







RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake voted in Sri Lanka’s Parliamentary Election this Thursday afternoon (14) at the polling station established at at the Saikoji Preschool Polling Station, Abeysingharama Temple, Panchikawatta, Colombo. Speaking to the media after casting his vote, the President declared that this was the ‘most peaceful’ election in Sri Lanka’s history.
Furthermore, Dissanayake, who predicted a victory for his party, highlighted that everyone should act responsibly not to cause harm to any other party supporters or members following their victory as well.
The Head of the State also said: “The National People’s Power seeks a strong mandate from the people in this election, confident that such support will lead to a robust parliament. After our anticipated victory, we encourage all supporters to celebrate democratically and peacefully, ensuring that no harm or disturbance comes to other parties.”
“This election campaign has been the most peaceful, most democratic in Sri Lanka’s history, which is a political triumph for the people of our country”, he added.
The Election Commission has outlined the process for counting votes in the general election that was held Thursday,
Election Commission Chairman R.M.L. Rathnayake, addressing a media briefing, stated that the counting of postal votes began at 4:15 p.m. today.
The counting of regular votes is expected to start around 7:15 p.m., depending on when ballot boxes arrive at counting centres, he noted.
The vote-counting process will proceed as follows:
– Ballots in each box will be counted first.
– Votes for each political party or independent group will then be tallied to determine the number of parliamentary seats allocated to each.
– Preferential votes for individual candidates will then be counted, with candidates securing the highest number of votes in their respective parties or groups elected to Parliament.
The results from each voting area and district will be announced only after they have been reviewed and approved by the Election Secretariat, Rathnayake added.
The election commission chairman also urged voters to avoid congregating near counting centres or on nearby roads during the counting process.
“We urge the public especially not to be present around counting centres or on the road for whatever reason,” Rathnayake said.
Meanwhile NPP Colombo District Candidate Dr. Rizvi Salih casted his vote at Carey College Colombo.
Candidates Azath Salley, Nauzer Fowzie, Rauf Hakeem,Sagala Ratnayake Mujibur Rahman and others caste their votes at the respective polling stations.
Meanwhile, at the Saikoji Preschool Polling Station, Abeysingharama Temple, Panchikawatta, Colombo.