2024 Sri Lankan parliamentary election

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2024 Sri Lankan parliamentary election
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg
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All 225 seats in the Parliament of Sri Lanka
113 seats needed for a majority
Registered17,140,354 [1]
Turnout68.93% (Decrease2.svg 6.96pp)
 First partySecond partyThird party
  President of Sri Lanka Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake in india.jpg Sajith Premadasa (portrait).png
ITAK
Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake Sajith Premadasa S. Shritharan
Party NPP SJB ITAK
Last election3.84%, 3 seats23.90%, 54 seats2.82%, 10 seats [a]
Seats won159408
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 156Decrease2.svg 14Decrease2.svg 2
Popular vote6,863,1861,968,716257,813
Percentage61.56%17.66%2.31%
SwingIncrease2.svg 57.72pp Decrease2.svg 6.24pp Decrease2.svg 0.51pp
 Fourth partyFifth party
  President Dr Muizzu meets Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe (cropped).jpg The former President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa meeting the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on September 12, 2018 (1) (cropped).JPG
Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe Mahinda Rajapaksa
Party NDF SLPP
Last election2.15%, 1 seat [b] 59.09%, 145 seats [c]
Seats won53
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 4Decrease2.svg 142
Popular vote500,835350,429
Percentage4.49%3.14%
SwingIncrease2.svg 2.34pp Decrease2.svg 55.95pp
Sri Lankan Parliamentary Election 2024 Polling Divisions.svg
Sri Lankan Parliamentary Election 2024 Electoral Districts.svg
Prime Minister before election

Harini Amarasuriya
NPP

Prime Minister after election

Harini Amarasuriya [2]
NPP

Parliamentary elections were held in Sri Lanka on 14 November 2024 to elect 225 members to the new parliament. The 16th Parliament of Sri Lanka was dissolved on 24 September 2024. [3] [4] [5] The submission of nominations for the election commenced on 4 October and concluded on 11 October 2024 at 12:00. [6] [7]

The result of the election was a landslide victory for the left-wing National People's Power coalition led by recently elected president Anura Kumara Dissanayake. [8] The NPP won 159 seats, more than any Sri Lankan political party in history, the second highest proportion of seats in the nation's history, and won every district except Batticaloa. This was the first election since 1977 where a single party managed to achieve a supermajority and the first time the Jaffna District was won by a non-Tamil political party. [9] This election also saw a record in women's representation with 21 female MPs elected, the highest in Sri Lanka's parliamentary history, [10] and a record number of more than 150 MPs are first-timers. [11]

Following the election, the newly elected 17th Parliament of Sri Lanka was inaugurated on 21 November 2024. [12] [13]

Background

Political landscape before the election

The Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance (SLPFA), led by Mahinda Rajapaksa, won a large majority in the 2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election on 5 August 2020. [14] During their tenure, the government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa faced multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and an economic crisis, which culminated into widespread protests and the 2022 Sri Lankan political crisis. [15]

These events led to both Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country and resigning as president, and Mahinda Rajapaksa also stepping down as prime minister. [16] [17] Ranil Wickremesinghe was first appointed as prime minister and later became the acting president following Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation. In a parliamentary vote on 20 July 2022, Wickremesinghe was elected as the 9th President of Sri Lanka, tasked with completing the remainder of Rajapaksa's term. [18]

In the 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election held on 21 September 2024, Anura Kumara Dissanayake defeated his main rivals, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to become the 10th President of Sri Lanka. [19]

As per the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, although the Sri Lankan parliament has a term of five years, the president can dissolve it after two years and six months from its first meeting or upon receiving a resolution from parliament. In spite of the 16th parliament's scheduled end in August 2025, President Dissanayake, exercising his constitutional powers and fulfilling an election pledge, dissolved parliament early on 24 September 2024. [20] [21] [22]

Timeline

Key dates
DateDayEventRef.
21 September 2024Saturday Anura Kumara Dissanayake is elected as president at the 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election. [20] [21]
24 September 2024TuesdayPresident Dissanayake dissolved 16th parliament and called for a parliamentary election. [3] [5]
4 October 2024FridayNomination period commenced. [6]
10 October 2024ThursdayDeadline to apply for a postal vote for eligible individuals. [23]
11 October 2024FridayNomination period concluded at 12:00. [7]
30 October 2024WednesdayPostal voting commenced on 30 October 2024, continued on 1, 4, and 7 November, and concluded on 8 November 2024. [24] [25] [26]
11 November 2024MondayElection campaigning activities concluded at 24:00. [27] [28]
14 November 2024ThursdayElection day. Polling commenced at 07:00 and concluded at 16:00. [4] [29]
21 November 2024ThursdayFirst meeting of the 17th parliament at 10:00.
Formal election of the Speaker.
Swearing in of the elected members.
Presentation of the government's policy statement by the President at 11:30.		 [4] [12] [13]

