10.25 PM
Media statement from Foreign Minister Ali Sabry;
No matter the outcome of today’s election, I’m incredibly proud to have been part of President RW’s team. His leadership came at a time when our country was facing an unprecedented crisis. Back then, it felt like hope was lost—people were leaving in large numbers, queues for basic necessities like oil and gas were a daily reality, inflation was spiralling out of control, and shortages in essentials like fertilizer and medicine were alarming.
Fast forward two years and the transformation is undeniable. Stability has returned, the rupee has strengthened, and inflation is now firmly under control. The government’s reforms have not only increased revenues but also bolstered our reserves, leading to a much-needed fiscal consolidation.
The restructuring of our debt, which brought a $17 billion advantage to the country, was a major milestone. Now, if we stay committed to following the DSA benchmarks, Sri Lanka could be on a slow yet steady path towards sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
It’s easy to criticize from the sidelines, but stepping into the arena and tackling these challenges head-on takes immense courage and determination. Looking back, I’m proud that we answered the call when our country needed us most and gave everything we had to help rebuild our nation.
Now, we await the next chapter with hope and optimism.
9:39 PM
Breaking : An island-wide curfew has been imposed from 10 pm today (Sep 21) until 06 am tomorrow (Sep 22).
Despite the presidential election having been conducted in a peaceful manner, the Police said the curfew has been imposed in view of the safety of the public.
08.00 pm
Newswire.lk is officially accredited by the Election Commission of Sri Lanka to deliver the 2024 Presidential Election results.
Counting of votes for the 2024 Presidential election began this evening with postal votes being counted first.
07.09 pm
The government has declared Monday, 23rd September, as a special public holiday.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs.
06.00 pm
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has highlighted the importance of safeguarding democracy through peace, unity, and friendship.
He stressed that it is the responsibility and duty of all citizens to work together to uphold these values.
Premadasa made these remarks after casting his vote at the Vivekarama Purana Viharaya in Kottewegedara, Rajagiriya.
05.33 PM
Election monitoring body, People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) says voter turnout for Sri Lanka’s 2024 Presidential Election was reported at 75-80%.
PAFFREL stated that, according to its Election Monitors, the voter turnout in 2024 is lower than the 83% reported in the 2019 Presidential election.
“Even if the top 3 candidates obtain 33%, 32%, and 31% of the votes respectively, the 3rd will be eliminated, and the 2nd count will be between the top 2 only, as per the constitution.” Mahinda Deshapriya
05.21 PM
The National Election Commission has announced that the counting of postal votes for the 2024 Presidential Election has commenced.
05.16 PM
National Peoples Power (NPP) Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake has expressed hope for a peaceful transition of power.
Speaking to the media, MP Dissanayake appealed to the public to remain calm following the announcement of the elected President.
‘I trust that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will make way for the democratically elected successor and retire gracefully,’ MP Dissanayake said.
The NPP Presidential candidate added that he does not believe the President will create any issues during the transition of power.
05.07 PM
Presidential Election 2024 : Approximate voter turnout at the close of voting (04 PM)
- Nuwara Eliya – around 80%
- Colombo – 75%
- Ratnapura – over 74%
- Kegalle – 72%
- Kurunegala – 79%
- Gampaha – 80%
- Puttalam – 78%
- Monaragala – 80%
- Badulla – 73%
- Digamadulla – 70%
- Vanni – 71%
- Batticaloa – 65-70%
- Trincomalee – 76.8%
- Polonnaruwa – 78%
- Colombo – 78%
- Kandy – between 75-80%
- Galle – 74%
- Hambantota – 78%
- Matara – more than 75%
- Kalutara – 75%
- Anuradhapura – more than 75%
- Jaffna – 66%
97 year old Sarojini Kadirgamar tells The Hindu what she is voting for this election
3 PM
A total of 164 violations of the Election Law have been reported today, during the course of the 2024 Presidential Election.
According to the election monitoring body, People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL), among the violations, 109 are confirmed and 55 are unconfirmed.
The violations reported are related to attacks on political party/candidate Offices, carrying out Illegal election propaganda, maintaining Illegal party offices, influencing voters, irregularities relating to Ballot Papers, and casting votes illegally/attempting to impersonate.
PAFFREL further said that the 2024 Presidential Election has been largely peaceful.
Meanwhile, the National Election Commission Chairman also said that no major incidents of election law violations have been reported during the course of the Presidential Election.
