National People's Power (NPP) - 29,076 (78.99%)

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) - 3340 (9.7%)

National democratic Front (NDF) - 1913 (5.2%)

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) - 1160 (3.15%)

Ratnaputa District - Postal vote

• National People's Power (NPP) - 24,776 (79.4%)
• Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) - 2969 (9.51%)
• National Democratic Front (NDF) - 1528 (4.9%)
• Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) - 1031 (3.3%)

The initial result of the 2024 General Election was released a short while ago, showing a sweeping victory for the National People’s Power (NPP) in Galle District's postal votes.

• NPP: 32,296 votes (79.08%)
• Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB): 3,523 votes (8.63%)
• National Democratic Front (NDF): 1,964 votes (4.81%)
• SLPP: 1,846 votes (4.52%)

A complaint has been filed with the Election Commission regarding the performance of ‘Garu Katanayakathumani’, a political comedy stage play created by Udesiri Wickramaratne, during the election silent period.

This complaint was submitted by an independent candidate, requesting that the play be suspended from the start of the election silence period on 11 until the end of voting day.

The complaint claims that the play portrays various politicians, using different names and performances that could potentially evoke associations with real political figures.

A brawl erupted between supporters of former minister Rishad Bathiudeen and former state minister Kader Masthan in Vavuniya's Pattanchichur area last night (11 November), leaving two people injured.

The Vavuniya Police reported that the clash broke out following a campaign rally for former state minister Kader Masthan in Pattanchichur, which coincided with a scheduled campaign meeting for former minister Rishad Bathiudeen in the same area. As Bathiudeen and his supporters were traveling to their meeting, Masthan's supporters reportedly attacked the vehicle carrying Bathiudeen, leading to a confrontation between the two groups.

The Vavuniya and Nelukkulam Police intervened to diffuse the situation. During the clash, two individuals sustained injuries and were admitted to Vavuniya Hospital. Several vehicles from both sides were also damaged.

Watch video on Youtube: Bathiudeen and Masthan Supporters Clash in Vavuniya

 Sri Lanka is set to hold its Parliamentary Elections on 14 November 2024, selecting 225 representatives for the new Parliament. This decision follows President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s dissolution of Parliament on 24 September 2024, using powers granted by Article 70 of the Constitution, through an Extraordinary Gazette (No. 2403/13). In line with Section 10 of the Parliamentary Elections Act of 1981, this election date was scheduled, and the new Parliament is expected to convene on 21 November 2024.

The previous Parliament’s term was initially set to end in August 2025, but President Dissanayake, elected in the 2024 Presidential Election, had promised during his campaign to expedite parliamentary reforms by calling for an early election.

Election Structure and Voter Information

This election will engage over 17.1 million eligible voters across 22 multi-seat constituencies. Gampaha District has the highest number of eligible voters, at 1,881,129, while the Vanni District, with 306,081 voters, has the lowest. Voters can support a party or independent group and may also mark up to three candidates from that group. Alternatively, they may vote solely for a party or group without individual preferences.

Under Sri Lanka's proportional representation system, 196 members will be chosen from constituencies with a minimum 5% electoral threshold, while the remaining 29 seats will be selected from a national list. Gampaha District will elect the highest number of representatives (19), while Trincomalee will elect the fewest (4).

Nomination Period and Candidates

Nominations for this election took place between 4 October and noon on 11 October 2024. A total of 8,888 candidates will contest, with 5,531 representing registered political parties and 3,357 from independent groups. Out of 788 nominations submitted, 719 were approved, while 69 were rejected. The Colombo District reported the highest number of candidates (966), while Polonnaruwa had the fewest (120). In Digamadulla, 64 out of 72 nominations were accepted, and in Nuwara Eliya, 7 nominations were rejected.

Key Figures Opt Out and Noteworthy Developments

Notably, 59 former MPs, including prominent leaders like Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Basil Rajapaksa, have opted not to contest. Public figures such as social media influencer Ashen Senarathne had their nomination rejected by the Election Commission, claiming the nomination was unauthorized. Senarathne publicly expressed dissatisfaction, indicating potential legal action, while the Election Commission has stated that any aggrieved parties may pursue legal avenues.

There were also surprises in the nominations: actress Damitha Abeyrathne was expected to run for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) from Ratnapura but was ultimately excluded from the final candidate list. Ajith Mannapperuma, a former MP, resigned from the SJB and withdrew his nomination for Gampaha shortly after his submission, citing dissatisfaction over organizational issues within the party.

