Academic activities of 11 students of the Sabaragamuwa University have been suspended over the recent death of a student allegedly due to ragging, police said.

The suspended students include the 04 third year students arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on Sunday (May 04), reports say.

Meanwhile, 04 more students of the university were handed over to the CID for questioning after surrendering to the Samanalawewa Police, reports add.

The Department of Meteorology says that several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Central, Uva, North-Central, and Eastern provinces and in the Hambantota district after 1.00 p.m today (May 06).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere on the island during the afternoon or night.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Central and Uva provinces and in the Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.

The 2025 Local Government Elections officially commenced at 7:00 a.m. today (06), marking a significant milestone in the country’s democratic process following a seven-year hiatus. 

(Previous news 2025 May 06 – 7.15.a.m.)

All set for Local Government Elections today

Sri Lanka’s 2025 Local Government (LG) elections are underway today, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. across 13,759 voting centers. 

A record 17.1 million voters are registered to elect representatives to 339 local councils in what analysts describe as a key test of public sentiment.  

Key Election Details
Voter Eligibility: Based on the certified 2024 electoral register (updated February 1, 2025)  
Highest Voter Concentration: Gampaha District  
Postal Voting: 648,495 postal votes cast April 24-29 by state sector employees, security forces, and other eligible groups  
Spending Limits: Campaign caps range from Rs. 74 (Mannar) to Rs. 160 (Lahugala) per voter  

Voting Process 
Voters must present one of “10 approved IDs”, including NIC, passport, or driving license. 

1. National Identity Card (Old or New NIC) issued by the Department for Registration of Person
2. Valid Passport
3. Valid Driving License
4. Government Pensioner’s Identity Card issued by the Department of Pensions 
5. Elders’ Identity Card issued by the Divisional Secretariat 
6. Identity Card issued for the clergy by the Department for Registration of Person
7. Letter issued by the Department for Registration of Person confirming he peculiars of the National Identity Card
8. Temporary Identity Card issued by the Election Commission 
9. Temporary Identity Card issued by the Election Commission for persons with disabilities
10. Temporary License Card with a photograph issued by the Department of Motor Traffic

Ballot papers display only party symbols and independent group numbers—no candidate names. Voters mark a single “X” beside their preferred party/group.  

No polling card? Voters can still cast ballots with proper ID.  

Security & Monitoring  
65,000 police officers deployed nationwide  
3,000 PAFFREL observers monitoring for fairness  
Strict anti-fraud measures, including indelible ink on fingers  

Special Arrangements 
Leave for voters: Employers must grant paid leave based on travel distance (½ to 2 days)  
Closures: Schools, some universities, and select government offices (e.g., DMT, Immigration) shut today