News

Voting for 2025 LG Election begins (Update)

Published

2 months ago

May 6, 2025

editor

The 2025 Local Government Elections officially commenced at 7:00 a.m. today (06), marking a significant milestone in the country’s democratic process following a seven-year hiatus.

(Previous news 2025 May 06 – 7.15.a.m.)

All set for Local Government Elections today

Sri Lanka’s 2025 Local Government (LG) elections are underway today, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. across 13,759 voting centers.

A record 17.1 million voters are registered to elect representatives to 339 local councils in what analysts describe as a key test of public sentiment.

Key Election Details
Voter Eligibility: Based on the certified 2024 electoral register (updated February 1, 2025)
Highest Voter Concentration: Gampaha District
Postal Voting: 648,495 postal votes cast April 24-29 by state sector employees, security forces, and other eligible groups
Spending Limits: Campaign caps range from Rs. 74 (Mannar) to Rs. 160 (Lahugala) per voter

Voting Process
Voters must present one of “10 approved IDs”, including NIC, passport, or driving license.

1. National Identity Card (Old or New NIC) issued by the Department for Registration of Person
2. Valid Passport
3. Valid Driving License
4. Government Pensioner’s Identity Card issued by the Department of Pensions
5. Elders’ Identity Card issued by the Divisional Secretariat
6. Identity Card issued for the clergy by the Department for Registration of Person
7. Letter issued by the Department for Registration of Person confirming he peculiars of the National Identity Card
8. Temporary Identity Card issued by the Election Commission
9. Temporary Identity Card issued by the Election Commission for persons with disabilities
10. Temporary License Card with a photograph issued by the Department of Motor Traffic

Ballot papers display only party symbols and independent group numbers—no candidate names. Voters mark a single “X” beside their preferred party/group.

No polling card? Voters can still cast ballots with proper ID.

Security & Monitoring
65,000 police officers deployed nationwide
3,000 PAFFREL observers monitoring for fairness
Strict anti-fraud measures, including indelible ink on fingers

Special Arrangements
Leave for voters: Employers must grant paid leave based on travel distance (½ to 2 days)
Closures: Schools, some universities, and select government offices (e.g., DMT, Immigration) shut today

News

‘Sisu Sariya’ bus driver, conductor suspended after student falls

Published

4 hours ago

July 4, 2025

editor

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has said that an investigation into the recent incident where a student fell from the footboard of a ‘Sisu Sariya’ school bus, has revealed that the accident had resulted from the careless and negligent behaviour of both the driver and the conductor.

Issuing a statement, the NTC noted that, based on the preliminary findings, the Road Passenger Transport Authority of the North Western Province has taken steps to temporarily suspend the services of the driver and conductor involved.

BIZ

Govt to approve import of 300,000 MT of maize

Published

4 hours ago

July 4, 2025

editor

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation – K.D. Lal Kantha has announced that the government has decided to import 300,000 MT of maize.

Speaking to the media after attending a District Development Committee meeting at the Kandy District Secretariat yesterday (July 03), the Minister explained that this decision was taken to prevent traders from artificially inflating maize prices.

He stated that certain large and medium-scale businesses dealing with animal feed have been hoarding maize, buying it from farmers at fair prices and reselling it at much higher rates.

According to the Minister, these traders were trying to push maize prices up to Rs.190-200 per kilogram, which would have driven up the cost of eggs to Rs.200 each and increased meat prices significantly.

The Minister emphasized that while businesses are entitled to make a profit, the government will not allow unfair price manipulation. He also noted that, in the past, even ministers profited from animal products, but those days have ended and racketeers will not be allowed to control the market.

To prevent excessive price drops that could hurt farmers, the Food Security Committee has proposed imposing a tax on imported maize, he said.

Related News :

Sri Lanka likely to resume maize imports?

News

Ex-Minister S.M. Chandrasena arrested

Published

5 hours ago

July 4, 2025

editor

Former Minister – S.M. Chandrasena has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) a short while ago.

Chandrasena had appeared before the CIABOC today (July 04) to record a statement.