News

Elections (Special Provisions) Bill approved

Published

2 years ago

June 13, 2023

editor

The Cabinet has granted approval to draft the new Elections (Special Provisions) Act.

The Bill to be prepared amending five Acts including the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981, Presidential Elections Act, Provincial Council Elections and the Local Government Elections Ordinance.

The approval was earlier granted on 12.12.2022 to amend the Parliamentary Elections Act to take appropriate action in case of violation of the code of conduct by political parties/independent groups and candidates contesting for an election and to establish special polling stations for specially identified voters who cannot vote at the designated polling station on election day.

The Cabinet approval was also granted on 12.12.2022 to amend the Local Government Polls Ordinance, the Parliamentary Elections Act and the Provincial Council Elections Act so that legal action can be taken in cases of violation of Media Guidelines when an election has been declared.

Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has commenced the preparation of Bills in this regard.

The Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the President to advise the legal draftsman to prepare a bill to introduce a new Act instead of amending all the related Acts separately.

Therefore, the Cabinet granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Reforms to publish the relevant draft bill in the government gazette notification and subsequently to table it in Parliament for the concurrence.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.