Sri Lanka’s 2024 Parliamentary Elections Begin
On November 14, 2024, Sri Lanka commenced its parliamentary elections, called by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The elections started at 7 am, aiming to secure a majority in parliament to implement policies to address the nation’s financial crisis.
Election Details
The Election Commission of Sri Lanka is overseeing the 10th general polls. The newly elected Parliament’s first session is scheduled for November 21. A total of 8,361 candidates are competing for 225 seats, with 29 seats filled through a national list.
Voter Participation
Commissioner General of Election S Saman Sri Rathnayake anticipates higher voter turnout than the previous presidential election, where 79.46% of registered voters participated.
President Dissanayake’s Vision
President Dissanayake, 55, has promised to transform Sri Lanka into a poverty-free nation. He plans to form a government with less than 25 ministers to efficiently develop the country. He also aims to abolish the executive presidency, a system criticized for centralizing power.
Political Context
In addition to Dissanayake’s National People’s Power (NPP), other contestants include the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the New Democratic Front (NDF) backed by Ranil Wickremesinghe. Vote counting is expected to begin after polls close at 4 pm.
Doubts Revealed
Sri Lanka -: Sri Lanka is a small island country located in the Indian Ocean, just south of India. It is known for its beautiful beaches, rich history, and diverse culture.
Parliamentary Elections -: Parliamentary elections are when people in a country vote to choose their leaders who will make laws and decisions for the country. In Sri Lanka, these elections decide who will be in the parliament, which is like a big meeting where important decisions are made.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake -: Anura Kumara Dissanayake is a political leader in Sri Lanka. He is the President and is trying to get more support in the parliament to make changes he believes are good for the country.
Parliamentary Majority -: A parliamentary majority means having more than half of the seats in the parliament. This is important because it allows the leader or party to pass laws and make decisions more easily.
Executive Presidency -: The executive presidency is a system where the president has a lot of power to make decisions. President Dissanayake wants to change this system to give more power to the parliament instead.
Poverty Eradication -: Poverty eradication means working to make sure that everyone has enough money and resources to live a good life. It involves creating jobs, providing education, and ensuring people have access to basic needs like food and shelter.
NPP, SJB, NDF -: NPP, SJB, and NDF are names of major political parties in Sri Lanka. They are groups of people who have similar ideas about how the country should be run and are competing in the elections.
Election Commission -: The Election Commission is a group of people who make sure that the elections are fair and run smoothly. They organize the voting process and count the votes to see who wins.
