Fundamental rights of citizens are being violated as residents of Colombo Port City remain unable to cast their ballots in local council elections, warned MP S.M. Marikkar, Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.

During a recent meeting with officials, Marikkar pointed out that while Port City residents are registered under the Colombo District, they cannot vote in local council elections. 

“If there is a presidential or parliamentary election, they can cast their ballots under Colombo District. But in a local council election, they have no place to vote. This is a violation of their fundamental rights,” he said, adding that a separate local council may need to be created specifically for Port City.

Officials, however, noted that a 2019 Gazette issued by the Minister of Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government had already included Port City land as part of the Colombo Administrative District under Section 3 of the Administrative Districts Act No. 22 of 1995. 

They argued that this addresses concerns regarding district‑level representation.

Marikkar countered that while the Gazette ensures inclusion for islandwide and district elections, it does not resolve the issue of local authority representation. 

He cautioned that if the matter is taken to court, it could delay the Port City project. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has stressed the urgent need for legal reforms to ensure a minimum of 33% women’s representation in Provincial Council and Local Government elections.

At a caucus meeting held in Parliament under the chairmanship of Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savitri Paulraj, members discussed proposals to be submitted to the Special Parliamentary Committee tasked with reviewing women and youth representation in Provincial Council elections and determining the electoral system under which they should be conducted.

The caucus emphasized the importance of introducing legal provisions to guarantee women’s representation both in nomination lists and among elected members, with discussions also planned with the Election Commission to advance these proposals.

Options under consideration include ensuring representation through nomination list requirements, mandatory seat allocation, or a mixed electoral system.

Members also highlighted challenges such as prevailing social attitudes, high election expenses, and the need for political party cooperation in raising women’s participation. 

The caucus underscored the importance of public awareness programs to promote women’s political engagement. (Newswire)

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Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today (10) that the funds allocated for the Provincial Council elections have not been diverted for disaster relief purposes.

Addressing the house, she said that all financial assistance provided by donors for disaster‑affected communities and for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure has been safely deposited in a special account maintained under the supervision of the Deputy Treasury Secretary.

The Prime Minister emphasized that these funds are earmarked for projects identified according to national priorities and needs, and will be utilized with transparency and efficiency.

She noted that the projects primarily focus on providing relief to disaster‑affected people, restoring livelihoods, and rebuilding damaged public infrastructure and essential services. 

PM Amarasuriya added that the management and use of all funds are conducted with the highest transparency, accountability, and in line with good governance principles. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to repeal legal provisions requiring voters to be marked with indelible ink during elections, a practice in place since 2004.

Under current election laws, voters are mandated to confirm their identity with a valid identity card and be marked with indelible ink before casting their ballot. Both measures were introduced to prevent multiple voting by a single individual.

However, authorities have observed that applying two separate procedures for the same purpose has led to inefficiencies at polling stations and unnecessary costs for the government. 

As a result, the Cabinet has approved the President’s proposal to remove the ink‑marking requirement from all election laws.

The provisions to be repealed include:

• Presidential Elections Act No. 15 of 1981, Section 36
• Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981, Section 138
• Provincial Councils Elections Act No. 2 of 1988, Section 36
• Local Authorities Elections Ordinance (Chapter 262), Section 53A
• Referendum Act No. 7 of 1981, Section 21. (Newswire)

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A senior minister from India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu has lost his seat by a margin of just one vote, underlining the razor-thin nature of electoral contests in the world’s largest democracy.

K R Periyakaruppan, a veteran leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), was defeated in the Tiruppattur constituency during the 2026 state assembly elections, according to official results reported by Indian media.

The extraordinarily narrow margin is among the closest ever recorded in Indian electoral history, where victories are often decided by thousands, and sometimes tens of thousands, of votes.

Election officials typically conduct mandatory recounts in such tight races to ensure accuracy. While there was no immediate indication of irregularities, results with margins this small are often subject to heightened scrutiny.

The outcome has sparked widespread discussion across India, with many pointing to the result as a reminder of the importance of voter participation.

Tamil Nadu, one of India’s most politically active states, saw high voter turnout in this election, with several closely fought constituencies reflecting an intensely competitive political landscape.

Analysts say the result in Tiruppattur highlights how even a single vote can determine political careers, and, potentially, the direction of governance.

