News
General elections on April 25, dissolution on March 2
View(s):Parliamentary elections are to be held on April 25 after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa dissolves Parliament at midnight on March 2.
Nominations will be called by the Elections Commission between March 12 and 19.
These dates emerged as the ruling alliance led by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) registered it for a second time with the National Election Commission. If the previous one was the SLPP as a political party, the second registration is together with a list of political parties that will form the Sri Lanka Nidhahas Podujana Sandanaya, that too with the Pohottuwa (budding lotus flower) as its symbol.
With this new arrangement, the SLPP-led alliance is now set for the polls. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), this week agreed, that it would also contest under the Pohottuwa symbol.
SLFP leader and former President Maithripala Sirisena has consequently accepted the leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa. He has been given the titular position of chairman of the new alliance.
The Natioal Election Commission members headed by Mahinda Deshapriya met officials who will function as Returning Officers, thus launching one of the major moves for the polls.
A government source said yesterday that April 25 was the earliest date in view of the Muslim month of Ramadan and the Vesak festival thereafter.