Category: News

Leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has placed deposits at the Election Commission this morning (06) to contest the upcoming Presidential Election.

The NPP placed the deposit on behalf of Dissanayake to contest the presidential poll as its candidate, MP Vijitha Herath said, adding that they are ready to submit nominations for Dissanayake on August 15 accordingly.

Speaking to the media, he expressed: “The people of the country are ready to hand over the country’s power to Anura, so we laid the foundation for that.”

A total of 18 candidates including incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe have placed their deposits with the Election Commission thus far.

This total includes 7 independent candidates whose names have been nominated by a voter, 10 candidates from recognized political parties and one candidate from other political parties.

Several SLPP MPs led by their national organizer Namal Rajapaksa are planning to sit in the opposition, political sources said.

They have also moved to boycott the government parliamentary group, after its politburo decided to field an own presidential candidate without supporting incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Furthermore, the state ministers loyal to Rajapaksa are to resign from their positions this week, said the sources.

Parliament sittings from tomorrow (06) are expected to be heated, with several crossovers too, tipped to take place.

Govt. loses majority?

Critics say the government has lost its majority in parliament following the SLPP decision to field a candidate.

Previously, it had around 117 supporters, but now it has come down to less than 100.

As a result, it will find passing an act with simple majority to be difficult.

But, Nimal Lanza of the New Alliance says they are prepared to show a majority support for the government when sittings begin.

Three more candidates have placed their deposits today (Aug 05) in order to contest the 2024 Presidential Election, the Election Commission said.

Accordingly, 17 candidates in total have placed their deposits with the Election Commission thus far.

This includes seven independent candidates whose names have been nominated by a voter, nine candidates from recognized political parties and one candidate from other political parties.

The independent candidates who have placed bonds today are Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Siripala Amarasinghe while K.R. Krishan of ‘Arunalu Janatha Peramuna’ has also placed deposits with the elections regulatory body.

Earlier, deposits had been placed on behalf of the independent candidates President Ranil Wickremesinghe, K. Ananda Kularatne, Ven. Akmeemana Dayaratane Thero and former MP Sarath Keerthirathne while 13 others placed their bonds from recognized and other political parties.

These include Oshala Herath from ‘Abhinawa Niwahal Peramuna’, ASP Liyanage of the Sri Lanka Labour Party, Sajith Premadasa of the ‘Samagi Jana Balawegaya’, P W S K Bandaranayake from ‘Jathika Sanwardhana Peramuna’, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe of the ‘National Democratic Front’, Siritunga Jayasuriya of the ‘United Socialist Party’ and Ajantha De Zoysa of ‘Ruhunu Janatha Party’ Sarath Manamendra of ‘Nawa Sihala Urumaya’ and Ven. Battaramulle Seelaratane Thero of ‘Janasetha Peramuna’.

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka had issued a Gazette on July 26 declaring that the 2024 Presidential Election will be held on the 21st September 2024 and that nominations will be accepted on 15 August 2024.

The Election Commission emphasizes that false information is circulating alleging that the voters registered in the voter’s list will be facilitated to cast their vote at any polling station in the island.

Issuing a statement, the election regulatory body refuted these reports and said that the voters must vote at the polling station assigned to their registered constituency only, as per election regulations.

Additionally, postal voters retain the option to cast their vote in the presence of their Certifying Officer, providing a measure of convenience for those unable to visit their designated polling station, the statement added.

In preparation for the upcoming election, the Commission will send official ballot notices to registered voters. These notices will include the voter’s name, the address of the polling station where they are eligible to vote, and detailed voting instructions, the commission said.

The Election Commission emphasizes that no one is allowed to vote in a polling station other than the polling station mentioned in the ballot notice.

However, on July 26, the election commission had published an extraordinary gazette notification stating that a person who is reasonably fearful that he will not be able to go to and cast the vote at the given polling station, may request to be facilitated to vote at another polling station.

The gazette notification highlighted that the provisions of Section 119B of the Presidential Elections Act, No. 15 of 1981, as amended by the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Act, No. 16 of 1988, have provided in this regard.

The deadline for submitting postal voting applications, originally set to expire at midnight today, has been extended, announced Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake.

Voters now have until 12:00 midnight on Friday, August 9, to submit their applications.

This extension comes in response to concerns over potential postal delays and numerous public requests for additional time.