The Election Commission Chairman also confirmed that the 2024 Presidential Polls has been largely peaceful.
04.11 pm
Voting in Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election concluded at 04.00 pm today.
According to the National Election Commission, the first result of the election, which is the postal votes, is expected to be released before midnight today.
The Election Commission further said that it hopes to complete announcing the election results by tomorrow (Sep 22), even if it enters counting preferential votes.
“Postal vote counting will begin around 4.30 to 5.00 PM, and we expect to release the first postal results before midnight today,” Election Commission officials said.
03.40 pm
The National Election Commission has requested the public not to be concerned over the use of pencils to mark ballot papers in the 2024 Presidential Election.
Issuing a statement, the Election Commission said that all polling stations were issued pens to mark ballots.
However, the Commission has received complaints of voters being provided with pencils, raising concerns over the validity of the ballots.
The Election Commission clarified that ballot papers marked with pencils will be valid and for the public not to worry in this regard.
Instructions have also been issued to polling stations to use pens for the marking of ballot papers, the Commission added.
Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election got underway today at 07.00 am and will conclude at 04.00 pm today.
03.00 PM
According to District Returning Officers, the voter percentage as of 2 PM is as follows;
- Kurunegala – 65%
- Kegalle – 65%
- Gampaha – 62%
- Galle – 61%
- Puttalam – 57%
- Nuwara Eliya – 70%
- Matara – 62%
- Rathnapura – 60%
- Colombo – 60%
- Kalutara – 60%
- Mannar – 60%
- Badulla – 56 %
- Trincomalee – 54%
- Monaragala – 65%
- Digamadulla – 60%
- Hambantota – 60%
- Vanni – 58%
- Jaffna – 49%
02.30 pm
Presidential Election 2024 : Voter turnout as of 01 pm
- Nuwara Eliya – 70%
- Monaragala – 62%
- Kalutara – 60%
- Anuradhapura – 45%
- Polonnaruwa – 55%
- Ratnapura – 55%
- Gampaha – 52%
- Trincomalee – 51%
- Colombo – 50%
- Kurunegala – 50%
- Kegalle – 49%
- Vanni – 46.82%
- Galle – 45%
- Puttalam – 42%
- Matara – 40%
- Kandy – 40%
- Badulla – 40%
- Jaffna – 35%
10.52 am
Presidential Election 2024 : Voter percentage as of 10 am
- Colombo – 20%
- Ratnapura – 20%
- Kalutara – 31%
- Matara – 27%
- Galle – 18%
- Kegalle – 14.8%
- Nuwara Eliya – 10%
- Jaffna – 10%-
- Puttalam – 23%
- Kurunegala – 30%
- Polonnaruwa – 38%
- Trincomolee – 30.4%
- Monaragala – 18%
- Digamadulla – 30%
- Gampaha – 25%
- Mullaitivu – 25%
- Vavubiya – 30%
- Kegalle – 15%
- Ampara – 30%
- Mannar – 29%
07.00 am
Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election got underway today with voting commencing at 07.00 am across the island.
Voting for the 2024 Presidential Polls will be conducted from 07.00 am to 04.00 pm at 13,421 polling stations.
A total of 38 candidates are contesting the election, and 17,140,354 voters are eligible to cast their ballots.
Voters are advised to carry their official polling cards, while those without the official polling cards are advised to carry the accepted forms of identification, such as National Identity Card (NIC), Valid Passport, Valid Driving License, Public Service Retirement ID, Elders Identity Card, ID Cards provided to clergy, Confirmation letter of NIC information, Temporary ID card issued by the Election Commission for disabled persons, and Temporary ID card issued by the Election Commission for others to cast their vote.
According to the National Election Commission, all voters have a right to cast their vote for the particular candidate of their choice as President. Voters may mark “X” or “1” against the name of their choice. If a voter marks “X”, no second or third preferences can be marked.
All voters also have a right to cast their second and third preferences for two other candidates of their choice. If voters choose to mark second and/or third preferences. Second and/or third preference may be marked by marking “2” or “3” against the names of those other candidates.
The National Election Commission has requested the public to avoid taking photographs or filming polling-related activities and to refrain from uploading them on social media platforms.
The public has also been advised to view the results of the 2024 Presidential Election in private, with the Police stating that public screenings have been prohibited in view of possible brawls. (Newswire)