News

Majority of population feels economic conditions ‘getting better’ – Verité Research

Published

3 weeks ago

February 24, 2025

editor

For the first time since the economic crisis, a majority of the population (55%) feels that economic conditions in Sri Lanka are “getting better”, according to the latest round of the Gallup style ‘Mood of the Nation’ poll conducted by Verité Research.

The government’s approval rating too rose sharply after the election, from 24% in July 2024 to 62% in February 2025. Poll says that 47% still feel that the economy, as a whole, is in a “poor condition.” This is down from the 71% who thought that way in July 2024.

Overall, from July 2024 to February 2025, the percentage of people who disapprove of the government declined from 60% to 16% (44-point reduction), and the percentage of people who think the economy is getting worse declined from 65% to 14% (51-point reduction). In response to the question, “Do you approve or disapprove of the way the current government is working?” 62% said they “approve,” more than double the previous round’s 24%. Only 16% said they “disapprove,” in contrast to 60% who disapproved previously.

In response to the question, “Do you think that the economic conditions in the country as a whole are getting better or getting worse?”, 55% said “getting better”, compared to 30% in July 2024. Only 14% said “getting worse”, a sharp drop from the previous 65%. When asked to rate the current economic conditions in the country as “excellent,” “good,” or “poor,” 35% rated them as either “good” or “excellent”, up from 28% in July 2024.

This regularly conducted poll is part of the Syndicated Surveys instrument of Verité Research. The polling partner was Vanguard Survey (Pvt) Ltd. This instrument also allows other organisations to survey the sentiments of Sri Lankans. The latest poll was based on a nationally representative multi-stage randomized sample of 1,050 Sri Lankan adults from separate households, and was carried out from 31 January to 5 February 2025.

This survey was designed to have a maximum sampling error margin of ±3.0% at a 95% confidence level. Error margins can be further affected by lapses that could arise in the implementation process.

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

News

Boossa Prison jailor remanded over ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder

Published

1 hour ago

March 17, 2025

editor

A Jailor at the Boossa Prison, who had brought underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne also known as “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” to court on the day he was killed inside the Hulftsdorp court premises, has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

Subsequently, he has been ordered to be remanded until March 21, after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, Ada Derana reporter said.

Presenting the suspect to the court, the Colombo Crimes Division officials have stated that the murdered suspect, “Ganemulla Sanjeewa”, had been brought to court by the arrested Jailer on the day of the assassination.

Police informed the court that investigations are underway to determine whether the crime was committed due to the Jailor’s dereliction of duty.

Police also pointed out to the court that investigations have revealed that the suspected prison officer had not taken any steps to arrest the individual who shot at “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” within the court premises and fled.

During the trial, police also requested permission to obtain a record of the suspect’s mobile phone calls for further investigations.

The court granted permission for the requests and ordered the suspect to be remanded until March 21.

(adaderana.lk)

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