, many visually impaired people didn’t understand it well. Instead, we used a tactile ballot method. This allowed them to vote without help from anyone for the first time in history. Many praised this system. We distributed tactile ballots at every polling station. Some visually impaired people were reportedly not informed about it, but, we hope to improve awareness for the Parliamentary Election. We also provided voting opportunities for other disabled communities. We also ensured wheelchair access to polling stations. There were complaints of people in wheelchairs not having been allowed into polling stations, and we addressed them immediately.

When the election results were released, the EC Commissioners/Members including you and the other officers seemed very tired. How does having to hold two national elections in close succession affect day-to-day life?

For almost two months before the Presidential Election, we had a lot of work to do. Everyone involved, including the EC Commissioners/Members and officers, Returning Officers, and Government officials, worked hard and were very tired. Due to the dissolution of the Parliament, we have now had to hold the General/Parliamentary Election as well. True, it’s exhausting to hold two national elections close together, but, we are all committed to this task. After the Parliamentary Election, we have another election because the Supreme Court has ordered that the Local Government (LG) Elections be held as soon as possible.

During the counting of election votes, a curfew was imposed suddenly, even when no violence was reported. What is the EC’s opinion on that? Were you consulted before this decision?

The security forces informed us that it was appropriate to impose a curfew when the vote counting was ongoing. They asked for permission to impose a curfew for a few hours due to concerns about possible disturbances. We said that we needed to discuss this with the political parties first. After those discussions, we granted permission for the curfew. Why we consented was to maintain law and order, even though the environment was peaceful at that time.

What is your opinion about the behaviour of the print, electronic, and social media during the Election?

I appreciate media organisations for supporting us by following the EC’s guidelines. Most media organisations reported responsibly, although we had to issue warnings to a few. We called some media representatives to remind them of the guidelines and standards that they should follow. Overall, the media fulfilled their responsibilities well. We worked hard on tackling irresponsible social media campaigns since their parent companies are based abroad. We contacted the relevant companies before the election, which helped control hateful and slanderous content on social media.

What support did/do you receive from candidates and other parties in the Presidential Election and the upcoming Parliamentary Elections?

We received a lot of support from candidates and parties during the Presidential Election. They followed the rules that we set. While there were some incidents of State property misuse, we intervened to stop these actions. We treated all political parties equally, and there was no difference in the way that we treated the ruling party and the others. Most parties acted responsibly, and if they were to do something questionable, they sought our approval. This cooperation helped us conduct a fair Election.

Election candidates have submitted their campaign expenditure reports? Were those reports submitted correctly?

Two types of expenditure reports should be submitted to the EC: one for candidates and another for the political parties and voters who nominated independent candidates. By the deadline, 35 candidates submitted their reports, while three submitted late. We will treat those as late and refer them for legal action. Ten political parties have not submitted their reports yet. We plan to display these reports at the EC and District Secretariats and they will also be published on the EC’s website.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that a system could be prepared for groups such as prisoners, migrant workers, and journalists to vote only after the Presidential Election. Is the EC hopeful of such a system at least by the LG Elections?

I requested the President to amend the relevant provisions quickly to ensure voting rights for all, including prisoners, when announcing the Presidential Election results. I don’t think that we can provide that opportunity in this Parliamentary Election due to the time constraints. We hope that necessary measures will be taken in the future. Some proposals we presented are with institutions like the Attorney General’s Department and the Legal Draftsman’s Department. I’m not fully confident that these legal provisions will be amended before the LG Elections, but, we will try to provide all voters with the chance to vote.

Election candidates and politicians often face harassment on social media platforms. Is the EC aware of this?

The EC is working hard to control hateful expressions on social media platforms. We lack enough technical support for this, but, we discussed this with knowledgeable organisations and launched a special programme with support from social media companies such as Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. We requested them to remove many harmful posts, some of which were taken down. Even when we request removals, companies act based on their rules. Those issues are there, but, we try our best.

Some political parties had promised nominations to individuals to contest the Parliamentary Election, but did not follow through at the last moment. Although this is not directly under the EC’s purview, do you have any observations about this?

If a party doesn’t give a nomination to someone, it is a matter of the party’s moral standing. The EC cannot legally intervene in such matters. We have received various complaints about this, but we cannot take action.

Sri Lanka’s Police said that any information regarding potential threats will be acted upon immediately

Deputy Inspector General Thalduwa emphasized that the police are committed to ensuring the safety of all tourists, regardless of their nationality, and have provided necessary coordination and guidance to police stations to uphold this responsibility.

This statement came after the US Embassy in Colombo said that U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Nihal Thalduwa, said that a building established by Israeli nationals in the Arugam Bay area has become a popular attraction for them, particularly for surfing activities. This area, including Potthuvil and Arugam Bay, has seen a significant influx of Israeli tourists.

Recent intelligence reports have indicated potential threats to Israeli nationals in this region, he said adding that in response, the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Eastern Province has implemented necessary preliminary measures to ensure their safety. These measures include setting up roadblocks, conducting vehicle and personal searches, and maintaining heightened security in the area.

As of today, special security arrangements have been put in place, involving the Sri Lanka Police, the Special Task Force, the Navy, and the Army. Intelligence officers have also been deployed to ensure comprehensive security coverage.

Deputy Inspector General Thalduwa emphasized that any information regarding potential threats will be acted upon immediately, and the police are committed to ensuring the safety of all tourists, regardless of their nationality, and have provided necessary coordination and guidance to police stations to uphold this responsibility.

The U.S. Embassy in Colombo has strongly advised its citizens to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice, citing credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area.

The Embassy says it has received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area.

“Due to the serious risk posed by this threat, the Embassy imposed a travel restriction on Embassy personnel for Arugam Bay effective immediately and until further notice.”

“U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice,” the security alert said.