News

General Election 2024: Nominations close at 12 noon today

Published

9 months ago

October 11, 2024

editor

Acceptance of nomination papers from recognised political parties and independent groups to contest the 2024 General Election will end at 12 noon today (11).

The Election Commission stated that it is possible to handover the nomination papers at the District Secretariat Offices all over the country until 12 noon today (11).

Opportunity to file objections has been provided for one and a half hours after the closing time of accepting nomination papers, the Election Commission stated.

A total of 88 political parties and Independent groups have submitted their nomination papers for the upcoming General Election to the Election Commission as of Wednesday (9). Out of the 88 nominations handed over, 46 are from recognised political parties and 42 from Independent groups.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has announced the dates for the issuance of ballot papers and marking of postal votes in the 2024 Parliamentary Election.

Accordingly, the marking of postal votes will be held on October 30 and November 4 for all state sector offices, election offices, police stations and police related offices in all the district secretariat offices in the country.

Apart from this, casting of postal votes in other government institutions and military bases is to be held on November 1 and November 4. For those who fail to cast their postal votes on the assigned dates, November 7 and 8 have been designated as additional dates to cast their votes, the Election Commission stated.

Meanwhile, the certification of postal voter lists will be done on October 16 and the issuance and delivery of postal voting ballot papers will be done on October 23.

Delivery of official polling cards to the post office will be done on October 26 and October 27, 31 and November 03 have been designated as special distribution days for official polling cards. The last date for distribution of official polling cards is November 7, 2024.

Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake has informed all District Returning Officers and all the District Deputy Assistant Election Commissioners to plan to organise the related work to inform the local officials of the Postal Department about the specified dates.

(Daily News)

(This story, originally published by Daily News has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Japan grants US$ 2.5 mn. to SL to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The Government of Japan has granted USD 2.5 million to Sri Lanka to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms under a 3-year project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-corruption Mechanism.

Japanese ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Akio Isomata and UNDP resident representative in Sri Lanka – Ms. Azusa Kubota, in the presence of Justice Minister – Harshana Nanayakkara, launched ‘The Project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-Corruption Mechanism’

The three year initiative is supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by the UNDP Sri Lanka, working in close collaboration with the (CIABOC) and the Ministry of Justice.

The project aims to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in governance and business practices through effective and institutionalised preventive mechanisms in the public and investment promotion sectors, strengthen institutions to enhance corruption related investigative processes, improve coordination with stakeholders and ensure quality of prosecutions, empower citizens to effectively mobilise against corruption and enhance social accountability.

The project also seeks to engage and empower youth, children and journalists to actively contribute to the fight against corruption and promote a culture of integrity.

News

3 ex-DMT officials including ex-commissioner, remanded

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasingha and two other former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into vehicles that were illegally registered with the Department of Motor Traffic without receiving proper clearance from Sri Lanka Customs, CIABOC said in a statement.

According to CIABOC, former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe has been arrested for granting approval to issue a number plate for a jeep.

Additionally, a former Assistant Director of Information Technology at the department and a clerk have also been taken into custody for facilitating the illegal data entry and executing it.

The suspects were produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and were ordered to be remanded until July 08.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

5 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.