Electoral system

The Parliament has 225 members elected for a five-year term. 196 members are elected from 22 multi-seat constituencies through an open list proportional representation system with a 5% electoral threshold; voters can rank up to three candidates on the party list they vote for. [30] The other 29 seats are elected from a national list, with list members appointed by party secretaries and seats allocated according to the island-wide proportional vote the party obtains.

Every proclamation dissolving parliament must be published in The Sri Lanka Gazette and must specify the nomination period and the date of the election. The first meeting of the new parliament must occur within three months of the previous parliament's dissolution. [31]

Recent changes in seat allocation

On 25 September 2024, the Election Commission released details regarding the number of members to be elected from each electoral district in the upcoming parliamentary election, the number of candidates to be listed on the nomination paper, and the deposit amount required from independent groups. Recognised political parties are exempt from making a deposit. [1] [32] [33]

Registered electors and seat allocation changes: 2020 to 2024 [1] [14] [19]
Provinces Districts Registered electorsNumber of allocated seats
2020202420202024Change
(+/-)
Western Colombo 1,709,2091,765,3511918Decrease2.svg1
Gampaha 1,785,9641,881,1291819Increase2.svg1
Kalutara 972,3191,024,2441011Increase2.svg1
Central Kandy 1,129,1001,191,3991212Steady2.svg
Matale 407,569429,99155Steady2.svg
Nuwara Eliya 577,717605,29288Steady2.svg
Southern Galle 867,709903,16399Steady2.svg
Matara 659,587686,17577Steady2.svg
Hambantota 493,192520,94077Steady2.svg
Northern Jaffna 571,848593,18776Decrease2.svg1
Vanni 287,024306,08166Steady2.svg
Eastern Batticaloa 409,808449,68655Steady2.svg
Ampara 513,979555,43277Steady2.svg
Trincomalee 288,868315,92544Steady2.svg
North Western Kurunegala 1,348,7871,417,2261515Steady2.svg
Puttalam 614,374663,67388Steady2.svg
North Central Anuradhapura 693,634741,86299Steady2.svg
Polonnaruwa 331,109351,30255Steady2.svg
Uva Badulla 668,166705,77299Steady2.svg
Monaragala 372,155399,16666Steady2.svg
Sabaragamuwa Ratnapura 877,582923,7361111Steady2.svg
Kegalle 684,189709,62299Steady2.svg
National List ———2929Steady2.svg
Total—16,263,88517,140,354225225Steady2.svg

Recent Sri Lankan election results

Election results
Dates of elections Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna
(SLPFA) 		Samagi Jana Balawegaya National People's Power Tamil National Alliance United National Party Others
Votes %Votes %Votes %Votes %Votes %Votes %
2019 presidential election 6,924,25552.25%— [d] —418,5533.16%— [e] —5,564,23941.99% [f] 345,4522.35%
2020 parliamentary election 6,853,69059.09%2,771,98023.90%445,9583.84%327,1682.82%249,4352.15%950,6988.20%
2024 presidential election [g] 342,7812.57%4,363,03532.76%5,634,91542.31%— [e] —2,299,76717.27%407,4733.06%
Sri Lankan political map prior to this election
2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election
Wahlbezirkskarte Parlament Sri Lanka 2020.svg Wahlbezirkskarte Prasidentschaft Sri Lanka 2024.svg
Elected members of each electoral district or municipality, gaining the highest number of votes
■ SLPFA ■ SJB ■ TNA ■ SLFP ■ EPDP ■ Other parties