Legal Challenges and Court Rulings

 Several candidates filed Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions with the Supreme Court challenging nomination rejections. While the Court dismissed four out of five petitions contesting the nomination rejections, another petition filed by Priyantha Herath, a civil society leader, challenged the constitutionality of holding elections on 14 November. This petition, which named government officials including the Election Commission, was also dismissed by the Supreme Court.

How to Vote in the 2024 General Election

The official polling cards for the 2024 General Election are ready. According to the Department of Posts, 97% of these cards have been distributed. Voters who have not received their polling cards can visit their local post office during working hours to collect them, a service available until election day.

For added convenience, the Election Commission has introduced an online system allowing voters to access their polling cards. Voters can view their cards via the 'Online Registration' option on the official Election Commission website.

The Election Commission clarified that voters who have not received their official polling cards can still vote at designated polling centers using a valid form of identification. Acceptable IDs include:

• National Identity Card (old or new)
• Valid passport
• Driver's license
• State service pensioner’s ID
• Clergy identification issued by the government
• Elders’ identity card
• Temporary identity card issued by the Election Commission for people with disabilities

Service identity cards issued by state ministries, departments, and similar agencies will not be accepted.

To prevent double voting, each voter’s left index finger will be marked with an indelible sign. If a voter’s left index finger is unavailable, the mark will be applied to another suitable finger.

Ballot Paper Format

Ballot papers in the Polonnaruwa, Monaragala, and Kalutara Districts will be in a single-column format, while those for other districts will use a two-column layout. A specimen ballot paper for each district will be provided with the official poll card distributed to each household.

Voters should use only a cross mark (‘X’) when voting and marking preferences. This measure, implemented to prevent confusion, follows similar efforts during the recent 2024 Presidential Election.

Campaign Finance Monitoring and Spending Limits

In a significant step toward transparency, the Election Commission announced campaign finance limits for political parties, independent groups, and individual candidates in accordance with the Election Expenditure Regulation Act No. 03 of 2023. These guidelines are expected to curb excessive spending and encourage a level playing field.

References: Election Commission of Sri Lanka and PAFFREL

Former Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake criticized President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his government, questioning, "Where is the rich country and beautiful life that Anura Kumara Dissanayake said he is building now?"

 Speaking at a media briefing, she expressed concern over the rising cost of living, particularly the inability to afford rice. "Women are the most impacted group by this crisis. I honestly fear the future of the country as a woman," she said.

She further criticized broken promises, including the fuel price of Rs 52 per liter, calling it a lie. "People were cheated and elected by lying," she remarked.

Senanayake also criticized the government's inconsistencies, adding, "I feel great fear as a woman. The journey of this government is very unclear." She also accused NPP candidate K.D. Lalkantha of hypocrisy regarding his position, stating, "Lalkantha, who accused me about the Porsche vehicle I got for the position given to me by the President's office, is now driving a Range Rover without any position in the Government."

Former MP M.A. Sumanthiran criticized President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for bringing bus-loads of people from other districts to Jaffna for a National People’s Power (NPP) rally.

Posting on X, Sumanthiran questioned the rationale behind the move, suggesting that addressing people in their own districts would have been more cost-effective.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the National People’s Power (NPP) won a bet made by former MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who challenged the party to hold an election meeting in the Nawalapitiya electorate with the participation of 200 people.

She made this remark during a gathering held in Nawalapitiya today (7 November), organized by the university community in Kandy.

“Mahindananda Aluthgamage made a bet with me in Parliament to win the Kandy District in an election and to show an NPP rally with the participation of 200 people in Nawalapitiya. I think we have won that bet. We won the Kandy District in the Presidential Election. There are more than 2,000 people in the gathering alone. So, I don’t think Mahindananda will dare to make bets with me again,” she said.

Dr. Amarasuriya also noted that the NPP had genuine doubts about winning the Kandy District in the Presidential Election of 2024.

“We had our doubts. But the people trusted us, and we won the district. I thank them all,” she said.

Although Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected as the President of the country on 21 September, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member Nalin Bandara alleged today (4) that the true President is JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva.

Addressing the daily media briefing of the SJB, Bandara accused Dissanayake of being a nominal President, asserting that the real power lies with Tilvin Silva.

“Tilvin Silva has become both the President of the country and the JVP leader. Dissanayake dances to his tune,” he said.