The DMK, one of the state’s dominant political parties, has not yet issued a detailed response to the defeat.

For many observers, the result serves as a powerful illustration of a fundamental democratic principle: every vote counts. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa extended congratulations to Indian actor‑turned‑politician C. Joseph Vijay, calling his victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026 a “resounding” one.

In a post on ‘X’, Namal wished Vijay and his team the strength to overcome challenges and deliver tangible benefits to the people.

He also expressed hope for a stronger and more positive relationship between Sri Lanka and India, particularly on issues affecting citizens of both nations.

“My very best wishes to you and your team,” Namal added, tagging Vijay’s official account.

The congratulatory message follows Vijay’s electoral success, with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerging as the largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026. (Newswire)

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On Saturday, voters across the Maldives will cast up to three ballots in the most complex election day since the introduction of multiparty democracy in 2008. They will choose who governs their municipal affairs for the next five years, directly elect Women’s Development Committee presidents for the first time, and vote on a constitutional amendment that could permanently reshape how the country holds national elections.

What is on the ballot?

Local council elections.

Island and city council members for a five-year term. Council sizes depend on population: three members for islands with fewer than 2,000 registered residents, five for larger islands. This year’s councils will be the first to operate without elected atoll councils above them. Last year, the ruling party’s supermajority in parliament amended the Decentralisation Act to abolish atoll councils effective May 27. Island councils will answer directly to the Local Government Authority.

Women’s Development Committee elections

WDC presidents were previously chosen from among committee members. For the first time, all island residents – men and women – will directly elect WDC presidents, who will serve in a full-time, paid capacity. Island councils must allocate at least five percent of their block grant to the WDC.

Constitutional referendum

A single yes-or-no question on the eighth amendment to the constitution. If approved, presidential and parliamentary elections would be held concurrently from 2028, and the current parliament’s term would end on December 1, 2028 – about five months earlier than its scheduled dissolution in May 2029. If rejected, the amendment is void.

A voter on a small island will cast seven individual votes across the three ballot papers. A voter on a larger island will cast 11. A city ward voter will cast five.

The 33 percent gender quota reserves a third of all elected council seats for women. Every councillor elected on Saturday will also be subject to the Anti-Defection Law and a parallel provision in the Decentralisation Act. Voluntarily leaving the party under whose ticket they were elected will trigger automatic loss of their seat and a by-election. (Maldives Independent)

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Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended his congratulations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, following their landslide victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections. 

“Best wishes to the people of Bangladesh for reaffirming their faith in democracy, and congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading the BNP in these elections. The results reflect the trust placed in him. I look forward to strengthening ties between our two nations,” President Dissanayake said, in a post on ‘X’.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a landslide parliamentary election on Friday, securing a resounding mandate in a pivotal vote that is expected to restore political stability in the South Asian nation.

The parliamentary election held on Thursday was Bangladesh’s first vote since the 2024 Gen Z-driven uprising that toppled long‑time premier Sheikh Hasina.

Opinion polls had given BNP an edge, and the party lived up to the forecasts, with the coalition it dominates winning 209 seats to secure an overwhelming two-thirds majority in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation, Jamuna TV showed.

Soon after it won a majority in the overnight vote-count, the party thanked and congratulated the people and called for special prayers on Friday for the welfare of the country and its people. (Newswire)

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All arrangements have been finalized for the selection meeting to appoint a new Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, scheduled for tomorrow (07).

It is reported that the election will take place at the Senkadagala Buddhist Hall, under the leadership of the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs.

The following candidates have been officially announced:

• Pradeep Nilanga Dela – Current Acting Diyawadana Nilame
• Daminda Bandara Udurawana – Chief Custodian of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya and Pasgama Sri Natha Devalaya
• A.W.S. Bandaranayake – Chief Custodian of the Natha Devalaya and Embekke Sri Kataragama Devalaya
• Prof. Tilak Subasinghe – Department of Business Finance, Faculty of Management, University of Peradeniya
• Gamini Kaluhendiwala – Science graduate, University of Peradeniya
• Roshan Priyadarshana – Businessman and Chief Custodian of Badulla Sonuththara Raja Maha Viharaya and Sathara Maha Devalaya
• Nanda Madugalle – Retired Army Colonel

The newly appointed Nilame will hold office until 2035, in accordance with the Temple and Devalagam Ordinance.

