Category: Elections
‘Defining the Vision’ – Debate Hosted by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that at its invitation, the four main Presidential candidates have nominated their leading economic policy experts to participate in a debate presenting each party’s economic policies and pledges ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election, on 29th August at the BMICH. Hon. Shehan Semasighe representing the President […]
“Chanda Salli Meetare”: First-Ever Campaign Finance Observation Tool Unveiled
For the first time in Sri Lanka, six prominent Election Observation Organizations, namely, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV), Hashtag Generation, and the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) have established a Campaign […]
Presidential Election to be held on September 21
The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has issued the Gazette notification announcing the date of the 2024 Presidential Election and the date for accepting nominations. Accordingly, according to the Gazette notification, the Presidential Election will be held on 21 September 2024 and Nominations will be accepted on 15 August 2024.
Online Safety Act: Transparency International Sri Lanka demands corrective action
Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) expressed its strong disapproval regarding the Sri Lankan government’s passage of the Online Safety Act, despite it lacking crucial amendments mandated by the Supreme Court. “We are appalled by the outrageous conduct of the Government, Parliament, Attorney General and the Speaker in signing off on a version of the Online […]
March 12 Movement Denounces Online Safety Bill Passage, Citing Constitutional Concerns
The March 12 Movement, a civic activist group in Sri Lanka, has strongly denounced the passage of the Online Safety Bill on January 24th, 2024, which they claim was done in an unlawful manner. The group reiterates that the Online Safety Bill poses a grave threat to the fundamental rights and democratic principles enshrined in […]
Opinion: Sri Lanka’s Proposed Internet Law Threatens Upcoming Elections
By Meenakshi Ganguly: A repressive new internet law that Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is trying to rush through parliament this week would create broad and vague new speech-related offenses punishable by lengthy prison terms. The law would seriously threaten the right to freedom of expression as Sri Lanka prepares for parliamentary and presidential elections […]
PAFFREL urges Election Commissioner to probe misuse of state vehicles
Sep 07, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s election watchdog PAFFREL has urged Election Commissioner to probe alleged misuse of state vehicles by ministers and other politicians at the recently concluded general election.In a letter to the Election Department, the election monitoring organization has called the commissioner to take action against offenders. PAFFREL has also requested […]
Audits of campaign financing needed in Sri Lanka Elections: Commissioner
23 Aug, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka should amend election laws so that campaign funding of political parties is transparent and audited, says Mahinda Deshapriya, the island’s elections commissioner.“In future, political parties and candidates must be made to declare how much money they spend on election related activities, while there should be an audit of […]
EU monitors say poll well-administered, some rules restrictive
Aug 19, 2015 (LBO) – European Union election monitors said on Wednesday the parliamentary election in Sri Lanka was well-administered and offered voters a genuine choice from among a broad range of political alternatives.“On top of the positive legal changes, these have been the most peaceful elections in Sri Lanka in a long time,” Ignazio […]
UN Secretary General applauds the people of Sri Lanka for peaceful elections
Aug 19, 2015 (LBO) – The UN Secretary-General Ban ki moon has applauded the people of Sri Lanka for the peaceful and broad-based participation in the parliamentary elections of 17 August.In a statement, he commended the President for having shepherded an inclusive process and the Election Commissioner for his exemplary efforts in helping guarantee the […]
Sri Lanka Elections 2015 *** LIVE Commentary ***
Live Updates (highlights): Three Cabinet Ministers took oath before the President. Mangala Samaraweera as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as Minister of Justice and D. M. Swaminathan as Minister of Rehabilitation. Three contenders for position of Finance Minister with Eran, Harsha and Ravi putting their hands up. Decision would be made today (12.12 […]
Sri Lanka Business Chamber praises poll, congratulates UNF
Aug 18, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lankans should calmly accept the final outcome of the election and demonstrate respect towards democratic ideals, the top business chamber said, praising its conduct as free and fair. “We sincerely hope that the winners as well as losers will accept the final outcome of this election, in a peaceful […]