Contesting parties

Abbr.NameSymbolIdeologyLeaderSeats won in 2020 Seats before electionStatus
Votes (%)Seats
SLPP Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna
ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණ
இலங்கை பொதுஜன முன்னணி
Election Symbol Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Sri Lanka.png
Sinhalese nationalism
Right-wing populism 		Mahinda Rajapaksa 59.09%
145 / 225
[c]
106 / 225
Government
SJB Samagi Jana Balawegaya
සමගි ජනබලවේගය
ஐக்கிய மக்கள் சக்தி
Election Symbol Samagi Jana Balawegaya Sri Lanka.png
Big tent
Liberal conservatism
Progressivism 		Sajith Premadasa 23.90%
54 / 225
72 / 225
Opposition
ITAK Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi
இலங்கைத் தமிழரசுக் கட்சி
ඉලංගෙයි තමිළ් අරසු කච්චි
Election Symbol Ilankai Tamil Arusu Kachchi Sri Lanka.png
Tamil nationalism S. Shritharan 2.82%
10 / 225
[a]
6 / 225
Opposition
DTNA Democratic Tamil National Alliance
ஜனநாயக தமிழ் தேசிய கூட்டணி
දෙමළ ජාතික සන්ධානය
Election Symbol Jananayaka Tamil Thesiya Kuttani Sri Lanka.png
Tamil nationalism ——
4 / 225
Opposition
NPP National People's Power
ජාතික ජන බලවේගය
தேசிய மக்கள் சக்தி
Election Symbol Jathika Jana Balawegaya Sri Lanka.png
Democratic socialism
Anti-imperialism
Left-wing populism 		Anura Kumara Dissanayake 3.84%
3 / 225
3 / 225
Opposition
TNPF Tamil National People's Front
தமிழ் தேசியத்திற்கான மக்கள் முன்னணி
ද්‍රවිඩ ජාතික ජනතා පෙරමුණ
Election Symbol Akila Ilankai Thamil Congress Sri Lanka.png
Tamil nationalism Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam 0.58%
2 / 225
2 / 225
Opposition
NDF New Democratic Front
නව ප්‍රජාතන්ත්‍රවාදී පෙරමුණ
புதிய சனநாயக முன்னணி
Election Symbol New Democratic Front Sri lanka.png
Big tent
Economic liberalism 		Ranil Wickremesinghe ———New
SBSarvajana Balaya
සර්වජන බලය
சர்வஜன அதிகாரம்
Election Symbol Sarva Jana Balaya Sri Lanka.png
Sinhalese nationalism Dilith Jayaweera ———New

Total number of candidates contesting

In a media release on 12 October 2024, the Election Commission announced that a total of 8,821 candidates would contest the parliamentary election. Of these, 5,564 candidates represent registered political parties, while 3,257 are contesting as independents. [34] [35]

Socialist Party of Sri Lanka's candidate Chanu Nimesha made history as the first official transgender candidate in Sri Lankan political history to contest at the General Elections. [36] [37] [38]

Members of Parliament standing down

Number of MPs standing down by party affiliation
PartyMPs standing down
Elected [h] Final
SLPP 4533
SJB 710
ITAK 22
UNP 22
TPNA 11
SLMC 11
OPPP 11
NFF 04
SLFP 03
DLF 01
MEP 01
Total59

Election campaign

Campaign finances

Candidate asset declaration

Under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, all election candidates are required to submit a Declaration of Assets and Liabilities to the Commissioner of Elections along with their nomination papers, covering assets and liabilities up to the date the election is announced. Candidates seeking national list nominations must also submit their declarations. [56] [57]

Expenditure cap and regulations

On 17 October 2024, the Election Commission issued a circular setting the maximum campaign spending limit for candidates in the 2024 General Election. This cap applies to candidates, political parties, independent groups, and national list candidates, and is determined by district. [58] [59]

These regulations are enforced under the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, No. 3 of 2023. Parties must submit expenditure reports to the Election Commission within 21 days of the election results being declared. [60]

Election campaigning activities

Election campaigning activities concluded at 24:00 on 11 November 2024. A silent period will be enforced until election day on 14 November 2024, during which all campaign activities are prohibited. [27] [28]

Election monitors

On 12 November 2024, the Election Commission announced that foreign election observers would participate in monitoring the upcoming election. These include representatives from South Asian countries, Russia, Thailand, and members of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL). [61] [62]

Controversies

Rejection of nomination papers

YouTuber Ashen Senarathna announced his candidacy for the Sri Lankan Parliament, seeking to represent the Colombo electoral district as part of an independent group. On 11 October 2024, the Election Commission rejected his nomination, citing that it was submitted by an unauthorised individual, which led to disqualification. Senarathna plans to take legal action, claiming he was asked to wait outside while another candidate submitted the nomination. [63]

Removal of name from the nomination list

Actress Damitha Abeyratne was expected to contest the general elections from the Ratnapura electoral district under the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) ticket. However, her name did not appear on the list of candidates submitted by the SJB to the District Secretariat. Hesha Withanage, the SJB leader for Ratnapura, stated that the decision to exclude her name was made by district members. [64]

Withdrawal from contesting election

On 12 October 2024, former MP Ajith Mannapperuma withdrew from the parliamentary elections and resigned from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), a day after submitting his nomination for the Gampaha electoral district. He cited his removal as SJB chief organiser for the Gampaha electorate. He also expressed disappointment with party leader Sajith Premadasa and his leadership. [65] [66]

Opinion polls

Opinion polling graph for the next Sri Lanka general election (post-2020).svg

Institute for Health Policy

The following nationwide presidential poll was conducted by the Institute for Health Policy (IHP), an independent research institution.

