Sri Lanka general election voting picking up after slow start, Colombo 26-pct: officials | EconomyNext (original) (raw)

Wednesday August 5, 2020 11:43 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s voters are turning out to vote in the 2020 general elections by mid morning amid Coronavirus health rules after an initial slow start election officials said.

By around 1100 am on August 05, about 26 percent had turned out to vote in the capital district of Colombo.

“After an initial slow start people are turning out to vote,” District Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne told state-run Rupavahini television.

“In some polling booths it is as high as 30 percent but on average it is around 26 percent.”
People are following health guidelines and voting is peaceful he said.

Voters have to line up one meter apart, use hand sanitizer and wear a mask. They have to briefly remove the mask for identification.

Elections officials, who are behind a transparent plastic panel asks voters to place their finger on a disinfectant soaked piece of lint. They then paint the nail of a finger with indelible ink. The lint is then picked up and dropped on a box.

Voters have been also asked to bring a ball point pen if they can. Most are bringing their own pens, officials said.

In Galle turnout has been around 20 percent by mid-morning District Secretary Somaratne Vidanapathirana said.

MDR Pushpakumara, Nuwara Eliya District Secretary said about 24 – 29 percent had voted at various polling centres by around 1000 am. Polling may pick up after 1100 when estates give leave to workers, he said.

Turnout in Kandy was around 25 percent, Matatale 25 percent, Hambantota 24 percent by mid-morning.

In Sri Lanka a low turnout generally favours the incumbent administration. In general elections Sri Lanka has seen turnouts as low as 61 percent.

In the presidential election there was an 82 percent turnout.

Sri Lanka is going to vote amid an economic downturn. Data from the state statistics office showed the economy had contracted 1.3 percent in the first quarter of 2020.

Sri Lanka GDP contracts 1.6-pct in 2020 first quarter amid Coronavirus

More than 16.2 million are eligible to vote in the elections which will see 225 members elected, 196 directly and the balance from a national list.

(Colombo/Aug05/2020)

Thursday January 16, 2025 1:27 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s production of sugar and rubber rose in October/November 2024, while its fish, tea and coconut declined, the agriculture sector data bulletin by the Economic Research Department of the central bank showed.

Domestic sugar production increased by 109.8 percent on year on year basis during October.

International sugar prices decreased amid the ongoing crushing season in India and Thailand and improving sugarcane crop prospects in the main producing countries, CBSL noted.

Domestic rubber production increased by 38.0 percent year on year during October.

“Natural rubber prices in global markets depicted a sharp decrease in November 2024, mainly attributed to waning demand from China, major importing nation, and the cautious approach of enterprises on the EU’s delay in its deforestation regulation proposal.”

The island nation’s fish production decreased by 13.0 percent, year on year, in October, with a notable decline in inland fishing activities.

Domestic tea production also decreased by 7.5 percent.

“Global tea prices declined in November 2024 compared to the previous month, with two major auctions Kolkata and Colombo reporting lower average prices but Mombasa reporting slightly higher average prices.”

Domestic coconut production decreased by 24.0 percent y-o-y in October.

In November, the market prices of export crops such as pepper, clove, cocoa, cardamom and cinnamon experienced
an increase, while prices of coffee, nutmeg, ginger and turmeric registered a decline.

Earnings from exports of spices increased in October, “mainly due to the strong performance in exports of pepper and cinnamon.

Paddy production forecast for the 2024 Yala season, based on the sown extent reported as of end September, is 2.02 million metric tons. This is a 11.4 percent increase from the previous Yala season, CBSL noted. (Colombo/Jan16/2025)

Thursday January 16, 2025 12:18 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has signed an agreement with Sinopec, which will see the Chinese international petroleum corporation invest 3.7 billion dollars in a state-of-the-art oil refinery with a capacity of 200,000 barrels, constructed in Hambantota.

A substantial portion of the refinery’s output is planned for export, further enhancing the nation’s foreign exchange earnings, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake said.

“This major investment from China is expected to bolster Sri Lanka’s economic growth while uplifting the livelihoods of low-income communities in the Hambantota area.”

“Moreover, the benefits of this project are anticipated to positively impact the overall Sri Lankan population in the near future.” (Colombo/Jan16/2025)

Thursday January 16, 2025 11:25 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s President Anura Disanayake participated in an investment session on Thursday morning, his media division said.

The investment session is jointly organized by public and private sector entities.

Disanayake, speaking at the investment forum, “invited Chinese investors to invest in Sri Lanka, citing stable governance and a transparent economy”.

“He also engaged with leaders of major corporations like SINOPEC, and Huawei BYD Auto.”

Later in the afternoon, President Disanayake is scheduled to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, to engage in discussions on further strengthening bilateral relations.

The President is set to pay tribute at the Monument to the People’s Heroes, “laying a floral wreath to honour their legacy,” the president’s media division (PMD) said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, and with Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake, will also participate in these engagements. (Colombo/Jan16/2025)