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“India’s first voter” dies

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The man dubbed “India’s first voter” has died at the age of 105.

Shyam Saran Negi is thought to have been the first person to cast a ballot when India held its first general election after gaining independence from British rule.

Mr Negi has voted in every election since then.

The centenarian had cast his ballot just three days ago before his death on Saturday, in the assembly elections for his state of Himachal Pradesh.

The retired teacher is thought to be the first person to vote in an independent India because his state opened polling booths five months early in 1951 for the 1952 election to avoid heavy snow.

The result was a landslide victory for the Indian National Congress and Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first democratically elected prime minister, following nearly 100 years of British colonial rule between 1848 and 1947.

Earlier this week, officials from the Electoral Commission laid out a red carpet for Mr Negi when he cast his postal ballot ahead of the 12 November election.

Indian media reported it was the first time Mr Negi had not attended a polling booth, opting to post his ballot instead due to ill-health.

In 2014, Mr Negi was made a brand ambassador for the Electoral Commission in a bid to encourage voting and starred in a Google video encouraging people to vote in the year’s general election.

As he posted his papers on Wednesday, India’s The Tribute newspaper reported that Mr Negi made a statement urging young people to vote.

“Youth should come forward to participate in the democratic process as it is not only our right but also our duty to participate in the elections by exercising our franchise,” he was quoted as saying.

Speaking at an election rally on Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mr Negi. The government has said he will be cremated with full state honours at his village in Kalpa.

(BBC News)

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Heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warning issued for several provinces

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The Department of Meteorology has issued a warning of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in several areas.

The warning which was announced last night, will remain in effect until 11:15 am today.

The North-Western, Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, North-Central, and Eastern provinces are expected to experience heavy rainfall exceeding 150 mm in some areas.

The Department urges the public to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Batticaloa has received the highest rainfall at 129.5 mm Since 8:30 am yesterday, followed by 111 mm in Wadakada, Kurunegala and Mahaoya in Ampara with a rainfall of 105.5 mm.

Due to the ongoing showers, the landslide warning issued for several divisional secretariats across six districts will remains in effect until this evening.

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President’s Secretary orders urgent probe into salinity barrier’s role in Matara flooding

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A special discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat, led by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake the Secretary to the President, and attended by officials from the Irrigation Department, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and related Ministries.

The meeting was held yesterday (08)  focusing on determining if the Salinity Barrier is indeed contributing to the floods leading to agricultural damage, according to President’s Media  Division (PMD).

It was decided that a thorough study is necessary to address these concerns and that the Engineering Department of the University of Peradeniya will assist in this investigation. The Secretary to the President supported this proposal and directed the officials to create an action plan based on the findings from the study.

Additionally, officials reported that saltwater intrusion has adversely affected livelihoods, with many residents losing farmland. The Secretary highlighted that restoring normal conditions is both a government and official responsibility and directed further action to address flooding in the Matara area, the PMD stated.

Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed officials to prepare a proposal based on a study by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Peradeniya. The solutions derived from this report will guide the second phase of the project, with necessary funding requests to be submitted.

He also emphasized the importance of implementing a structured flood management plan for the Matara district and directed the coordination between the Irrigation Department and Water Supply and Drainage Board to establish a sustainable flood management plan in Matara, said the PMD.

The Secretary noted that there have been complaints from residents by the river banks regarding the adverse effects of the salinity barrier, which has led to the loss of farmland and livelihoods along the Nilwala River. He stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to address this issue urgently and to restore normalcy. Additionally, he directed officials to continue working towards solving the flooding issue in the Matara region.

–PMD–

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Sri Lanka to face New Zealand in first T20 at Dambulla Tonight

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The first of the two-match T20 series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand takes place tonight at Dambulla, starting at 7 p.m. 

The Blackcaps hold a slight advantage in their head-to-head, winning 5 out of 10 past T20 encounters. 

This marks the teams’ first T20 match at Dambulla, with New Zealand arriving after a 3-0 Test victory over India but fielding a younger T20 lineup. 

The last series between the sides, in 2019, saw New Zealand win 2-1 in Pallekele.

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