The Election Commission has received nearly 700,000 applications for postal voting at the upcoming Local Government (LG) Elections.

The application process for those eligible to vote by mail commenced on March 03 and concluded on March 17.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission announced that the process of compiling information on public officials assigned for election duties is nearing completion.

Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake urged any public officials who have yet to submit their details to do so immediately. Such officials must forward their information, along with the recommendations of their institution’s head, to the District Election Office in their respective districts.

The Financial and Commercial Crime Investigation Division (FCCID) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation into 22 former Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) concerning funds they allegedly received from the Presidential Fund between 2008 and 2024.

Police said that 22 files related to the disbursement of these funds were being examined by the CID.

Preliminary investigations revealed that over Rs. Rs. 100 million have been received by the twenty two former Ministers and MPs in various amounts, and investigations are being carried out as to whether any irregularity has occurred in receiving the money.

As part of the investigation, CID officers have sought approval from the Fort Magistrate’s Court on April 2, 2025, to access details of the checks issued from the Presidential Fund account.

Earlier, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa revealed in Parliament that 36 former Ministers and MPs had received Rs. 112.5 million from the Presidential Fund between 2005 and 2024.

Among those named, former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella received Rs. 11 million, former Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne received Rs. 10 million, late Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne received Rs. 30 million, and former MP Ranjith De Zoysa received Rs. 18 million.

Other individuals who reportedly received financial assistance include Vasudewa Nanayakkara, Widura Wickremanayake, Wimala Dissanayake, Sumeda Jayasena, S.B. Nawinna, John Amaratunga, Sarath Amungama, P. Harrison, Piyasena Gamage, Manoj Sirisena, P. Dayaratane, and S.C. Muthukumarana.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

The Ministry of Finance has increased the Tobacco Tax on all ‘Beedi’ products,with effective from yesterday (April 02).

Accordingly, the relevant tax will be increased from Rs. 02 to Rs. 03, resulting in the price hike of a rupee.