According to the Department of Buddhist Affairs, 267 individuals are eligible to vote in this selection process, including members of the Maha Sangha.

Eligible voters include 157 clergy and lay custodians from royal temples within the former Kandyan Kingdom, 71 Divisional Secretaries from the region, and 29 Chief Custodians of devalayas gazetted under the Temple and Devalagam Ordinance.

Although 31 devalayas are entitled to vote, candidates Daminda Bandara Udurawana and A.W.S. Bandaranayake each hold custodianship of two devalayas, and may vote representing only one, limiting the total number of custodian votes to 29.

Entry to the meeting hall is restricted to official candidates and eligible voters. Any candidate whose nomination is not formally validated will not be permitted to remain inside the hall.

Since the Kandyan Kingdom came under British rule, 19 individuals have served as Diyawadana Nilame. (Newswire)

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About 700 people have been killed during three days of election protests in Tanzania, the main opposition party has said.

Protests erupted on election day on Wednesday over what demonstrators said was the stifling of the opposition after the exclusion of key candidates from the presidential ballot.

John Kitoka, a spokesperson for the Chadema opposition party, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that hundreds of people had been killedsince then.

“As we speak, the figure for deaths in Dar [es Salaam] is around 350 and for Mwanza it is 200-plus. Added to figures from other places around the country, the overall figure is around 700,” he said.

He added that the toll could be much higher because killings could be happening during a night-time curfew that was imposed from Wednesday.

A security source told AFP there had been reports of more than 500 dead, “maybe 700-800 in the whole country”.

Amnesty International said it had received information that at least 100 people had been killed.

Kitoka said Chadema’s numbers had been gathered by a network of party members going to hospitals and health clinics and “counting dead bodies”.

He demanded that the government “stop killing our protesters” and called for a transitional government to pave the way for free and fair elections. “Stop police brutality. Respect the will of the people which is electoral justice,” Kitoka said.

The Guardian has approached the government for comment.

Tanzanians went to the polls on Wednesday in an election in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was expected to strengthen her grip on the country amid rapidly intensifying repression and the exclusion of key opponents from the presidential contest.

In April, Tundu Lissu, the vice-chair of Chadema, was arrested and charged with treason and cybercrime offences. His party, which had led calls for a boycott of the election unless electoral systems were reformed, was later disqualified from participating.

Last month, Luhaga Mpina, the leader of ACT-Wazalendo, another opposition party, was also disqualified, meaning Hassan will contest only lesser-known opponents from minor parties.

Government critics were also abducted and arrested in the run-up to the election.

Since Wednesday, huge crowds of protesters have attacked police and destroyed property belonging to businesses connected to the ruling party.

The demonstrations were focused mainly in the port city of Dar es Salaam but have since spread across the country.

The government reacted by imposing a curfew. Internet disruption was also reported, with the global monitor NetBlocks saying it was countrywide.

On Thursday, the army chief, Gen Jacob John Mkunda, condemned the violenceand called the protesters “criminals”. He said security forces would try to contain the situation.

Demonstrators on Friday faced a heavy police and military presence.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said it was “alarmed” by the deaths and injuries in the protests, noting it had received reports that at least 10 people had been killed by security forces.

The OHCHR said it had received credible reports of deaths in Dar es Salaam, in Shinyanga in the north-west and Morogoro in the east, with security forces firing live ammunition and teargas to disperse protesters.

An OHCHR spokesperson, Seif Magango, said the office had urged security forces to refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force and for protesters to demonstrate peacefully.

Tito Magoti, a human rights lawyer, said it was “unjustified” for security agencies to use force, adding that the country’s president “must refrain from deploying the police against the people”.

He said: “She must listen to the people. The mood of the country is that there was no election … We cannot vote for one candidate.” (The Guardian/ AFP)

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath says the provincial council elections will be held next year.

Addressing the Parliament today, Minister Herath said a decision on the election will be taken following the conclusion of the delimitation process.

