• Payagala Post Office says delivery continuing today as well; blames postman retaining cards
• Elections Comm. Gen. notes that polling card not mandatory  

The Postal Department responded to the alleged non-distribution of nearly 1,000 polling cards in two Grama Niladhari (GN) Divisions in Payagala, in the Kalutara District, stating that the polling cards can be collected from the respective post offices, if voters have not received them at their homes.

When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (19), an officer from the Payagala Post Office acknowledged that the issue stemmed from a postman retaining several polling cards. However, he assured that all cards are secure and available for collection at the said post office. “We delivered the polling cards until 14 September. However, due to one incident, this issue was raised. We are continuing to distribute the cards from the post office until today (20). There is no delay in distribution, as claimed by the villagers,” the officer stated.

However, speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday, Postmaster General S.R.W.M.R.P. Sathkumara urged the public not to panic if they have not received their polling cards. He advised those affected to visit their nearest post office to collect their cards, and reassured that action would be taken against the individual responsible for the retention of the cards.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media, the Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake, emphasised that polling cards are only an invitation and not a mandatory document to cast a vote. “Anyone with a valid identity card or document proving their identity can still vote, even without the polling card,” Ratnayake explained. He encouraged voters to verify their eligibility to vote and not rely solely on the possession of the polling card.