News
Hundreds of rallies to shore up support
View(s):
President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Batticaloa. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
By Kasun Warakapitiya
Also, each candidate can address potential voters through state-run television and media channels. The Election Commission (EC) has allocated each candidate with a total of 90 minutes on Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).
So far, more than 40 rallies have been held, while meetings and propaganda campaigns are underway.
The police are providing security after carrying out a threat assessment.
The head of the Police Legal Division, Deputy Inspector General Ruwan Gunasekara who is also acting police spokesman. said candidates and parties have to obtain police permission to use audio systems.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake addresses rally in Bandaragama. Pix by Eshan Fernando
“Police permission is also needed for the rally site. Then the police would check whether there is any party office or other political rally nearby. This is a measure to reduce violent incidents,’’ he said.
Rallies near hospitals will not be allowed.
DIG Gunasekara said a security programme will be rolled out on September 20 and 21. All police leave has been cancelled.
At least two police officers will be assigned to each polling booth, with a total of 26,000 officers being deployed at polling booths islandwide.
“Officers will be deployed to polling booths and counting centres, and we will arrange mobile surveillance, set up roadblocks and the riot squad will be on standby,’’ he said.
SJB rally in Moratuwa. Pix by Akila Jayawardena
At least 55,000 officers will be assigned islandwide.
Meanwhile, the political arena is heating up.
United National Party (UNP) General Secretary, Range Bandara, told the Sunday Times that 100 rallies have been planned.
Ashu Marasinghe, a presidential adviser, said any party can support independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe without losing their party identity or without entering into agreements.
The UNP national convention will be held today, and approval will be sought to include some points in Mr. Wickremesinghe’s manifesto.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary, Ranjith Madduma Bandara said house-to-house campaigning has begun. Pocket meetings and leaflet distributions are taking place.
The party’s manifesto is being launched on Thursday, August 29.
The National People’s Power (NPP) has a number of rallies planned in the upcoming week.
SLPP rally in Anuradhapura
A spokesman said a meeting involving the bank and financial sector will be held at the Monarch Imperial at 11 a.m. On the same day, the national women’s convention will be held in Maligawatte.
Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said the campaign faced a delay due to the last-minute decision about the candidate.
Businessman Dammika Perera withdrew, and the whole campaign had to be changed, he said.
Namal Rajapaksa took up the challenge. “We had to change everything, even from the auspicious time to launch our candidate, our campaign theme, leaflets, and manifesto, as well as the whole campaign programme,’’ Mr Kariyawasam said.
Candidate Dilith Jayaweera has planned a series of main rallies in the first week of September.
Independent Sarath Manamendara also said that he is planning his propaganda campaign through pocket meetings, distribution of leaflets, and social media. He would also use both state and private print and electronic media for publicity.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!