“Parliament has a duty regarding the delimitation process. Once it is processed, it will be concluded. There will be a provincial council election next year. Following a discussion on the delimitation process and what system should be followed. Whether, can we go to the previous system or the new system? The Parliament can decide this,” the minister said. 

Minister Vijitha Herath made the remarks in response to questions raised on the Provincial Elections by opposition MPs in Parliament today. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a committee to study particulars relevant to amending and formulating laws to enable Sri Lankans living overseas to vote in elections. 

As per the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the right to vote is reserved only for citizens living within Sri Lanka and who have registered their names in the electoral register as per the elections law. 

According to the current election law, there is no provision to secure any method to allow citizens living overseas to vote, nor has a law been formulated in this regard. 

Many Asian countries, such as India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, have formulated legal strategies to enable their citizens overseas to cast votes, and it has been recognized as a timely requirement to amend such laws for Sri Lanka as well. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved taking actions by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments to appoint a committee to study particulars relevant to amending laws and formulation of new laws to safeguard voting rights of citizens overseas. 

The committee will comprise officials in the Elections Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments, as well as other Ministries and institutions. (Newswire)

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Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, says the government hopes to conduct the Provincial Council Elections in the first six months of next year.

Addressing the media, Minister Rathnayake said that the Presidential Election was held in November 2024 and the Local Council Election was held this year.

He said, as such, the government hopes to hold the Provincial Council Elections within the first 06 months of 2026.

Pointing out that there were some legal obstacles in this regard, Minister Rathnayake said that the government is confident these can be resolved. 

Minister Rathnayake further said that the government intends to hold the Provincial Council Election before bringing forth a Constitutional Amendment.

“We hope to conduct the Provincial Council Election after which we will decide on implementing a comprehensive political plan for a Constitutional Amendment,” he added. (Newswire)

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The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports has granted its approval to the regulations, prepared under the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, National Sports Associations Regulations, which are scheduled to be taken up for debate in the upcoming Parliamentary week.

The approval was granted when the Committee met in Parliament recently (07), chaired by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, which was attended by Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, and Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne.

During the meeting, Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage pointed out that these new regulations have been prepared to avoid shortcomings and issues that existed in the regulations previously prepared under the Sports Law, and that they have been formulated with the overall aim of developing all sports associations and the advancement of sports in general.

Accordingly, the maximum period for which the positions of President, Secretary, and Treasurer of a sports federation can be held has been limited to 8 years. It has also been stipulated that elections should be held once every two years, with this period being determined in consideration of the standards adopted by international federations. 

Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage further stated that there had previously been allegations regarding misconduct committed by holding positions in sports federations for extended periods, and that this measure would put an end to such situations.

Furthermore, provisions have been included through these regulations to ensure that at least two women are given the opportunity to participate in federations relating to women’s sports. 

The Chairman of the Committee further stated that these regulations would create a new sports culture and that all parties involved in sports have expressed positive responses to these new regulations.

During this meeting, Members of Parliament drew the Committee’s attention to existing issues related to youth affairs and sports activities. Accordingly, relevant officials were instructed to provide necessary solutions to these matters. (Newswire)

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Election monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), says the Provincial Council elections, which have been delayed for a long time, must now be conducted promptly.

Issuing a statement, PAFFREL stated that the term of the current Provincial Councils ended on September 20, 2014, and it has been 11 years since then. 

According to the law, Provincial Council elections should be held every six years, but due to various reasons, this has not been implemented. Despite repeated requests from the public, the necessary legal and administrative steps to hold the elections have not been taken.

As such, PAFFREL points out that the delay in conducting the elections has raised concerns among the public and civil society organizations. 

They argue that further postponement would undermine democratic principles and the rule of law. Legal experts have pointed out that the failure to hold elections violates constitutional provisions and democratic norms.

Stating that if the Provincial Council Act or the Provincial Council Elections Act is amended, it could further delay the process, PAFFREL said; however, the primary focus should be on fulfilling the legal requirements to conduct the elections without further delay.

In the meantime, civil society groups and activists have intensified their campaigns, urging the government to take immediate action. They emphasize that holding the elections is essential to ensure public representation and uphold democratic governance. (Newswire)

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The election to appoint a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, scheduled to take place today (15), was postponed for a second time without a set date by Western Province Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara.

The postponement was due to the lack of a required quorum in the council necessary to conduct the vote.

