RMAL Ratnayake, Chairman of the Election Commission, has announced that laws related to controlling election campaign finances will be enforced in the upcoming presidential election. (Sri Lanka Latest News)
“We are reviewing some guidelines, and the final amount will be determined after discussions with the political parties fielding candidates,” he told The Sunday Times.
Ratnayake stated that the guidelines will be established within five days following the commission’s announcement of the nomination acceptance date.
He added that the Election Commission has launched several training programs for staff to ensure compliance with existing campaign finance laws. This effort involves coordination with the police, the Inland Revenue Department, the Bribery and Corruption Commission, and the Attorney General’s Department. “Currently, district-level staff are undergoing training,” he noted.
The Chairman also mentioned that political parties and local government election observation teams have been briefed on the procedures to follow.
At the end of the election, candidates will be required to provide a detailed account of their expenses. Ratnayake also addressed the issue of illegal cutouts, posters, and billboards, stating, “We will enforce the law wherever necessary.”
