Voting for the 2024 presidential election began at 7.00 am today (Sep. 21) and will continue until 4.00pm.
How to vote :
According to the Election commission, the ‘mark X’ as well as the Arabic numerals are accepted when marking their votes.
Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake has said : voters can use the ‘X’ mark to cast their votes. Similar to previous elections, the ‘X’ mark will be accepted by the Election commission. In addition, the Arabic numeral ‘1’ is also valid for marking the vote”, he added.
He has further stated that for those wishing to indicate preferences can mark their first choice with the Arabic numeral ‘1’ and their second choice with the Arabic numeral ‘2’. To express all three preferences, voters must use Arabic numerals ‘1’, ‘2’, and ‘3’. Any other markings will be considered invalid, he said.
Valid ID :
Before arriving at the polling station, voters must present one of the following official identification documents:
National Identity Card (NIC)
Valid passport
Valid driving license
Senior citizens’ identity card
Government pensioners’ identity card
Identity card for clergy
Temporary identity card issued by the Election Commission, available through your local Grama Niladhari
Prohibited actions : The Election Commission has also emphasized that the following illegal activities are strictly prohibited at polling stations :
Photographing or filming polling stations and marked ballot papers
Adani Green Energy has decided to withdraw from its proposed wind energy project in Mannar, Sri Lanka. The company has conveyed this decision in a letter addressed to the chairman of Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment.
“It was learnt that another Cabinet appointed negotiations committee and Project Committee would be constituted to renegotiate the project proposal,” the company wrote in a letter, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, addressed to the chairman of Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment.
“This aspect was deliberated at the Board of our company and it was decided that while the company fully respects the sovereign rights of Sri Lanka and its choices, it would respectfully withdraw from the said project,” the letter added.
Adani Green Energy is a part of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s Adani Group.
The Attorney General has informed Mt. Lavinia Magistrate’s court that the recent recommendation made by him regarding the suspects involved in the murder of Sri Lankan journalist – Lasantha Wickrematunge will be suspended temporarily.
The AG has informed the Court of this in writing today (Feb. 13).
In a letter sent to the Director of the CID on Jan. 27, the Attorney General had previously provided his legal advice, regarding the release of three individuals.
Coinciding with the President’s three-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to attend the World Governments Summit 2025, Sri Lanka and the UAE reached an agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments to strengthen economic and investment relations between the two countries.
The agreement was signed by Mohamed Bin Hadi Al Hussaini, UAE’s Minister of State for Financial Affairs, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
This bilateral agreement establishes a secure legal framework to expand investment opportunities in global markets while ensuring the protection of foreign investments.
The purpose of this agreement is to facilitate and strengthen foreign investments between the two nations by ensuring investor rights protection, promoting economic cooperation, and establishing comprehensive investment protection mechanisms, dispute resolution frameworks, and policy structures. This agreement will also contribute to strengthening global economic partnerships and creating opportunities for exploring new investment prospects in Sri Lanka.
This agreement underscores the importance of bilateral economic development and financial stability while demonstrating the commitment of both the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka to strengthening economic cooperation. It aims to foster trade and business expansion in Sri Lanka while promoting a transparent and stable investment environment.
Furthermore, this agreement also highlights Sri Lanka’s commitment to enhancing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and fostering a more attractive investment landscape. By enhancing investor confidence, it is expected to generate new business opportunities and contribute to economic progress.
Ultimately, this agreement will reinforce the long-term partnership between the UAE and Sri Lanka, facilitating sustainable investments and advancing trade and financial collaborations between the two countries.