A previous attempt on June 17 had also failed for the same reason, resulting in rescheduling the vote to today.

Accordingly, the second vote to elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman began at 9:30 am at the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

During the proceedings, a discussion arose over whether the election should be conducted as a secret ballot or an open vote. One party proposed an open vote, while another suggested a secret ballot.

As two proposals were submitted, the election was conducted by secret ballot. The vote to appoint a Chairman was held first. Out of the votes cast, 23 were in favour of an open ballot, while 24 supported a secret ballot.

At that point, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members stated that they would walk out of the council in protest of the decision to proceed with a secret ballot, citing the presence of council members as a justification for an open vote.

Following the walkout, the number of remaining members fell short of the quorum required. Consequently, the Commissioner postponed the council for 10 minutes.

After reconvening, the council still lacked the necessary quorum to proceed with the vote, leading the Commissioner to indefinitely postpone the election once again. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prabha Ruwan Senarath, says a decision on holding the Provincial Council elections is scheduled to be made in the first quarter of next year due to unresolved legal and technical issues, such as the delimitation process.

The Deputy Minister stated that elections will not be held until these challenges are adequately addressed and the local government legal framework is stabilized.

The Deputy Minister made the remarks referring to the uproar that arose when former Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faizer Musthapha tabled a delimitation report for the holding of the Provincial Council elections and later rejected it.

As a result, the government is now considering returning to the old electoral system and delimiting provincial councils.

However, Deputy Minister Senarath emphasises that the election will be held only after the local government structure is strengthened and empowered to manage public services more effectively at the grassroots level.

“The government expects to revisit the issue of provincial council elections in January 2026. By then, it is hoped that the legal, administrative, and delimitation-related shortcomings will have been resolved. We need to ensure that all these legal issues are resolved before we go to the provincial council elections next year. Preliminary discussions have begun. Many other issues need to be resolved before the election can be held,” he added. (Newswire)

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The government’s National People’s Power (NPP) has received 4,503,930 votes (43.26%) in the 2025 Local Government Elections, securing 3927 seats across Sri Lanka. 

According to the official results, the NPP is leading in 266 local councils, which include 23 Municipal Councils, 26 Urban Councils, and 217 Pradeshiya Sabhas.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) follows with 2,258,480 votes (21.69%), securing 1767 seats. The party is leading in 13 local councils, which include 02 Urban Councils and 11 Pradeshiya Sabhas. 

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has received 954,517 votes (9.17%), securing 742 seats in the election, but has failed to lead any local council.

The United National Party (UNP) has secured 381 seats by obtaining 488,406 votes (4.69%), but has also failed to lead any local council. 

The Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) has received 307,657 votes (2.96%), securing 377 seats. The party is leading in 37 councils, which include 03 Municipal Councils, 01 Urban Council, and 33 Pradeshiya Sabhas. 

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has secured 116 seats, leading in 05 local councils, which include 02 Urban Councils and 03 Pradeshiya Sabhas, while the People’s Alliance has secured 300 seats and the Sarvajana Balaya has secured  226 seats. (Newswire)

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JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said the National People’s Power (NPP) government has been given a mandate to continue its national reform programme free of corruption.

“The NPP has achieved a clear and leading victory as a single party. This is special,” Silva said. He said the NPP is willing to join forces with independent groups to establish authorities, but will not be forming alliances with other political parties which have been rejected by voters. “As the leading party, we have the right to govern,” Silva added. 

He said the public had reaffirmed its confidence in the NPP, noting the party’s gains in the 2025 local government election.

“The NPP has won a large number of local authorities across the country,” Silva said at a media briefing, as final results were pending. 

“We are ready to improve where needed and continue with our programme,” he said, thanking the voters for their faith in the NPP. 

The NPP secured more votes in the 2025 local government election than in 2018, when the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) dominated the polls, he said. (Newswire)

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The National People’s Power (NPP) has won 48 seats in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), but has failed to secure a clear majority. 

According to the results for the CMC in the Local Government Elections, the other parties have collectively secured 69 seats.

Among them, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has won 29 seats and the United National Party (UNP) has secured 13 seats.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has won 05 seats, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) 04 seats, and the Sarvajana Balaya 02 seats. (Newswire)

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