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

Court summons ex-AGM of People’s bank over major fraud

Published

1 hour ago

July 3, 2025

editor

The Attorney General has filed a case against one Vithanage Don Dayananda, a former Assistant General Manager (AGM) at People’s Bank head office, for allegedly preparing and using a forged document related to a Rs.2,000 million personal guarantee bond.

Colombo High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne has fixed the case (HC 39/2019) for trial on October 30. When the case was called on July 01, the accused had appeared in court.

It is alleged that around June 01, 2006, in Colombo, the accused knowingly prepared a forged document purporting to show that a personal guarantee bond, allegedly signed and dated July 27, 1995, by directors of Yashoda Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.had been submitted to the bank’s head office.

Despite being well aware that the document was a forged one, he had allegedly presented it as genuine evidence during the Commercial High Court Case No. 122/2004.

Therefore, the Attorney General has charged him under Section 459 of the Penal Code.

Related News :

Court orders CID to probe Rs.90 mn. fraud at People’s Bank

News

2nd round of Grade 06 admission appeals open online today

Published

1 hour ago

July 3, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Education has announced that online appeals for the second round of Grade 06 admissions in 2025, based on the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination results, can be submitted from today (July 03) until July 17.

Parents or guardians can submit appeals for up to three schools by visiting the official website of the Ministry of Education at www.moe.gov.lk or directly via the extension at g6application.moe.gov.lk.

News

Several showers expected today

Published

3 hours ago

July 3, 2025

editor

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (July 03), the Department of Meteorology said.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Meanwhile, fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.