The July 2022 poll lists the SJB and UNP as one party, as well as the SLPP and SLFP. All polls between January 2023 and August 2024 list the SJB and UNP separately, while the November 2024 poll lists the NDF rather than the UNP.

DatePolling firm SLPP SJB NPP UNP/NDF ITAK OthersLeadMargin
of error		Sample
size
November 2024 Institute for Health Policy 7%26%53%9%2%3%27±5–7%–
21 September 20242024 Sri Lankan presidential election
August 2024 Institute for Health Policy 19%29%28%9%4%11%1±1–3%1,153
July 2024 Institute for Health Policy 13%34%32%7%5%8%2±1–3%1,198
June 2024 Institute for Health Policy 16%38%26%7%3%9%12±4–5%446
May 2024 Institute for Health Policy 13%34%34%6%4%9%Tie±1–4%503
April 2024 Institute for Health Policy 12%34%34%5%4%11%Tie±1–4%444
March 2024 Institute for Health Policy 8%38%35%5%5%9%3±1–3%506
February 2024 Institute for Health Policy 9%30%44%4%4%9%14±1–3%575
January 2024 Institute for Health Policy 8%30%40%6%4%12%10±1.0–3.6%506
December 2023 Institute for Health Policy 10%27%39%6%3%15%12±2.0–3.5%522
October 2023 Institute for Health Policy 5%26%40%11%4%13%14±1–5%567
September 2023 Institute for Health Policy 8%22%42%13%6%6%20±1–3%599
August 2023 Institute for Health Policy 11%24%30%11%6%17%6±1–6%556
July 2023 Institute for Health Policy 9%24%23%8%4%33%1±1–3%466
June 2023 Institute for Health Policy 9%23%23%9%5%30%Tie±1–3%506
May 2023 Institute for Health Policy 10%26%23%13%4%23%3±1–5%630
April 2023 Institute for Health Policy 6%30%32%9%4%19%2±1–5%580
March 2023 Institute for Health Policy 4%30%41%6%4%15%11±2–5%521
February 2023 Institute for Health Policy 4%30%43%4%4%15%13±2–5%421
January 2023 Institute for Health Policy 8%31%32%9%5%15%1±2–3%724
July 2022 Institute for Health Policy 18%32%42%––8%10––
2020 electionN/A59.1%23.9%3.8%2.2%2.8%8.2%35.2N/AN/A

Seat projections

DatePolling firm SLPP SJB NPP NDF ITAK OthersLeadMargin
of error		Sample
size
November 2024 Numbers.lk 2531242411911±5870

Voting

Postal voting

The Election Commission initially accepted postal voting applications from 1–8 October 2024, later extending the deadline to 24:00 on 10 October 2024. The postal voting facility is exclusively available to pre-approved officials involved in election duties. [23] [24]

Approved individuals began casting votes on 30 October 2024. The postal voting process adhered to the Election Commission's schedule, with voting continuing on 1, 4, and 7 November, and concluding on 8 November 2024. [25] [26]

Election day

Voting commenced at 07:00 on 14 November 2024 at 13,314 polling stations across the island and concluded at 16:00. [29]

Results

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's National People's Power alliance won 159 of the 225 seats, securing a two-thirds majority in the Parliament. This surge in the NPP's seat count from three in the previous Parliament marks a shift in Sri Lankan politics. Reports suggest that Dissanayake's campaign focused on anti-corruption, social welfare, and economic revival amidst the country's economic crisis resonated with voters. [67] [68] [69]

In the north and east, a decrease in support amongst Tamil and Muslim voters for traditional ethnic parties were given to be the reason for the NPP's success. [67] [70]

The main opposition alliance, Sajith Premadasa's Samagi Jana Balawegaya, won 40 seats, a decrease from the previous election. Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe's New Democratic Front secured 5 seats, while former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna collapsed from 145 seats in the previous election, winning 3 seats. [67] [68]

