News

NPP launches independent election monitoring centre

Published

9 months ago

July 26, 2024

editor

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) of the Parliamentary Opposition is to launch an independent election monitoring centre, named the NPP Election Monitoring Centre, today (26).

The centre will be headed by retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Gamini Navaratne, who previously oversaw election affairs for the Police Department.

During a press conference on July 25, Ravi Seneviratne, a former SDIG and current Chief of the NPP’s Retired Police Collective, announced that the centre will operate independently despite its establishment by the NPP.

The centre aims to monitor election-related misconduct across all 25 districts, with assistance from retired officers of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service and former Senior Inspectors of Police who are affiliated with the NPP’s Retired Police Collective.

The centre’s activities will include surveillance and intervention in necessary legal procedures to safeguard free and peaceful voting rights.

Seneviratne raised concerns over potential misuse of Police officers in election campaigns and alleged plans by the government to award Justice of the Peace positions to selected Police officers during the election period, which he warned could lead to partiality and misuse of authority.

News

President AKD to be chief guest at UN Day of Vesak in Ho Chi Minh

Published

14 minutes ago

May 2, 2025

editor

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka is to be the chief guest at the United Nations Day of Vesak ceremony being held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam at which he will deliver the keynote address, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.

President Disanayake is to undertake a State Visit to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam from May 04 – 06 at the invitation of the President of Viet Nam Luong Cuong. He will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism – Vijitha Herath and senior government officials.

There, he is to hold official discussions with the President and Prime Minister of Viet Nam and also meet with senior dignitaries including the General Secretary of the Communist Party.

The two sides are also expected to conclude several Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements during the state visit, and engagement with the business community is envisaged.

The visit to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is expected to further consolidate the strong ties between the two countries, as they mark 55 years of diplomatic relations this year.

News

May Day rally buses spotted taking lunch breaks on highway! (Video)

Published

28 minutes ago

May 2, 2025

editor

Buses carrying supporters to the NPP’s May Day rally in Galle Face Colombo were spotted while making a pitstop on an expressway, with passengers having lunch by the roadside.

Videos depicting this have been making rounds on social media, raising safety concerns, as stopping in the middle of expressways pose significant risks.

Police vehicles were also spotted amid these stopped vehicles.

News

Speaker endorses certificate on Proceeds of Crime Bill

Published

37 minutes ago

May 2, 2025

editor

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certificate on the Proceeds of Crime Bill, on April 30 in Parliament.

The debate on the Second Reading of the Proceeds of Crime Bill was held on April 08, 2025, and following the Second Reading debate, the Bill was considered at the Committee Stage. Thereafter, the Bill was passed in Parliament without a division and without amendments, following the Third Reading.

This Bill was presented to Parliament for the First Reading on March 01, 2025.Accordingly, this Bill shall come into force as the Proceeds of Crime Act, No. 05 of 2025.