• EC to inform Prez Secy. 

The Election Commission (EC) is to inform the President's Secretary to hold public meetings related to programmes such as 'Urumaya' and 'Jayagamu Sri Lanka' without the participation of politicians, as the Presidential Election is to be declared soon.

Several groups, including opposition political parties and election monitoring bodies, allege that President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is anticipated to contest in the upcoming Presidential Election, is using public meetings including those related to 'Urumaya' and 'Jayagamu Sri Lanka', funded by public money, to bolster his image.

Speaking to The Daily Morning on the matter, the EC Chairperson, R.M.A.L. Rathnayake explained that since the Presidential Election is yet to be declared, they currently lack the authority to impose regulations on such matters. However, he said that the EC has decided to send a letter to the President's Secretary, Saman Ekanayake, regarding the conduct of public meetings associated with these programmes. "We will inform the President's Secretary to ensure that these meetings are held without the participation of politicians. They can be conducted with the involvement of Government officials."

The EC recently stated that the date for the Presidential Election would be declared before the end of this month (July). They assured that nothing would affect the Election's scheduled date and that the dates would align with the Constitution and the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 2 of 1981. According to the EC, nominations for the Election will be accepted between the 16th and 21st day after the Election declaration is published, with the election to be held within four to six weeks from the date of nomination acceptance.