National

Sri Lanka Parliament 2024.svg
PartyVotes%Seats
DistrictNationalTotal±
National People's Power [j] 6,863,18661.5614118159+156
Samagi Jana Balawegaya [k] 1,968,71617.6635540−14
New Democratic Front [l] 500,8354.49325+5
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna 350,4293.14213−97
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi 257,8132.31718+8
Sarvajana Balaya [m] 178,0061.60011+1
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 87,0380.78213+2
United Democratic Voice 83,4880.75000New
United National Party 66,2340.591010
Democratic Tamil National Alliance [n] 65,3820.59101New
Democratic Left Front 50,8360.460000
Democratic National Alliance 45,4190.41000New
Tamil National People's Front [o] 39,8940.361010
Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal 34,4400.31000−1
All Ceylon Makkal Congress 33,9110.301010
People's Struggle Alliance [p] 29,6110.270000
Eelam People's Democratic Party 28,9850.26000−2
Jaffna – Independent Group 1730,6370.27101+1
National Democratic Front 25,4440.230000
United National Alliance 22,5480.20000New
Sri Lanka Labour Party 17,7100.16101+1
Devana Parapura 16,9500.15000New
Thamizh Makkal Koottani 13,2950.12000New
Jana Setha Peramuna 12,7430.110000
National Front for Good Governance 8,4470.08000New
United National Freedom Front 7,7960.07000New
Arunalu Peoples Alliance 7,6660.07000New
New Independent Front 7,1820.06000New
National People's Party 6,3070.060000
Our Power of People's Party 6,0430.05000−1
Tamil United Liberation Front 5,0610.050000
Democratic United National Front 4,4800.040000
Samabima Party 4,4490.04000New
Patriotic People's Power 3,9850.04000New
Eros Democratic Front 2,8650.03000New
Democratic Unity Alliance 2,1980.020000
Socialist Party of Sri Lanka 2,0870.020000
Jathika Sangwardhena Peramuna 1,9200.020000
United Socialist Party 1,8380.020000
Socialist Equality Party 8640.010000
Freedom People's Front 8410.01000New
United Peace Alliance 8220.010000
Lanka Janatha Party 7590.01000New
Eksath Lanka Podujana Pakshaya 6590.01000New
Liberal Democratic Party 6350.01000New
Nawa Lanka Nidahas Pakshaya 6010.01000New
Nava Sama Samaja Party 4910.00000New
Akhila Ilankai Tamil Mahasabha 4500.000000
Democratic Party 2830.00000New
Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya 2690.00000New
Independents245,4582.200000
Total11,148,006100.00196292250
Valid votes11,148,00694.35
Invalid/blank votes667,2405.65
Total votes11,815,246100.00
Registered voters/turnout17,140,35468.93
Source: Election Commission of Sri Lanka [71]

District

Districts won by NPP
Districts won by ITAK

Seat changes

List of MPs who lost their seat

DistrictIncumbentHeld since
PartyMemberOffices held
Kurunegala SLPP [q] Johnston Fernando [72] Minister of Highways 2000

Aftermath

President Dissanayake expressed thanks to voters for the NPP's showing, calling it a "renaissance". [73] Having secured over a two-thirds majority in Parliament, the NPP now has the power to amend the Constitution of Sri Lanka, having made various promises to do so during the campaign. [74]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Represents seats won by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in 2020.
  2. ↑ Represents seats won by the United National Party in 2020.
  3. 1 2 Represents seats won by the Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance (SLPFA) in 2020.
  4. ↑ Did not exist
  5. 1 2 Did not contest
  6. ↑ New Democratic Front candidate led by the United National Party
  7. ↑ Without preferences
  8. ↑ Party affiliation of retiring MPs at the time of the 2020 election.
  9. ↑ Withdrew candidacy after submitting nominations.
  10. ↑ Including the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.
  11. ↑ Alliance consisting of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (which contested separately in one district, Ampara), the Freedom People's Congress, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (Dayasiri wing), the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (which contested separately in two districts, Ampara and Batticaloa), and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (consisting of the National Union of Workers, the United Progressive Alliance, the Democratic People's Front and the Up-Country People's Front).
  12. ↑ Alliance consisting of the Ceylon Workers' Congress (which contested under the symbol of the United National Party in Nuwara Eliya), the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, the National Unity Alliance, the National Congress, the New Lanka Freedom Party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (Nimal wing), the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (pro-Ranil wing), and the United National Party.
  13. ↑ Alliance consisting of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, the Democratic Left Front, the Independent MPs Forum, the Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya and the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya.
  14. ↑ Alliance consisting of the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front, the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam and the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization.
  15. ↑ The Tamil National People's Front contested under the name and symbol of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress.
  16. ↑ Alliance consisting of the Frontline Socialist Party and the New Democratic Marxist–Leninist Party.
  17. ↑ Originally elected for the United National Party.

