(Updated at 11.00am) : Several leading contenders in the 2024 Presidential Election have cast their votes today (Sep. 21).
Independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe cast his vote at the College House polling center at the Colombo University.
Meanwhile, Presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna – Namal Rajapaksa had cast his vote at the Medamulana D.A Rajapaksa Vidyalaya.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate – Sajith Premadasa, cast his vote at the Sri Vivekaramaya Viharaya polling station in Rajagiriya.
Sarvajana Balaya” presidential candidate – Dilith Jayaweera had also cast his vote at the Sri Chandraramaya Viharaya polling station in Mirihana.
National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake has cast his vote at the polling station set up at the Saykoji Montessori in Panchikawatte.
Photos of Namal Rajapaksa and Dilith Jayaweera voting had been published in their respective Facebook pages.
However, in a media release issued on Sep. 19, the Election Commission had stated that photographing or filming polling stations and marked ballot papers and sharing them on social media platforms constitutes a violation of election laws.
The Chinese embassy in Colombo reached another step in providing scholarships for children from low-income families.
Accordingly, Chinese Ambassador Scholarships for 100 students at the Badulla Keppitipola Maha Vidyalaya (National School) was handed over on Nov. 01, with the embassy pledging Rs. 2.5 million for the cause.
Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador – Mr. Qi Zhenhong said that the scholarship programme, which began in 2016, is now active in over 20 schools across Sri Lanka.
Noting that China donated 70% of the required school uniform material for Sri Lankan students in 2023, and 80% in 2024, the ambassador said that they hope to provide the full requirement of school uniform materiel for the 2025 academic year.
“In the 2025 academic year, we will donate 100% of the fabric for school uniforms, totaling 11.82 million meters, worth approximately 5.2 billion rupees, which will be shipped to Colombo in three batches before the end of this year,” he said.
The ambassador added : “In addition, the Chinese government, local governments, and non-governmental organizations have donated schoolbags, stationery, and other learning materials to thousands of students in remote areas, and plan to build 900 smart classrooms in 500 schools across Sri Lanka in the next few years, benefiting over 1 million students.”
Ambassador Qi expressed that China is not only a true friend but also a reliable partner of Sri Lanka, which is moving towards a new era under the strong leadership of current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Embassy staff, Uva Province Education officials as well as students, staff and alumni of the school attended the event.
Shashi Prabha Ratwatte, the wife of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, has been arrested and remanded after appearing before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court.
She was arrested over the discovery of an unregistered car found at her house in Mirihana.
The Nugegoda Magistrate has ordered her to be held in remand custody until Nov. 07.
Her husband, Lohan Ratwatte, too is currently remanded.