The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has expressed serious concerns over recent decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers, some of which are perceived as clear endorsements of a candidate. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake stated that the Commission has no authority to halt any decisions made by the Cabinet.

“However, the Commission has shared its apprehensions regarding recent approvals given by the Cabinet, recommending the deferral of certain decisions. For instance, the approval of a special monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to pensioners, effective from September, was one such matter. The Commission urged the government to implement it after October,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers has faced criticism for appearing increasingly subservient to proposals put forward by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, which election monitors claim promote a specific candidate.

Commenting on the matter, Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) Manjula Gajanayake condemned the recent Cabinet approvals, deeming them acts that promote one candidate.

For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government is to establish a mechanism to supervise and advice ministries in the implementation of policies, a source said.

A tense situation was reported at the UNP party headquarters in Sirikotha when a group of UNP supporters arrived to hand over a document on reviving the party.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva said today that an NPP MP has told him that the Parliament canteen will not be closed but the government will see that no one will abuse the facility.

Two fishermen were seriously injured and hospitalised after a parcel floating on the sea exploded while they were checking it off the coast of Mannar.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Examinations Department have initiated a joint programme to mitigate potential disasters during the 2024 Advanced Level examinations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka today. Following are 11 key points from the President’s Government Policy Statement;

Speaker Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala informed Parliament that nomination of Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been accepted as the Opposition Leader of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader's seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move.

National People's Power (NPP) Gampaha MP Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala was elected as the Speaker of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka a short while ago. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya proposed his name, and the nomination was confirmed by Vijitha Herath.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake adjourned the Sri Lankan Parliament until 9:30 a.m. on December 3. The adjournment followed the President’s delivery of the government’s policy statement during the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament earlier today.