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The New Democratic Front is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. It was formed as a political party in 1995 after Srimani Athulathmudali, widow of assassinated politician Lalith Athulathmudali, split from the Democratic United National Front.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harin Fernando</span> Sri Lankan politician

Harin Fernando, MP is a Sri Lankan politician, Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament. He is the former Minister of Tourism and Lands as well as the former Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs. He previously served as the Minister of Sports before, as well as the Telecommunication, Digital Infrastructure Facilities, Foreign Employment, and Tourism ministers in previous Sri Lankan governments. He was the 7th Chief Minister of Uva Province.

The Constitutional Council (CC) is a 10-member constitutional authority in Sri Lanka tasked with maintaining independent commissions and monitoring its affairs. The Constitutional Council is aimed at depoliticizing the public service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna</span> Political party in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka People's Front, commonly known by its Sinhalese name Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), is a political party in Sri Lanka. It was the ruling party in Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2022 and was the largest party in parliament from 2020 to 2024. Previously a minor political party known as the Sri Lanka National Front (SLNF) and Our Sri Lanka Freedom Front (OSLFF), it was relaunched in 2016 as the SLPP and the party became the base for members of the United People's Freedom Alliance loyal to its former leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Rajapaksa family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in Sri Lanka on 5 August 2020 to elect 225 members to Sri Lanka's 16th Parliament. 16,263,885 people were eligible to vote in the election, 31.95% of whom were young voters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Sri Lankan presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Sri Lanka on 16 November 2019. Incumbent president Maithripala Sirisena did not run for a second term. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, brother of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, was the candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and was endorsed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Sajith Premadasa, son of former president Ranasinghe Premadasa and deputy leader of the United National Party was the candidate of the ruling party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samagi Jana Balawegaya</span> Political alliance in Sri Lanka

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya is a political alliance led by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. It is the largest opposition coalition in the Parliament of Sri Lanka since 2020.

A. H. M. Ashoka Premlal Wadigamangawa also spelt as Asoka Wadigamangawa was a Sri Lankan politician and parliamentarian. He represented the United National Party, Sri Lanka Freedom Party and United People's Freedom Alliance during his political career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">16th Parliament of Sri Lanka</span> 2020–2024 meeting of the Sri Lankan legislature

The 16th Parliament of Sri Lanka was the meeting of the Parliament of Sri Lanka with its membership determined by the results of the 2020 parliamentary election held on 5 August 2020. The parliament met for the first time on 20 August 2020 and was dissolved on 24 September 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Sri Lankan presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Sri Lanka on 21 September 2024. Incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe ran for re-election as an independent candidate, making him the first sitting president to run for re-election since Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2015. Other prominent candidates included Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the NPP, and Namal Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supreme Lanka Coalition</span> Left-wing political alliance in Sri Lanka

The Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya or Supreme Lanka Coalition is a political alliance in Sri Lanka formed in 2022. The coalition is made up of seven Sri Lankan leftist and nationalist parties who were formerly part of the SLPP-led Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance, before defecting to the opposition amidst the 2022 economic crisis and political crisis. The first conference of the alliance was held on 4 September 2022. Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) and former cabinet minister Wimal Weerawansa is the chairman of the Supreme Lanka Coalition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freedom People's Alliance</span> Political alliance in Sri Lanka

The Freedom People's Alliance was a political alliance in Sri Lanka founded in 2023. The alliance consisted of 12 political parties, including the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SFLP), the Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya and the Freedom People's Congress.

Local elections have not been held in Sri Lanka since 2018. Elections were originally scheduled to be held in 2022, but were postponed to 2023 due to the worsening economic crisis and instability in the country, before being postponed again several times by the government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Currently, there is no official date scheduled for the elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">17th Parliament of Sri Lanka</span> Current meeting of the Sri Lankan legislature

The 17th Parliament of Sri Lanka is the current Parliament of Sri Lanka, with its membership determined by the results of the 2024 parliamentary election held on 14 November 2024. The parliament met for the first time on 21 November 2024.

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